Why do so many people dislike John Dehlin?

[Guest]

It seems to me that John has helped a lot of people and so I can understand sycophants. It's easy to understand how when helped by John a person may elevate him to a certain status.

From the other thread on John I can see that both Rockslider and cwald are John Dehlin fans. Not to the point of being sycophants -- but certainly John Dehlin defenders.

But how can someone so helpful, kind, gracious and selfless generate so much hate? I don't get it.

[Guest]

I think hate is too strong of a word, but rather than argue semantics...

Mormon culture is very polarizing. It's very "you're in or you're out." Within this culture, John Dehlin has sought to straddle the line between inside and out. Over the past several years, he has made overtures towards those who identify as "in" and those who identify as "out" but seems to leave people wanting in terms of how committed he is to either side. The cultural expectation in Mormonism is to choose Team In or Team Out. Many people don't know what to do with someone who refuses to make this choice and the result is that sometimes people on both sides can feel burned if they staked anything on him being on one team or the other.

And besides this, he, like everyone, is not above criticism but as a public figure within Mormonism criticism of him is public as well.

[_SteelHead]

Who?

[_Molok]

I certainly don't hate the man, but from what I have observed of his behavior, I would say he seems like someone I wouldn't want anything to do with. Really slimy guy, gives off that "used car salesman" vibe strongly.

[_Sethbag]

It's easy to look at John Dehlin and Mormon Stories differently once one is way out of the church.

For my part, in my very early days after losing my testimonkey of the church, I found it very refreshing to listen to Mormon Stories podcasts that actually gave airtime to people with experiences that weren't, shall we say, entirely supportive of the church's truth claims. That was a pretty new experience for me, and it was eye-opening.

Whatever else John Dehlin may do, or which way his little faith/PR pendulum swings this month, I'll always be grateful for those Mormon Stories podcasts back in the early days of my disaffection.

[_6EQUJ5]

I think hate is too strong of a word, but rather than argue semantics...

Agreed. I'll change the thread title

Mormon culture is very polarizing. It's very "you're in or you're out." Within this culture, John Dehlin has sought to straddle the line between inside and out. Over the past several years, he has made overtures towards those who identify as "in" and those who identify as "out" but seems to leave people wanting in terms of how committed he is to either side. The cultural expectation in Mormonism is to choose Team In or Team Out. Many people don't know what to do with someone who refuses to make this choice and the result is that sometimes people on both sides can feel burned if they staked anything on him being on one team or the other.

That makes sense.

And besides this, he, like everyone, is not above criticism but as a public figure within Mormonism criticism of him is public as well.

Agreed. But some of the accusations against John Dehlin are that he does believe he's above criticism. I haven't followed him closely enough to have formed an opinion.

[_6EQUJ5]

It's easy to look at John Dehlin and Mormon Stories differently once one is way out of the church.

For my part, in my very early days after losing my testimonkey of the church, I found it very refreshing to listen to Mormon Stories podcasts that actually gave airtime to people with experiences that weren't, shall we say, entirely supportive of the church's truth claims. That was a pretty new experience for me, and it was eye-opening.

Whatever else John Dehlin may do, or which way his little faith/PR pendulum swings this month, I'll always be grateful for those Mormon Stories podcasts back in the early days of my disaffection.

I can relate.

I listed to the first 10-15 MS podcasts way back when. They were extremely eye-opening and refreshing.

[_6EQUJ5]

Who?

Mayan Elephant, Rosebud ... a couple of others here and elsewhere.

[_6EQUJ5]

I certainly don't hate the man, but from what I have observed of his behavior, I would say he seems like someone I wouldn't want anything to do with. Really slimy guy, gives off that "used car salesman" vibe strongly.

What makes you feel that way? I've always thought he was sincere. But I haven't followed John Dehlin or MS for many many years.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

I don't dislike him. I've only communicated with him a few times via cyberspace, so we don't really know each other. I have enjoyed Mormon Stories immensely. That project alone makes me appreciate what John has done and sacrificed. I admire his ability to stand up to the Church establishment (and if he changes on that from time to time, so what?). I really admire what he's accomplished and I congratulate him.