Okay, I can't take it any longer.
Folks, it's not "tracking." It's called "tracting," as in a "tract" of homes.
Missionaries
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_Dr. Shades
- _Emeritus
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Re: Missionaries
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"
--Louis Midgley
--Louis Midgley
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_Gazelam
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Re: Missionaries
Dr. Shades wrote:Okay, I can't take it any longer.
Folks, it's not "tracking." It's called "tracting," as in a "tract" of homes.
*snicker*
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato
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_collegeterrace
- _Emeritus
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- Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:28 am
Re: Missionaries
Dr. Shades wrote:Okay, I can't take it any longer.
Folks, it's not "tracking." It's called "tracting," as in a "tract" of homes.
True, "tracking is what they do to you when your husband tells the bishop he and the whole of the church is full of it.
... our church isn't true, but we have to keep up appearances so we don't get shunned by our friends and family, fired from our jobs, kicked out of our homes, ... Please don't tell on me. ~maklelan
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_moksha
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Re: Missionaries
On the subject of Missionaries:
Would a Zombie count as a new conversion for the missionaries,
or would it only be marked down as Baptizing the Dead?
.
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
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_Dr. Shades
- _Emeritus
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Re: Missionaries
moksha wrote:On the subject of Missionaries:
Would a Zombie count as a new conversion for the missionaries,
or would it only be marked down as Baptizing the Dead?
You know, I've never thought of that. What a conundrum!
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"
--Louis Midgley
--Louis Midgley
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_Angel1981
- _Emeritus
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Re: Missionaries
I love it when the missionaries knock my doors. It mostly comes from an interest in seeing why they chose to serve a mission. I keep prying until one of them gives me the famous of all reasons.... "My girlfriend won't marry me unless I go" Come on ex-missionaries, its out there, I've heard it.
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_ajax18
- _Emeritus
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- Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:56 am
Re: Missionaries
People that are successful as lifelong Church members quickly learn that there is a difference between what the world considers an acceptable reason to go on a mission, what your parents consider an acceptable reason, and what the Church hierarchy orders you to have as a reason.
Reasons acceptable to the world-few if any but here's a try
the 3rd world
1. I felt it my duty to learn and experience your great culture and hopefully help you come to my country as well
2. I hoped to marry into your culture and take you all back to America when I leave.
3. I felt guilty for the evil my country has done as an American and am here to give a chance to take your frustrations out on me for it.
4. I came to realize that learning Spanish was my ticket to economic success.
Reasons acceptable to parents
in my case, my parents actually loved me and were mainly concerned with my best interest so it was mainly answers like progression, experience, and ultimately reward. These were the reasons I ultimately held onto and still feel peaceful about---but caution these reasons expose your flank and invite Satans minions to rip you a new hole as a selfish bastard so never admit to this
Some parents, well. It's more like, make us proud, make us look like we raised you well, make us look good to the ward, don't embarrass our family (Return with honor, or don't return at all.)
Reasons acceptable to the Church hierarchy
"Obedience is the first law of the gospel." Do it because I told you to, and that right there is all the explanation you get. I feel sorry for those who get filled with the wonderful feeling reasons the missionaries bend over backwards to give people and explain. What a shock it must be when the nonaccomodating doctrine of the Brethren hits them like a lead hammer.
1. The goods you have to live on are all due to the gospel. This is the least you could do. You actually already owe us a lot more.
2. We think that you owe a tithe on the first 20 years of your life as well as your income. So you can either pay it, or you can burn in hell.
3. Look at what the Lord did for you. If you had any gratitude at all you would do this for him. Feeling guilty yet? Give us 2 months. We'll get so far inside your head that every time a naget girl on a tabloid flies by in the wind we'll have to put you in a padded room till the proper priesthood authority can meet with you and resolve your guilt. I knew one elder that had to go into the padded room every time he couldn't persuade a real life person to join on a door approach. They had literally convinced him he was going to hell with them for not presenting the message well enough.
Reasons going through my head
1. I'm tired of being pressured every Sunday to go. I'm either going to have to quit the Church altogether or be nagged to death.
2. Mormon marriage without a mission is a real longshot. Staying Mormon and marrying a nonMormon may be an even longer shot. Being able to remain celibate one second longer than absolutely necessary, an even longer shot still. In fact life long celibacy may be more manageable than that. All the time being led along, teased with the possibilities, manipulated to build the esteem of others, only to have it snatched away at the last second. No thank you.
