Curious...

[Annie12]

So, One of my friends isn't catholic and every time I talk about religious stuff even if it's not Catholic (even if it's just Christian) she goes from her bubbly talkative self to just becoming completely not interested. She is LDS (Mormon) and claims to be Christian but doesn't like to talk about religion unless it's her's. I'm confused why this is, because [u]She is a supper great friend [/u]and it just seems a bit odd that she is so religious yet doesn't want to even mention God, or Christianity ever. Any insight? I'm just confused. I rarely even mention it because she clearly don't want to talk about it. Do you think it's against her religion to talk about others religions (but at the same time she says she's christian and yet doesn't want to mention Christianity)?

[Winchester]

Maybe try lunch great friends.

[Archaeology cat]

Maybe she feels her faith is very private. As far as I'm aware, LDS have no issues speaking with others about faith, as I've been in small groups with Mormons. But some just aren't comfortable talking about what is, to them, a very personal thing.

[Basilisa Marie]

I had a lot of Mormon friends growing up, and they were always happy to talk about their faith. But she might feel uncomfortable. I mean, think about it. She thinks she's a member of the true church, and that everyone else is going to the "outer darkness" (aka hell but not really). Maybe she's worried about being converted. The Mormons believe a lot of...different...things than the rest of even mainstream Christianity. Maybe she feels uncomfortable when other people talk about Christian things that she doesn't believe. Have you ever listened to her when she talks about her religion? Like, really listened, and understood what she has to say? I only ask because you say "claims to be Christian" and it's pretty obvious that Mormons are Christian if you hear them out. Strange, very different, but still Christian. Maybe if she felt like she was being listened to, she'd be more willing to open up.

[Winchester]

Ask about her britches.

[Winchester]

[img]http://www.trollscientist.com/image/206-power-of-magnet-miracles-troll-physics.png[/img]

[Annie12]

[quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1346423055' post='2476684']
I had a lot of Mormon friends growing up, and they were always happy to talk about their faith. But she might feel uncomfortable. I mean, think about it. She thinks she's a member of the true church, and that everyone else is going to the "outer darkness" (aka hell but not really). Maybe she's worried about being converted. The Mormons believe a lot of...different...things than the rest of even mainstream Christianity. Maybe she feels uncomfortable when other people talk about Christian things that she doesn't believe. Have you ever listened to her when she talks about her religion? Like, really listened, and understood what she has to say? I only ask because you say "claims to be Christian" and it's pretty obvious that Mormons are Christian if you hear them out. Strange, very different, but still Christian. Maybe if she felt like she was being listened to, she'd be more willing to open up.
[/quote]

I was advised my catholic people and other resources that Mormons are not Christians. Sorry, I wasn't trying to be snarly. I was just told this. I never really even mention anything about my beliefs because I know it makes her uncomfortable. I do listen actually. I even looked up what they believe just so I could understand her better. but I still don't understand it. But, I know she went to my presentation about Marian apparitions and thought it was very interesting, so.... I'm confused...

[Basilisa Marie]

[quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1346424109' post='2476696']
I was advised my catholic people and other resources that Mormons are not Christians. Sorry, I wasn't trying to be snarly. I was just told this. I never really even mention anything about my beliefs because I know it makes her uncomfortable. I do listen actually. I even looked up what they believe just so I could understand her better. but I still don't understand it. But, I know she went to my presentation about Marian apparitions and thought it was very interesting, so.... I'm confused...
[/quote]

Nah, reading my post again I realize I come off a bit..snippy. My apologies!

Well, I guess it depends on what you say is necessary for someone to be a Christian. Jesus? they got it. Trinity? ehh....not so much.

Hmm... my only other idea would be to talk with her then. And ditto what Archaeology said.

Good luck!

[Annie12]

yeah. My guess is that she was taught that other religions are false and therefore don't try to understand them. I dunno... She always invites me to her church dances and social events but She doesn't seem interested in my views. I think she may want to understand but the also wants to be a good Mormon. I can understand that.

[beatitude]

[quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1346424449' post='2476699']
Nah, reading my post again I realize I come off a bit..snippy. My apologies!

Well, I guess it depends on what you say is necessary for someone to be a Christian. Jesus? they got it. Trinity? ehh....not so much.

Hmm... my only other idea would be to talk with her then. And ditto what Archaeology said.

Good luck!
[/quote]

As I understand it, in Catholicism we don't recognise people as Christians unless they're able to affirm the Apostles' Creed. That covers the vast majority of Protestant denominations, but not Mormons. I see Mormonism as having Christian influences, but not being Christian.

[quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1346426260' post='2476705']
yeah. My guess is that she was taught that other religions are false and therefore don't try to understand them. I dunno... She always invites me to her church dances and social events but She doesn't seem interested in my views. I think she may want to understand but the also wants to be a good Mormon. I can understand that.
[/quote]

Try not to read too deeply into her reluctance to talk. She may just be a very private person, as others have said. Not everyone is chatty about their faith.

[Annie12]

[quote name='beatitude' timestamp='1346427347' post='2476711']




Try not to read too deeply into her reluctance to talk. She may just be a very private person, as others have said. Not everyone is chatty about their faith.
[/quote]

Good point.

[PhuturePriest]

As others have suggested, she probably finds it a private thing. As Tim Staples would point out, "Every time I tried to convert a Catholic I would always hear 'We don't talk about Religion in my house. Religion is a personal thing.' And in my mind I took that as a sign that they didn't know Jesus because there was no way you could know Jesus and not talk about Him." I am inclined to agree with Mr. Staples, but I am anything but a private person. I keep some important information private, for things I deem important and personal you can know all about it, you simply have to ask (And sometimes not even that!). But I realize some people are different. I am rather suspicious when people won't talk about at least what should be the most important thing in their lives, but she may even just be uncomfortable about talking to people in matters of anything she deems personal for this or that reason. It is best not to push such things if she is like this and to simply show her the faith with your good acts of kindness and charity.

[BG45]

I'd guess others are right and she holds faith as a private thing; a lot of Mormons I know are bubbly and happy to try and convert me at any time they get a chance, but any criticism of their faith (even just talking about other faiths) is greeted with essentially "oh my goodness (don't blasphemy) you're trying to make me leave the True Church" or "you need to stop thinking about that stuff and accept the truth".

Though they don't embrace the doctrine of the Trinity and have blatantly added to what is "sacred" and continually change portions of their doctrines (black people were black due to their wicked sins until the 1970s for instance) they do place an emphasis on family that I personally find to be astounding and wish more Catholics would do the same. Is she a first generation Mormon, or has she been brought up in the LDS church? One sociologist in the 90s did a study and claimed almost 2/3s of all Mormons are first generation converts, which would also explain her zeal (other than when we truly believe something, we should have zeal).

[Annie12]

But it's not that she doesn't like to talk about her faith. She does that a lot. She doesn't like it when I talk about mine. I was just curious why that might be. I wasn't planning on being confrontational about it or anything. I suppose that is her business. I was just hoping to understand why... But I think I'll just leave it a lone because it's no biggy.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1346432682' post='2476748']
But it's not that she doesn't like to talk about her faith. She does that a lot. She doesn't like it when I talk about mine. I was just curious why that might be. I wasn't planning on being confrontational about it or anything. I suppose that is her business. I was just hoping to understand why... But I think I'll just leave it a lone because it's no biggy.
[/quote]

Oh, this explains it. Mormons are pretty closed-minded once they have accepted the Mormon teachings. It comes as no surprise that she isn't receptive to your faith. My advice is to convert her through acts of charity and devotion than through word of mouth. This is the most effective way of evangelizing in some cases.