Laird Wilcox on Extremist Traits.

[_Drifting]

Ray, forgive me if I am putting words into your mouth.

I think you are making the point that Zealotry and Fanaticism are generally harmful attributes no matter from any belief stand point.

I am. There needs to be more understanding and tolerance of Mormons here on this board.

I think more tolerance and understanding of where all peoples viewpoints come from would be helpful, regardless of where they fall on the line between total belief and total unbelief. I myself have been guilty of such intolerance, but I am trying...

There are some great examples on this board:
Consig for instance, and bcspace both seem to behave well towards others even when they do not agree with them.

[_RayAgostini]

There are some great examples on this board:
Consig for instance, and bcspace both seem to behave well towards others even when they do not agree with them.

I've long noted this about BC, even on his home board, MAD, before I got banned from there. I'm not very diplomatic, because I don't share the infected dog rabies opinions of Mormonism that many here do. One can be polite while being a total intolerant prick. I think it was Joseph who said something like, give me one who swears a stream a mile long, but can do a good turn, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite.

So, you see, I can think you're a virtual dick, a damn head, and say so, but I'd be the first to give you credit for being fair-minded.

[_Drifting]

So, you see, I can think you're a virtual dick, a f*** head, and say so, but I'd be the first to give you credit for being fair-minded.

You are what we call ''a right rum 'un''!

[_Darth J]

You hurt my feelings, Ray. I am very sad now.

You have feelings? LOL.

I thought you were "past feeling". When you stop mocking, criticising, and denigrating every and anything Mormon, and act like a grown up adult instead of a spoilt brat with a crocodile-size grudge on his shoulders, I might take you seriously.

You ooze hatred for Mormonism. Get over it!

Maybe it was the space aliens who caused Joseph Smith to create the Book of Mormon through automatic writing that came up with the idea of being "past feeling."

Go ahead and throw away your religious tradition, Darth. Mock it, denigrate it, scorn it, and ridicule it for all the world to see. You do a fine service to humanity. Pat yourself on the back for the growing ridicule of the religion you were born (or converted) into (?).

How Firm a Foundation - Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Keep the quotes coming, and keep missing the whole point. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame here, and when one day you lie down in sorrow, don't hesitate to call upon the God you have so mercilessly ridiculed.

Will do!

[_Yoda]

Hello, MDB,

Do you think that these traits exist in both apologists and critics?

Laird Wilcox
on Extremist Traits.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

I have seen elements of these in BOTH apologists and critics.

Take a look at MAD (specifically Pahoran, Juliann, and the other usual suspects) for examples on the apologist side.

ETA--On MDB, we also have Bob Crockett on the apologist side.

On the critic side here are examples of the same thing (our friend, Polygamy Porter, Mercury, Darth J).

That is not to say, however, that these folks don't make compelling arguments at times. I think what is frustrating about the extremist behavior that these folks exhibit, is that we have seen glimpses of what they are capable of when they DON'T resort to the extremist nonsense.

[_Yoda]

There are some great examples on this board:
Consig for instance, and bcspace both seem to behave well towards others even when they do not agree with them.

I've long noted this about BC, even on his home board, MAD, before I got banned from there. I'm not very diplomatic, because I don't share the infected dog rabies opinions of Mormonism that many here do. One can be polite while being a total intolerant prick. I think it was Joseph who said something like, give me one who swears a stream a mile long, but can do a good turn, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite.

So, you see, I can think you're a virtual dick, a f*** head, and say so, but I'd be the first to give you credit for being fair-minded.

Actually, I believe that BC considers MDB his home board. ;-)

He hates the moderation on MAD.

[_Buffalo]

1. CHARACTER ASSASSINATION.

Extremists often attack the character of an opponent rather than deal with the facts or issues raised. They will question motives, qualifications, past associations, alleged values, personality, looks, mental health, and so on as a diversion from the issues under consideration. Some of these matters are not entirely irrelevant , but they should not serve to avoid the real issues.

Extremists object strenuously when this is done to them, of course!

2. NAME-CALLING AND LABELING.

Extremists are quick to resort to epithets (racist, subversive, pervert, hate monger, nut, crackpot, degenerate, un-American, anti-semite, red, commie, nazi, kook, fink, liar, bigot, and so on) to label and condemn opponents in order to divert attention from their arguments and to discourage others from hearing them out. These epithets don't have to be proved to be effective; the mere fact that they have been said is often enough.

6. TENDENCY TO VIEW THEIR OPPONENTS AND CRITICS AS ESSENTIALLY EVIL.

To the extremist, opponents hold opposing positions because they are bad people, immoral, dishonest, unscrupulous, mean-spirited, hateful, cruel, or whatever, not merely because they simply disagree, see the matter differently, have competing interests, or are perhaps even mistaken.

Classic!

[_Yoda]

Where were you in 1985, Darth?

If I were to guess, I would say he was a toddler.

;-)

[_Kishkumen]

I try not to be an extremist. That is about all I have to say on the subject.

[_Doctor Scratch]

I have seen elements of these in BOTH apologists and critics.

Take a look at MAD (specifically Pahoran, Juliann, and the other usual suspects) for examples on the apologist side.

ETA--On MDB, we also have Bob Crockett on the apologist side.

On the critic side here are examples of the same thing (our friend, Polygamy Porter, Mercury, Darth J).

Where has Darth J engaged in "character assassination"?