Dr. Shades - Update your Guide

[_Infymus]

I think it is time to update your guide and add the following about Internet Mormons verses Chapel Mormons. Feel free to add and/or modify.

These additions are for Internet Mormons:

#1. The refusal to believe that issues or problems suffered by Ex-Mormons have occurred in the LDS Cult.

Internet Mormons rationalize issues or either outright denies such events have or could ever occur. If the Internet Mormon actually believes the event took place, he/she rationalizes that it was a “rogue” Bishop or Stake President and was not in harmony with the Cult. Internet Mormons refuse to believe that there is wide spread problems with top-down canonized “law” (or CHI rules). Mormon Stakes vary greatly from Stake to Stake depending upon the religious zealotry of the leaders. Innumerable Mormons have suffered at the hands of untrained “Called of God” men who then lead, instruct, teach and otherwise have the “mantel” of “authority” over their congregations.

Internet Mormons are often quoted as stating, “You are wrong”, and “We don’t teach that.” “It isn’t in the CHI.” Or best one yet, “It was your fault.”

Internet Mormons expect the discussion to be ended with the statement, “It isn’t in the CHI” or “I’ve never seen it happen.” Often they are closed to investigation.

Cases in point:

“Back Tithing” – immediately Internet Mormons attack the story stating that it never occurs. Ex-Mormon stories of having to pay thousands of dollars in back tithing are immediately dismissed as being “fabricated” or “twisted and distorted”.

“Licked Cupcakes” – immediately Internet Mormons attacked the story as being a “non issue”. Even after a dozen Ex-Mormons came forward stating it had indeed occurred, Internet Mormons rationalized away the issue stating it was limited to various Stakes and Wards. Internet Mormons lack the empathetic ability to understand the psychological damage done to Members through the “Licked Cupcakes” lessons.

“Joseph Smith Worship” – again, Internet Mormons attack stating it was the Ex-Mormon’s fault for not realizing the mistake and that the issue was not widespread throughout the Mormon Cult. Internet Mormons completely ignored the countless messages from Ex-Mormons stating the obvious fact – Mormonism places far too much emphasis on Joseph Smith.

#2. Propensity to blame the Ex-Mormon for believing “faith promoting rumors” as true fact – and to blame the Ex-Mormon for not understanding that “information” concerning their Cult was available to them if they had only “looked” for it.

Mormons are counseled to obey and believe every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of their leaders. This can cause sever cognitive dissonance among members who must believe what Cult leaders have instructed or taught even in light of modern scientific evidences. Any Ex-Mormon who brings up the Faith-Promoting Rumor are immediately attacked by Internet Mormons as being “idiots” (and other such names, see Bourne and Nehor) for not knowing the difference. Internet Mormons often disregard the golden rule of “Obedience is the first law of Heaven” that their Cult teaches.

Daniel C. Peterson remarked on this very issue by stating that evidences surrounding such things as Seer Stones or multiple wives of Joseph Smith were available and it was the fault of the member for not looking into such information. The blame is always laid at the feet of the member or Ex-Mormon, and not directly at the source. Internet Mormons refuse to bring into evidence the current Cult teaching manuals that avoid such issues as polygamy, seer stones, head in the hat, teenage brides, racial statements and more. These omitted items keep current members from looking outside of the Cult for answers as the majority are not even aware such items exist.

#3. Propensity to blame Ex-Mormons for being sub-standard members which in turn caused them to leave the Cult.

Ex-Mormons are referred to as “crappy members” as Internet Mormons must rationalize why a person would leave the so-called “One and Only True Church on The Face Of the Earth™”. Mormons who have the same issues with the Cult yet are still active members are not held in the same respect.

Propensity to state that Ex-Mormons “do not understand” the Mormon Cult causing them to leave. Inability to comprehend that an Ex-Mormon left the Mormon Cult due to Cult doctrine or Cult history – laying the blame on either “sin” or “was unable to rise to the expectations of a Higher Law”.

Internet Mormons often blame Ex-Mormons who were converts and spent limited time as a member as being insufficient time to fully “understand” Mormonism. Internet Mormons argue that Ex-Mormons do not understand or comprehend the Mormon Cult, therefore cannot speak on any matters concerning the Cult. Internet Mormons interchange the meaning of “Knowing”, as easily as Clinton argued the meaning of “Is”.

#4. Insistence on the fact that Ex-Mormons are “Angry”, “Bitter”, “Hateful”.

Any Ex-Mormon, or non-Mormon who does not agree with the doctrine of the Mormon Cult is seen as “Hateful”.

