For Charity and Other Apologists-Is MDB an Anti-Mormon Board

[_BishopRic]

To answer your question; I don't believe this board was set up as an "Anti-Mormon" board....but you've got some regular posters who definitely are anti. The board is more heavily populated by ex-LDS and negative attitudes towards Mormonism, so the board definitely carries an "Anti-Mormon" atmosphere.

It's definitely not LDS-friendly.

I think there have been some good posts about this today. It seems the core rules and lack of biased moderation of MDB makes it quite fair. But because there is such a great divide between what Mormons believe as truth -- particularly as it relates to the life and claims of Joseph -- and when we exmos state our position, it is viewed as defamatory and slanderous by the TBMs.

In fact, over on the MA&D Board, I was banned for making a comparison between Joseph and Jones and Koresh. I understand TBMs see the comparison as insulting, but I think a very compelling case can be made that there are significant similarities. At the very least, it is worth discussing, and if something as benign as that gets one banned, you will never have true intellectual debate there with the censorship as it is.

I disagree that this board is not LDS-friendly. It is what we make of it, and there are many here that are vocal about their beliefs, but I've yet to hear of somebody being banned/suspended for any of the reasons they use over there.

Second, I believe that Mormons are more naturally offendable (my word). It's part of the culture. From Joseph being painted as the martyr, to the pioneers being forced to suffer -- when in my opinion much of the suffering on both parts was brought on by themselves and the leaders unnecessarily. So, this pre-disposal to victimization sets up the Mormon to being offended whenever there is a very common challenge to the history and/or doctrine.

I could be wrong....

[_antishock8]

Second, I believe that Mormons are more naturally offendable (my word). It's part of the culture. From Joseph being painted as the martyr, to the pioneers being forced to suffer -- when in my opinion much of the suffering on both parts was brought on by themselves and the leaders unnecessarily. So, this pre-disposal to victimization sets up the Mormon to being offended whenever there is a very common challenge to the history and/or doctrine.

I could be wrong....

No. You're not wrong. In fact, you've hit the nail squarely on the head. All religious claims should be scrutinized, mocked, deconstructed, compared, and thouroughly muddied. The idea that non-believers should respect and honor outrageous beliefs, even if those beliefs are held sacred by believers is an astonishingly presumptive assumption. I think having one's religious beliefs exposed and laid bare by people who don't care for them keeps believers grounded. Non-believers respecting a believer's faith leads to things like Sharia law being imposed, or a secular government enforcing religious practice. It happens, and it's a very bad proposition for everyone if we all pretend to embrace religious mysticism. It should not be embraced. It should not be respected. It should be confronted. Always.

[_GoodK]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there needs to be at least a minimum amount of moderation on this board.

In my opinion, it is TOO free. The personal insults drive people away, and that is why we don't see more apologists on this board.

But, yes, my opinion of this board is that it is a toned down version of RfM. I'm not sure when the last time a pro-LDS thread was started. Which I don't blame the apologists at all. Whenever they are brave enough to open a pro-LDS thread, the name calling comes out in spades!

That isn't to say that the apologists don't name call, but not to the level and extent that the critics do.

I agree with Scottie.