Is posting on forums healthy?

[_Ray A]

Perhaps that anger is a product of no one listening. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Good point. Maybe I'm too attentive.

[_Runtu]

Infymus, Porter and Mercury are obvious. You yourself said you felt some anger, isn't that right? But you've overcome it, only recently I believe.

I'd say my "angry" period lasted about 6-8 months. It's been about 2 years since I really felt anything approaching anger, so yeah, it's been good to overcome those feelings.

It's the ferocity of continuing anger I'm talking about. Think about why I did this thread. Do you think it's a coincidence I started it when "dooosh" came back?

I think you'll find that those who feel the continuing anger are in the distinct minority. If you remember, you really shocked me a while back by attacking me for being hateful and angry, when I was feeling nothing of the sort. I would say that Port and Merc and Infymus are the exception, and much of what comes across as anger strikes me more as trying to get a reaction from certain people. I think that's pretty much why you and Cogs say some of the things you say.

It's a free board, I can't stop them, I'm just saying there's a better way to get their points across, and continuing and festering anger isn't good for health (see the OP article), and maybe they should consider RFM instead. Perhaps reflecting my own mistake in thinking that by getting angry at exmos would "solve" anything. I'm listening - but don't shout at me. And don't tell me what a "dupe" I am because I'm sympathetic to aspects of Mormonism. This is what dooosh does all the time, and he's not alone.

I am glad you have learned that lesson. You'll find there are many of us who are quite sympathetic to you and your situation, but screaming at us tends to drown out what we have in common.

[_beastie]

I think you'll find that those who feel the continuing anger are in the distinct minority. If you remember, you really shocked me a while back by attacking me for being hateful and angry, when I was feeling nothing of the sort. I would say that Port and Merc and Infymus are the exception, and much of what comes across as anger strikes me more as trying to get a reaction from certain people. I think that's pretty much why you and Cogs say some of the things you say.

Yeah, as "in your face" as Port, Merc, and Infymus can be, I don't automatically assume they're full of hate and anger. I view them as the internet equivalent of "shock jocks".

If I were to pick out one poster I think really comes off as flat-out-angry a lot, I would pick Cogs, but I may be wrong. Maybe he's just doing his own version of shock-jock as well.

[Guest]

Did you guys know that you can write peoples names in the quotes?

Yeah, as "in your face" as Port, Merc, and Infymus can be, I don't automatically assume they're full of hate and anger. I view them as the internet equivalent of "shock jocks".

If I were to pick out one poster I think really comes off as flat-out-angry a lot, I would pick Cogs, but I may be wrong. Maybe he's just doing his own version of shock-jock as well.

Hmm, that didn't work. Maybe now.

[_Ray A]

I think you'll find that those who feel the continuing anger are in the distinct minority. If you remember, you really shocked me a while back by attacking me for being hateful and angry, when I was feeling nothing of the sort. I would say that Port and Merc and Infymus are the exception, and much of what comes across as anger strikes me more as trying to get a reaction from certain people. I think that's pretty much why you and Cogs say some of the things you say.

With respect, Runtu, I don't think you understand why some Mormons perceive you as a bit hypercritical (hence Will's over-reaction, which was overboard, but there was a cause for this in his mind), nor do I think you fully understand how seemingly innocent comments can offend. We are all one-eyed to our own position. Yes, me too. You never, ever say anything to "get a rise" out of people?

I am glad you have learned that lesson. You'll find there are many of us who are quite sympathetic to you and your situation, but screaming at us tends to drown out what we have in common.

Suffering from multiple-personality disorder and flip-flop syndrome is very difficult to be sympathetic too. I don't blame you. Actually, Run, I'm just a complex person, a bit like you. You're a critic who is an active high priest, who believes Mormonism is a fraud. But I understand your situation, and I am sympathetic to it. Remember, just like you've watched me, I've watched Johnny Cat evolve, too.

[_beastie]

The hard fact of the matter is whenever Mormonism is discussed critically, there are some Mormons that are going to feel personally attacked and offended. That's just the nature of the beast. I can't think of how a critic could engage in enough obsequious pandering to avoid that hard fact.

