Some advice

[Classico]

Hi, I'm new here as you can tell. Honestly, I didn't see myself in this type of forum as I'm not exactly the most religious. However, a bit over a month ago I ordered a Book of Mormon to read* out of interest in theology, reading, and history. For some stupid reason I didn't realise a missionary would visit me personally, and seeing as we occasionally (every few months) have a missionary around our apartment complex I didn't exactly put two and two together... needless to say, being 8pm, and tired from work, I listened to their introduction and said I was an atheist**. It was then they mentioned it was ordered in my name... boom, then I understood. I feel awful because they said they had walked around my apartment complex trying to find me, and here I was backpedaling and not knowing what to say.

I know several Mormons from my swim team, and know one closely, you're some of the kindest family oriented people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yet here I was being rude, I wonder what they were thinking walking away from my apartment. I feel obligated to apologise further to these two gentlemen but I wouldn't know where to start, there are about seven LDS churches near me alone so who knows which they came from.

Anyway, maybe this is pointless, I just feel really bad for making these two nice guys come find me at 8pm and have me cut them short because it was 8pm and I'd forgotten I'd ordered the book.

Thanks ahead, I'm sorry if this is stupid, but I felt the need to say something and I thought this was the place to start. They were gone by the time I thought about running downstairs and outside to explain and apologise.

*I'm sure a good majority in addition to me prefer reading an actual book instead of a computer screen.

**It's true; I was NOT trying to be mean -- though admittedly I'm afraid it could easily be taken that way. I'm the quiet inquisitive type of atheist you probably don't know is one until you ask, I don't run around saying bad things about people and their beliefs, I'm live and let live. I don't intentionally wrong anyone, and not you good people or the gentlemen who came to my door.

Edited August 22, 2008 by Classico

[Lbybug]

i know when friends of mine have ordered book of mormons and had the missionaries deliver them, they would recieve a call from the call centre asking if they had recieved it and if they had any questions. anyways, perhaps if the call centre calls you, you can tell them what happened and ask if they could put you in contact with the elders who visited you. or perhaps the elders may try to visit you again and you will get a chance to apologize. I know you said you're athiest, but i do know God works in mysterious ways. you might just get to see those elders again, i know i'm sayin a little prayer for you :)

anyways...hope that helps...i'm sure others will know more...but that's just my thoughts.

[bytor2112]

Very kind comments...don't sweat it, they have pretty thick skin and they will probably be back. So, your an Athiest? Not agnostic? You don't believe in the possibility that there is something out there, a higher power or something or someone that is higher evolved?

[Classico]

Very kind comments...don't sweat it, they have pretty thick skin and they will probably be back. So, your an Athiest? Not agnostic? You don't believe in the possibility that there is something out there, a higher power or something or someone that is higher evolved?

bytor2112: Thanks for the response, I know they do -- it just isn't my way to put someone in that position.

I would not call myself agnostic, though as a younger man I did. To make things simple lets call me a Neo-Deist as per my personal definition below. I can't know for certainty any of these are wrong so I lean towards what I find correct.

I believe the divine is never knowable with full certainty. I believe in science, reason, and ethics rather than revelation or Biblical guidance. My personal view of God is as whatever not only created the Universe, but time and space itself.

It could be an Omipotent being as is in most religions, it could be a more evolved lifeform, yet mostly in my view it is likely the natural scheme of things that existed after the Big Bang* which allowed our Universe to form. After all, there are 100 Billion stars in our own galaxy, and 125 Billion Galaxies in the observable Universe. Mathematically there is life out there, mathematically there is intelligent life out there. I just don't think we are as unique as some people may, but that doesn't reduce our importance here and now.

I don't believe in an afterlife either, I find it peaceful to think that when I die it'll be an infinite dreamless sleep until our star expands and implodes, engulfing us back into the formation of a new star and with it the possibility of new life. It makes every moment you spend with your famly that more precious.

*Before which we won't ever likely know.

>This is all my opinion, don't take it the wrong way<

---

i know when friends of mine have ordered book of mormons and had the missionaries deliver them, they would recieve a call from the call centre asking if they had recieved it and if they had any questions. anyways, perhaps if the call centre calls you, you can tell them what happened and ask if they could put you in contact with the elders who visited you. or perhaps the elders may try to visit you again and you will get a chance to apologize. I know you said you're athiest, but i do know God works in mysterious ways. you might just get to see those elders again, i know i'm sayin a little prayer for you :)

anyways...hope that helps...i'm sure others will know more...but that's just my thoughts.

