End goal?

[_dogmaster]

I have been considering how I should respond, but I can not come up with an answer that would make me seem angry too. That could be the problem? We all have a hard time expressing ourselves without seeming angry? I do not know if I could present my views like the church has asked us without getting emotional.

[_Runtu]

Runtu and others here say they have invesitgated the Church carefully and come up with the conclusion that most of the leaders were scoundrels, that Joseph Smith (and/or Sidney Rigdon and others) made it all up, that the truth claims of the Church are false. I have investigated the Church just as carefully, if not more so, and come up with the opposite conlcusions.

Once again, why do you insist on putting words in my mouth? It's true I believe the church is false, but "scoundrels"? So what if we have reached opposite conclusions? My only issue is that you think I'm either dishonest, deceived, or evil. I don't think any of those things of you.

[Guest]

I have been considering how I should respond, but I can not come up with an answer that would make me seem angry too. That could be the problem? We all have a hard time expressing ourselves without seeming angry? I do not know if I could present my views like the church has asked us without getting emotional.

That's the point. What's wrong with expressing your emotions? We know that keeping emotions in is a common cause of depression (I'm not making any judgment of you, dogmaster), so a healthy expression of how you feel is good for you, in my opinion.

[_Blixa]

I have been considering how I should respond, but I can not come up with an answer that would make me seem angry too. That could be the problem? We all have a hard time expressing ourselves without seeming angry? I do not know if I could present my views like the church has asked us without getting emotional.

are you refering to the recent suggestion (by Ballard?) that LDS get on the interwebs and proclaim the gospel (or whatever the point was)?

There are a TON of LDS sites were you could do this---any one of the blogs linked up in the "Bloggernacle" would give you links to more discussions that you could shake an iron rod at.

Or do you take his words to mean finding so called "anti" site and mixing it up...or both?

Whichever, why would you get angry/emotional necessarily?

[_dogmaster]

You have one person named Infymus who I have read some of his posts. I would like to understand his views but some of the way he expresses himself is so angry I just do not want to read it anymore. I can not take it seriously. If I take the time to express my views I would not know how to do so in a way people would take me seriously. I might be better reading than posting.

This is my first message board experience so I appreciate the responses.

[_Blixa]

Runtu and others here say they have invesitgated the Church carefully and come up with the conclusion that most of the leaders were scoundrels, that Joseph Smith (and/or Sidney Rigdon and others) made it all up, that the truth claims of the Church are false. I have investigated the Church just as carefully, if not more so, and come up with the opposite conlcusions.

Once again, why do you insist on putting words in my mouth? It's true I believe the church is false, but "scoundrels"? So what if we have reached opposite conclusions? My only issue is that you think I'm either dishonest, deceived, or evil. I don't think any of those things of you.

Hence, Mrs. Strawman.

As John Larson pointed out, Mormonism is interesting in and of itself and one can analyze it without being some cartoon anti-mormon railing in 19th century drag against "scoundrels."

[_Blixa]

You have one person named Infymus who I have read some of his posts. I would like to understand his views but some of the way he expresses himself is so angry I just do not want to read it anymore.

Then don't. Read other threads, read other posters. Skip around, get a feel for things.

Then later, maybe come back to what you first felt "turned off" by and maybe you'll view it differently. Or maybe not. But above all else, don't let first impressions, or fear of "anger" keep you from what might potentially be useful exchange.

[_BishopRic]

You have one person named Infymus who I have read some of his posts. I would like to understand his views but some of the way he expresses himself is so angry I just do not want to read it anymore. I can not take it seriously. If I take the time to express my views I would not know how to do so in a way people would take me seriously. I might be better reading than posting.

This is my first message board experience so I appreciate the responses.

And you can read from a few like Coggins7 that are equally hateful and rude. It is on both sides, and that is the nature of boards like these. Some people seem to have that approach, others don't. It's just the diversity among us.

[_Coggins7]

I am a somewhat active member of the church. Someone gave a talk about Mormon message boards. Then this whole topic came up at BYU. It seems strange people are so angry. Why are people so angry? Is there similar feelings from people who leave catholic methodist or even islam? And is there an end goal? Do people here want the church to shut down?

No, but you have to understand that Mormonism is unlike most other religions out there.

In most religions, you belong to the religion. In Mormonism, you ARE a Mormon. It is at the very core of what you are. When you find out it isn't true, it goes much deeper than most religions. People try very hard to hold on to their faith.

Without some of us critics, many of those who are questioning would only hear the apologists side of things. It is deeply gratifying to get a PM from someone saying that I made a lot of sense and had helped them better understand some of the issues. Most people questioning will simply read the message boards and never post. It is my duty to make sure both sides are fairly represented.

Plus, a very minor few of us participate on message boards.

And, it's entertaining for me.

Pay no, and I mean absolutely no attention to what this individual says about the Church. I see no evidence that he has ever been a Mormon, nor have I ever seen evidence he comprehends its doctrines or culture.

[_BishopRic]

Pay no, and I mean absolutely no attention to what this individual says about the Church. I see no evidence that he has ever been a Mormon, nor have I ever seen evidence he comprehends its doctrines or culture.

I rest my case.

:D