Example of why anonymity is best

[_beastie]

A statement on another thread reminded me of a post I had read on MAD in the last couple of weeks. It was pretty shocking, standing out even amid the general nastiness that goes on between both camps.

I can't link the thread, but it's called The Mormon Nazi Connection, and was started by droopy on July 9 in his desperate attempt to find information that discredited the fact that LDS were somewhat sympathetic to Nazism in the early thirties. This reply was the shocking one:

Threads like those are the reason I don't post over there anymore. I'm too short tempered a person to be able to turn the other cheek over there very long. If I ever met one of the really nasty ones (Antishock et al) in person I might beat him to the point that his dentist would have to identify him so I think its best I don't even read it.

The reply is by a poster named Coach T, who I believe posted briefly here in the past. Of course, the real irony is that critics were actually correct in asserting that Mormons were somewhat sympathetic to Nazism in the early thirties, and that J. Reuben Clark, in particular, was a rampant anti-semite.

But the real point I want to make has nothing to do with the Mormon church and Nazism - it's to show why it's a good idea to remain anonymous on message boards. There are some real nutcases out there, and the internet seems to attract more than its fair share of them, and some could easily turn violent if you met in real life.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Beastie,

I think True Believers of all stripes would harm a critic of their religion if they felt God wanted them to, or if they received "inspiration" to do so.

We see it throughout history; the twin towers, Crusades, Canaanites for a few examples.

in my opinion, the LDS church is not immune to these types of followers.

Unfortunately, the Bible and Book of Mormon show examples of God's chosen doing exactly this: Nephi killing Laban, Abraham agreeing to kill his son Isaac, Moses and Joshua slaughtering children, etc. etc.

It is the unhealthy, even scary side of religion in my opinion.


~dancer~

[_asbestosman]

I think violence has its place, but not in resolving hurt feelings or offences. Violence can be appropriate in situations of physical danger and sometimes in situations of property.

All that said, I do think the internet is filled with crazies. I intend to remain anonymous especially since some may take offense at what I write.

That said, I'm not trying to maliciously slander or attack anyone, but I suppose some may take it that way (e.g. my thoughts on homosexual "marriage").

[_Brackite]

Hello,

Here is the link to that Discussion Thread there:

http://www.mormonapologetics.org/index. ... opic=36618

[_CaliforniaKid]

Sometimes I am reluctant to air my views and ideas under my own name, if only because I love my friends and family and do not want to shock or horrify them unnecessarily.

[Tator]

Yeah, I do think True Believers could justify violence against those who openly oppose The Truth. I'm sure most would not, but a few would, and it's those few we have to protect ourselves from.

And yes, a part of the reason I post anonymously is so as to not unduly upset my family. I don't want to cause them to worry about my eternal welfare more than they already do.

Thanks for the link, brackite.

[_Jason Bourne]

Hi Beastie,

I think True Believers of all stripes would harm a critic of their religion if they felt God wanted them to, or if they received "inspiration" to do so.

We see it throughout history; the twin towers, Crusades, Canaanites for a few examples.

in my opinion, the LDS church is not immune to these types of followers.

Unfortunately, the Bible and Book of Mormon show examples of God's chosen doing exactly this: Nephi killing Laban, Abraham agreeing to kill his son Isaac, Moses and Joshua slaughtering children, etc. etc.

It is the unhealthy, even scary side of religion in my opinion.


~dancer~

Some true believers of all stripes would. Some though would say nope, I do not think so.

[_antishock8]

Well, I personally am not worried about crap talkers like "Coach T-bag" and William "Gookie Cookie" Schryver. If they want to bring it, then bring it. It's not like I'm completely anon on the Internet. A cursory Google search and ya got me. These guys are just assholes with big, fat Mormon mouths. They talk their crap, but are complete pussies otherwise. If they want to bring it, then bring it. I'm good.

The guys that should worry you are the litigious ones. Now that's a pain in the ass most people don't want to deal with. If I'm not mistaken, there has only been a handful of cases where someone has sued someone else over words exchanged on the Internet, and actually won a monetary judgement. That's a tough one to sell a jury, though.

[_Mahonri]

Orrin Porter Rockwell is a hero to many LDS even today. Interesting that a murderer is held in such high esteem even to the point of members naming their chidren after him.