Inconceivable wrote:You opened up a can of worms here,
Going home at anytime was nearly unthinkable. There are a few similarities between the commitment of Japanese Kamakazi pilots and Mormon missionaries. It has a little to do with shame and family honor.
Yeah. But the only people who know it's unthinkable are people who know something about LDS culture. For nevermos who aren't in the know the story that you can just pull out and call it "the college try" and not be thought bad of is at least plausable (although most people seem to think that if you don't go through with something you say you will you are some sort of failure).
True but in the Mormon world it is very shameful, like being caught as a child molester. You will be shunned to some degree or another, and you will not be able to marry a "nice" girl.
Bond...James Bond wrote:I guess the main defenses for the Church are:
1) The missionaries signed up for it. Freedom of choice. Can go home at anytime.
2) The missionaries were being irresponsible and should have taken more precautions.
3) The missionaries of any religion are in danger in 3rd world countries.
You opened up a can of worms here,
Going home at anytime was nearly unthinkable. There are a few similarities between the commitment of Japanese Kamakazi pilots and Mormon missionaries. It has a little to do with shame and family honor.
Funny, I saw over a dozen missionaries just in my Mission decide to just give it up and go home. How many Kamikazes did the same? How many without punishment?
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
John Larsen wrote:True but in the Mormon world it is very shameful, like being caught as a child molester. You will be shunned to some degree or another, and you will not be able to marry a "nice" girl.
Yeah. It's really sad imho for some people who're born into the mold but doesn't fit the rigid mold of their individual circumstances. No matter what they do they're screwed.
Follow conscience-screwed by society/family
Don't follow conscience--screwed up internally
Last edited by Anonymous on Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"Whatever appears to be against the Book of Mormon is going to be overturned at some time in the future. So we can be pretty open minded."-charity 3/7/07
John Larsen wrote:True but in the Mormon world it is very shameful, like being caught as a child molester. You will be shunned to some degree or another, and you will not be able to marry a "nice" girl.
Yes, let me tell you. When I compare LDS child molesters and those who decided not to go on a Mission, I consider them equally sinful. Girls also choose to date child molesters over Mission skippers.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
Gazelam wrote:LDS Missionary Deaths from 1999-2006...
This list really ignores the long lasting negative effects. There are a couple of guys that I know personally who have suffered long term negative health effects from their mission. I know missionaries who suffered from hepatitis, malaria, malnutrition and dysentery to name a few. On my mission, I was shot at, my companion was rundown on his bicycle (I was there), another missionary was stabbed and another companionship got jumped and beat up--none of these events ever were heard about outside of the mission and maybe parents.
But the bigger negative and long term legacy of the missionary program is psychological. There are many, many missionaries who suffered long term damage from their missions.
To simply say that missionaries don't die is the extreme of insensitivity.
John Larsen wrote:But the bigger negative and long term legacy of the missionary program is psychological. There are many, many missionaries who suffered long term damage from their missions.
The sacrifice and dedication of 100 hour weeks to prove to God and the visiting GA's that we really wanted the success our MP talked about had affected me for many years.
I learned to feel guilt about enjoying free time with my family. We struggled financially for about 10 years to make ends meet while I was in school, working 1-2 jobs. I could not get myself to enjoy a ballgame with my sons, stressed on our very short family vacations or anytime I was with them. I didn't deserve their presence until I became a better provider.
I'll try to find direct links to the Missionary deaths (I think I've seen them before).
"Whatever appears to be against the Book of Mormon is going to be overturned at some time in the future. So we can be pretty open minded."-charity 3/7/07
Inconceivable wrote:Going home at anytime was nearly unthinkable. There are a few similarities between the commitment of Japanese Kamakazi pilots and Mormon missionaries. It has a little to do with shame and family honor.
Except, maybe, for those whose parents completely disagreed with their choice to serve a mission, or were totally indifferent. Or dead.
One moment in annihilation's waste, one moment, of the well of life to taste- The stars are setting and the caravan starts for the dawn of nothing; Oh, make haste! -Omar Khayaam
The Nehor wrote: Funny, I saw over a dozen missionaries just in my Mission decide to just give it up and go home. How many Kamikazes did the same? How many without punishment?
I imagine the hesitant kamikaze pilots were dealt with harshly. What was the fate of these early missionary returnees?
I imagine fathers and mothers of sons who cannot go on missions due to the "higher bar" requirements now set for missionaries, may be disappointed to the degree that their sons appear failures in their eyes. This would be so incredibly dysfunctional if it did occur, however the fact that I can conceive of it means that it probably has happened somewhere.