[Another in the series of “Responding to Bumper Stickers,” or “Long Answers to Short Questions,” in which I try to give a Latter-day Saint response to a question or accusation commonly lobbed against us on X.]
This one isn’t so much a specific argument as a bizarre form of argumentation. It was especially prevalent this past weekend, when members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held their twice-yearly General Conference, at which members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other leaders in the church, give messages of inspiration. Eight hours of inspired talks, centering even more than average (it being Easter) on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Whenever Latter-day Saints participate in a thread on X — it can be sharing quotes from scripture or from General Authorities, talking about a personal triumph or trial in their lives and their families’ lives, expressing gratitude for a doctrinal insight, or just praising God with others for their blessings — someone always thinks that it’s his Christian duty to jump on and spit out some negative cliché about the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
There’s nothing novel here; it’s the same old tired accusations and cut-and-paste insults that every member of the church has heard over and over again. There’s no attempt to engage or debate. It’s the religious version of walking up to someone, screaming, “Your wife is an ugly whore!” in his face, and walking away.
They have to know they aren’t convincing anyone. They have to know that the only possible effect of their efforts is to annoy people, not to bring them any closer to Christ — after all, who would want to follow the example of someone acting out their faith so repulsively?
I’ve taken to calling this “witness-bombing”: A professing Christian thinks that somehow the Great Commission is being fulfilled by drive-by comments full of frothing nastiness. Do they really think that Jesus wants them to behave like insulting reprobates for His glory? Do they think they’re going to get an “attaboy” and a special pat on the back from St. Peter when they arrive at the pearly gates after a life spent “pwning the Mormons” while ignoring the weightier matters?
When discussing religion with other Christians, I try (I’m not always successful) to portray doctrinal conflict as “errors,” or “mistakes,” or “misinterpretations,” without impugning anyone’s intentions to follow Jesus as best they understand. However, I have no compunction about labeling these Witness-Bombers as simply false Christians, self-benighted souls who have substituted a cardboard religion of pettiness, attack and conflict for its own sake for anything resembling the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But shucks, don’t take it from me:
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:22)
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45)
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23)
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:8)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. (Ephesians 4:31)
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communications out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. (Colossians 3:12)
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25-26)
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8)
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1 John 4:20-21)
I think this last one has to be the most stunning. This putative Christian could neither join in nor even leave it alone — a Latter-day Saint praised Jesus, so she has to bring the condemnation…