2012 State of the LDS Church's 'truth' claims

[_sock puppet]

My interest in Mormon topics is waning, at a rather rapid pace. I've not been a believing/active Mormon since 1984. However, the topic has been of relevance to me, sort of in the way that a sociologist studies a topic. My interest has been of one that had invested decades of my life in Mormonism, then left it. So I have not been a disinterested observer.

Over the past 27 months, since I went from lurker to registrant that began posting, I've been looking for Mormon defenders to 'hit me with their best shot'. I've been disappointed that the apologists could not muster better. Defense of Mormonism has suffered greatly in this information age.

Darth J recently described DCP's notion in Mormon Times that god intentionally makes things not obvious to us, as a sort of three-card Monte. That is an apt description of the current status of Mormon apologetics. Nibley would, I suspect, have withered just as badly under the spotlight of the internet as NAMIRS/FAIR have.

Mormon history belies what the LDS Church claims. It is a house built on sand that has washed away and eroded before our very eyes. Now it is clamoring to be just another Christian sect, trying to hide the 'meat' of Mormon theological traditions as they become more archaic each passing day.

I think religious belief boils down to a desire to think that there is a higher power that looks out for us, and will right all the injustices we think we've been subjected to during this life, at a 'final' judgment. The other motivator is the difficulty we have accepting the finality of death, more as those important to us die than our own eventual being snuffed out. For me, I've found that sorting through these two emotions and coming out on the other side actually to be very liberating.

If it turns out there is an afterlife, I will deal with the circumstances of it then. According to Mormonism, that's what god basically has asked of us in this mortal life, having come from a pre-existent spirit world. God, the Mormon theory goes, put a veil over our memory of him and the pre-existence, leaving us to deal with this mortal life and all its circumstances.

If there is a higher power, a god, that is as whimsical and nonsensical as Mormon defenders have had to paint that being in order to defend Mormon BS, then he needs to go to therapy and also take some logic and philosophy classes from some of the MDB posters, like Stak, AristotleSmith, and Tarski. The Mormon god has a lot to learn from mankind. He's really messed up.

I am pleased that the younger generations of people are growing up in this information age, not accepting as willingly the BS as it is shoveled out. Therein lies my hope for the future of mankind.

I used to read nearly every post, looking to see what the defenders could throw my way. It's even lamer than when I exited Mormonism. I yet read a post or two here or there, depending on who the poster is and what the thread topic is. I'll be looking for when the Brethren embrace the Gadianton Turn--it will show that a dose of reality has hit the FP/12. (Marlin K Jensen can only hope that is sooner rather than later.) Given the ensured gerontocracy, I doubt that will be an easy realization. Maxwell and Oaks' experiment of apologetics has only accelerated the membership leakage (which is increasing in cfs). For a religion (an exercise in faith in the absence of evidence), the rabbit hole of reason and logic is very, very deep. I think that they are free falling at this point.

I may throw a snark post here or there, but I doubt I'll return to trying to engage Mormonism as any sort of legitimate, serious topic. It's not.

[_hatersinmyward]

DCP is psychotic. God makes things clear the first time.

If he's following the devil that statement might make some sense.

[_bcspace]

Since around 1984, I've never been impressed with critical claims against the Church. Every one has to stretch, or ignore other evidence, or deliberately falsify. On top of that, it is usually mingled with fictional accounts of what the Church or someone in the Church supposedly did or said.

[_zeezrom]

I'm happy to know you haven't decided to leave cold but join us from time to time for some shooting of breezes.

Talk to you later, my friend.

[_Morley]

I'm glad you're going to be dropping by once in a while. Take care, Sock.

[_Brackite]

Since around 1984, I've never been impressed with critical claims against the Church. Every one has to stretch, or ignore other evidence, or deliberately falsify. On top of that, it is usually mingled with fictional accounts of what the Church or someone in the Church supposedly did or said.

But what about former LDS Apologists such as Kevin Graham and Paul O, to former LDS Apologists, who have left defending the LDS Church to become Apostates???
And Speaking about Paul O, why haven't you still answered his questions concerning Facsimile No. 3???