Mimoun and the Mormon Missionaries

It is 5:30 pm. Mimoun is walking  home from the parking garage, laptop case on his shoulder, hands in his pockets, head down, taking slow steady steps, contemplating and pondering.  While driving back from work, Mimoun had heard on the radio the 17^th century Irish author and satirist Jonathan Swift quoted as saying “we have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.”  This quote consumed him and begged questions such as, is it really a question of quantity? What does he mean by “enough”?  Isn’t it a question of interpretation? Mimoun’s thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a voice: “Excuse me sir!”

Mimoun looks up and sees two young men walking towards him.  They are dressed in shirts and ties, and carrying what appears to be a bible. He thinks to himself: “Are they Jehovah witnesses? No, they are Elders, the Mormon missionaries; I really do not have much time on my hands.”

Mimoun” Hi, how are you doing?”

Mormon missionary: “Great thank you. We are from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saint. Have you heard about our church? Do you know about our book and our history?”

Mimoun: “Yes, I have heard some.  As a matter of fact, I have watched programs on TV about the story and the history of the Mormon Church.  In addition, I do come across some literature occasionally.  Coincidently, I drive sometimes by your Church in this area.  Anytime I see it, I know I am close to home.”

Mimoun noticed that the Mormon missionaries were pleased with that answer so he quickly added smilingly “I mean home in the absolute literal sense just so we are clear.”

Mormon missionary: “We would like to tell you about our book a little bit more”

Mimoun takes a deep breath and interrupts:” Look, I am a man of faith myself and it is not necessarily because of my upbringing.  I have done my research and arrived at my own conclusions so I am not without controversy. There are many others of different faiths who have done the same but drew different conclusions, and that is fine.  The point is to not conform but to critically think.  Skepticism challenges perceived facts and notions.  Only ones that are truths hold.”

Mormon missionary:” Our church encourages people to search for the truth.”

Mimoun:” Let me add that I think that people in general are more conformists then they are skeptics let alone rebels.  That is the basis for my position that that is partly the source of many problems and issues that we experience and face today, be it collectively as communities or individually as persons.  Let us take religion for instance since that is what our encounter is about, what percentage of the masses leaves religion or converts from one born into, to a different one?  Negligible percentage I would argue especially in societies that are closed and where a single religion dominates.

In addition, just about every believer is convinced that his/her religion is the “right” one, or the “actual truth”. This is partly why there are all kinds of feuds between different religions. I take that back, this is partly why there are all kinds of feuds between groups or sects of the same religion let alone groups and sects of different ones.  I am not questioning religion as a concept but human approach to it. “

Mimoun added: “When it comes to religion, I think it is a personal matter; personal because it is about faith first and foremost.  It is tricky because faith can be acquired or taken away but ultimately, the decision is to be made at the personal level; the issue with religion in general I argue is that the questions asked are surface-level.  I think there is a much deeper level of religious inquiries that has barely been touched.”

Mormon missionary: “I see you have given this much thought.”

Mimoun: “How could I not? Being of a minority faith that is not popular, one is constantly barraged with inquiries and often fending off ideological attacks, vicious in nature at time.”

Mimoun added: “Let us take a look at the most known religions; most have many common threads.  They advocate for peace and harmony, neither war nor suffering.  They have much in common in principal but they differ in the details. No surprise there since “the devil is in the details”.   The source of the problem is in the interpretation of the text to a great degree I argue.  That is the definition of details in this context.  The question of text-interpretation is highly contentious thus deadlock is the prevalent outcome. 

Mimoun continued: “Allow me to make one final point.  We keep on hearing about the need for world peace.  Here are some questions to consider:

When was the last time the human race lived in peace?

This is not to say that peace cannot be achieved, on the contrary but we must change our ways. A popular definition of insanity is to do “the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome.”  We need a new approach.

How many wars did religion motivate? How many have died in the name of religion? 

I think there is a huge need for more and more interfaith dialogue.  The religious commonalities provide a good ground and basis to kick-start the dialogue.  One of real faith must understand what that means and should be tolerant of different religions.  Two individuals of two different faiths cling the exact same way but to two different things and so understanding should be automatic but it is not.  Such phenomenon ought to be addressed.”

Mimoun takes yet another deep breath and says: “I am sorry I talked your ear off and gave you no time to speak; please, I am listening.”

Mormon missionary: “I really do not have much to say to you except to recommend that you read our book.  Here is a number that you can call and a copy will be mailed out to you.”

Mimoun takes the brochure, thanks them, and continues walking.  He thought about how they Elders were not pushy and how the negative stereotypes about missionaries in this case are just that, negative stereotypes.  He then makes an abrupt stop and whispers to himself “Where did all this come from?”