Thanks, that made me feel better. I hope they do call.

Edited August 22, 2008 by Classico

[Lbybug]

bytor2112:

I don't believe in an afterlife either, I find it peaceful to think that when I die it'll be an infinite dreamless sleep until our star expands and implodes, engulfing us back into the formation of a new star and with it the possibility of new life. It makes every moment you spend with your famly that more precious.

this does sound very peaceful and i think was beautifully put. thank you.

[Classico]

this does sound very peaceful and i think was beautifully put. thank you.

Thank you. Was worried that was too blunt, it's just how I see it. Would love to see my Grandmother and others again, and maybe one day someone like her I will meet, but won't be anytime soon, millions of years even, and I won't know it when it happens.

>*Again, IMHO*<

Edited August 22, 2008 by Classico

[bytor2112]

Classico...welcome to the site. You will find many here who are atheist, agnostic, LDS and members of other Christian denominations. Most believe in science, ethics and reason, but also accept revelation and scriptural canon as communication from God. We also believe God communicates with us through the Holy Spirit. If you do see the missionaries again, ask them for a triple combination. This includes the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price....more LDS canon. You might find these very interesting.....

Again welcome!!

[Lbybug]

personally i don't think it was too blunt at all. i love hearing how other people view "religion" and "God", especially if it can be conveyed in a peaceful beautiful way. God gave beauty to us all and to be able to share our views of Him in a manner which lets us all share that beauty is such a wonderful gift.

[Classico]

Classico...welcome to the site. You will find many here who are atheist, agnostic, LDS and members of other Christian denominations. Most believe in science, ethics and reason, but also accept revelation and scriptural canon as communication from God. We also believe God communicates with us through the Holy Spirit. If you do see the missionaries again, ask them for a triple combination. This includes the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price....more LDS canon. You might find these very interesting.....

Again welcome!!

Actually I'm becoming more interested here :)

----

personally i don't think it was too blunt at all. i love hearing how other people view "religion" and "God", especially if it can be conveyed in a peaceful beautiful way. God gave beauty to us all and to be able to share our views of Him in a manner which lets us all share that beauty is such a wonderful gift.

Love the way you put that, I couldn't agree more. Same way I see it. :)

Anyway, it's 23:38 EST. Must.. sleep... thanks for the responses! I'll be back.

[RachelleDrew]

These guys get some of the worst greetings in the history of the world.

You aren't going to offend them, I can promise you that. It's just procedure that they check in with people who order the book.

You wouldn't be the first Atheist to order the book for educational purposes, I did so years and years ago when I considered myself to be an Atheist. It's no big, it's nice to see people educating themselves on our faith. Even if you didn't join the church after reading our scriptures you could still vouch for us that we aren't scary or cultish. Either way it's a win-win.

If they contact you again just explain the situation the same way you did to us. Also, if you have any questions about your new reading material, call them up. Even if you have no intention of joining i'm sure they would still be happy to answer inquiries, even if it's just for the sake of education.

[funkymonkey]

Welcome Classico! :)

[Snow]

Hi, I'm new here as you can tell. Honestly, I didn't see myself in this type of forum as I'm not exactly the most religious. However, a bit over a month ago I ordered a Book of Mormon to read* out of interest in theology, reading, and history. For some stupid reason I didn't realise a missionary would visit me personally, and seeing as we occasionally (every few months) have a missionary around our apartment complex I didn't exactly put two and two together... needless to say, being 8pm, and tired from work, I listened to their introduction and said I was an atheist**. It was then they mentioned it was ordered in my name... boom, then I understood. I feel awful because they said they had walked around my apartment complex trying to find me, and here I was backpedaling and not knowing what to say.

I know several Mormons from my swim team, and know one closely, you're some of the kindest family oriented people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yet here I was being rude, I wonder what they were thinking walking away from my apartment. I feel obligated to apologise further to these two gentlemen but I wouldn't know where to start, there are about seven LDS churches near me alone so who knows which they came from.

Anyway, maybe this is pointless, I just feel really bad for making these two nice guys come find me at 8pm and have me cut them short because it was 8pm and I'd forgotten I'd ordered the book.

Thanks ahead, I'm sorry if this is stupid, but I felt the need to say something and I thought this was the place to start. They were gone by the time I thought about running downstairs and outside to explain and apologise.

