More on the Financing of Mopologetics

[_Mister Scratch]

Well said, Gad. In summary, I'd just like to note that there were a few issues which DCP completely avoided:

1) Matt Roper as a paid apologist
2) The 2nd Watson Letter and its significance vis-a-vis the connection b/w the Brethren and Mopologetics
3) The reason(s) why the Church uses what is purportedly a "philanthropy" to fund apologetics.

I noticed that DCP very strenuously tried to avoid these points. Personally, I wish he'd address them.

[_Ray A]

Ah, I see. You had to grovel on your knees before His Highness, the Grand King of Mopologetics, before you came to your senses. I get it, Ray.

No, Scratch, I "grovel" to people of character and honesty, regardless of what they believe. You are not one of them.

I'm disappointed in you, Ray. However, I would like to applaud you for the relative calmness of this post. The truth is that is just want the truth. I disagree with all kinds of people---marg and BCspace, for example--and yet can you find any instance of this so-called "character assassination"?

Are you kidding me? All you have done on this board is JUDGE others, while you have remained completely anonymous so no one can judge YOU! You demonstrate the worst characteristics of humanity. You are, in this regard - Inhumane.

Why are you so sore, Ray? Oh, yeah---that's right. You were exposed as a colossal flip-flopper. Anyways, I've long forgiven you for that sin. You would do well, however, to repent for your very false and appalling accusations against Dr. Shades. I'd like to think that you were man enough to do that.

Yeah, the same "Dr. Shades" who supports you in your fulltime character assassination, without ONE word of dissent! Unless I'm mistaken, which I could be. At the moment, I think you have carte blanche to assassinate whoever you want, under the dictum of "free speech", and I believe Shades fully supports you in this, and even encourages it, just like "board wars".

Ah, the perils of a "free speech" board.

[_Mister Scratch]

Ah, I see. You had to grovel on your knees before His Highness, the Grand King of Mopologetics, before you came to your senses. I get it, Ray.

No, Scratch, I "grovel" to people of character and honesty, regardless of what they believe. You are not one of them.

???? Please re-read your post, my dear old friend. (My! How I've missed you, you old nut! And I really mean that. I really do.)

I'm disappointed in you, Ray. However, I would like to applaud you for the relative calmness of this post. The truth is that is just want the truth. I disagree with all kinds of people---marg and BCspace, for example--and yet can you find any instance of this so-called "character assassination"?

Are you kidding me? All you have done on this board is JUDGE others, while you have remained completely anonymous so no one can judge YOU! You demonstrate the worst characteristics of humanity. You are, in this regard - Inhumane.

You are only saying this because you still feel embarrassed about your past behavior.

Why are you so sore, Ray? Oh, yeah---that's right. You were exposed as a colossal flip-flopper. Anyways, I've long forgiven you for that sin. You would do well, however, to repent for your very false and appalling accusations against Dr. Shades. I'd like to think that you were man enough to do that.

Yeah, the same "Dr. Shades" who supports you in your fulltime character assassination, without ONE word of dissent! Unless I'm mistaken, which I could be. At the moment, I think you have carte blanche to assassinate whoever you want, under the dictum of "free speech", and I believe Shades fully supports you in this, and even encourages it, just like "board wars".

Ah, the perils of a "free speech" board.

Ray, your posts are clouded by your turbulent emotions, as always. Dr. Shades posted a thread roughly a year ago titled (If I recall correctly) "DCP RESPONDS TO THE GOSSIPMONGERING ACCUSATIONS". In this thread, he stated that he felt that myself, Rollo Tomasi, and others should give DCP the "benefit of the doubt" concerning the whole Quinn fiasco. Does that register as "dissent" for you, old buddy?

You need to man up and apologize for your ridiculous "The Truth About MDB" thread. I certainly am not going to let you forget it.

Anyways, you are entirely overlooking the real meat of the matter at hand: The evidence is that the LDS Church helps pay for Mopologetics. Plain and simple. The fact that so many people are bent out of shape over it is very telling.

