Interview

[ThickAir89]

Hi, my name is Rob and I'm supposed to be doing a project for my local seminary. I am going to be intervewing somebody from another religion as myself (Christian). I am looking to do a 1 hour interview over AOL instant messanger with someone from the Mormon religion. If anyone is interested please respond.

[JcDean78]

Mormons are Christians.

[ThickAir89]

Mormons are Christians.

Would you like to have an interview with me or a debate over AIM for an hour or so. I don't want to bash a religion, I just want to learn about Mormon's and their different beliefs.

In the same way many Christians like myself do not have some of the same beliefs as Mormons do. I would like to interview a real Mormon and try to learn what Mormonism is about. I also chose Mormonism because it was the most appealing one to me to pick.

[ThickAir89]

Is anyone interested in the interview? If not, does anyone have any other sites I can visit to find someone to interview with.

[BenRaines]

Two great sites for information on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are lds.org and mormons.org. While there are no individuals there to visit with online for an hour there are a wealth of articles on basic beliefs.

Ben Raines

[ThickAir89]

I understand, but my project is that I have to interview a Mormon. Not face to face but on any instant messanger.

[Dr T]

What Seminary?

[CrimsonKairos]

Contact your local LDS missionaries.

They'd love to have you interview them for an hour. B)

[JcDean78]

Contact your local LDS missionaries.

They'd love to have you interview them for an hour. B)

I agree. That is what they are there for.

[StrawberryFields]

Hi, my name is Rob and I'm supposed to be doing a project for my local seminary. I am going to be intervewing somebody from another religion as myself (Christian). I am looking to do a 1 hour interview over AOL instant messanger with someone from the Mormon religion. If anyone is interested please respond.

Nice job rob first you insult the members of our church and then you ask a favor.....

[Dr T]

"rob"? How did you get that info?

[Guest MrsS]

"rob"? How did you get that info?

From his first post:

Hi, my name is Rob and I'm supposed to be doing a project for my local seminary. I am going to be intervewing somebody from another religion as myself (Christian). I am looking to do a 1 hour interview over AOL instant messanger with someone from the Mormon religion. If anyone is interested please respond.

[CrimsonKairos]

[Gwen]

<div class='quotemain'>

Mormons are Christians.

Would you like to have an interview with me or a debate over AIM for an hour or so. I don't want to bash a religion, I just want to learn about Mormon's and their different beliefs.

In the same way many Christians like myself do not have some of the same beliefs as Mormons do. I would like to interview a real Mormon and try to learn what Mormonism is about. I also chose Mormonism because it was the most appealing one to me to pick.

i think i've met rob already. under a different name in chat. asking for an interview, i offered to do it, not on msn, chat is cool with me. i don't know what kind of school it is he is attending, but he has obviously had classes that were less than accurate. not sure if it's intentional or just cause he's a kid, but his questions could stand some work. more accusations of beliefs and requests to back them up (i can't back up something i don't believe lol). rather than "what do you believe concerning.....? that's interesting, how does that compare to what i believe about......? cool, let's move on". when i challenged where the info for the basis of the question came from he left. not sure if that was something else that was going on and was unfortunate timing, but it seemed odd from my perspective.

so it leaves me to wonder, is rob doing an interview or a debate? i love interviews and discussing my faith, i despise debates with those that are standing on inaccurate info and refuse to be corrected. after all rob, it is our religion shouldn't we know more than your teacher or whoever gave you the misinformation?

this is not meant to be a personal attack or seem rude. just honest, constructive critisism. to help you do a better interview, get a better grade. i hope it is seen that way. if not i apologize for the offence.

good luck sir

[JcDean78]

I am not interested in an interview because from the tone of the post, it seems Rob is baiting and looking to argue rather than have a discussion. No thanks, but I would not like to participate in an argument with somebody who seems to have an agenda.

If you want to have an honest discussion then come with an open mind and open heart as ALmom posted, people would be willing to answer you. Again I suggest talking with the missionarys in your area, lds.org, and reading the scriptures to learn more about Christ's Church.

