KimberlyAnn wrote:wenglund wrote:Runtu wrote:From what I've seen, growth in the church these days seems limited to underdeveloped countries (such as those in Latin America and West Africa) and in the developed world to immigrants and those with little education and low income. The church is not attracting educated people in any areas of the world. It is not attracting the financially secure (and this is probably the most worrisome to the suits). It is not attracting the emotionally and psychologically stable. In short, the missionary program, which has always thrived on attracting people at a vulnerable point in their lives, is attracting the chronically vulnerable. For a church whose mission appears to be growth and income, this is not a healthy trend.
I understand that it may play well to the home team for you to refer to Church leaders as "suites", and I want to see you strengthen the bonds of your friendships here. However, if one is interested in improving relations between believers and unbelievers, I would caution againts using that kind of dehumanizing (mildly in this case) and disrespectful label.
I understand, too, that it may play well to the home team for you to ascribe "income" as the mission of the Church. However, again, if one is interested in improving relations between believers and unbelievers, I would also caution against making this kind of conspiratorial conjecture, particularly when it sharply conflicts with the stated mission of the Church.
In other words, good interfaith relations have a better chance when people are treated respectfully and taken at their word.
Unfreakingbelievable! Do you ever stop with the therapy shtick? Here's a clue:
You are not a therapist! You are not qualified to offer counseling advice to anyone, particularly ex-Mormons! Give it up, already. Take your Dollar Menu McTherapy to people who want it. Haven't you figured it out yet, Wade? We're not interested!
Good God. McDonald's doesn't chase folks around trying to stuff their nasty Big Mac's down people's throats who don't want them. Do everyone a favor and just stop! KA
I am accutely aware that you view me in that way, and out of respect for you, I have made a concerted effort to comply with your past request not to address you personally or participate on threads that you have started (with the understanding that you would do the same in return)--though, that is made more difficult for me now that you have, ironically, followed me around by posted several messages to me and about me, particularly on threads that I have started.
Now, I wasn't aware that you were in a position to speak universally for the ex-Mormon community, and if that turns out to be the case (which I think is hightly unlikely given the positive and welcomed interactions I have had with multiple ex-Mormons), then I will be content to, out of respect, stop participate in forums where there are ex-Mormons. Until that is reasonably determined, it may prove useful for you to honor our prior agreement with me--i.e. mind your own business, and not stick your nose into matters that don't concern you, and matters that were intentionally not meant by me to be addressed to you personally.
If, however, my mere presense is somehow a tremendous threat to your personal peace and security, and the same is true for a number of other participants here, then even if not all former members here are adverse to my participating here, I may still consider leaving for your sakes, though I haven't decided that for sure.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-