Mormon ambush at Walmart (page 2)

jws

Forgot to say that the older of the two. Let me digress a moment. They call themselves elders. They looked no older than 18. I've always thought of an elder as being somebody older with a few years of experience and wisdom. Elder, as in the word "elderly". OK, that wisdom part doesn't apply to JW elders either. But these 18 year olds calling themselves elders just cracks me up.

Anyway, what appeared to be the older one and the one who was clearly the alpha of the two seemed real interested in the last group that I bought beers for. After first being skeptical that they were Mormons and me explaining it more (my door, Mormon badges, talking about the book of Mormon, less than 12 hours later with my memory still fresh, showing up at Hooters and me going up and saying hi and them recognizing me). Then he seemed to believe me. He said that was definitely not allowed and asked if I knew their names. I could tell he intended to report them.

I was vague about when and I honestly couldn't remember their names. I told him so and told him that even if I did remember, I wouldn't tell him. I don't believe they committed a crime and should not be punished for it.

Told them I also know another faded (I think she's faded) Mormon who's a lesbian. They didn't like that at all. As evidenced by the California anti-gay marriage campaign, that's a hot button for them. They made it clear that marriage should be man and woman only. I very much disagree, but didn't argue. Until you can get them to stop believing in their holy books that say it's bad, I don't think there's a strong argument you can make with religious types.

@LouBelle: Thank you. I really would like to think that my kids are thinking for themselves and not just growing up to repeat what they hear from dad. And this kind of gave me evidence that he does think for himself.

It's my daughter I'm worried about. She generally echoes thoughts of religion being wrong. She loves YouTube videos by NonStampCollector and commentary by ZOMGitsCriss. But we live in the south and many of her friends are very religious. She knows if she presents herself differently, she will not fit in and might lose her friends. She's only 11, but already she's leading a double-life. Sometimes her friends invite her to church and sometimes she goes - and says she has fun. Granted, it's not the boring stuff we sat through in Kingdom Halls, it's kid-oriented. So of course it's fun. And she still comes home saying she doesn't really believe it. But now I'm wondering if it's me she's trying to please and she's actually falling into their snare. Time will tell. I try not to be strict and force my way on them or tell them what to do. I'd rather lay it out and have them make informed choices on things like this. And I'm not going to take a stance against her if she wants to go to churches. I just hope it's for social reasons.

jws

They're everywhere!

Today after school, I took the kids to the park and there were another set of Mormons. Different from the ones yesterday. There's a runner/bike trail that runs for a few miles and goes through this stretch of park. They were making a big message with sidewalk chalk.

I approached them while the kids played with much the same message as yesterday. I told them about being an ex-JW and how they're a cult too and need to examine their own religion. Take a deep look. When something doesn't make sense, don't just dismiss it, look into it.

I also had a few new things to ask them about that I had recalled since yesterday. There's a YouTube video "What the Mormons Really Believe" that I had seen a while back. So I asked them what planet it was that Jesus lives on? Oooh, that seemed to surprise them a bit. They did NOT want to answer that. They talked all around it after I repeated the question several times. I think their answer was to read the book of Mormon.

I also asked them if they really believe they're going to get their own planet. Again, no denials, just dodging. Are these things they try to hide? Like when JWs tell you they just want people to read their Bibles. No they don't they want to convert you. Or that only God can see the heart and knows who he'll save at Armageddon when every JW knows it'll only be JWs. But they never tell the public these things.

I also asked them if the women would be lined up once they got through with their missionary stint. One of them gave a knowing smile, the other tried to be straight faced. They said that's not why they're out there.

Oh, darn, I forgot about the magic underwear (temple garments). I doubt it'll be my last time seeing Mormons.

So as they're winding it up. The more senior one could tell I was a lost cause and really wanted to wrap it up anyway, but they had some excuse about appointments. I think this was the spanish speaking delagates, even though they were both pretty white.

So, before they wrap it up, the younger one hands me a card that shows their website. I look at it and there's a black guy (well, darkish anyway) and then I remembered they had some sort of ban on black people. I don't know whether they couldn't join or just couldn't hold position. I asked them about it. If all was revealed to them, would God tell them to prevent black people, then to allow them to do whatever it was that was banned? Isn't God's will unchanging? If so, then it's man making the rules. They told me there's an FAQ on their website that might answer my questions. Should have looked it up while they were waiting.

Bungi Bill

One thing to be said about the Mormons and their evengelistic methods, they do go out of their way to speak to people. The JWs, by contrast, seem fixated with tapping on the doors of empty houses -just as long as they are "out" in "service" and can enter "time" on that all-important Monthly Field Service Report slip.