That argument only works if Mormonism is a different faith than Christianity. Mormonism which lays claim to also being a Christian faith is stuck with all the problems that come with the origins and theology of Christianity plus all the Joseph Smith B***SH**. Migley's argument only shoots the other foot.
No it still works. Take me for example. I have examined Mormonism with a critical eye. My examination has led me to modify some of my previously held beliefs but not to reject it entirely. Others have reached different conclusions. Next I have begun to examine Christianity in general with the same critical method. And I am finding that there is a lot there that may cause modifications in my beliefs or even change them entirely.
Midgley is just saying-look, you can criticize Mormonism all you want. But why don't you look into your own faith the same way? See he is not the one doing the critiquing. Sure shooting down Christianity does nothing for Mormonism. I agree with that. but it may do something for the critic that thinks the LDS church is a bunch of garbage but thinks their own supernatural religion is just a ok.
You see, Midgley is one of the key members of the "l-skinny" listserve group. This listserve functions as a kind of gossip site and "staging grounds" for the apologists' various attacks and assaults on critics.
I think I know more about "l-skinny" listserve group than you do and its purposes is not as as staging ground for apologists to coordinate "attacks."
Really? Well then, please, do share.
Sorry but no. I have no desire to give you anything more you can twist and turn.
You see, Midgley is one of the key members of the "l-skinny" listserve group. This listserve functions as a kind of gossip site and "staging grounds" for the apologists' various attacks and assaults on critics.
I think I know more about "l-skinny" listserve group than you do and its purposes is not as as staging ground for apologists to coordinate "attacks."
Really? Well then, please, do share.
I have never been on the list but I was a member of the lds-apologetics list and there was lots of cross-posting between list so I could see what was going on. I was kicked off the lds-apologetics list about 2 years ago. Almost all of the discussion was based upon new finds, new theories, upcoming symposia. There was, however, a slight amount of stuff dealing with how to respond to particular critics on the old FAIR board. I recall the posts were just too overwhelming for me -- 30 a day.
My two cents: In my limited experience with Lou Midgley, I'd say he's a rather unpleasant sort, but saying he's a "capo" is ridiculous hyperbole.
Mormon apologetics seems to be a rather ad hoc affair to me. Yes, there are some rather unsavory characters involved on both the critics' and apologists' sides, but that's to be expected.
Runtu wrote:My two cents: In my limited experience with Lou Midgley, I'd say he's a rather unpleasant sort, but saying he's a "capo" is ridiculous hyperbole.
Mormon apologetics seems to be a rather ad hoc affair to me. Yes, there are some rather unsavory characters involved on both the critics' and apologists' sides, but that's to be expected.
Well said
We can usually count on Runtu for a well reasoned conclusion.
Rollo Tomasi wrote:Midgely's heckling of Palmer at the book-signing was reported by Sunstone in December 2002 (p. 76), so it was shortly before then.
The nature of the heckling is notable too. It involved the same type of digging up whatever dirt was available on Brother Palmer that he could find. Whether it was trying to get former students to turn on their teacher. neighbors to gossip, Church records to pursue, or in this case, the people he ran into contact with as a missionary. One wonders if those playmates at the Kindergarten were also interrogated.
While J. Edgar Hoover may have utilized this method, I think it is well beyond the bounds of propriety for either a religious or an educational institution.
Runtu wrote:My two cents: In my limited experience with Lou Midgley, I'd say he's a rather unpleasant sort, but saying he's a "capo" is ridiculous hyperbole.
No, it's not "ridiculous hyperbole". It's ridiculous awesomeness.
Runtu wrote:My two cents: In my limited experience with Lou Midgley, I'd say he's a rather unpleasant sort, but saying he's a "capo" is ridiculous hyperbole.
No, it's not "ridiculous hyperbole". It's ridiculous awesomeness.
Heh. You just made me smile.
In all seriousness, some of the nastiest people I have ever met have been Mormon apologists (I need not name them for you). That said, I've met my share of equally nasty exmos and critics, too. Neither side seems to have a monopoly on good behavior.
Runtu wrote:My two cents: In my limited experience with Lou Midgley, I'd say he's a rather unpleasant sort, but saying he's a "capo" is ridiculous hyperbole.
No, it's not "ridiculous hyperbole". It's ridiculous awesomeness.
Heh. You just made me smile.
In all seriousness, some of the nastiest people I have ever met have been Mormon apologists (I need not name them for you). That said, I've met my share of equally nasty exmos and critics, too. Neither side seems to have a monopoly on good behavior.
I find "capo" an amusing but somewhat limited comparison. I think it misses the mark in that its derived from a somewhat different tradition and culture. After all, one needn't look far in Mormonism's own history for appropriate analogies or tropes.
But runtu, while I've certainly witnessed juvenile message board hi-jinx among some exmormons (not any that I'd actually deem serious critics, however), I've never seen anything close to the vindictive attempts at character and career assassination that Mormon apologists have carried out in many, much less ephemeral, venues.
From the Ernest L. Wilkinson Diaries: "ELW dreams he's spattered w/ grease. Hundreds steal his greasy pants."
Blixa wrote: But runtu, while I've certainly witnessed juvenile message board hi-jinx among some exmormons (not any that I'd actually deem serious critics, however), I've never seen anything close to the vindictive attempts at character and career assassination that Mormon apologists have carried out in many, much less ephemeral, venues.
What is your best example of a career assassination by an apologist?