Why Isn't This Board More Popular?

[_beastie]

There is definitely insulting and rough language on this board, however, I don't buy that's the reason Mormons stay away. I've been on several boards - including MAD - where insults were routinely exchanged by both sides. Many internet defenders of the faith dish it out quite well, but when they're asked to take it, object.

Besides, they could post in the celestial kingdom and avoid these problems.

From my observation, internet defenders of the faith are most comfortable debating people whom they believe they can best - notably, Evangelicals who have their own Biblical burden to bear. In situations where they feel like their side is doing well, holding its own, refuting charges, and exposing silly arguments, they will tolerate all sorts of snide insults, and enjoy distributing quite a few themselves. It's mainly secular critics that bring out the Inner Victim in internet defenders of the faith - and I think it's because secular critics have stronger arguments, not that they're more insulting.

I believe the history of these boards supports my assertion. Back when LDS were defending the faith largely against EV critics on the Tanner's old board, they wanted an even playing field, they wanted moderators who would apply fair rules without regard to religious stance. They got that on ZLMB, and largely ran the board - yet when Z began to attract more secular critics than EV critics, suddenly the board became intolerable for believers, and they fled to the sanctuary of FAIR/MAD, which openly admits to biased moderating in favor of LDS.

From what I can tell when I bother to visit MAD anymore, it's a pretty boring place, largely filled with believers talking amongst themselves with a few token critics to keep the place from descending into Sunday School or the entertaining vision of chapel/internet Mormons attacking one another. But even that is preferable to MD, where no moderators will stack the deck in their favor.

I don't fault LDS personally for this - the problem isn't the LDS people. It's that they're defending something that is not only obviously fraudulent to unemotionally invested individuals, but also, at times, quite silly. It's the hand they've been dealt that sucks. So of course they're not going to rush to debate their religious beliefs in an open environment, stripped of moderator support and bias. There are some believers who defy this generalization, but they are so few in number and so unusual that they are exceptions that prove the rule.

[_Jersey Girl]

Inc

Jersey Girl,

It's my observation. You wanna discuss, then just start a new thread about you. You're constantly demanding posters to rehearse your sillyness after you've been just that. Quality and substance, Jersey Girl.

What are you referring to? Please be specific.

[_Ray A]

for what it's worth, Jersey Girl, I hope you keep posting here. I don't think it's worth the time trying to resurrect old boards. When you want to start a different subject, just be sure to include the words "Mormon", or "Mormonism" in the subject title. That should do the trick.
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[_Yoda]

for what it's worth, Jersey Girl, I hope you keep posting here. I don't think it's worth the time trying to resurrect old boards. When you want to start a different subject, just be sure to include the words "Mormon", or "Mormonism" in the subject title. That should do the trick.
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LOL! Making fun of my lax moderating techniques again?

I think I found my new sig. It's time to change again.

[_Dr. Shades]

When you want to start a different subject, just be sure to include the words "Mormon", or "Mormonism" in the subject title. That should do the trick.

Not anymore it won't. The honeymoon's over.

[_Jersey Girl]

for what it's worth, Jersey Girl, I hope you keep posting here. I don't think it's worth the time trying to resurrect old boards. When you want to start a different subject, just be sure to include the words "Mormon", or "Mormonism" in the subject title. That should do the trick.

Sorry, Ray. I need a "wider room" and preferrably one with a threaded view.

;-)

[_Gazelam]

Harmony,

On a board as open as this is, each individual must bring their own bowl to the table; no one serves them here.

So this board is like a Mongolian BBQ? Is that why I'm not getting my Hot Pockets vending machine?

[_harmony]

The reason why this board isn't more popular is because very very few Mormons will actually engage in conversations where they are routinely insulted and their beliefs demeaned. And there are very very few non-LDS people who will actually engage in conversations with Mormons without referencing subjects that are off-limits.

So what we have here is a very unique group of people.

Fixed it for you.

I said exactly what I wanted to say, Nehor. Kindly do not change a quote from me again.

Thanks.

[_harmony]

The thing is..

Harm,

You totally missed my point.

Perhaps you will explain your point then?

[_Bond James Bond]

So this board is like a Mongolian BBQ?

If only! *Bond drools a bit and his eyes glaze over*