The Mopologist Also Rises - Commentary

[_Sethbag]

Kent, the biggest myth out there is that TBMs get run off of MDB on purpose by critics hounding or persecuting them.

That's not to say there hasn't been some line-crossing by a small subset of critics at times, just as there has been from the apologists too.

But it seems the apologists simply don't like being exposed to unfettered criticism backed up with facts, citations to past LDS doctrinal writings, speeches, books, lesson manuals, First Presidency statements, and so forth. On the LDS-controlled boards, they can get preferential treatment from the mods. Around here, they have to fend for themselves with argumentation, evidence, and so forth.

Kind of reminds me of my mother-in-law, who felt it was just fine to bear her testimony of the truthfulness of the LDS church and gospel to me, and bring up Mormon teachings, but as soon as I engaged her in conversation where I pointed out inconsistencies between LDS teachings and things we know from the real world, she would zip up, claim she doesn't want to discuss it or hear anything else I have to say, and leave the room.


ps: If you want to test this, I propose we set up a dialogue between Dan Peterson, or Greg Smith, or little man Smoot, or any other of the old FARMS boys, and someone like Darth J. It could be staged in the Celestial Forum, so that nothing inherently vulgar or containing temple content or whatever would be allowed. We could even ask that all others except those invited to that thread or thread(s) be excluded from posting in that particular thread or threads, to keep it simple and uncluttered by the peanut gallery.

Then we could see who would blink first.

[_Kent]

Sethbag, you just repeated the myth that some deny predominates here. The myth of Truth driving away the adherents of Falsehood as the primary reason for the imbalance of critics over believers here allows TBMDBers to feel that MDB is the home of free and open discussion even if the discussions are generally hopelessly one-sided and RfMish in practice. The evidence for the myth typically consists in one or two--or no--examples from MDB, which can easily be countered with examples from MDB of opposition being driven off by other means, at which point the real reasons emerge in evidence taken from other venues that aren't MDB. Actual history of MDB gets lost there.

At least you're still trying to reason about it, Seth. More generally, TBMDBers have already circled the wagons against the challenge to the myths and are done reasoning. Someone pointing at the emperor's new clothes can only do so much, attracting all the usual defense mechanisms, and then the parade continues as before, but with a few new myths based on the guy who made such ridiculous claims about MDB's wonderful wardrobe.

*All* hyperpartisan groups have overpowering myths, some are just more in denial about it. It's the kind of thing reason has very little effect on.

[_gramps]

Kent has convinced me. I am now a Kentling. How can I help you with your mission here, Kent?

I'm all in to myth busting.

[_Molok]

Kent has convinced me. I am now a Kentling. How can I help you with your mission here, Kent?

I'm all in to myth busting.

Yes, me too. MDB is evil. Scratch is evil. How can I help destory this great and abominable whore of the internet, Lord Kent?

[_gramps]

Kent has convinced me. I am now a Kentling. How can I help you with your mission here, Kent?

I'm all in to myth busting.

Yes, me too. MDB is evil. Scratch is evil. How can I help destory this great and abominable whore of the internet, Lord Kent?

Wow, already two Kentlings. A couple more and Kent could start his own church.

[_Flaming Meaux]

Jeezus H. Christ. We already split off 15 pages of Kent's myth-building BS from this thread once already. Is it just too much to keep that specific one-note discussion in the thread that is now been specifically created for that purpose?

Jeezus, Kent.

[_Molok]

Jeezus H. Christ. We already split off 15 pages of Kent's myth-building BS from this thread once already. Is it just too much to keep that specific one-note discussion in the thread that is now been specifically created for that purpose?

Jeezus, Kent.

Kent is far too powerful to be contained within one thread, Mr. Meaux. You should just accept the inevitable conclusion that soon, we shall all be remade in the image of Kent. Fighting only delays the inevitable!

[_Flaming Meaux]

I wonder what part of this fictional tale made Dr. Peterson think it was about him.

The corn dogs, fry sauce, Mahler, and near heart attack, I'd warrant.

[_Molok]

Wow, already two Kentlings. A couple more and Kent could start his own church.

Yeah, we can call it the First United Church of Kent. There's probably a good acronym for that.

[_Kent]

As if on cue, more defense mechanisms! Don't fret, guys, MDB is safe, and its mythology intact. Don't let anyone convince you you aren't the exceptions to human nature you believe you are. You *are* special!