re: #167 Obdicut

First of all ‘they’ didn’t do it. The Mormon Church has a policy of not doing this. Individual Mormons did it.

Second of all, how is this different from other religions saying prayers for the souls of the departed of other faiths, or asserting that the good people from other faiths will be converted in the afterlife? Most other religions have beliefs and practices just as weird and problematic, so why do the Mormons get singled out?

1. The Mormon Church wrote a policy against this practice being used for Holocaust victims a few years ago, after vocal opposition from Jewish groups. Since that time, it has apparently happened numerous times, including twice in the last month. The Church claims to be disciplining its members. But there is a procedure within the Church. It is not like this is some mormon in their basement doing it alone.

2. I know many religions proselytize, Jews ( which I am) don’t and we do not hope to convert anyone. As far as I am concerned it is a tremendous insult to freedom of conscience and religion, and one that I believe completely discredits the entire faith. It is very different from saying a prayer to one’s own god to bless someone of another faith.