Can Mormonism learn to embrace ex-Mormons and atheists?

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Moksha
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Re: Can Mormonism learn to embrace ex-Mormons and atheists?

Post by Moksha »

drumdude wrote:
Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:41 pm
Judaism, Christianity, Mormonism, and Islam are part of the Abrahamic tradition.
Excellent point. Together with others, they are also part of Humanity.
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Philo Sofee
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Re: Can Mormonism learn to embrace ex-Mormons and atheists?

Post by Philo Sofee »

drumdude wrote:
Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:41 pm
DCP posted this a few days ago. He’s always very good at reminding Christians and Mormons that Islam is an Abrahamic religion. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are brothers from the same mother tradition.

https://journal.interpreterfoundation.o ... -patience/
Abstract: Believers in the God of Abraham — who include not only Jews and Christians but also Muslims — are exhorted to call upon him every day, as well as in times of need. We are promised that he will respond to petitionary prayers. Moreover, we are assured that, in the end, believers will prosper, that their faith or trust in him will prove justified. But we are not promised that rewards, compensation, or justice will come to us on our mortal timetable — and this raises sometimes burningly acute questions about Providence and even, for more than a few, about either God’s benevolence, his care, or his sheer existence. So we are also exhorted to be patient. And that sets us up for many of mortality’s greatest tests. In the meantime, while faithfully waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled, we ourselves are to work toward their fulfillment “with all [our] heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23, NIV).
Which got me thinking. Why can’t Dan embrace ex-Mormons and atheists in a similar way? Are only the religious to be celebrated and commiserated with?

It’s projected by 2070, less than half of the US population will believe in God. I think it’s time for apologists like DCP to start extending some olive branches to the future majority.
Can you possibly imagine the reaction of their bishops and stake presidents if he were found eating and drinking with winebibbers and prostitutes like Jesus did? (I wonder if the hint will catch or if it will go sailing off right over his head...)
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