My afterlife conversion

04/11/2004

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Original text copyright by the author and MidEastWeb for Coexistence, RA. Posted at MidEastWeb Middle East Web Log at http://www.mideastweb.org/log/archives/00000241.htm where your intelligent and constructive comments are welcome. Distributed by MEW Newslist. Subscribe by e-mail to mew-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please forward by email with this notice and link to and cite this article. Other uses by permission.

by Editor @ 09:19 PM CST [Link]

Replies: 6 comments

The inherent problem in this situation, as I see it, is not theological or dogmatic. It's respect for the living.

All the names of the dead, as they are run swiftly through the LDS temple procedure of baptism, confirmation and endowments represent a person - a person that most likely has many living relatives that are loyal to their own religion and culture and would be hurt and appalled by the LDS listing this ancestor among its members.

I think that any organization, churches included, should be legally barred from inflicting membership or any other rite/treatment on anyone who has not formally consented to the act.

Posted by Airmid @ 04/14/2004 06:46 PM CST

Hi Aimid,

You shall note that my intervention was giving the right to convert me after my death to my dscendants, nobody else.

True, it is quite questionable to convert "the dead of sdomebody else". This is going against ethic.

That being said, to make a law that forbids the practice seems to me to try to prevent a slight with a serious restriction of the religious freedom.

Best
Paul
Belgium

Posted by Paul @ 04/19/2004 12:47 PM CST

Could/would all the preceding 'Prophets' of The Mormon Church appreciate it if they were to be baptised into another religion because another religion felt in would be in 'their best interest'..------concerning 'their best interest'...make your own conclusions about what this phrase could/would imply-------... ;?)

Posted by FC Mellon @ 04/19/2004 07:39 PM CST

Hi FC,

Like I said before, "I am a secularist, an agnostic with an atheist inclination" It seems difficult to class me as a "'Prophet' of The Mormon Church"

As I don't believe in afterlife, I just don't care if they baptize me but if I were a believer, a Christian or a Jew, why should I care?

I would know that I have the Truth and that this mormon practice is just nonsense and has no impact on my afterlife.

Best
Paul
Belgium

Posted by Paul @ 04/20/2004 04:07 PM CST

Who can possibly care about such nonsense? Once we are dead we are gone and eventually forgotten. Religions are some of the most brilliant examples of science fiction and the effects of mass delusion. Let the LDS do as they please, it is really totally irrelevant and of no consequence, just as any other religious ceremony or act.

Posted by Edward @ 04/24/2004 05:09 AM CST

Regardless of what your view is on this subject, the facts ought to be straight. Let me first say that I am no expert on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints… the Mormons. But it seems I have something to offer, so I’ll chime in.

Mormon’s take Christ's words in the New Testament literally, and they believe that baptism is a prerequisite for entering the kingdom of God. Likewise, Mormon’s believe that God, being just, withholds final judgment until all the facts are on the table and an individual is able to make an informed decision regarding God and His plan for His children. As indicated in the Associated Press article, “the church believes that a person's ability to choose a religion continues after death.” The Mormon’s, therefore, perform proxy baptisms for the dead, to provide for the possibility that the deceased individual MIGHT accept the gospel (as taught by the LDS church).

The proxy ordinances do not result in or impose conversion/membership any more than the scholarship offers some students receive coming out of high school, to use a crude analogy. The scholarship offer only means that, should a graduate elect to attend that particular school, the way is paved and some of the requirements are taken care of; the graduate does not automatically appear on the school’s membership role just because the offer was made.

The “listing” referenced in a previous post… listings such as those found at www.familysearch.com, the LDS church’s online genealogy resource… is not a membership role. Just because Great-Great-Grand-daddy shows up on the site does not mean he is any less Jewish, or Catholic, or Buddhist, or whatever, than he was in those beloved old pictures you have on your mantel. Recognize the “listing” for what it really is, take advantage of the resource, and learn more about these ancestors whom you, obviously, have a keen interest in.

Posted by Aaron @ 04/24/2004 01:08 PM CST

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