LDS Apologetics Operating Costs Are More Than $7,000,000

[_Trevor]

FARMS doesn't have an operating budget in the tens of milions, nor one of ten million, nor anywhere close to that amount.

I wasn't sent to "interrogate" a wavering member. I was asked to meet with him, once, to see whether I could help with some of his concerns.

And on and on.

This is simply crazy paranoid nonsense, heavily laced with malice.

Of course, it is practically impossible for us to corroborate either version. So, all we have is your word, and your characterization of what he is saying. The fact that you are there doesn't cut it, since you are neither obliged to disclose the truth nor open to being fact checked by one of us.

[_Daniel Peterson]

What is FARMS yearly operating budget?

It's none of your business.

[_Trevor]

It's none of your business.

And there we have it. Wild speculations on one side followed by empty rebuttals from the other.

[_cksalmon]

What is FARMS yearly operating budget?

It's none of your business.

I would also have accepted "nun'ya."

As I should have made clear, it was intended as a rhetorical question for the benefit of the audience.

[_Daniel Peterson]

Of course, it is practically impossible for us to corroborate either version. So, all we have is your word, and your characterization of what he is saying. The fact that you are there doesn't cut it, since you are neither obliged to disclose the truth nor open to being fact checked by one of us.

Any reasonable person who doesn't assume that I'm a liar will know whether to credit me on these matters -- for what it's worth, I was in a meeting just today regarding our annual budget, and, unlike my accuser, I was present during the so-called "interrogation" -- or Scratch and his "anonymous informants."

Even on this message board, I suspect, there are probably a few reasonable people who don't regard me as corrupt to the core.

[_Daniel Peterson]

And there we have it. Wild speculations on one side followed by empty rebuttals from the other.

"Wild speculations," yes.

As is his habit.

But scarcely "empty rebuttals." Rather, flat denials. From somebody with direct, first-hand knowledge.

[_cksalmon]

And there we have it. Wild speculations on one side followed by empty rebuttals from the other.

"Wild speculations," yes.

As is his habit.

But scarcely "empty rebuttals." Rather, flat denials. From somebody with direct, first-hand knowledge [that you choose not to disclose].

In what sense is "It's none of your business" equivalent to a flat denial [of X], keeping in mind the context of your comment, and its quotation by Trevor--viz., as a response to my question: "What is FARMS yearly operating budget?"

[_richardMdBorn]

What is FARMS yearly operating budget?

It's none of your business.

But many LDS apologists make it their business to find out the financial details of UTLM and other ministries which are critical of the LDS church. They'd do better to answer the arguments rather than smear the people with whom they disagree.

[_Trevor]

Any reasonable person who doesn't assume that I'm a liar will know whether to credit me on these matters -- for what it's worth, I was in a meeting just today regarding our annual budget, and, unlike my accuser, I was present during the so-called "interrogation" -- or Scratch and his "anonymous informants."

Even on this message board, I suspect, there are probably a few reasonable people who don't regard me as corrupt to the core.

On which point? About the seven million? Or your conviction that you understand Scratch's motivations and personal psychology?

I never really credited the theory of the seven million, because it wasn't plausible in the first place. As for your interpretation of your meeting with this person, I have no idea. I have noticed that your and Lou's interpretations of your little meetings and email exchanges with people tend to differ substantially from their perceptions. So which am I supposed to believe? Does it take a monster to be insensitive concerning the feelings of others?

Corrupt to the core? Is that your interpretation? Interesting. Personally, I did not get the sense that you were being accused of utter corruption. Perhaps excessive zeal in a cause you deeply believe in. Are there reasonable people on this board? I think so. I am rather impressed with Jason Bourne and Ray A, to name only two of many. The unreasonable people are few and very vocal. Then there are a few who are completely inane. Interestingly, they all reside on both sides of the issue, and I think most everyone would agree that you are not corrupt to the core. Maybe a little strange, and perhaps overzealous, but corrupt to the core? Now who's exaggerating?

[_Trevor]

But scarcely "empty rebuttals." Rather, flat denials. From somebody with direct, first-hand knowledge.

And flat denials have more value, when they are backed up by nothing more than your word? I'm sorry, but you operate in an environment that is anything but transparent to even the most faithful members of the LDS Church. I am likely to believe you when you are denying something that is patently ridiculous, like a 7-million operating budget, but I have no idea how your chat went and I don't know that you have been any less malicious in your assessment of Scratch than he has been toward you.