DCP revisits Dehlin hit piece and MI purge ...

[_Runtu]

I am sure you see the irony in this situation.

How often are ex Mormons just told to get over it, how often do members wonder why they "just can't leave it alone?"

I don't blame Dan for holding a grudge. However you feel about the changes to the MI, the way Gerald Bradford handled it was really crappy, even if Dan hadn't put so many years of effort into it.

If I were Dan, I wouldn't keep responding to this kind of stuff, but he feels he has to. At least that's better than some of his colleagues, who keep bringing it up on their own.

And yes, this is quite analogous to what happens when you leave the church: you feel hurt and betrayed, and every time you think you're getting over it, someone dredges it all up again and brings back all those feelings, and then they tell you "you can leave the church, but not leave it alone."

It is indeed a bitter irony.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Bro. Peterson is again unable to remain silent in the face of perceived criticism.

I fully support Bro. Peterson’s right to have and articulate his own opinions, as well as his right to be just a bit snarky and polemic in the presentation of those opinions. And, as well, it is my opinion that the subject at hand is wearied and worn-out like a pair of cheap sneakers after using them to wade in the briny shallows of the Great Salt Lake.

Bro. Peterson doesn’t need to respond to each piece of perceived criticism out there, no matter how humiliating, widely publicized, or true. We’ve learned, however, that one of Brother Peterson’s operative characteristics is a need to be and stay relevant and to – wherever possible – have the final word on any issue he deems important. It’s just a bit depressing that the most prolific of these issues has been, for over a year now, the Peterson-Dehlin incident.

One day, all of us will be gone from this world and yet – incredibly – the Church will somehow manage to survive and the Gospel will continue to go throughout the earth. It’d be a shame if more time were spent from any of the involved parties.

[_Yong Xi]

I don't blame Dan for holding a grudge. However you feel about the changes to the MI, the way Gerald Bradford handled it was really crappy, even if Dan hadn't put so many years of effort into it.

I don't know that we have heard Gerald Bradford's version of how events transpired. Dan can put his spin out there knowing that Bradford won't respond in public. I suspect there is more to the story than has been told. For all we know, Bradford may have handled it the best way possible.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

I don't know that we have heard Gerald Bradford's version of how events transpired. Dan can put his spin out there knowing that Bradford won't respond in public. I suspect there is more to the story than has been told. For all we know, Bradford may have handled it the best way possible.

Yes. It's clear that Gerald Bradford has taken the high road in this whole affair.

I'm truly ashamed and embarrassed by Daniel C. Peterson's actions and constant attacks, (personal and public) of Gerald Bradford.

I really feel a lot of sympathy for Gerald Bradford's family and friends. It must be incredibly difficult for them to watch this honorable man be constanty slandered, libeled and under attack by DCP, Hamblin, Smith and others.

DCP's behavior has clearly crossed the line. I think his behavior has been nothing short of evil.

[_Darth J]

Dehlin's continued bloviating

That's pretty true in general, not just regarding the OP.

Trying to be the Mormon Oprah will do that.

[_Darth J]

Frankly, I don't blame him for holding a grudge. Regardless of exactly why and how the events of 2012 played out, you don't do the kind of work DCP did for 20+ years for an organization (especially a religious organization in which you are heavily invested) and then simply "get over" that kind of thing happening.

I suspect if someone presented him with a pill that would magically allow him to forget all about it and move on with his life without (what I suspect) are the feelings of loss and betrayal, he would take it.

I am sure you see the irony in this situation.

How often are ex Mormons just told to get over it, how often do members wonder why they "just can't leave it alone?"

This.

Triple bonus irony because Peterson is one of the people who says this.

[_Runtu]

I don't know that we have heard Gerald Bradford's version of how events transpired. Dan can put his spin out there knowing that Bradford won't respond in public. I suspect there is more to the story than has been told. For all we know, Bradford may have handled it the best way possible.

Firing someone by email is pretty crappy, if you ask me.

[_Racer]

DCP and Dehlin are different sides of the same coin IMHO.

Whether they like it or not, Dehlin and DCP have more in common with each other than they think. They both love to upset the apple cart and then feign shock and surprise when they upset groups of people, they love being the center of attention and seeing their name in print whether for good or bad, they don't always know when to keep their mouths shut on the internet and sometimes end up hurting themselves in the process, they both have no problem tooting their own horns, and both are nice guys in person and mean well despite their larger than life egos. Both of them are driven by the same agenda albeit different methods: To try and get Mormons to cope or deal with difficult information and still somehow maintain belief in the Mormon church whether for secular or spiritual reasons.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

Interesting information. My view of the whole thing has shifted somewhat, in large part as a result of Dehlin's continued bloviating about it which now forces Dr. Peterson to say something (although, I'd prefer to say nothing if I were in that position).

This latest dust-up wasn't Dehlin's fault. He was just responding to a caller's question on a radio show (a caller who sounded like a DCP supporter trying to mess with Dehlin). Dehlin was just answering the question. It was the DCP partisan who raised the issue.

I don't get Dehlin, really. He keeps ping-ponging back and forth between wanting to be part of the church and wanting fame for leading his own little wife-swapping cult (as he put it) against the church. He is seriously conflicted, but I certain see those kind of conflicts with other critics, such as our own beloved Kishkumen, Ray A, etc. and etc.

Dehlin has made it very clear where he stands these days -- an active LDS member in full fellowship. You appear unable to accept that. Whatever ...

The most significant think I see here is that we are reminded that MI proposed a fundamental shift in philosophy to a secular study of Mormonism. I don't think there is any such place at BYU for such a program. BYU for many years has gone to lengths to emphasize the spiritual education it offers, which has led occasionally to charges of inadequate academic freedom. But BYU is what it is.

I think BYU was just embarrassed by the tone and style of the apologetics coming out of classic-FARMS/MI. BYU wanted nothing to do with it, and I don't blame the admin. in the least. They did the right thing in dumping DCP and his cabal.

[_RockSlider]

Firing someone by email is pretty crappy, if you ask me.

My guess is that one or more GA's (yes those that definitely had no involvement) gave Brandford the DO IT NOW command, and he likely had little to no say in the matter.