[shanstress70]

He's just an anti troll. I wouldn't waste another second on it.

[Gwen]

maybe it's my entirely to generous nature. but this guy, assuming it is the same guy i talked to before, is in high school, a private school, this is a bible class.....fill in the blanks. here is a kid that has been taught one thing and one thing only. until he has some life experiance why should he believe different. so i'm assuming that because he has been taught falsely and is a kid, just made a mistake. poor comunication skills (not sure his teach would have done much better. lol)

who are we if we don't at least take the time to teach the difference between an interview and a debate, why that is offensive, some social skills when learning about another faith? i hope he comes away with the feeling of "well, these folks are straight up, don't take garbage, but are willing to help, teach, and share with those that want to do the same, even when comunication styles (or lack of comunication skills) interfear." rather than the feeling of "horrible mormons, they were rude and didn't even give me a chance to understand how or why i offended them" (assuming he even cares) i don't fault him for his upbringing. i do fault him if he doen't take this oportunity to learn and improve his comunication skills. you can lead a horse to water....

besides, i think it would be wonderful if he did take the time and then put that in his report to the teacher. "well teach, you were wrong. after i finally learned how to do an interview (which obviously hasn't been taught), learned how to comunicate without contention (again could use some refinement), i learned that you taught us a bunch of false information. here are the facts, they are christian,....."

rob, you want to chime in here? which are you, a troll looking for a fight; or a student, willing to learn for yourself?

[shanstress70]

You could be right, ALMom. I should be more understanding... you inspire me. :)

[StrawberryFields]

Rob = ThickAir89

[tiancum]

Rob, I would be happy to let you interview me.

But here are the requirements in order for you to do so, ( I need to see that you are serious about your research, and actually have as system of your own beliefs, and are not just being manipulated by someone who is trying to attack those whose beliefs are different. )

I want you to find 20 other Christian religions and find fundamental differences (at least 4 per)that exist between yours and the others.

more specific research i would like you to do;

-define the word Christian, being as it is NOT in the Bible, , as there are many definitions give me sources for the materials you choose to believe.

-the holy trinity(again this term is not in the bible), and the origin of this belief, and 3 differing Christian viewpoints on this

-is repentance necessary to be a Christian?

-is repentance a one time deal or is it something we are required to do continually as Christians.

-find 3 Christian faiths that state that works are essential to our Salvation.

-find 3 different faiths that state that works are totally irrelevant.

-define a "work"

-define grace (what 4 different Christian faiths believe)

-can non Christians teach Christian doctrine?

-ALL Christian Churches claim proper authority to interpret scriptures, the word of God, what is the Lord's way of distinguishing between truth and error...in other words, what makes one Christian interpretation wrong, and the other right.

- define the resurrection... What happens according to the bible when the body dies? (4 different Christian opinions)

-Finally, Find out which Christian churches consider the Catholic church "christian" and does your faith consider it Christian.

If you fulfill these small requirements, I will happily let you interview me. In order to know that you are indeed a Christian, and indeed serious about your research, I ask that you comply.

Thank you Rob.

[Dr T]

Rob = ThickAir89

I got that part Berry. I never saw him sign Rob though. I was wondering about it that's all.

[prisonchaplain]

more specific research i would like you to do;

I'm hoping I can streamline this assignment, so Rob can concentrate on the challenging parts. B)

-define the word Christian, being as it is NOT in the Bible, , as there are many definitions give me sources for the materials you choose to believe.

Actually, I believe the word is in the Bible, and was meant as a curse against the followers of the Way. Without directly answering the question, I'd point to a rather curious polling result (I believe it was from Barna): 40% of LDS responsdents answered a set of questions that would qualify them as "born again," based upon traditional evangelical Christian definitions.

-the holy trinity(again this term is not in the bible), and the origin of this belief, and 3 differing Christian viewpoints on this

New Testament Christians believed that Jesus was the one and only Son of God, and that He was to be worshipped. The believed that the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) wrought miracles, and empowered believers. They believed the Father was the one true and living God. Such was enough for the first two or three generations following Jesus resurrection.

