"We Refuse Mormon" Sticker

[Mulboyne]

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This site claims to be "the first anti-Mormonism site in Japanese". They suggest households put up a sticker on the door to ward off those callers. The Mormon on the sticker is of course a "character" and so the organization helpfully supplies a backstory (キャラクター紹介) for ニーファイ君 where he has just arrived in Japan feeling and is ripe for being told to sling his hook.

[Catoneinutica]

Uhh..."A-ko-san" claims to have been raped by a Mormon missionary?

What position did he use? [rimshot]
Did he use a STUNT C*OCK?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124819/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD0xfGZiPXV8cG49MHxrdz0xfHE9b3JnYXptb3xmdD0xfG14PTIwfGxtPTUwMHxjbz0xfGh0bWw9MXxubT0x;fc=1;ft=23;fm=1

[dimwit]

I have to start wondering what ultra nationalist Shinto group came up with this site. I guess they were worried about someone infringing on their neighborhood pest trademark. Do Mormons even go door to door? I thought they just pestered people on the street.

One of you boffins should do a print shop on the sign and replace 'Mormons' for 'NHK'. Right now I am getting a wee bit pissed of at the Non-Olympic coverage.

[homesweethome]

They certainly go door-to-door and even climb the mountain I live on to harass us. NHK doesn't even do that!

I do find big dogs to be especially intimidating though, even to the cops.

[Catoneinutica]

My uni had a huge number of RM's (returned missionaries), and no small number of them had been assigned to Japan. Not too successful, though, it seems. Typical conversation:

RM: Yeah, I was in Sendai. Met my wife there!

Me: Did you make any converts?

RM: No, but I think I got a few people interested in The Church.

Mind you, these are TWO-YEAR missions - and not a single convert! Time to move on to greener pastures in Samoa and Guatemala.

PS: Fun fact: In days of olde, Mormon missionaries would share the same bed. (Many still do, especially after some hot, sweaty Ward Basketball.)

[Taro Toporific]

Returned Missionary: Yeah, I was in Sendai. Met my wife there!
Me: Did you make any converts?
Returned Missionary: No, but I think I got a few people interested

Notice, the Returned Missionary couldn't even count his wife as a "convert."

(Accounting-wise, all the missionary efforts in Japan are a negative sum game. More Mormons go "native" becoming drunks in Japan than do Japanese get converted.)

[japanguy]

Uh, when I was younger and more naive(indoctrinated), I went on a mormon mission. I didn't come to Japan though, I just bothered Americans in another state. I look back and see how obnoxious we must have been and how we thought that we had all of the answers. Having said that though, most mormon missionaries are pretty good people and are just dedicated to what they believe. They are generally sincere overall. They are generally 19-21 year old young men or 21-23 year old women. Usually born into mormonism and have been heavily indoctrinated since birth. Other than that they are pretty nice guys. If you need some one to play basketball with they will probably love that. And one other thing is that they are supposed to do service every week. So if you need something big moved or something, I am sure they would help.

I have now fallen out of my belief in mormonism and organized religion in general. The best thing to do is to just tell the missionaries you really are not interested or if you know much about mormonism(me) you can try to put them on the right path. Just be blunt with them. If you don't want them around tell them so. Some of them keep records of contacts, so if you give them a big big no it may get recorded and save from getting contacted next time.

Or you could put the sticker on your door

Japanguy

[homesweethome]

Notice, the Returned Missionary couldn't even count his wife as a "convert."

(Accounting-wise, all the missionary efforts in Japan are a negative sum game. More Mormons go "native" becoming drunks in Japan than do Japanese get converted.)

I think you hit the nail here. Even a lot of 'missionaries' who spend all their lives in Japan really don't have much to show for the effort. They often get wrapped up in 'making money' and contribute to more productive efforts in other countries like the Phillipines and Indonesia.

The general consensus is if something doesn't happen in Japan to change peoples way of life (like Mt. Fuji erupting) It seems Japan is a religious wasteland.

[Big Booger]

The general consensus is if something doesn't happen in Japan to change peoples way of life (like Mt. Fuji erupting) It seems Japan is a religious wasteland.

Which makes it a paradise for people like me.

