bcspace wrote: "More regrettable than the [LDS] Church being accused of not being Christian is when church members react to such accusations in an un-Christlike way,"
Perhaps we should go over the various examples of Christ responding (or not) to antagonists. He certainly didn't get contentious with anyone, but he certainly put some of them in their place. While I'm quite familiar with the aspect being spoken of in the talk, whenever someone uses the term "Christlike" there is usually more than one aspect to take into account.
D&C 71:7
You need to practice magnifying your priesthood:
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:34 - 46)
Bold emphasis mine.
And, frankly, BC, if you really consider all of us who you have supposedly "reproved" your enemies, then you are simply seeking out evil and contention, which is clearly against everything the Church teaches. You're painted into a corner, either way.
What's happened to you, BC? When I first started conversing with you, you were all about being able to "agree to disagree" and "break bread" after the initial debate was over. Lately, you have regressed to simply throwing out catty personal attacks at everyone across the board.
I genuinely liked you and respected you, defending you publicly on many occasions, despite our differences on issues. I have not forgotten that you were also one of my supporters during the mess with FAIR, and I will always be appreciative.
Now, I have to say, I'm honestly disappointed with your demeanor as of late.