Bishop Arius ministered in a heavily polytheistic part of the world, and he feared that if he taught that Jesus was the one Son of God (and by implication, God) that the people would quickly understand that Christianity was also polytheistic. So, he began to teach that Jesus was created by the Father, and was subordinate (in nature) to him. Modern day Jehovah's Witnesses are probably the largest group to inherit this belief.

Monarchial modalism suggests the opposite of the Trinity--that God is one in three. Jesus is the Father, is the Son, and Jesus is the Holy Spirit. The United Pentecostal Church holds a variation of this belief today.

Then, of course, there is the LDS belief in the triune godhead--that there are indeed three essential beings in the one godhead.

-is repentance necessary to be a Christian?

Yes

-is repentance a one time deal or is it something we are required to do continually as Christians.

Yes. One time for salvation, and subsequently, when we, as Christians, sin, we must repent.

-find 3 Christian faiths that state that works are essential to our Salvation.

From an evangelical viewpoint, any Christian church that teaches that salvation comes through sacraments (most commonly, water baptism), would be considered to require works. Lutherans, Catholics, and the Church of Christ are three examples.

-find 3 different faiths that state that works are totally irrelevant.

Evangelicalism, Baptists, and most Calvinists.

-define a "work"

Any action that would MERIT or EARN the prize of salvation.

-define grace (what 4 different Christian faiths believe)

Unmerited favor. All Christian faiths that I know of would call salvation a grace, even if they place prequisites on it.

-can non Christians teach Christian doctrine?

Yes. The Word is what is true. The power of the Truth is not restrained by the messenger.

-ALL Christian Churches claim proper authority to interpret scriptures, the word of God, what is the Lord's way of distinguishing between truth and error...in other words, what makes one Christian interpretation wrong, and the other right.

Only some Christian churches claim to have EXCLUSIVE authority to interpret Scripture. For example, my fellowship has a Statement of Faith, very much along the lines of the Articles of Faith. We believe it is a correct understanding of core truths. Yet, we do not claim to be the only true church, or even, necessarily, the most accurate church. We have easy fellowship with most other churches, and readily admit some churches do some things better than we do.

- define the resurrection... What happens according to the bible when the body dies? (4 different Christian opinions)

1. The believer is 'present with the LORD.' The unbeliever begins to taste punishment.

2. Soul Sleep until the resurrection, then eternal reward or punishment.

3. Soul sleep until the resurrection, then eternal reward (on earth for most), and annhilation for unbelievers.

4. There may or may not be an actual after life (some very liberal denominations)

-Finally, Find out which Christian churches consider the Catholic church "christian" and does your faith consider it Christian.

Most mainstream Christians, and even many evangelicals have ambivalent feelings towards the Catholic Church. It was the holder of the faith for hundreds of years, finalized our canon, and fine tuned some of our key doctrines. Additionally--wouldn't you know--they embraced the Charismatic Renewal, and some Catholics are hand-raising, tongue-talking, praying for healing and deliverance from demons--just like we do.

And yet, we have serious misgivings about some doctrines and practices.

If you fulfill these small requirements, I will happily let you interview me. In order to know that you are indeed a Christian, and indeed serious about your research, I ask that you comply.

Thank you Rob.

OKAY Rob, I laid the groundwork--see if you can earn that interview.

[CrimsonKairos]

Aw shucks, PC, you had to go and have all the fun. B)

[tiancum]

Prisonchaplain,

Awww come on!

The journey is the fun part. Let him discover all of this wonderful stuff. let him do his own research.

Although, I gotta admit I liked a whole lot of your answers.

(and as a side note, I stand corrected, it does mention Christian 3x in the bible)

[sixpacktr]

just got done with my interview. I must say that ThickAir was very pleasant. Didn't really go after me, but did have a hang up about polygamy and went down the road at the end. I gave him over an hour.

I don't think he was an anti, or if he was, he was very pleasant about it.