Still critics showing up at temple open houses?

[Mike Drop]

2 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Because he's new at this.  Amateur critic.

Most saints I know think the protesters are amusing.  It's not the best attitude but there's a feeling of superiority when dealing with them..."aww poor deluded souls fighting God's work".  We tend to pity protesters, and that greatly reduces their impact.

I agree. Mormons definitely feel superior when interacting with non mormons, not just protesters. It’s part of the appeal of being Mormon. The protesters know this to be the case, that’s why they’re protesting. I think you’re starting to figure this out. Congratulations. 

[OGHoosier]

7 minutes ago, Mike Drop said:

It’s part of the appeal of being Mormon. The protesters know this to be the case, that’s why they’re protesting.

With respect, I doubt that most of them are driven by some sort of anger at our perceived superiority complex. 

Also I tend to discount glibly definitive "mass psychology" assessments.

[Kenngo1969]

9 hours ago, Mike Drop said:

You should be happy critics have the costitutional right to protest outside temple grounds. The freedom they have to protest is the same freedom Joseph Smith started a religion with. Besides, it could be worse. They could be sending their representatives onto private property to knock on millions of front doors to spread the one and only true gospel message. Just be glad the protesters haven’t figured that out yet. 

"Oh, you don't have time to listen to us, or would prefer not to hear our message?  OK.  Here's our number if you have any questions.  Thanks.  Have a great day!"  Besides, barring a "Solicitors Unwelcome" sign, a locked gate, or the like, just about anyone has a limited license to come onto your property hawking just about anything.  Once you've manifested a lack of interest, pretty much, that license expires, but that doesn't mean it never existed in the first place.  

[JLHPROF]

1 hour ago, Mike Drop said:

I agree. Mormons definitely feel superior when interacting with non mormons, not just protesters. It’s part of the appeal of being Mormon. The protesters know this to be the case, that’s why they’re protesting. I think you’re starting to figure this out. Congratulations. 

Quite the opposite.  They don't protest us because we feel superior.  They think we are promoting falsehoods.  Whether ex-mormon or other evangelical faiths they protest because they think we're selling lies.  Not because of our superiority complex.

That and the well established fact that there has always been constant opposition to God's priesthood in every age.  So much so prophets warned if it ever ceases it's because we've apostatized.  Protesters are just fulfilling prophecy for us.

[Raingirl]

1 hour ago, Kenngo1969 said:

"Oh, you don't have time to listen to us, or would prefer not to hear our message?  OK.  Here's our number if you have any questions.  Thanks.  Have a great day!"  Besides, barring a "Solicitors Unwelcome" sign, a locked gate, or the like, just about anyone has a limited license to come onto your property hawking just about anything.  Once you've manifested a lack of interest, pretty much, that license expires, but that doesn't mean it never existed in the first place.  

Years before I joined the church, an evangelical knocked on my door one Saturday afternoon.  As soon as I realized why she had knocked on my door, I pointed to the mezuzah on my doorpost, pointed out that it was my Sabbath, and that I didn’t need “saving”.  She was not happy with me. 🤷‍♀️
 

About a year after I joined the church, I again answered a knock at the door(different location).  This time it was two female Jehovah’s Witnesses. In response to their trying to leave a copy of the Watchtower with me, I said I would take it if they would take a Book of Mormon.  They couldn’t run down the sidewalk fast enough! 🤷‍♀️

[Mike Drop]

32 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

Quite the opposite.  They don't protest us because we feel superior.  They think we are promoting falsehoods.  Whether ex-mormon or other evangelical faiths they protest because they think we're selling lies.  Not because of our superiority complex.

That and the well established fact that there has always been constant opposition to God's priesthood in every age.  So much so prophets warned if it ever ceases it's because we've apostatized.  Protesters are just fulfilling prophecy for us.

You might want to be more humble when talking about protesters. Most are fellow Christians, correct? Admitting to having a superiority complex is a great first step in humbling yourself before God. 
 

I changed Pharisee to Mormon and tax collector to Protester. Tell me what you think of the following verses. Am I close? Is this the superiority you feel inside when interacting with protesters outside the temple?

Luke 18:9-14

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable.

10 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Mormon and the other a protester. 11 The Mormon stood by himself and prayed, God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evil doers, adulterers, or even like this protester. 12 I fast twice a week and give a 10th of all I get.

13 but the protester stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 
 

 

 

[OGHoosier]

36 minutes ago, Mike Drop said:

You might want to be more humble when talking about protesters. Most are fellow Christians, correct? Admitting to having a superiority complex is a great first step in humbling yourself before God. 

As we learn from the book of Job, claiming a sin which you have not actually committed is a breach of integrity before God. 

As for your Mike Drop Translation, I feel like it's wide of the mark in several ways. I'd argue first and foremost that there aren't really grounds to claim that most protestors are that humble compared to their LDS counterparts. Humility and breast-thumping are not the vibe I generally get from most protestors I've seen. Especially not the ones that get in my face. 

41 minutes ago, Mike Drop said:

Is this the superiority you feel inside when interacting with protesters outside the temple?

No. 

