Ex-Mormon Missionaries

[_Boaz & Lidia]

But what if it turns out that they are being cured of their disease by taking a mere placebo? There is a great deal of evidence showing that faith placebos (at least on a minimal level) work. To destroy their faith by revealing to a patient that they are actually taking a mere salt tablet... that information (although true) may turn out to actually kill them.

This is what my spouse does. S/he chooses to look away in order to maintain belief. The belief is perceived as beneficial and so s/he does not want to challenge that perspective. S/he may be correct in that choice.

Just curious, is your spouse named PAT? :P

[_Mike Reed]

But what if it turns out that they are being cured of their disease by taking a mere placebo? There is a great deal of evidence showing that faith placebos (at least on a minimal level) work. To destroy their faith by revealing to a patient that they are actually taking a mere salt tablet... that information (although true) may turn out to actually kill them.

This is what my spouse does. S/he chooses to look away in order to maintain belief. The belief is perceived as beneficial and so s/he does not want to challenge that perspective. S/he may be correct in that choice.

Just curious, is your spouse named PAT? :P

LOL!

[Guest]

LOL!

Me, too!

Hilarious, B&L!



I think my daughter, Maddie, should offer to help Pat with her/his eyebrow problem.

KA

PS. I want to add that I mean no offense to Amantha, who's posts I enjoy very much. I just found B&L's comment quite clever.

[_Mister Scratch]

Careful---juliann is going to be very angry that you are posting photos of her on the board.

[_amantha]

But what if it turns out that they are being cured of their disease by taking a mere placebo? There is a great deal of evidence showing that faith placebos (at least on a minimal level) work. To destroy their faith by revealing to a patient that they are actually taking a mere salt tablet... that information (although true) may turn out to actually kill them.

This is what my spouse does. S/he chooses to look away in order to maintain belief. The belief is perceived as beneficial and so s/he does not want to challenge that perspective. S/he may be correct in that choice.

Just curious, is your spouse named PAT? :P

LOL!

S**t! How'd you find out?

Sorry, I'm a big fan of anonymity. Don't tell rcrocket.

[_Boaz & Lidia]

But what if it turns out that they are being cured of their disease by taking a mere placebo? There is a great deal of evidence showing that faith placebos (at least on a minimal level) work. To destroy their faith by revealing to a patient that they are actually taking a mere salt tablet... that information (although true) may turn out to actually kill them.

This is what my spouse does. S/he chooses to look away in order to maintain belief. The belief is perceived as beneficial and so s/he does not want to challenge that perspective. S/he may be correct in that choice.

Just curious, is your spouse named PAT? :P

LOL!

S**t! How'd you find out?

Sorry, I'm a big fan of anonymity. Don't tell rcrocket.

Do you have a cousin named Amanda Hugnkis?

[_amantha]

Do you have a cousin named Amanda Hugnkis?

Maybe ;)

[_Dr. Shades]

First off, good to see you back, hypatia!

Now, onward:

But what if it turns out that they are being cured of their disease by taking a mere placebo? There is a great deal of evidence showing that faith placebos (at least on a minimal level) work. To destroy their faith by revealing to a patient that they are actually taking a mere salt tablet... that information (although true) may turn out to actually kill them.

You want to talk about placebos? Okay, let's do so. Here's what is actually happening: Mormonism breaks your leg, then hands you a crutch, then says, "If it weren't for us, you wouldn't be able to walk!"

All KA is doing is saying, "Rather than accepting the crutch of Mormonism, here's how to avoid having your leg broken in the first place."

(placebo = crutch.)

[_Mike Reed]

You want to talk about placebos? Okay, let's do so. Here's what is actually happening: Mormonism breaks your leg, then hands you a crutch, then says, "If it weren't for us, you wouldn't be able to walk!"

If an elderly woman has just had her husband pass away, and she herself is approaching death... and her whole mind, heart and soul is wrapped up in the idea that they will be able to be reunited again after death, because Joseph said so... it would be absolutely tasteless, heartless, and cruel to try to prove to that woman that Joseph Smith was a fraud. Likewise... it would be tasteless, heartless, and cruel for me to tell someone, who is a recovering alcoholic (and is relying on the Grace of Jesus as his/her strength and support) to try to prove to him/her that Jesus was just a man.

The fact of the matter is that Religion has done some very positive things for people, as wacky as some of them may be. The Nation of Islam for example (not to be confused with Islam) is a wacky religion (in my view); however, they are one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) rehabilitators for convicts.

Your example is a good one... and in this case, I would agree with trying to help that person realize that their religion (Doctor) isn't working for them. My point is that although some people may need your services, there are others who would be better off without. I am trying to encourage sensitivity and tactfulness.

[_Dr. Shades]

If an elderly woman has just had her husband pass away, and she herself is approaching death... and her whole mind, heart and soul is wrapped up in the idea that they will be able to be reunited again after death, because Joseph said so... it would be absolutely tasteless, heartless, and cruel to try to prove to that woman that Joseph Smith was a fraud.

Indeed. . . which is precisely what KA is **NOT** doing. Remember, she only approaches those who have had "first contact" with the missionaries and/or those who approach HER, not those who are fully invested. Problem solved.

My point is that although some people may need your services, there are others who would be better off without.

And KA has explicitly stated that she does NOT approach such people. Problem solved.

I am trying to encourage sensitivity and tactfulness.

And KA has displayed nothing BUT sensitivity and tactfulness. Problem solved.