bcspace, droopy, DCP, Willy, rcrocket, etc owned by LDS INC.

[Guest]

The leaders of your cult have spoken and you all are in direct opposition of their "guidelines" for engaging non LDS on the net:

• You’re speaking as an individual member of the Church, sharing personal perspectives. Don’t leave an impression that you are speaking officially for the Church. It’s your own experiences that will be insightful and interesting.

• Remember that “a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). It almost never helps to argue or contend with others regarding your beliefs or to become defensive or belligerent. Just share your stories in a kind and gentle way, remembering that not everyone will agree with what you say—and that’s okay. Remember to respect others and their opinions.

• Be friendly and polite, even if you comment anonymously. Act like you would if you were talking to your next door neighbor. How you comment may be just as important as what you say.

• What helps the most are thoughtful and measured voices that explain the Church and what it’s like to be a member.

• Be relevant. Discuss the gospel where it’s the topic of conversation. Be cautious about trying to force a conversation about gospel topics.

• Everything you say or write could be on the Internet forever. Remember you’re always on the record.

Repent ye tools of Satan, for your grievous words stir up anger which doeth lower convert baptisms and accelerate member defections.

[_beastie]

Hmm. Juliann might feel like church leaders are asking them to be passive victims. (hee hee)

They're speaking as men, anyway. What do they know about the effectiveness of sexually explicit metaphors when dealing with apostates?

[_moksha]

Hmm. Juliann might feel like church leaders are asking them to be passive victims. (hee hee)

My guess is that those who are already polite will continue to be polite and those who are hell-on-wheels, will just add another layer
of rationalization and continue on as before.

[_The Dude]

• You’re speaking as an individual member of the Church, sharing personal perspectives. Don’t leave an impression that you are speaking officially for the Church. It’s your own experiences that will be insightful and interesting.

After a couple of years listening to apologists at MADB, I get the impression this is the kind of advice senior Apostles give out to their juniors.

[_truth dancer]

No, no one will change their ways.

They will (perhaps subconsciously) go with something like:

The Ensign isn't doctrine.

He is just speaking his opinion.

We aren't being offensive or mean-spirited; we act this way at home and at church.

There were times when Christ got angry and was rude to unbelievers, so we can too.

He is speaking to those regular members not knowledgeable apologists. ;-)

The church doesn't X members for being rude and nasty on the net so it doesn't really matter.

We are not really rude and obnoxious, others just get offended easily.

If we think someone is picking on us we are justified in responding with cruelty.

I can do what I want, and until I receive a personal confirmation that the apostle was giving good advice I don't need to follow it.

Oh well...

~dancer~

[_harmony]

• Be friendly and polite, even if you comment anonymously.

Hey, Crock! It's okay to post anonymously!

[_Boaz & Lidia]

No, no one will change their ways.

They will (perhaps subconsciously) go with something like:

The Ensign isn't doctrine.

He is just speaking his opinion.

We aren't being offensive or mean-spirited; we act this way at home and at church.

There were times when Christ got angry and was rude to unbelievers, so we can too.

He is speaking to those regular members not knowledgeable apologists. ;-)

The church doesn't X members for being rude and nasty on the net so it doesn't really matter.

We are not really rude and obnoxious, others just get offended easily.

If we think someone is picking on us we are justified in responding with cruelty.

I can do what I want, and until I receive a personal confirmation that the apostle was giving good advice I don't need to follow it.

Oh well...

~dancer~

I hope they keep up the self righteous hostility towards doubting members. It was a catalyst in the exit of Lidia and I and I am sure it continues to help many others, even lurkers.

I posted this because bcspace thinks that things posted on their newsroom website is official doctrine.

[_skippy the dead]

I find it somewhat interesting, if not informative, that both of these directives (the Ensign article and this release) have been ignored over on MADB - no one has raised them there, nor have they been discussed.

Should some of the more prolific posters there find the need to abide by these instructions from the brethren, that board would soon dry up.

[_Jason Bourne]

• Be friendly and polite, even if you comment anonymously.

Hey, Crock! It's okay to post anonymously!

Oh good catch!!

[_Daniel Peterson]

I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that rcrocket's objection is not to anonymity as such, but, rather, to anonymous character assassination of named people.

Anyway, for reasons that should be obvious, that's my objection. Mere anonymity doesn't bother me a bit.