[_Ray A]

This thread is primarly a discussion about a well-compensated salesperson paid by the church to work the elite social networks of the membership for cash. In fact, it would seem Dr. Peterson's role fades into the background and has become more one of support to a larger powerbroker who is seeing to the interests of the LDS board of directors. The only named accusation is that of Matt Roper as a paid apologist. Which is not insulting, in itself. Clearly, Dr. Peterson's intentions with apologetics are good. I wonder if in some ways he's being taken advantage of by bigger players, in fact. The well-meaning intellectuals are often the last to "get" what they've allied themselves with. I don't see Dr. Peterson's sometimes conflicting statements as lies, but rather as an honest man trying to navigate some murky waters.

I have absolutely no reason to believe Dan is "being taken advantage of". I actually believe he has a brain, and can make his own decisions! Sorry, Gad, but your conspiracy theories don't work for me here. My views on Book of Mormon historicity are probably 180 degress to Dan's, but I don't for one minute believe that he's propagating his views for ulterior motives, or to "get gain". This is totally absurd, because the fact is that Dan has enough qualifications to be gainfully employed by almost any university which has an Arabic studies department. His METS has nothing to do with Mormonism, per se, but on that alone he could be employed elsewhere should he ever decide that Mormonism "is a fraud".

[_Gadianton]

Ray, honestly, this thread is inhumane? inhumane? Dr. Peterson's person is not the target of this thread. In fact, no one has been inhumanely targeted. You can believe what you like about Dr. Peterson's handlers.

[_Mister Scratch]

This thread is primarly a discussion about a well-compensated salesperson paid by the church to work the elite social networks of the membership for cash. In fact, it would seem Dr. Peterson's role fades into the background and has become more one of support to a larger powerbroker who is seeing to the interests of the LDS board of directors. The only named accusation is that of Matt Roper as a paid apologist. Which is not insulting, in itself. Clearly, Dr. Peterson's intentions with apologetics are good. I wonder if in some ways he's being taken advantage of by bigger players, in fact. The well-meaning intellectuals are often the last to "get" what they've allied themselves with. I don't see Dr. Peterson's sometimes conflicting statements as lies, but rather as an honest man trying to navigate some murky waters.

I have absolutely no reason to believe Dan is "being taken advantage of". I actually believe he has a brain, and can make his own decisions! Sorry, Gad, but your conspiracy theories don't work for me here. My views on Book of Mormon historicity are probably 180 degress to Dan's, but I don't for one minute believe that he's propagating his views for ulterior motives, or to "get gain".

Where--anywhere in the thread at all--did anybody say this, Ray? DCP's motives, so far as I know, based on his writings, are to defend the Church that he loves. I do not think that he's involved in Mopologetics chiefly to make money. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if he feels justified in getting compensated. Frankly, given the time he puts in, I think he deserves to be compensated by the Church.

This is totally absurd, because the fact is that Dan has enough qualifications to be gainfully employed by almost any university which has an Arabic studies department. His METS has nothing to do with Mormonism, per se, but on that alone he could be employed elsewhere should he ever decide that Mormonism "is a fraud".

This is completely off-topic and beside the point.

[_The Dude]

Sorry, Gad, but your conspiracy theories don't work for me here.

Honestly Ray? You're passing up a conspiracy theory?

Request: Would the real Ray A please stand up?

[_moksha]

C'mon... Can't anyone trust a face like that?

Indescribably ghastly.

(Didja notice those beady, shifty little eyes?)

Obviously guilty as charged.

The face of someone who has just been leied. Dr. Peterson has a marvelous sense of humor. He is a credit to BYU.

[_Mister Scratch]

Sorry, Gad, but your conspiracy theories don't work for me here.

Honestly Ray? You're passing up a conspiracy theory?

Request: Would the real Ray A please stand up?

Which Ray are you referring to, Dude?

[_Ray A]

Request: Would the real Ray A please stand up?

If you had an objective bone in your body, I would take you seriously.

Which brand of hemp are you on tonight?