*I'm sure a good majority in addition to me prefer reading an actual book instead of a computer screen.

**It's true; I was NOT trying to be mean -- though admittedly I'm afraid it could easily be taken that way. I'm the quiet inquisitive type of atheist you probably don't know is one until you ask, I don't run around saying bad things about people and their beliefs, I'm live and let live. I don't intentionally wrong anyone, and not you good people or the gentlemen who came to my door.

Relax - I was a missionary. We get used to it.

If you find yourself talking to any LDS missionaries in the future, if it makes you feel better - apologize to them. That counts, we're all in this together.

[Truegrits]

Hello, Classico...:) There are lots of interesting conversations here that you might enjoy participating in...WELCOME!

[MarginOfError]

While I appreciate your kindness, I can't help but chuckle. If you really want to apologize, using the meetinghouse locator on mormon.org, you can probably find the phone number of the meetinghouse those elders attend. Give the number a call on Sunday during the services and someone will be able to find them. Then you can apologize to them yourself.

That seems like a lot of work to me though. I'd suggest just chuckling about it and being happy that you gave several of us here a chuckle too. Welcome!

[Hemidakota]

Hi, I'm new here as you can tell. Honestly, I didn't see myself in this type of forum as I'm not exactly the most religious. However, a bit over a month ago I ordered a Book of Mormon to read* out of interest in theology, reading, and history. For some stupid reason I didn't realise a missionary would visit me personally, and seeing as we occasionally (every few months) have a missionary around our apartment complex I didn't exactly put two and two together... needless to say, being 8pm, and tired from work, I listened to their introduction and said I was an atheist**. It was then they mentioned it was ordered in my name... boom, then I understood. I feel awful because they said they had walked around my apartment complex trying to find me, and here I was backpedaling and not knowing what to say.

I know several Mormons from my swim team, and know one closely, you're some of the kindest family oriented people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yet here I was being rude, I wonder what they were thinking walking away from my apartment. I feel obligated to apologise further to these two gentlemen but I wouldn't know where to start, there are about seven LDS churches near me alone so who knows which they came from.

Anyway, maybe this is pointless, I just feel really bad for making these two nice guys come find me at 8pm and have me cut them short because it was 8pm and I'd forgotten I'd ordered the book.

Thanks ahead, I'm sorry if this is stupid, but I felt the need to say something and I thought this was the place to start. They were gone by the time I thought about running downstairs and outside to explain and apologise.

*I'm sure a good majority in addition to me prefer reading an actual book instead of a computer screen.

**It's true; I was NOT trying to be mean -- though admittedly I'm afraid it could easily be taken that way. I'm the quiet inquisitive type of atheist you probably don't know is one until you ask, I don't run around saying bad things about people and their beliefs, I'm live and let live. I don't intentionally wrong anyone, and not you good people or the gentlemen who came to my door.

Welcome to the forum...

[DigitalShadow]

I would not call myself agnostic, though as a younger man I did. To make things simple lets call me a Neo-Deist as per my personal definition below. I can't know for certainty any of these are wrong so I lean towards what I find correct.

I believe the divine is never knowable with full certainty. I believe in science, reason, and ethics rather than revelation or Biblical guidance. My personal view of God is as whatever not only created the Universe, but time and space itself.

It could be an Omipotent being as is in most religions, it could be a more evolved lifeform, yet mostly in my view it is likely the natural scheme of things that existed after the Big Bang* which allowed our Universe to form. After all, there are 100 Billion stars in our own galaxy, and 125 Billion Galaxies in the observable Universe. Mathematically there is life out there, mathematically there is intelligent life out there. I just don't think we are as unique as some people may, but that doesn't reduce our importance here and now.

I don't believe in an afterlife either, I find it peaceful to think that when I die it'll be an infinite dreamless sleep until our star expands and implodes, engulfing us back into the formation of a new star and with it the possibility of new life. It makes every moment you spend with your famly that more precious.

I don't know that I could have put my own view of the world better myself. I agree with everything that you said, but usually refer to myself as an agnostic because the word atheist is somewhat misunderstood and has a lot of bad connotations. In my opinion, atheist and agnostic are not mutually exclusive anyway.

In any case, welcome to the forum! I wouldn't say that there are 'many' atheists/agnostics here, but there are definitely a few (like me) who are active in the forum.