We got missionaries!

Sounds like a lot of people on this thread have had unpleasant experiences with religious enthusiasts in RL. I hope you don't extend that hostility toward anyone who happens to be using SL to pursue religious or spiritual activities. Just because they call themselves missionaries doesn't necessarily mean they are going to go around knocking on people's doors or trying to convert people on the street. They might simply set up places and form groups where people who are interested can come and find out more about their religion. There are already many groups and venues in SL representing various religions, and many of them are very open and welcoming toward all different kinds of people. I view them as one of the more positive features of SL.

Didn't mean to imply that by the original post. The news report suggested that evangelism was precisely why they were being encouraged to join SL. Personally, that doesn't bother me either, I'm Buddhist myself. Just thought it was interesting.

that is soooooo cute
I love kitties

Eh I just direct the bible thumpers to one of the Gor Sims

the ones who are cool about it dont bother me.

I've been told that if missionaries are cooked right , they can be quite tasty.

Can we give them back?

bible thumpers to gor sims... you know what I bet'cha they'd be comfortable there with some of the stuff in the bible.

aye most groups are fine, just watch out for the crazies.

Some people in the antireligion crowd are every bit as intolerant as some people are in the religion crowd. And they are every bit as smug and sanctimonious and self-congratulatory. Both sets of beliefs have their Pharisees, who publicly make a show of their Correctness and say: "Thank God I am not as other men." And both sets of Pharisees are about equally blind, and about equally idiots in my book.

OTOH, there are religious people who have had genuine religious experiences that have changed their lives for the better. I have known such people. I am not one of them, and do not know whether their experiences of "the presence of God" are real (whatever real means) or not. But I have learned to respect them and the genuineness of their lives. Such people are made genuinely happy by their experiences and their choices, and have become visibly better people for it. I have not met any atheists about whom I could say the same thing. I have met many atheists who are very unhappy.

I would suggest that people who pride themselves on being secular and open-minded should leave off taking cheap shots at people who think, rightly or wrongly, that they are possibly saving you from a terrible fate, and actually be open-minded about them and their good will or lack thereof. They are not all Elmer Gantry! Imagine, being open-minded when you claim you are open-minded. Think about what that might feel like.

And there was me thinking the dictionary definition of a missionary was: A person sent to infect a population with the "One Truth". Usually to be found operating under the doctrine "Thou shall be the most prejudice and bigoted in all the kingdom, and spread the word of (insert name of distasteful mythical super autocrat) zealously."

Or am I missing the point of missionaries.

So missionary person, feel free to enter the wonderful world of SL, but just don't expect me to talk with you.

I have seen just as many prejudiced and bigoted atheists as I have religious people. I fully support your right to associate with or not associate with who ever you chose. But I have to ask would you also support the right of a person to not associate with furrys, homosexuals, or persons of a different ethnic background?

Webster's Unabridged New World Dictionary: Missionary...a person sent on a mission; specifically, a person sent out by his church to preach, teach, and proselyte in a foreign country, especially in one considered heathen.

You may not think that is different from your "definition," but actually, it is a lot different. The difference is, Webster's is open-minded and objective.

umm actually that IS what being a misionary means it is pretty much the purpose of Missionaries to try activly go out and convert others

i will not be rude to anybody unless they refuse to respect my beliefs and my right to them then, the gloves come off

Heathens being people who arent Christain, which the Missionaries want to change.




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I always wonder why people never question dictonary definitions - most work on definitions is only done by grad students. They are far from infallable.

*holds his hand up as being a heathen* lol

honestly people can try to convert me I actually find it fun if i have the time for it. They get terribly disappointed though that after spending 3 hours talking to me that I have no intention of changing anything. I get bible thumpers at my door regularly in real life I guess i can deal with it in second life as well.

The SL Humanism group made the Jesuits' SL evangelism (yes, that is why they're here) the topic of discussion today. Go to SL Humanists notices page if you're interested in the minutes of the meeting; they sent out a couple of articles on the Jesuits etc. as well.

Are heathens allowed to eat the Missionaries?

only in Comic books.

Quite the contrary, I would encourage them to seek out all these communities, and even participate. Of course they can ignore my advice, but they will miss out on some very enlightening and engaging opportunities.



The Websters definition is identical to mine and really nails the point home right at the end with "heathen".

I think you'll find me to be very open minded, though I will concede my tolerance levels are tested by the cloistered ravings of those inclined towards religious missionary work.

I met a priest once, some day in my first week in SL. He was riding a bicycle and holding a bible. I was a noobie desperately zooming around a money tree and he just gave me a dollar. He wasn't trying to convert me though.

Heathens eat whatever takes their fancy, which is fine by me. The rules dictating what Christians can and can't eat are just confusing.

http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/what_not_to_eat/lv11_03.html

So you really aren't open minded. You just like to pretend you are.

And I didn't ask if you would encourage them to seek out the groups, I asked would you support their right to not associate with the groups, for what ever reason they see fit?

Especially when you confuse Jewish dietary law with Christian freedom. Romans 14 gives Christians permission to eat anything they want.

Even heathens?

No I'm as open minded as I feel is humanly possible, the only thing I can't stand are hate groups. You know groups actively search out and isolate members of any community for prejudicial treatment, like the Clan, and overly zealous missionaries.

Edit: Playing the Hate group card was perhaps a touch over the top to say the least. I don't have any problem with any church, temple or shrine being in SL. My only objection is to those actively seeking to convert the masses ie. missionaries

Is there some confusion about the difference between open-mindedness and tolerance here? Somebody with an open-mind is receptive to new ideas and information.

Having to tolerate somebody's right to be intolerant (as is suggested above) just to be considered "open minded" (which is erroneous anyway) is somewhat ludicrous.

Edit: I would strongly advise bystanders to get in before the lock. Religious threads end about as well as Ginko threads.