[dimwit]

I have never seen a Mormon at my door. Jehos Yeap, but Mormon never. Honestly I find them pretty harmless, compared to some of the rightist Shinto groups that leave their full length 'novels' in my mailbox once every few months.

[jingai]

Honestly, I felt kind of bad for the Mormons wandering Japan- not really knowing the language and being totally out of place.

[kamome]

Honestly, I felt kind of bad for the Mormons wandering Japan- not really knowing the language and being totally out of place.

My understanding is that many of the Mormons who get assigned to proselytize in Japan train in special Japanese-language schools. They get to a pretty high level of fluency. Kent Gilbert, one of the famous gai-tare, is a former Mormon missionary-turned-native.

Kent Gilbert's profile on Answers.com

Kent's J-language profile



goofy-lookin' Kent

[homesweethome]

Which makes it a paradise for people like me.

[Mulboyne]

Kent Gilbert, one of the famous gai-tare, is a former Mormon missionary-turned-native.

The same goes for Kent Derricott (who has probably retired).



During the bubble, it was common to come across mormons working in finance or industry in Japan. Japanese speakers were at a premium and the schools hadn't started churning them out so a lot of mormons made out like bandits. Not too many stayed with the church after a few visits to hostess bars. None came calling when I lived in Japan but, then again, I wouldn't have known because it seemed more important to avoid the NHK guy than answer random callers. I have been stopped in the street by Soka Gakkai (usually hanging around Shibuya station), Jehovas witnesses, Scientologists and Kofuku-no-Kagaku. This presumably means I must look very gullible.

[Greji]

My understanding is that many of the Mormons who get assigned to proselytize in Japan train in special Japanese-language schools. They get to a pretty high level of fluency. Kent Gilbert, one of the famous gai-tare, is a former Mormon missionary-turned-native.

Kent Gilbert's profile on Answers.com

Kent's J-language profile



goofy-lookin' Kent

Although, I know nothing to the opposite, I always wondered about the hype given to Kent's status as a lawyer. The time element for him to return to the US from his mission, complete law school, pass the bar exam and then to pick up a closet MBA on the way to returning to Japan to star on stage and screen, always seemed a bit questionable. That's a lot of studying in a short period.

[kamome]

Although, I know nothing to the opposite, I always wondered about the hype given to Kent's status as a lawyer. The time element for him to return to the US from his mission, complete law school, pass the bar exam and then to pick up a closet MBA on the way to returning to Japan to star on stage and screen, always seemed a bit questionable. That's a lot of studying in a short period.

Well, he's definitely certified to practice law in California. Here's his bar number and even an address where you can contact him (through his agent in Japan). He's in good standing, too. He probably hasn't practiced much since 1981.

Kent Gilbert - #98383

http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member_detail.aspx?x=98383

[Greji]

Well, he's definitely certified to practice law in California. Here's his bar number and even an address where you can contact him (through his agent in Japan). He's in good standing, too. He probably hasn't practiced much since 1981.

Kent Gilbert - #98383

http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member_detail.aspx?x=98383

Thanks for that Kamome!

[kamome]

Thanks for that Kamome!

You're welcome. I can't say I blame him for giving up the law and taking up show biz in Japan. He probably made more money and got a lot more chicks with his gai-tare gig.

[Greji]

You're welcome. I can't say I blame him for giving up the law and taking up show biz in Japan. He probably made more money and got a lot more chicks with his gai-tare gig.

As I recall, he opened what was to be a chain of Taco shops, in Tokyo. I was told the Mormon Church was behind it for financing, but it apparently didn't fly. That, moreorless, coincided with the time frame he quit appearing on a regular basis in the media. I don't know if the two were connected, or he just tired of the Exotic Far East.

[Mulboyne]

As I recall, he opened what was to be a chain of Taco shops, in Tokyo. I was told the Mormon Church was behind it for financing, but it apparently didn't fly.

That was Taco Time. He got the franchise rights with Nissan for 25 outlets but Nissan got cold feet and ended up selling most of the attached real estate. I don't think they were doing particularly well because he was locked into high rents while demand was declining. There is still one outlet left in Futagotamagawa, Tokyo and they maintain a fairly shabby looking website.

