An honest quiz

[Jeff K.]

I like honest questions that make me think. I detest dishonest questions which are a ruse for the good nature of curiosity.

[charity]

I voted confronting the falsehood stuff. I am just by nature contentious. I know, I know. But I get really irritated by the lies, etc.

[hagoth7]

I prefer the second option over the first.

However, over the last few years, my favorite has been asking others about aspects of their belief (that I genuinely wanted to understand), letting that simmer for a bit until I felt I understood it sufficiently, and then echoing back (to those who were interested) what value I derived from their perspective. I basically find it more satisfying to be an investigator than insisting that those around me do so instead. Surprisingly enough, that's also where some of the most meaningful discussions of my faith eventually sprouted. Odd that.

[Garden Girl]

Why? What's he been eating?

Yeah... here on the coast and up into Washington... high winds with gusts about 50 MPH... back east this would be approaching "hurricane" force. We just call them high winds.

GG

[wenglund]

While I have more fun than I should with the propaganda ("more fun than a human should be allowed"), but in terms of enjoyment it is a distant second to addressing honest inquiries. With the latter, there is a good chance that all involved may be edified--I know that I often grow in faith and understanding through such discussions; whereas with the former, everyone tends to be diminished or cheapened.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Cold Steel]

feel free to comment.

By far number two.

I began corresponding with a friend not long ago about the church, and now I've received two e-mails tonight from a family member. He asked me to watch a very anti-Mormon video (available on DVD) and then invited me to answer the notion that plural marriage was the "new and everlasting covenant of marriage" regarding D&C 132. It immediately included the entire revelation where every reference to the everlasting covenant was highlighted in yellow and related to polygamy, not marriage.

Now it would be one thing if he were interested and asking questions, but I know he's going to take the links I send him and deep-six them because he's only interested in sinking my battleship. When I was a brash teenage missionary, I enjoyed a good, and testy, on occasion, discussion. We called it "bashing." But that was a long time ago and I no longer enjoy it.

One of the things he mentioned: "Where do we find bonafide Jews who are directly descended from Judah? I mean, how can Jesus restore an Israel without a single bonafide Jew who can trace his or her lineage back to Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David?"

He's what's called a preterist, meaning that he believes that all prophecy has been fulfilled and thus, there is no need for anything more. He believes that Christ has already come and that Israel of today is a nation of interlopers and occupiers. Thus it's doubtful that he's interested in learning anything or really discussing it. In previous discussions, he only asks questions and never responds to questions put to him. But I don't enjoy these exchanges.

[charity's child]

In my experience false propaganda claims and those who wish to argue them do just that - argue. It is a spirit of contention that I do not enjoy and do not believe I should enjoy.

Honest inquiries I enjoy, for there God can be.

[Obiwan]

The poll is kinda odd for me.... It's like asking which I enjoy more, friendly talking with someone or mortal combat with someone. (or immortal hee hee)

Who wouldn't enjoy friendly discussion more?

However, I find that I'm compelled to contend against false witnessing. So, while I don't enjoy it, I'm not going to allow "slam dunks" against my faith, so I likely tend to do this more, because of the "urgency" and "seriousness" of what is occurring. I would much rather if people told things truthfully about us, and we can all just disagree on who's "Way" is actually the superior and true way. But, it could also be said the contention pushes me to know my faith and the truth even better. So, there is good and bad.

[ERMD]

Unfortunately, instances of statement #1 outnumber those of #2 by about 100 to 1.

[Mellybug]

I prefer honest inquiry because while it is fun to correct the lies or to catch people in them, I much prefer the rewards and the feeling of the spirit when there is an honest inquiry and exchange of religious beliefs.