Censorship on Exmormon.org

[_Simon Southerton]

Given the significance of Daniel Peterson's current troubles at Maxwell House, I posted about this on RFM. I immediately ran foul of the RFM censors.

The "moderators" at RFM use keywords to automatically block some posts. As a result I couldn't post a link to the appropriate thread on this board. I then mentioned the name of this board in my post. In frustration at the censorship I copied the two critical letters; Jerry Bradford's letter to DCP and DCPs now famous response. I have just now observed that the censors have removed the mention of "Mormon Discussions" from my post on RFM. It now says "From another board".

Over the last 4-5 years I have had many of my posts at RFM censored, and not for political reasons. There was a time when just the mention of John Dehlin's name in a post was enough to cause it to be removed. The removal of links to, or mentions of other, exmormon boards is extremely petty.

This is not the work of Eric Kettunen, but one or a number of paranoid moderators. If you are a regular visitor to RFM you should be aware that this is going on.

[_MCB]

I don't get their reason for doing this. It has me boggled. I did see your post, with "Mormon discussions" in it, and was surprised they didn't catch it. Of course, you post under your name, which has a certain cachet.

[_Dr. Shades]

This is not the work of Eric Kettunen, but one or a number of paranoid moderators.

It's all thanks to "Susan the Interesting Sinner," or "Susan I/S" for short.

Yeah, I agree it's frustrating.

[_RayAgostini]

If you are a regular visitor to RFM you should be aware that this is going on.

I've been aware of this since 2002, when I was unofficially banned from RFM (there was no banning policy, but every single post I did was deleted). One of my most egregious transgressions was not letting up on criticism of Steve Benson.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

It seems they fear their members might go back to LDS Inc if they read a board which allows TBMs to post.

Meh.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

If you are a regular visitor to RFM you should be aware that this is going on.

I've been aware of this since 2002, when I was unofficially banned from RFM (there was no banning policy, but every single post I did was deleted). One of my most egregious transgressions was not letting up on criticism of Steve Benson.

Steve is their spokesperson and esteemed celebrity, or it seemed that way for some time.

I haven't posted on RfM in years.

[_MCB]

It seems they fear their members might go back to LDS Inc if they read a board which allows TBMs to post. Meh.

That is ridiculous!! I know that some are shakey, just taking their first steps, but pot and kettle and all that.

[_angsty]

It seems they fear their members might go back to LDS Inc if they read a board which allows TBMs to post.

Meh.

Not hardly. RfM has a different purpose than this fine establishment. It provides a safe place for people who are in the process of leaving the church, where they can explore their doubts and express their frustrations as they step outside Mormonism. Posters there are in the process of getting away from Mormons and the types of things Mormons say and think. Posters there have heard the Mormon answers already, and found them lacking. To have Mormons post there, defending the faith and attempting to shape opinion, is disruptive to their stated mission and a distraction.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

It seems they fear their members might go back to LDS Inc if they read a board which allows TBMs to post.

Meh.

Not hardly. RfM has a different purpose than this fine establishment. It provides a safe place for people who are in the process of leaving the church, where they can explore their doubts and express their frustrations as they step outside Mormonism. Posters there are in the process of getting away from Mormons and the types of things Mormons say and think. Posters there have heard the Mormon answers already, and found them lacking. To have Mormons post there, defending the faith and attempting to shape opinion, is disruptive to their stated mission and a distraction.

I have yet to find a single member of this fine discussion board who has returned to the cult due to the discussions they engaged in here.

[_Tobin]

Not hardly. RfM has a different purpose than this fine establishment. It provides a safe place for people who are in the process of leaving the church, where they can explore their doubts and express their frustrations as they step outside Mormonism. Posters there are in the process of getting away from Mormons and the types of things Mormons say and think. Posters there have heard the Mormon answers already, and found them lacking. To have Mormons post there, defending the faith and attempting to shape opinion, is disruptive to their stated mission and a distraction.

I have yet to find a single member of this fine discussion board who has returned to the cult due to the discussions they engaged in here.

I really don't think if they are posting on an ex-mormon board that they have any interest in returning to Mormonism. There are plenty of satisfactory answers, but if they are in the ex-mormon mode they aren't likely to accept them and return to God.