helemon
7th August 2006, 01:16 AM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-lost-soles-that-save-souls/2006/08/06/1154802750399.html
It's a rule learnt in missionary training that they not engage people in argument or debate. Pollard extends a hand, says he respects Taylor's opinions and the two leave on friendly terms without changing each other's minds.
In Australia, where faith is considered a private affair, the Mormon church is growing, not atrophying like some of the mainstream Christian denominations.
Indeed, the church promotes itself as one of the world's fastest-growing religions, claiming 116,000 members in Australia - far more than official census data - and 12 million worldwide.
Bouma says between 1996 and 2001 the church grew by 11 per cent, on top of previous growth.
"It is now nearly 0.3 per cent of the Australian population, which makes it about the same numerical size as the Churches of Christ or the Salvation Army," he says. "And it's larger than the Seventh Day Adventist Church and it's growing while most other Christian groups are declining.
"Mormons deny most short-term personal gratification for some future glory and this is their lifestyle," he says. "You might say they are super-protestant; they are just carrying the protestant work ethic to the max."
It's a rule learnt in missionary training that they not engage people in argument or debate. Pollard extends a hand, says he respects Taylor's opinions and the two leave on friendly terms without changing each other's minds.
In Australia, where faith is considered a private affair, the Mormon church is growing, not atrophying like some of the mainstream Christian denominations.
Indeed, the church promotes itself as one of the world's fastest-growing religions, claiming 116,000 members in Australia - far more than official census data - and 12 million worldwide.
Bouma says between 1996 and 2001 the church grew by 11 per cent, on top of previous growth.
"It is now nearly 0.3 per cent of the Australian population, which makes it about the same numerical size as the Churches of Christ or the Salvation Army," he says. "And it's larger than the Seventh Day Adventist Church and it's growing while most other Christian groups are declining.
"Mormons deny most short-term personal gratification for some future glory and this is their lifestyle," he says. "You might say they are super-protestant; they are just carrying the protestant work ethic to the max."