Comments on: In Preparation for the Evangelicals http://abev.wordpress.com/2005/05/30/in-preparation-for-the-evangelicals/ An overly eclectic, likely inconsequent[ial], and blatantly fo[w]l blog on life, family, literature, law, and religion. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:12:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Anonymous http://abev.wordpress.com/2005/05/30/in-preparation-for-the-evangelicals/#comment-676 Sun, 05 Jun 2005 07:50:00 +0000 http://abev.wordpress.com/2005/05/30/in-preparation-for-the-evangelicals/#comment-676 the key to dealing with hard-core evangelicals it sto stay cool, and not get defensive. And also to realise that the majority of Evangelicals in the USA dont share their negative attitudes towards, not only us Mormons, but against the teaching of Evolution in schools, etc. A lot of them would probably love to justhave the world go back to the era when segregation was the way of the world.
So the key is to not get all hot and bothered if approached, and to politely tell them that ‘hey, this is the good, ole’USA – where we have t he freedom to choose to orship God in any manner we choose to”. Actually trying to debate doctrine etc, with such hard-core Evangelicals, is, in my view, counter-productive, and also a waste of time. 

Posted by sid

]]> By: Anonymous http://abev.wordpress.com/2005/05/30/in-preparation-for-the-evangelicals/#comment-675 Tue, 31 May 2005 23:45:00 +0000 http://abev.wordpress.com/2005/05/30/in-preparation-for-the-evangelicals/#comment-675 I would agree that we need to agree. On the other hand, I’ve noted the uncanny ability of these folks to approach when one is eating lunch. Can’t say as I blame them . . . it givees them a captive audience. What is necessary in such situations is a welcoming attitude and an ability to let them know why you can’t simply agree with everything they have to say, something which John’s post does tend to make clear, though I don’t know if I would send the James thing their way.
I simply ask them to explain themselves, which usually ends in the idea that lots of people who never heard of Christ will be going to hell. I simply tell them that if God is that arbitray, I don’t like him.
The exception is people who have an understanding of the heathen nations as being able to follow the law in their hearts without knowledge that they are doing so. These are often those influenced by Lewis and/or Tolkien, who were very much concerned with such things, and somehow have gained acceptance in some evangelical circles. This is trickier, as it is harder not to point out the obvious contradiction that these folks have to be doing something, implying the improtance of works. 

Posted by Steve H

]]> By: Anonymous http://abev.wordpress.com/2005/05/30/in-preparation-for-the-evangelicals/#comment-674 Tue, 31 May 2005 15:28:00 +0000 http://abev.wordpress.com/2005/05/30/in-preparation-for-the-evangelicals/#comment-674 I’d encourage folks in Utah who meet these Evangelicals to be very open and welcoming. As John’s other thread points out…they might not like the idea of a Mormon president. Let’s point out all the common ground we have with them and if they decide we aren’t saved…fine; as long as they vote their values and not their prejuidice.  

Posted by lyle stamps

]]>