Hi Doctor Scratch,
According to my informant, "strict orders have come down from Salt Lake City...that Dan Peterson and William Schryver are no longer to participate in message board discussions with ex-Mormons or anti-Mormons." I understand this to mean that the Brethren personally ordered both DCP and Schryver to "bow out" of messageboard discussions.
First, I feel certain the Brethren (at least some of them) have wanted apologists to take a less mean-spirited approach for some time. (Didn't we see a few talks about this)? It is obvious this sort of apologetic tactic is harming the church... members lurk on the MAD board and see a seriously poor example of desperate, dishonest nastiness and their questions turn into doubt, then disbelief. I'm pretty sure the MAD board has created more disbelievers than all the anti sites combined.
Having said this, why would the Brethren single out DCP and Will? I realize DCP is a high profile apologist but so are others, and Will? Aside from his vulgar, tawdry, and repulsive shtick, he seems to be on par with BC space, The Nehor, Yahoo Bot and others who are just a little off with their understanding of LDS doctrine. In other words, does he really even show up on the radar, (try as he might)? I realize he had a little stint with the Book of Abraham over the summer but I'm pretty sure this has blown over now that the hype is gone. A few LDS members got a kick out of it but the attempt at making the Book of Abraham fiasco go away didn't really work.
It just seems to me the brethren would ask all members and apologists to treat others with civility, honesty, and respect. Oh wait, they already did. LOL! But, apologists just ignore the brethren and justify their nastiness.
~td~