Somebody (perhaps Allen Wyatt) has apparently been snooping around, reading the messages here on MormonDiscussions.com, because there are now a pair of letters posted to the FAIRblog accusing Tal Bachman of being a liar. Here's is Wyatt's opening volley from the blog:
Allen Wyatt wrote:It appears that President Keyes has finally read some of Tal’s comments, notably a message left by Tal on the Mormon Discussions message board run by the infamous critic “Dr. Shades.” The comments by Tal are not new; he has been making the same comments for some time. (For example, in an abbreviated exit story on the Post-Mormon site.) I first read similar comments by Tal on the Recovery from Mormonism message boards about four years ago.
I am pleased to report that we no longer have to rely on Tal Bachman’s version of reality. I’m pleased to share with you an open letter from President Randy Keyes and a separate open letter from his wife, Julie. These letters are posted here with their permission.
Enjoy.
-Allen
There are a couple of things I find interesting about this whole shebang.
1) Somebody is apparently keeping a close tab on this site, no doubt in the hopes of culling information to later use against Church critics. (Note Wyatt's use of the derisive "infamous 'Dr. Shades'".)
2) I find it intriguing that both Pres. Keyes and his wife were dragged into this.
In any case, I'll be anxiously awaiting Tal's rebuttal.
Last edited by Physics Guy on Thu May 01, 2008 9:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It seems very strange that a profession therapist and ecclesiastical authority would post such a letter concerning the content of private interviews. It just shows that preserving the religion at all costs overrides profession and clerical codes of behavior.
The letter from his wife is way over the line and completely irrelevant.
that being said, I am also curious how Tal will respond.
John Larsen wrote:It seems very strange that a profession therapist and ecclesiastical authority would post such a letter concerning the content of private interviews. It just shows that preserving the religion at all costs overrides profession and clerical codes of behavior.
The letter from his wife is way over the line and completely irrelevant.
that being said, I am also curious how Tal will respond.
Excellent points. They are so desperate to tar a critic that this Dr. Keyes is apparently willing to throw confidentiality rules out the window. I really hope that he re-thinks what he's done.
By the way, the inevitable dog-pile on MAD has begun:
Daniel Peterson wrote:What a huge surprise this is. Wowzers. Who could have ever seen this coming? What a stunner.
Tal Bachman has been spreading half-truths and untruths about me and friends of mine for quite some time now. (I used to call him "Tall Tales Bachman" for a reason.) Oddly enough, his stories invariably tend to make him look really good, and his designated targets to look like mendacious idiots.
Sort of like DCP's out-of-context siglines?
juliann wrote:The anti-Mormons are going to have increasing problems in spinning tales as more and more church leaders decide to respond to their silly tales. A convenient story about a stake president who doesn't believe but apparently has nothing better to do than spend countless hours devoted to serving a lie is unbelievable from any perspective. The real question will always be why bitter anti-Mormons make up such obviously transparent fables about real people who can talk back.
Sort of like Ms. Reynolds's infamous "Bromley/apostate theory"?
I think if Tal made comments about his Stake President with which the Stake President disagrees, said Stake President has every right to add his comments.
One moment in annihilation's waste, one moment, of the well of life to taste- The stars are setting and the caravan starts for the dawn of nothing; Oh, make haste! -Omar Khayaam
LifeOnaPlate wrote:I think if Tal made comments about his Stake President with which the Stake President disagrees, said Stake President has every right to add his comments.
Nonetheless, his remarks clearly cross the line in terms of professional and ecclesiastical ethics. A. Wyatt, juliann and the others who are maliciously rubbing their hands together in glee should really reconsider what the costs are in this. What if someone leaks this letter to Pres. Keyes's professional organization? He could get into serious trouble. Wyatt, if he has any conscience, should remove the letter.
Having just read what Keyes had to say I am failing to see any combative spirit or ridicule or harassment by Keyes.
One moment in annihilation's waste, one moment, of the well of life to taste- The stars are setting and the caravan starts for the dawn of nothing; Oh, make haste! -Omar Khayaam
LifeOnaPlate wrote:I think if Tal made comments about his Stake President with which the Stake President disagrees, said Stake President has every right to add his comments.
Nonetheless, his remarks clearly cross the line in terms of professional and ecclesiastical ethics. A. Wyatt, juliann and the others who are maliciously rubbing their hands together in glee should really reconsider what the costs are in this. What if someone leaks this letter to Pres. Keyes's professional organization? He could get into serious trouble. Wyatt, if he has any conscience, should remove the letter.
Nonsense. Tal made public claims that require public answers, in addition to clarification in case Tal misunderstood Keyes. I see Keyes as portraying Tal as a sincere person and seeking to clarify any misconceptions that occurred.
One moment in annihilation's waste, one moment, of the well of life to taste- The stars are setting and the caravan starts for the dawn of nothing; Oh, make haste! -Omar Khayaam
LifeOnaPlate wrote:I think if Tal made comments about his Stake President with which the Stake President disagrees, said Stake President has every right to add his comments.
I actually have to agree with LOP here. Tal did name this stake president specifically. I think he had a duty to respond.
LifeOnaPlate wrote:Having just read what Keyes had to say I am failing to see any combative spirit or ridicule or harassment by Keyes.
It seems clear that both Keyes and his wife (and Allen Wyatt, for that matter; and, while we're at it, the dogpile at MAD) are all very anxious to "stick it" to Tal, and to accuse him of being dishonest.