But at any rate, I always enjoy it when believers - and you are a believer, Ray - betray the fact that Mormonism really isn't a big tent, after all. If you don't believe the "right way", you're a hypocrite (and even, according to some believers, a liar). Well, actually, that's the Mormon church I knew - the one that demanded a certain type of belief, or else the risk of censor (if you had the nerve to open your mouth, that is). The all-inclusive, tolerant, liberal, big-tent Mormonism internet Mormons like to portray, I suspect, exists largely in certain people's imaginations or wishful thinking.

[_Runtu]

The hard fact of the matter is whenever Mormonism is discussed critically, there are some Mormons that are going to feel personally attacked and offended. That's just the nature of the beast. I can't think of how a critic could engage in enough obsequious pandering to avoid that hard fact.

But at any rate, I always enjoy it when believers - and you are a believer, Ray - betray the fact that Mormonism really isn't a big tent, after all. If you don't believe the "right way", you're a hypocrite (and even, according to some believers, a liar). Well, actually, that's the Mormon church I knew - the one that demanded a certain type of belief, or else the risk of censor (if you had the nerve to open your mouth, that is). The all-inclusive, tolerant, liberal, big-tent Mormonism internet Mormons like to portray, I suspect, exists largely in certain people's imaginations or wishful thinking.

Absolutely. I find it ironic that some of those who are insisting on an inclusive Mormonism are at the same time the most vociferous in attacking those who diverge from their brand of orthodoxy. 5 minutes talking with some of the denizens of other boards ought to disabuse people of the notion that Mormonism tolerates a diversity of opinion.

[_The Nehor]

Just out of curiosity, which exmos here do you consider angry? I can think of 2 or 3, but most don't fit the definition. Of course we have 2 or 3 angry mos here, too.

Infymus, Porter and Mercury are obvious. You yourself said you felt some anger, isn't that right? But you've overcome it, only recently I believe. It's the ferocity of continuing anger I'm talking about.

Perhaps that anger is a product of no one listening. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

It's just kind of annoying. Most people grow out of throwing tantrums and invectives in order to shock and offend others.

[_The Nehor]

I think you'll find that those who feel the continuing anger are in the distinct minority. If you remember, you really shocked me a while back by attacking me for being hateful and angry, when I was feeling nothing of the sort. I would say that Port and Merc and Infymus are the exception, and much of what comes across as anger strikes me more as trying to get a reaction from certain people. I think that's pretty much why you and Cogs say some of the things you say.

Yeah, as "in your face" as Port, Merc, and Infymus can be, I don't automatically assume they're full of hate and anger. I view them as the internet equivalent of "shock jocks".

If I were to pick out one poster I think really comes off as flat-out-angry a lot, I would pick Cogs, but I may be wrong. Maybe he's just doing his own version of shock-jock as well.

While Coggins can be vehement I think most of his anger is political and not religious.

[_Ray A]

The hard fact of the matter is whenever Mormonism is discussed critically, there are some Mormons that are going to feel personally attacked and offended. That's just the nature of the beast. I can't think of how a critic could engage in enough obsequious pandering to avoid that hard fact.

This is true in some respects. Don Bradley, Dan Vogel, and Brent Metcalfe are critics, but I respect all of them. I particularly like Don, and I've watched him evolve in views over the years too, which I've found very interesting, because of our mutual interest in the Book of Mormon, and his broader vision for Mormonism. I know some Mormons, like Will, don't have the highest opinion of them. How you approach counter-apologetics is all important. Even then, some Mormons will still be offended. I've been critical of aspects of your website, but I find it interesting and I'll keep looking at it. I'm sure I could learn a lot, and further improvements may even make it a force to contend with, and reply to, as it develops. Notwithstanding that, you come across far more professional on your site, and make generous concessions like avoiding the word "apologists", and call them "Book of Mormon scholars". A spade is still a spade, but the concession shows professionalism, and if you took this approach here, you'd be far more effective. We know that sometimes, depending on intent, the word "apologist" can be as derogatory as "anti-Mormon".

But at any rate, I always enjoy it when believers - and you are a believer, Ray - betray the fact that Mormonism really isn't a big tent, after all. If you don't believe the "right way", you're a hypocrite (and even, according to some believers, a liar). Well, actually, that's the Mormon church I knew - the one that demanded a certain type of belief, or else the risk of censor (if you had the nerve to open your mouth, that is). The all-inclusive, tolerant, liberal, big-tent Mormonism internet Mormons like to portray, I suspect, exists largely in certain people's imaginations or wishful thinking.

I think Mormonism is a big tent. I tried, but I couldn't make it fit into my local chapel.