Why Mormon Apologists do what they do

[_daheshism]

The reason why "I" was a Mormon apologist, was because I went through years of massive depression because of anti-Mormon literature. I didn't want others to go through what I went through.

But, having known other Apologists, I have to say their complete motivation is intellectual stimulation. For the same reason some men golf or play cards or fish. They care NOTHING for people who are not their friends of loved ones. They are uncapable of empathizing for people they don't know. Like the Germans during World War II, they cared nothing for the plight of the Jews.....because they were not Jews. Like Southern Whites during slavery, they cared nothing for the plight of blacks....because they were not blacks.

Daniel Peterson, FAIR, FARMS, they do what they do because for them it is "fun"; like some people try to translate ciphers or work jigzaw puzzles. It "stimulates" them. They would NOT CARE LESS that it harms people. They care only about their own families and friends. Period. Nobody else.

I wasted my "life" (literally) so that others did not have to go through what I went through. I came to discover, I WAS WRONG!!! Had I simply "accepted the facts" about Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and Mormonism, and gone on with my life, I would not have experienced the years of depression. It is because I did NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THE FACTS that caused my horrible BONE-CRUSHING depression for decades.

I'm not depressed at all anymore. I'm quite happy, because I've accepted the TRUTH about Mormonism, and I've moved on.

[_bcspace]

Why Mormon Apologists do what they do

I can calculate your personality problems to within ten decimal places.

[_MrStakhanovite]

I'm getting confused, I thought all this applied to Mormon Women.

[_Sophocles]

It's a game. As fans of any fictional universe know, it's fun to try and resolve the inevitable discrepancies within the rules of that universe, in order to "prove" that the universe could be internally consistent, and therefore, theoretically exist.

Examples of this can be found in virtually any episode of the Big Bang Theory sitcom. Highly intelligent scientists with advanced degrees will sit down to a meal and try to determine how Superman removes Kryptonian sweat stains from his Super Suit. It's a fun intellectual exercise, but it also deepens and strengthens the Superman mythology whenever they can identify a possible inconsistency and satisfactorily resolve it. In a way they are also justifying their devotion to the comic books by contributing to the depth and resilience of the mythological universe they portray.

So there's some of that going on. But I also think that Mormonism's lifelong struggle to be respected as a "legitimate" religion is also a factor. Because of its youth and testable claims, Mormonism has always been relegated to second class status because it is more obviously fictional than its older Christian counterparts. Apologists are trying to show that this is not the case, and that Mormonism is every bit as defensible as any other religion. As DPC has alluded, Mormon intellectuals are keen to show that they don't have to shut off their brains in order to be believing Mormons. For whatever reason they value the benefits of religious belief, but they also fancy themselves as respected academics, and they want to be justified in having both.

[_The Nehor]

I'm quite happy, because I've accepted the TRUTH about Mormonism, and I've moved on.

Many of your posts here say you have not "moved on". You are still nursing old grudges against women, Priesthood holders, and everyone else you've blamed your self-inflicted problems on.

[_Justlooking24]

I think in most cases its arrogance and pride.

I find most Mormon apologists extremely arrogant.

[_The Nehor]

I think in most cases its arrogance and pride.

I find most Mormon apologists extremely arrogant.

"I pointed out a moment ago that the more pride one had, the more one disliked pride in others. In fact, if you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, 'How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronise me, or show off?'"

What does this say about critics being so miffed at the supposed arrogance of apologists?

[_Buffalo]

"I pointed out a moment ago that the more pride one had, the more one disliked pride in others."

That's more of an indictment of God and the prophets than anything.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

It's a game. As fans of any fictional universe know, it's fun to try and resolve the inevitable discrepancies within the rules of that universe, in order to "prove" that the universe could be internally consistent, and therefore, theoretically exist.

Examples of this can be found in virtually any episode of the Big Bang Theory sitcom. Highly intelligent scientists with advanced degrees will sit down to a meal and try to determine how Superman removes Kryptonian sweat stains from his Super Suit. It's a fun intellectual exercise, but it also deepens and strengthens the Superman mythology whenever they can identify a possible inconsistency and satisfactorily resolve it. In a way they are also justifying their devotion to the comic books by contributing to the depth and resilience of the mythological universe they portray.

So there's some of that going on. But I also think that Mormonism's lifelong struggle to be respected as a "legitimate" religion is also a factor. Because of its youth and testable claims, Mormonism has always been relegated to second class status because it is more obviously fictional than its older Christian counterparts. Apologists are trying to show that this is not the case, and that Mormonism is every bit as defensible as any other religion. As DPC has alluded, Mormon intellectuals are keen to show that they don't have to shut off their brains in order to be believing Mormons. For whatever reason they value the benefits of religious belief, but they also fancy themselves as respected academics, and they want to be justified in having both.

Hello,

Yup.

V/R
Dr. Cam

[_daheshism]

All I can say is this:

I treat everyone with 100% respect and honesty. I've found that perhaps 10% of active Mormons do the same. 90% do not, to one extant or another.

Most Mormons I knew, especially those born to affluence, see others on a Vertical Scale, with them at the top, or quite near it, and me usually way, way below. They saw themselves as kings and queens, and me as a common beggar. Therefore, they could treat me anyway they wished, but, of course, I had to treat them as my superiors.

Most Mormons I knew suffer from Narsisism. Arrogant. Prideful. Hypocritical. That has a LOT to do with how they are raised. They are NEVER taught they are sinners in need of salvation. They are taught from birth they are "good" and "chosen" and "sons and daughters of God".

Yet, the Book of Mormon teaches just the opposite! That we are all sinners destined for an "endless Hell" unless we are "born again" and only THEN are we the children of God.

And, yes, I've discovered the more arrogant, the more ego-centric, the more dishonest, the more Hypocrite the Mormon, the more he/she thinks "I" am the one with personality problems.

Why Mormon Apologists do what they do

I can calculate your personality problems to within ten decimal places.