03-20-2003, 09:25 PM
Indeed, I've had a few discussions with Mormon missionaries and I had some Jehovah's Witnesses as neighbors. Interesting talks, nobody's mind changed. The thing that disturbed me was the use of thought control techniques. It was fairly chilling, and keeps me from being totally flippant about some missionary-prone organizations.
The missionary impulse is a normal, human drive, often grounded in an altruistic intent. At least, I think it is when I advocate Macs. :D What gets people in trouble is when the missionary drive is grounded in absolute certainty. This certainty often proceeds from religious doctrine, where "taking it on faith" is the whole point of the exercise. After all, who wouldn't want to keep dire consequences from falling on others, in this world or the next?
Absolute certainty can make people do things beyond the pale. Elisabeth Smart's kidnapping is a case in point. It also causes me to worry a bit about Shrub's "resoluteness". Sometimes I'd like to see a bit more doubt.
The missionary impulse is a normal, human drive, often grounded in an altruistic intent. At least, I think it is when I advocate Macs. :D What gets people in trouble is when the missionary drive is grounded in absolute certainty. This certainty often proceeds from religious doctrine, where "taking it on faith" is the whole point of the exercise. After all, who wouldn't want to keep dire consequences from falling on others, in this world or the next?
Absolute certainty can make people do things beyond the pale. Elisabeth Smart's kidnapping is a case in point. It also causes me to worry a bit about Shrub's "resoluteness". Sometimes I'd like to see a bit more doubt.