I spoke recently with someone at BYU who works closely with our students who are overseas and whose travel is extensive–who said that he wonders how long it will be before a secularist-activist makes public expressions of faith mute to the point where our missionaries are unable to wear identifying badges–…
A Deseret News’ writer summarized some of the current concerns regarding growing secularism–or as Elder Maxwell referred to it–”irreligion”:
Secularism seen as obstacle for LDS
An attorney for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints predicts secularism will be one of the most significant obstacles facing the LDS Church over the coming decade.
William F. Atkin, associate general counsel for the LDS Church, made the prognostication Saturday during an address at the 2010 J. Reuben Clark Law Society Conference on the University of Utah campus.
“When governments become neutral towards religion, we see less and less protection of religion and religious activities,” he said. “Secularism in the world is neutral at best towards religions and hostile at worst. We’re seeing more and more that it is hostile, not just neutral, towards religion.”
In the United States, secularism could result in changing how the tax code treats nonprofit religious organizations.
“We think there’s going to be a tightening now of what kind of entities get tax-exempt status,” Atkin said. “Maybe churches are no longer going to be viewed as such a positive influence in society — therefore (maybe) they’re not going to be granted tax-exempt status.”
Abroad, secularism is manifesting itself in a wave of anti-discrimination measures in Europe that could, for example, prevent the LDS Church from requiring its employees to adhere to a basic level of personal worthiness and moral conduct.
“We’re seeing more and more, particularly in Western Europe, the countries who are very secular are pushing anti-discrimination and not permitting any religious exclusions,” he said.
——
To adopt a website to share your appreciation of religious freedom and/or your beliefs in the gospel of Jesus Christ, please visit siteadopt.org.
Your voice will make a difference.
Technology is not merely a toy; it’s a tool for the spread of the gospel to all nations. What’s on your blog that will help friends of other faiths find the truths that will help heal their lives and ultimately the nations from which they belong?
For ways to get involved, please join the More Good Foundation Facebook Group.
2 Responses to “Why Your Mormon Voice Counts: Online and Offline”
Leave a Reply
So interesting Karen. I’ve been thinking about this subject a lot lately, too. I think that secularism will be a formidable obstacle to missionary work in the years to come.
Some other obstacles I’ve observed is a tendency for people to not answer their doors unless they know exactly who is on the other side and not talking to strangers ever. A pre-occupation with electronics also makes it difficult for missionaries to strike up a conversation at the park, on the bus etc. because people are already on the phone or listening to music.
These obstacles make online missionary work even more essential. People turn to the Internet for nearly all of their information. A large amount of the google searches on the word “mormon” result in anti-mormon and uninformed information about the Church and its doctrine. The images provided by google images are just as misleading!
We, as members, have the opportunity to share how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is affecting our lives in profound ways.
There is a need for members to flood the Internet with accurate and positive information about what it means to be LDS.
Thanks to the More Good Foundation for providing such a place!
Reply
I never thought that I would blog about religion, but doing so has been a lot of fun, and helped my testimony to grow. Words have so much power and it can be an overwhelming realization at times. I hope that people of all faiths can find something in my words that bring them closer to Christ.
Reply