Neither of these reasons stood up to fasting in an equatorial jungle anyway. No water for 24 hours is pure hell in the jungle. It takes something like this to understand that some reasons just aren't as motivating as others.
3. And of course the reason that propelled me through two very difficult years, "God will bless me for it." And ironically I still believe He did and will.
Reasons acceptable to the world-few if any but here's a try
the 3rd world
1. I felt it my duty to learn and experience your great culture and hopefully help you come to my country as well
2. I hoped to marry into your culture and take you all back to America when I leave.
3. I felt guilty for the evil my country has done as an American and am here to give a chance to take your frustrations out on me for it.
4. I came to realize that learning Spanish was my ticket to economic success.
Reasons acceptable to parents
in my case, my parents actually loved me and were mainly concerned with my best interest so it was mainly answers like progression, experience, and ultimately reward. These were the reasons I ultimately held onto and still feel peaceful about---but caution these reasons expose your flank and invite Satans minions to rip you a new hole as a selfish bastard so never admit to this
Some parents, well. It's more like, make us proud, make us look like we raised you well, make us look good to the ward, don't embarrass our family (Return with honor, or don't return at all.)
Reasons acceptable to the Church hierarchy
"Obedience is the first law of the gospel." Do it because I told you to, and that right there is all the explanation you get. I feel sorry for those who get filled with the wonderful feeling reasons the missionaries bend over backwards to give people and explain. What a shock it must be when the nonaccomodating doctrine of the Brethren hits them like a lead hammer.
1. The goods you have to live on are all due to the gospel. This is the least you could do. You actually already owe us a lot more.
2. We think that you owe a tithe on the first 20 years of your life as well as your income. So you can either pay it, or you can burn in hell.
3. Look at what the Lord did for you. If you had any gratitude at all you would do this for him. Feeling guilty yet? Give us 2 months. We'll get so far inside your head that every time a naget girl on a tabloid flies by in the wind we'll have to put you in a padded room till the proper priesthood authority can meet with you and resolve your guilt. I knew one elder that had to go into the padded room every time he couldn't persuade a real life person to join on a door approach. They had literally convinced him he was going to hell with them for not presenting the message well enough.
Reasons going through my head
1. I'm tired of being pressured every Sunday to go. I'm either going to have to quit the Church altogether or be nagged to death.
2. Mormon marriage without a mission is a real longshot. Staying Mormon and marrying a nonMormon may be an even longer shot. Being able to remain celibate one second longer than absolutely necessary, an even longer shot still. In fact life long celibacy may be more manageable than that. All the time being led along, teased with the possibilities, manipulated to build the esteem of others, only to have it snatched away at the last second. No thank you.
Neither of these reasons stood up to fasting in an equatorial jungle anyway. No water for 24 hours is pure hell in the jungle. It takes something like this to understand that some reasons just aren't as motivating as others.
3. And of course the reason that propelled me through two very difficult years, "God will bless me for it." And ironically I still believe He did and will.
And when the confederates saw Jackson standing fearless as a stone wall the army of Northern Virginia took courage and drove the federal army off their land.
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_JoetheClerk
- _Emeritus
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Re: Missionaries
Tracting is training for the future. After the Best Two Years of Your Life you come home fully prepared and trained to knock on doors and ask 'have you ever heard of Amway?"
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_neworder
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_Seven
- _Emeritus
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- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:52 pm
Re: Missionaries
truth dancer wrote:The missionaries were tracking in my neighborhood today, as they do about once a month or so.
It got me wondering when the church is going to stop this practice.
In this day and age, people just do not want folks dropping in, they do not want to discuss relgion with those who believe differently, and they think missionaries are odd.
I mean seriously this is not the 1950's.
It is getting to be embarrassing.... not only is tracking ineffective, it seems to be doing more harm than good. It is making the church look kind of stupid.
I feel badly for the missionaries ....
~dancer~
Hi Truth Dancer, :)
I agree with you.
Here are my thoughts of why I don't believe the church will ever stop this practice...
Serving a mission dramatically changes most of these young men into very loyal church members for life. Retention of BIC Mormons who marry in the temple and have lots of TBM children is more critical to the church now than new converts, in my opinion.
Having the presence of missionaries in every area of this country and other places in the world, gives the impression that our church is growing strong and powerful. People all recognize who they are, even if it's an annoyance.
Culturally, it's a requirement for temple marriage by the young TBM ladies. Can you imagine how different dating would be for Mormons at BYU if the church stopped the missionary program? That would be interesting to see!