DiscussMormonism.com

So, I've had a couple of instances recently in which I've noticed that for some younger people in my area, Anti-Mormonism has become a fad.

Because of the countless hours of research and my being fairly well-versed on the topic of Mormonism, I've been engaged by several youth who want to know more. Unfortunately, and while my ego appreciates it grates my ethics, they've come to almost idolize me.

If they were asking for an actual reason, rather than to jump on the bandwagon, I wouldn't be as bothered. I've always said, and stand by, I'm always available to share information and allow people to make their own decisions.

These kids though, are doing the "popular" thing. . . and that just seems wrong to me. My personal ethics won't allow me to not share information when asked, but I don't want to add to this over-glorified image of "It's cool to be anti-mormon".

Thoughts? Comments?

I think a person can leave the church for the "wrong" reason. I mentioned this in a thread recently, that I know a guy, a friend of the family, who left the church because "it wasn't working for me", and drank, smoked, and screwed around for a while, partied hearty, but after some mind games from his parents and realizing that his new-found friendships were pretty empty and he wasn't finding happiness, he's now back in the church. The problem is, he didn't leave the church for the right reason, which is that it's not actually true.

If these kids are just looking to be cool, then that's probably not the right reason. If they honestly want to know whether the church really is true or not, then that, IMHO, is the right reason. I personally believe the church should be embraced, or rejected, based on its truth value, and not based on any social considerations or whether "it's working for you" or not.

Bryan Inks wrote:So, I've had a couple of instances recently in which I've noticed that for some younger people in my area, Anti-Mormonism has become a fad.

Because of the countless hours of research and my being fairly well-versed on the topic of Mormonism, I've been engaged by several youth who want to know more. Unfortunately, and while my ego appreciates it grates my ethics, they've come to almost idolize me.

If they were asking for an actual reason, rather than to jump on the bandwagon, I wouldn't be as bothered. I've always said, and stand by, I'm always available to share information and allow people to make their own decisions.

These kids though, are doing the "popular" thing. . . and that just seems wrong to me. My personal ethics won't allow me to not share information when asked, but I don't want to add to this over-glorified image of "It's cool to be anti-mormon".

Thoughts? Comments?

It's not up to you to control whether they are anti-mormon or not. All you can do is share the information and let them do with it what they will.

for 10+ years I have been working with the Youth in some way or another - I've been on scores of camp-outs and made many friendships I cherish.. I was a good mentor, a shoulder to cry on, I always have couch to crash on, or advice to give when girls became more important than power rangers.. I sometimes worry while at church or walking through the n-hood that one of my boys will ask me why I don't teach them anymore, or participate in scouts.

I have attended three mission "reports" in the last year where I have been very disturbed with the dilemma of what the F*** do I do now. do I tell these boys(whom I love like sons) everything about the church I should have taught them 10 years ago when they were deacons? do I track down the boys who are off at school or married, and let them know Joseph Smith was a scheming philanderer and the Book of Mormon is most likely fiction, and "by the way" the more you look into the Bible it is more flawed than the Book of Mormon, and just in case you were unaware there are 1000's of valid, logical reasons to question the divinity of Christ, and the very existance of a God any god..

Is that now my cross to bear?(so to speak)- or do I attempt to un-indoctrinate all of these boys I so successfully participated in indoctrinating for years..

Some Schmo wrote:It's not up to you to control whether they are anti-mormon or not. All you can do is share the information and let them do with it what they will.

I'm not looking to control their reactions, not by a long shot. . . I guess I'm just a little torn up because these kids are getting this information, not out of a serious desire to know, but so that they can be trendy.

Well, information is information, and I guess you can't control what they do with it. I guess all you can do is answer their questions, and try to help them understand what it means for the church not to be true.

Bryan, can I ask what "area" you live in?

Scottie wrote:Bryan, can I ask what "area" you live in?

Utah County. The cultural hub and Mecca of. . . nothing.

Bryan Inks wrote:

Scottie wrote:Bryan, can I ask what "area" you live in?

Utah County. The cultural hub and Mecca of. . . nothing.

Ok, next question...what, exactly, are these kids doing that is anti-Mormon?

Scottie wrote:

Bryan Inks wrote:

Scottie wrote:Bryan, can I ask what "area" you live in?

Utah County. The cultural hub and Mecca of. . . nothing.

Ok, next question...what, exactly, are these kids doing that is anti-Mormon?

I smell an SCMC rat


Its a trap!