Polling the MDB Masses

[_Ray A]

I'll reply to Zack's comments about me (B12!) in a few moments.

I think I already know the answer, Jersey. You posted on 2Think and was more interested in "broader" discussions. I don't think you are, in any way, "obsessed" with Mormonism, or Mormon issues. I think you've become involved because this just happens to be a "Mormon-related" board. If it weren't so, I think you'd probably prefer discussing other subjects. But, as dey say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

[_Ray A]

For the most part it's not in their blood. Know what I mean? Something about growing up in a religion or spending time in meetings or whatever makes you part of the clique and you know [REALLY KNOW!] what's going on. For nevermos, no matter how much you read Mormon stuff or study the Mormon scriptures, you still feel like someone who stands at the door listening to a discussion. NO matter how good you can hear you're still an outsider to the discussion. Being an outsider just makes it difficult to become emotionally invested, at some point I think most nevermos will throw their hands in the air and go "whatever" and do something else. Particularly secular people like myself or Moniker.

Here's what I understand from your thoughts, Zack. You're interested in the "human element" side of Mormon discussions, for example people being caught up in "trivialities" (of doctrine), but with an underlying understanding that these "doctrinal issues" really relate back to the real issues of "being duped". It really doesn't matter whether it's true or not (to you), but how people are affected by believing it's true (and subsequent disillusionment), especially those brought up in the religion.

I think you'd probably wonder how anyone could believe this in the first place, but you're sympathetic to the disillusionment that follows. (?)

[_msnobody]

I notice there are just 3 votes for "never" and one of them is me. That confirms to me that. with cksalmon's recent departure, there are just 3 of us left.

Pretty much what I expected.

I was #5 in the never-mo camp.

[_Jersey Girl]

delete

[_Jersey Girl]

I'll reply to Zack's comments about me (B12!) in a few moments.

I think I already know the answer, Jersey. You posted on 2Think and was more interested in "broader" discussions. I don't think you are, in any way, "obsessed" with Mormonism, or Mormon issues. I think you've become involved because this just happens to be a "Mormon-related" board. If it weren't so, I think you'd probably prefer discussing other subjects. But, as dey say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

You're right. I'm not at all obsessed with Mormonism or Mormon issues. That's got alot to do with why you see me playing around on this board. I often become extremely bored with it because the topical framework of the board is too limited and even though there are multiple forums, like any other board, most posters settle into one main forum which happens to be the Terrestrial on this board.

[_Jersey Girl]

I notice there are just 3 votes for "never" and one of them is me. That confirms to me that. with cksalmon's recent departure, there are just 3 of us left.

Pretty much what I expected.

I was #5 in the never-mo camp.

I thought you quit posting, nobody!

[_Jersey Girl]

Hey Ray and Zack. I'll give you a demonstration. It'll get zapped right out of the Terrestrial but hey, it's a repost of a "broader" topic as Ray mentioned.

Heck, why not.

[_Bond James Bond]

Um...yeah. The only reason I called you an outlier is that you've been posting 10 years while most nevermos probably grow disinterested much before that. It was a throw away joke..did you notice the smilie after the "B12 injection thing"?

Also I didn't mean to suggest you're one of the Christian saving types, my fault for my writing style. The only reason I mentioned you is your message board longevity, not to suggest that anything else I wrote in the post is meant to describe you.

[_Jersey Girl]

Um...yeah. The only reason I called you an outlier is that you've been posting 10 years while most nevermos probably grow disinterested much before that. It was a throw away joke..did you notice the smilie after the "B12 injection thing"?

Also I didn't mean to suggest you're one of the Christian saving types, my fault for my writing style. The only reason I mentioned you is your message board longevity, not to suggest that anything else I wrote in the post is meant to describe you.

Um...yeah. Most of the time I've spent online has NOT involved discussions of Mormonism. My being a Never has little to do with it. I also visit a message board like this (or other websites) the way some people have the TV on. I'm almost always doing something else while I'm in and out of MDB, either working on the computer or in my home. My lifestyle is also somewhat rural.

[_Jersey Girl]

More thoughts about this. Ten years online...is there something odd about that? How long have folks watched TV and videos? Played video/computer games? (Pong anyone?) You would have had to be where I was for most of those years online. I got more distance education from professors, scientists, Bible scholars, folks with expertise in philosophy, computers, authors and all of it was free. I also had a chance to go up against a Pastor whose religious leanings were much like my own at the time, though my ideas were in flux. A chance to know atheists, agnostics, homosexuals and question them about their lives, decisions, beliefs and journey. These are opportunities that I never encountered in real life. Most LDS didn't last long on that board, though some very knowledgeable LDS did last and were thought highly of. I saw some of them on ZLMB and at least one is on this board right now. Discussions there were so unlike this board on account of the diverse population.

I see nothing odd about communicating/learning via the computer. If you had told me 11 years ago that I'd be doing this, I would have told you that you were crazy. It's been a good and valuable experience.