Things that scare new board members away

[_Nightlion]

I should go away too. But I have not where to go.

Should I start ZionDiscussions?

No! Stay here!

Awe gee did I make this thread about me?

[_GR33N]

I would be more inclined to post more often and engage in discussions if it was not for the common response, by a number of posters here, to TBM comments that resort to name calling.

That's just me. Maybe I'm thin skinned and maybe it's just lame to continue to engage once a discussion resorts to that.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

[_DrW]

It seems to me that a number of Zee's concerns could be (and usually are) well managed by the separation of the forums on this board.

If the intent of, and rules for, each the forums were properly observed, it would go a long way toward resolving Zee's stated concerns, while still allowing free flow of ideas with minimal moderation.

I find Zee's stated concern over blasphemy (lack of sufficient reverence for holy things) to be an interesting example of something that might drive a believer away.

One wonders at the lack of concern that constant and repetitive mention of an imaginary Christian deity might drive atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Jews, or Wiccans away.

[_Quasimodo]

I would be more inclined to post more often and engage in discussions if it was not for the common response, by a number of posters here, to TBM comments that resort to name calling.

That's just me. Maybe I'm thin skinned and maybe it's just lame to continue to engage once a discussion resorts to that.

I've seen TBMs be just as nasty. Sometimes without provocation. I don't count it a good day unless someone calls me an anti-Mormon at least once. If I'm called a "typical anti-Mormon" I take it as a double score.

One of the values of a discussion board is that it allows a little more freedom of expression than do polite conversations at work or elsewhere in real life. A catharsis if you want to make it one.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

If Mormons who come here and whine, bitch, and moan truly wanted a semi-civil and heavily moderated forum they'd post on the Celestial. The more they participate there the more people will gravitate there. The bottom line is they come here to sling mud and then cry foul when others sling it back.

Mr. Peterson was a primary example of that.

V/R
Dr. Cam

[_thews]

If Mormons who come here and whine, bitch, and moan truly wanted a semi-civil and heavily moderated forum they'd post on the Celestial. The more they participate there the more people will gravitate there. The bottom line is they come here to sling mud and then cry foul when others sling it back.

Mr. Peterson was a primary example of that.

V/R
Dr. Cam

This is actually a good point. The Simon Belmont's who come in with guns blazing must be able to take what they dish out. in my opinion, the people who remain civil are treated with respect. Those that continually evade answering the facts presented to them by claiming they already answered the question, or, more commonly, provide a link to their supposed point, create a frustrating scenario. It's easy to understand this, as the information TBM's are given doesn't bode well when actual facts are presented and they can't (or won't) research data presented.

To your point Zee, I only debate factual data (at least I try). The so-called "facts" Mopologists use are not factually based, but the watered-down LDS version of the truth. Harsh reality (the truth) isn't easy to take when it contradicts data that can't be found on "LDS approved" sites. It's all part of the dynamic that creates (breeds) drama... hostility (on both sides) is just part of it. In a nutshell, it's hardball in here... if you wanna play softball, move up a forum.

[_moksha]

The unexamined board is not worth posting in (my apologies to Socrates and grammarians, everywhere).

Love your posts Quasimodo.

If it weren't for the 'bad guys' (some may think I am one) this would be a very dull place.

It would be like an endless afternoon of sipping tea with your little finger raised. The MD&D board is a perfect example of homogenization making for a predicatable degree of blandness. Throw Polygamy Porter and Droopy into the mix and you have a lively wild west show complete with singing a pony.

Lurkers do not follow the forum with the same expectations as the regulars. Some run across it in a google search for a particular topic. These people are looking for substantive answers that our board historians, classicists abd pundits provide. Some people look toward whiling away times of boredom and so they read bits and pieces that catch their interest. These folks can find satisfaction in threads posted by one of our many clever posters. Others stumble in dazed and confused and find posts by Quasimodo and Moksha.

Some might also seek fine art graphics posted by Zeezrom and Blixa or even do robotic searches for information leading to dectection and laser targeting of anonymous cowards.

.

[_Quasimodo]

Love your posts Quasimodo.

Thanks so much, moksha! Praise from the praiseworthy! I read all your posts.

Others stumble in dazed and confused and find posts by Quasimodo and Moksha.

Poor bastards. I can't help feeling sorry for them.

[_Falcon A]

I'm neither looking for support nor seeking answers.
What draws me into threads is when the topic goes to the heart of why Mormonism isn't what it claims to be...no matter the topic.

There is a lack of an LDS presence lately, it seems to me. One reason, as I see it, is that Mormon Apologists have an uphill battle to defend the often indefensible. They believe it's true, but can't win the argument. There are too many master-debaters here that know the inner workings of LDS, Inc. after many decades of living it. The usual bluff and 'wool-pulling' isn't going to work here.
There is the risk of losing a testimony, that's a biggie.
Seems scary, but it's not. I'm more scared to go back! ha

The defenses are what intrigue me.

I miss Nehor, stemelbow, and several others; even Thanks, Wade.
It's got to be discouraging to continually be pwned...so one picks up their ball and goes home MAD; declaring 'asked and answered, I win' as they leave. I loved how stem would try to provoke Darth J. It was like Napolean Dynamite thinking he could kick Chuck Norris' ass. Adorable.
Too harsh?

We're left with subgenius and ldsfaqs. Not the best at articulating Mormonism, in my opinion, but kudos for trying you 2! Always quick to put up a fight, I appreciate that.
why me doesn't count. He lacks any credibility.

Do they know Shulem hasn't been posting? His style can be a little off-putting.

So I say, "'Keep up the pressure on The Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' my Mormon Critic friends, and 'fight the good fight' my soon-to-be-informed Mormon defenders." Both elements are essential to the interest level of MD.


Now I'll go back to reading whatever catches my eye today, probably another just me, consig, Darth J, Dr. Scratch or Mormon Jesus post, for starters.
Thanks to everyone who posts, I get bored when y'all relax too much. (I realize you're not here for my entertainment, but thanks all the same.)

...oh yeah, by the way, the Falcons are one(1) win away from the greatest spectacle in sports! Bring back the Dirty Bird! Now that's scarey.
Falcon A!