Re: The Future of the Mormon Testimonial
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2021 11:51 pm
Yes indeed, Mormonism blows where the wind dictates, and adapts as events dictate. Otherwise there is no light from heaven.
Internet Mormons, Chapel Mormons, Critics, Apologists, and Never-Mo's all welcome!
https://discussmormonism.com/
I'm referring to their attendance levels. They are on pace to cease to exist in 15 years. I'm sure some services are quite inspiring.huckelberry wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 10:53 pm
In this instance I am again puzzled. I would much rather sit through an Episcopalian service than a Mormon one. Of course not all Episcopalian services are going to be the same. You may be thinking of a bad one and I thinking of an inspiring one.
I'm not holding anything close to the chest. We're just unfamiliar with each other. I'm an Evangelical Christian (though I would gladly dump the term. Any time you have to say "it depends on what you mean by that", the term has lost its functionality). You can learn more about my views on Mormonism here. https://ldstalk.wordpress.com/huckelberry wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 10:53 pmWhat are you hoping for for long term success? I gather you might not be entirely of the party here which sees long term success only as, or ideally as, the end of the Mormon church along with other churches.
You started saying four points are the direction you see the LDS church going. Do you see that as a good thing or as decay? Do you think the LDS church is leaving traditional docrines and beliefs behind? Is that a good thing?
This is exactly the kind of material Mormons would use to evangelize.huckelberry wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:13 amDid people notice that this testimonial was a fireside for Mormons who had some concern for other Mormons having some faith struggles. It was not a presentation for missionary efforts. It was not for teaching nonMormons what Mormons find important.
You are being too meta there and dealing with an entirely different order of beliefs. I’m referencing the stuff like gay wedding cakes, trans bathrooms, prayer in school, creationism, founding fathers being portrayed as modern fundamentalists, etc.huckelberry wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:36 pmStakhanovite, I could not help but have a bit of puzzle and curiosity about this comment. I have a hard time not seeing word of faith and American fundamentalists as reflecting a full unquestioning acceptance of American consumerist values, have faith and get more money.Have faith and have a blessed protected life. Is it possible that churches that question peoples first values will have some growth problems. Well maybe it is not quite that simple.
I don’t think that is the case at all.huckelberry wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:36 pmI have long thought that an important mainline problem was a drift into a kind of worship which was largely nostalgia for a time when people actually believed those old Christian ideas.
I am interested in the problem of what ails the mainline churches but have no reason to think I am expert or sure of the answer. Pulling from my own bag of impressions mainlines may be suffering from extended friction and division about social issues. i might be interested in your view of what ails the mainline churches.DrStakhanovite wrote: ↑Sat Apr 10, 2021 2:34 am
You are being too meta there and dealing with an entirely different order of beliefs. I’m referencing the stuff like gay wedding cakes, trans bathrooms, prayer in school, creationism, founding fathers being portrayed as modern fundamentalists, etc.
I don’t think that is the case at all.huckelberry wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:36 pmI have long thought that an important mainline problem was a drift into a kind of worship which was largely nostalgia for a time when people actually believed those old Christian ideas.