[GuyJean]

There is still one outlet left in Futagotamagawa, Tokyo and they maintain a fairly shabby looking website.

Expensive mediocrity.. Been there a few times; nothing memorable..

I think they have happy hour for ladies; half priced drinks.. That was awhile ago though.. The chef was a young, friendly Japanese dude..

GJ

[bruce_a]

My understanding is that many of the Mormons who get assigned to proselytize in Japan train in special Japanese-language schools. They get to a pretty high level of fluency. Kent Gilbert, one of the famous gai-tare, is a former Mormon missionary-turned-native.

I work for mormons (the three partners in the law firm are mormons) and I can attest to this. The youngest partner's oldest son just left last year on a mission to Hungary, and he was sent to a language school before being sent to his final destination.

They want you to be able to spread the "word". I laugh when I hear them talk about it, because the retention rate for mormon converts is quite low. A friend in Osaka recently converted, and has only stayed with it because she wants to learn English and emigrate to the US. I think she'd have better luck if she just moved here, but what do I know?

[Greji]

and he was sent to a language school before being sent to his final destination.

I cannot attest for their training today, but I had some exposure through a relative to their Japanese Language training. What I found was the biggest problem they had, was that the course was not long enough, and essentially all that they could do was what they had memorized by rote memory.

They learned how to introduce themselves and pitch the church doctrine. The problem they seem to have was if after their pitch, someone asked a question back, they did not have the comprehension to talk with him. I asked one of the people what they do in that case and they said they simply refered the individual, or even brought him back to the church, dormitories or offices, where a senior elder who had more time in country would talk to the individual.

As I said, this was a few years ago and I have no idea what they are doing now as I avoid them and they avoid me like the plague!

[kamome]

They want you to be able to spread the "word".

Personally, nothing offends me more than a religious group trying to spread the "word" in other countries where the "word" is completely alien. It's not just the Mormons who do this; the American Southern Baptists are constantly proselytizing. The Jesuits were trying to do it for years in Japan and other countries. This kind of thing destroys cultures and presumes superiority over the native culture and religion. I've always admired the Japanese for opposing missionaries throughout their history; to me that means they recognized the threat that foreign religions posed to the native culture. Why haven't more countries done this?

[Charles]

[quote="kamome"]Personally, nothing offends me more than a religious group trying to spread the "word" in other countries where the "word" is completely alien. It's not just the Mormons who do this]
Damn right. I wish those damn christians would have never left Palestine. Then us Americans would all be practicing an indigenous religion like shamanism or worshipping Quetzalcoatl.
If there is anyone interested in a revival of indigenous religion, contact me and I'll see if I can arrange for your initiation.

[Greji]

Personally, nothing offends me more than a religious group trying to spread the "word" -snip-

Brother Kamome, I can see you are in dire need of the word! Any man with that attitude must have a visit from the brethern to deliver your soul from the evil depths to which it has sunk.

About 30 of the followers and I will drop by to pray for you, after which we will sign you up as a sure fire receipient of the word. Remember as soon as you are signed up, you will be eligible to donate half of everything you earn for the rest of your life just to get the message out there. You also get a plastic Jesus for your dashboard.

Amen Brothers, now let's get out there and give those sinners, hell, fire and brimstone!



NOTE*
The above message has to been certified as politically correct and does not contain any words, phrases, or otherwise pointed references, that might be considered offensive to Danish Cartoon artists.

[kamome]

Brother Kamome, I can see you are in dire need of the word! Any man with that attitude must have a visit from the brethern to deliver your soul from the evil depths to which it has sunk.

About 30 of the followers and I will drop by to pray for you, after which we will sign you up as a sure fire receipient of the word.

If receiving your "word" involves imbibing pints of beer, scouting for chicks and acting like a fucked gaijin, then
PRAISE THE LAWD!! HALLELUJAH, I AM SAVED!!

[Greji]

If receiving your "word" involves imbibing pints of beer, scouting for chicks and acting like a fucked gaijin, then

That comes during the recreational portion of the services, but again, you are not entitled to that until you have earned your plastic Jesus to put on the dashboard!