The New Testament provides a model for Christian behavior. Among other things, it provides for the exit, not embrace, of dissenters. I don't see really most posters here as "clingers." It seems to me that if a poster acts one way on Sunday and another way on this board, I can point to that inconsistency as an impeachment.
For example, if I hosted an Amway board and boosted its products, but in real life disparaged it to my friends and family, it seems that somebody who posted on my board could point to that inconsistency as an impeachment.
The New Testament, like the rest of the Bible, is full of contradictions. It also exhorts inclusion.
The problem with your Amway example is flawed. Jason and Harmony aren’t “hosting an Amway” board and “boosting its products” in terms of their involvement in Mormonism, unless, of course, you count simply being active in the LDS church as the equivalent. They are taking whatever good out of Mormonism they can, while retaining their right to disbelieve and criticize other aspects of it. To act as if it is unacceptable to do so is to put the LDS church in the class of a cult that will not tolerate dissent. Of course, that is probably more reflective of reality than the internet Mormons who pretend Mormonism is a big ole’ tent.
In fact, I always appreciate when posters like you expose that lie for what it is.
The folks I tend to challenge as to their motivations are usually not folks like you. You state clearly, often in a classless, meanspirited and humorless way, that your beliefs are consistent with your conduct. (Nobody will every accuse you of class or culture.) So, really, there isn't much I can point to as to you. (Sorry for the split infinitive.)
How strange that you feel qualified to make pronouncements on what I’m like in real life, particularly since we’re all “second city” characters to you, without real lives. In real life, I simply don’t discuss religion at all, unless someone else initiates the discussion. don’t think it’s a polite topic in general. The only place I discuss religion and my atheism is on internet boards specifically designed for such interactions. I also have my own sense of humor. I thought referring to Will’s Super Duper Countenance Detector was humorous, as was referring to your wife laying back and thinking of England. Of course you won’t recognize the humor in these comments.
But since you seem to be claiming that you behave in real life exactly like you do on the internet, can we assume that you have the habit of calling people in real life liars, hypocrites, cowards and sociopaths?
But, others here aren't quite there. Infymus accepts hometeachers and his family doesn't believe him. Others claim to be active members of the church and yet challenge the church here.
It just seems to me that if somebody REALLY REALLY believed what they were posting here, their life would reflect it. Instead, what happens is that people REALLY REALLY believe in the truthfulness of the Chuch but have chosen to live their lives as sinners -- often a divorce seems to be the explanation (but not always). They need to come to boards like this to replace the community they lost when they were faithful. Therein lies my challenge -- resign and walk the talk. But, they can't. And so they are weak. And so I discredit their argument as disingenuous -- saying one thing but doing another. Saying false things about Joseph Smith's purported immoral behavior but, on the other hand, holding recommends, paying tithing and attending church -- something Dr. Sajer plainly observed in his exchange above.
I’m assuming that “sinning” to you means saying critical things about church leaders. Again, thanks for exposing the Big Lie so often repeated at MAD. In real life Mormonism, found in the chapel, it’s true – criticizing one’s leaders is SIN.
Aside from that, are you so simple minded that, to you, the comments people make about Joseph’s polyandry constitutes “saying false things about Joseph Smith’ purported immoral behavior”? Surely you’re able to, at least on some level, recognize the complexity of ambiguity of that particular situation? But it’s possible you are not capable of recognizing it.
What’s funny about this is that other believers will adamantly insist that Joseph Smith may have sinned, but it’s not up to us to judge, and, besides, whether or not he sinned has NOTHING to do with whether or not he’s a prophet.
So, I am not embarrassed about telling people they should resign if they do the things they do here. I say that in my physical face life as well and all who know me in the church were I reside understand. Because I am deeply read in the doctrine and history (but, again, not perfect and not complete), I am not hesitant to do so. But, like I do here, I make efforts to rise to challenges as I invite a resignation. I have had only one person respond to my invitation for a resignation on doctrinal grounds -- and that person ran an anti-Mormon ministry out of one of California's largest evangelical churches and wanted to retain her membership so that home teachers, bishops and missionaries would continue to drop by.
What a delight you must be to have in a ward. So tell me, what do people in your real life ward do that results in your “inviting” them to resign?
Again, I have to say, it’s always a delight when someone like Bob exposes the Big Lie the internet Mormons love to repeat. There is no Big Tent in Mormonism. You believe the right things and, above all else, you don’t criticize the leaders.
by the way, the only time I referenced your children was indirectly in my statement saying I bet the only way your wife could stand to have sex with a misogynist like you was to lay back and think of England. And, of course, I did apologize for that bad joke, but that’s hardly making a vulgar reference to your children.