Internet Mormons have the complete lack of ability to see how Mormonism could have ever hurt or damaged an Ex-Mormon. See Item #3, Item #2 and Item #1. Because of this lack of empathy towards the Ex-Mormon (or “Apostate” or “Anti” as they are called), any issues raised by or commented on by Ex-Mormons are considered as “hateful” or “angry” by Internet Mormons. The validity of claims is challenged and the blame is again placed upon the Ex-Mormon and not the Mormon Cult.

#5, #6, #7? There is much more than can be added.

[_Yoda]

Hi, Infymus! :)

I agree that there are many Internet Mormons who fall into the categories you described. However, there are some of us who don't.

I consider Kimberly Ann one of my "internet buddies", and I was a vehement supporter of her "Licked Cupcakes" story. I had, indeed, experienced the same thing....as had many others.

Maybe there should be another category created for Internet New Order Mormons.

There are those of us, (Jason, Harmony, Rollo, Scratch, Moksha, myself) who still attend Church every week and hold callings. We tend to be more liberal in our thinking. There are goods and bads we see as far as the Church is concerned, and tend to address Church tenets issue by issue.

One thing I think you can say about all of us is that we ARE compassionate toward others, and recognize that there are a lot of gray areas when it comes to Church issues.

I have developed what I consider friendships with many posters here who are no longer Church members. Do I consider them evil? Not in the slightest. They are decent, hard-working people with compassion and heart. I respect and admire them greatly. Mercury, who is one of your "fans", can tell you that even he likes me, and he is about as anti-Mormon as you can get. ;) (I actually don't like the term, anti-Mormon, because it has negative connotations, but since Merc, himself, has used the term to describe his views, I don't think it's out of line here.)

Just further food for thought.

8)

[_Blixa]

Liz, I never took "internet Mormon" to mean any Mormon online, but only a particular apologetic subset. The original terms "internet" and "chapel" can be a bit misleading (one can find very chapelesque Mormons on the MADD board), even though the categories themselves are sound.

[_Dr. Shades]

INFYMUS:

Boy, that was pretty detailed!

I like to juxtapose one brand of Mormon against the other in order to show contrast. Although this isn't nearly as detailed as what you wrote, hopefully I encapsulated your thoughts when I wrote the following:

"The most interesting aspect of this dichotomy is that each group claims that its views are the "true" Mormonism. For example, exmormons (who were almost invariably Chapel Mormons before they left the church) are routinely castigated by Internet Mormons as having never understood their religion in the first place, while Chapel Mormons often tell apologists that they were never taught such radical notions in their ward or branch."

[_Yoda]

Liz, I never took "internet Mormon" to mean any Mormon online, but only a particular apologetic subset. The original terms "internet" and "chapel" can be a bit misleading (one can find very chapelesque Mormons on the MADD board), even though the categories themselves are sound.

I think, though, there have been instances where Infymus has made some broad assumptions about some of us who are Church members who post here, which are incorrect.

[_Dr. Shades]

LIZ3864:

Internet Mormonism refers to a specific sect of Mormonism that has beliefs different than those espoused by the prophets, apostles, and scriptures. It does NOT refer to Mormons who surf the net. Please read this website in full to understand what is being referred to here.

Also, will you please use less than an average of one smilie per post?

[_Blixa]

Liz, I never took "internet Mormon" to mean any Mormon online, but only a particular apologetic subset. The original terms "internet" and "chapel" can be a bit misleading (one can find very chapelesque Mormons on the MADD board), even though the categories themselves are sound.

I think, though, there have been instances where Infymus has made some broad assumptions about some of us who are Church members who post here, which are incorrect.

I can see that, I didn't think you were responding to that, though. My bad.

[_Yoda]

Also, will you please use less than one smilie per post?

I'll work on it, Shades. It should be noted, however, that I don't use a smilie in every post, so maybe my use of more than one on occasion will even out.

[_Dr. Shades]

Looks like you responded before I made my edit. My new sentence reads:

"Also, will you please use less than an average of one smilie per post?"

[_Infymus]

INFYMUS:

Boy, that was pretty detailed!

I like to juxtapose one brand of Mormon against the other in order to show contrast. Although this isn't nearly as detailed as what you wrote, hopefully I encapsulated your thoughts when I wrote the following:

"The most interesting aspect of this dichotomy is that each group claims that its views are the "true" Mormonism. For example, exmormons (who were almost invariably Chapel Mormons before they left the church) are routinely castigated by Internet Mormons as having never understood their religion in the first place, while Chapel Mormons often tell apologists that they were never taught such radical notions in their ward or branch."

Indeed, I think you completely nailed it there. What I find interesting is that Internet Mormons castigate Ex-Mormons for not understanding, then tell them it was their fault for believing the radical notions taught to them whilst members. The blame is never placed back on the Cult - it always stays with the Ex-Mormon.