wenglund wrote:Mister Scratch wrote:Fine, Wade. Feel free to look up any scholarly guidebook on cults. Let's see how many parallels there are with Mormonism, and let's see whether or not this information sinks in with you. If we find enough parallels and definitional accuracies, will you therefore concede that "cult" is a fitting label? For my money, I am not really comfortable with the term "cult," but I'm curious if you are willing to put your money where your mouth is. As I recall, in a discussion on whether or not the LDS Church "lies" about what "it claims to be," you insisted on setting aside one definition of the word "lie," stating that we should define the word in as charitable and LDS-positive way as possible. Are you willing to do the same with the word "cult"?
Unfortunately, you don't appear to understand the key points of my argument. So, let me be a little more clear.
First, I am not arguing against the scholarly usage of the term. I am arguing against its usage and interpretation in the common venacular (like what occurs on message boards such as this). That is why I was very careful, each time I posed my questions, to speak in terms of "colloquial" meaning and usage.
Secondly, I am arguing against its colloquial usage on the grounds that it doesn't serve any useful purpose, and in fact tends to be counterproduct (as some on both sides have agreed on this thread).
Now, if you can find a way to reasonably surmount those two reasonable causes for rejecting the colloquil usage of the term, then I would be pleased to hear it.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-
Okay, my two cents...
First, I think the comparative argument was between two words that each side doesn't like -- "cult," and "anti-Mormon." I think each can make a good argument why we don't agree the term accurately fits us. If I focus on DCP's statement "Well, tough! If the label fits, we are going to use it!"...I think it would be fine for "us" to use the term "cult."
But if instead, I focus on his statement ""Perhaps the best approach would be to apply to each group the name that its adherents use in referring to themselves.," then I think we should each not use the derogatory term when referring to the other.
That whole goose/gander thing, right?