[Kenngo1969]

Whenever someone brings up the topic of protesters, I can't help but reflect on my experience attending General Conference and singing in a regional choir.  After the session, in order to get back to our vehicles for the drive home, we had to "walk the gauntlet": protesters on one side of us yelling that we're "going to hell" as we filed through, while, on the other side, were sister missionaries and youth groups singing the songs of Zion.  I thought that the contrast was striking and unmistakable 

[Thinking]

With proper planning the protests can be minimized. The parking lot for the Hill Cumorah Pageant used to be across the street, so attendees had to cross the street so protestors could set up right at the crossing point and protest away. My wife's family and I went a few years ago and the parking lot had been moved to the same side as the pageant (all on the church's property). The protestors were off in the distance talking to themselves.

[secondclasscitizen]

In the late 70s my stake and I imagine others had organized picketing at adult book stores. Any customer that drove in or out of there was jeered at and called a pervert and all kinds of stuff. I was just a kid and was pressed into service to carry a sign every time we went. This picketing was done every night except sun and mon. 
 

we deserve all the protesting we get. We have done it to others so what goes around comes around. Freedom of speech is priceless until it is weaponized against the church.

Edited September 5, 2021 by secondclasscitizen

[secondclasscitizen]

https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/13/us/in-shifts-utah-mormons-protest-at-adult-bookstore-in-nevada.html
 

and we were at it again in the 90s

 

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/prop-8-mormons-gay-marriage-shift/

maybe we could leave everyone else alone or quit cryin

Edited September 5, 2021 by secondclasscitizen

[JLHPROF]

5 hours ago, Mike Drop said:

13 but the protester stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

What protesters have you been observing?  😄

[Hamba Tuhan]

10 hours ago, secondclasscitizen said:

maybe we could leave everyone else alone or quit cryin

Mate, you're one of the very few people in this thread cryin'. Go back and read my post, for example. Latter-day Saints as a rule defend and protect the rights of others to peaceably assemble and express their beliefs. Of necessity, this includes protesting against our beliefs.

That doesn't mean we don't get to analyse and comment on the performance or effectiveness of those who do. You're conflating two widely divergent things.

Edited September 5, 2021 by Hamba Tuhan

[OGHoosier]

1 hour ago, secondclasscitizen said:

we deserve all the protesting we get. We have done it to others so what goes around comes around. Freedom of speech is priceless until it is weaponized against the church.

You must be using the "royal we," because I don't feel like you're describing me or anybody I know every time you use it. 

[secondclasscitizen]

7 hours ago, OGHoosier said:

You must be using the "royal we," because I don't feel like you're describing me or anybody I know every time you use it. 

We as a church. We have done our part to hassle others so as a collective no compliant warranted when someone does it to us.

[secondclasscitizen]

8 hours ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Mate, you're one of the only people in this thread cryin'. Go back and read my post, for example. Latter-day Saints as a rule defend and protect the rights of others to peaceably assemble and express their beliefs. Of necessity, this includes protesting against our beliefs.

That doesn't mean we don't get to analyse and comment on the performance or effectiveness of those who do. You're conflating two widely divergent things.

I have not made one complaint about others protesting the church. 

[Hamba Tuhan]

21 minutes ago, secondclasscitizen said:

I have not made one complaint about others protesting the church. 

Nope, just endless complaints about a dozen other things.

[secondclasscitizen]

6 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Nope, just endless complaints about a dozen other things.

Oh yea but you said “this thread.” Specificity is key because when you are not specific it makes you appear to not be truthful. 
 

You would then be correct. I’ll continue my cryin till things change for the better. 

[Hamba Tuhan]

11 minutes ago, secondclasscitizen said:

Oh yea but you said “this thread.” Specificity is key because when you are not specific it makes you appear to not be truthful. 

I definitely meant 'in this thread'. 

[OGHoosier]

50 minutes ago, secondclasscitizen said:

We as a church. We have done our part to hassle others so as a collective no compliant warranted when someone does it to us.

Is "protesting" a reciprocal phenomenon? Does one "deserve it", or is it just something that people do? Because you are implying that all who protest about anything deserve to be counterprotested in turn. Seems like an controversial precedent.

Forgive me for not buying stock in your reciprocity theory. 

[secondclasscitizen]

5 minutes ago, OGHoosier said:

Is "protesting" a reciprocal phenomenon? Does one "deserve it", or is it just something that people do? Because you are implying that all who protest about anything deserve to be counterprotested in turn. Seems like an controversial precedent.

Forgive me for not buying stock in your reciprocity theory. 

Ok sounds great! Thanks for responding to my survey

[secondclasscitizen]

24 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

I definitely meant 'in this thread'. 

Ok then you lied about it. I never complained about anyone protesting the church in this here “temple critics” thread 

I am calling for a cfr from you where I complained about people protesting the church/ temple. 

Edited September 5, 2021 by secondclasscitizen

[Hamba Tuhan]

9 minutes ago, secondclasscitizen said:

I never complained about anyone protesting the church in this here “temple critics” thread 

Correct. You've just whinged about multiple other things throughout this entire thread.

[secondclasscitizen]

3 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Correct. You've just whinged about multiple other things throughout this entire thread.

Ok so you admit to lying? 

[secondclasscitizen]

7 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Correct. You've just whinged about multiple other things throughout this entire thread.

Quote any COMPLAINT I made on this thread. Cfr