We're bleeding and I think it's terminal

[_Mister Scratch]

Shades

Perhaps Harm got PMs from some who left. I did.

I have received PMs, too, but they were never for the reasons Harmony is listing. In fact, as I noted, at least two posters stated that they left because they were fed up with Jersey Girl. Others left because they were bored, or because they'd grown weary of TBM posters such as Loran, Maklelan, or The Nehor. Some left because they were busy in real life, and one recent departure simply had to do with the person's complex relationship with Mormonism.

Again: I don't think Harmony's argument is very persuasive/convincing.

[_mentalgymnast]

You attacked the messenger, not the message. If you can't see how that makes you and this board exactly like the church, then you're as blind as the FP.

I think this pretty much nails the reason that many on your list don't participate anymore. It's the reason that a number may lurk and not find any motivation to contribute more regularly. There are those such as yourself that seem/appear to come across with an underlying premise/assumption that the conclusive thinking/analysis has already been done previously by those that are the the "brights"...the skeptics/antagonists/exmo's/disgruntled mo's,... and anything else out there on the horizon and/or playing field is basically hogwash. Black and white assumptions and thinking. Those on this board who claim to be open minded in regards to things Mormon are in many respects just as closed minded as those TBM's who wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this.

Died in the wool skeptics, through and through.

That's why discussion...real discussion...doesn't take place around here. That's the reason some of the luminaries of thought provoking discussions have wandered away. There are too many "died in the wool" participants who really aren't listening to each other. They're just thinking about what they're going to say next to defend their own locked in POV.

Observing this becomes rather boring, tedious, and pedestrian after a while. Not to mention, a waste of time.

Regards,
MG

[_John Larsen]

Maybe, when all the cards are on the table and emotions cool down, Mormonism just isn't that interesting of a topic to discuss?

[_rcrocket]

I may leave because I'm not allowed my own signature line.

[_Scottie]

I may leave because I'm not allowed my own signature line.

Interesting that you would choose this reason rather than the supposed editing of your posts that you claim we mods are doing. hmm...

[_silentkid]

Maybe, when all the cards are on the table and emotions cool down, Mormonism just isn't that interesting of a topic to discuss?

I agree, John. I've been out of Mormonism for a few years now. My family is still entrenched, but I've learned how to deal with that, thanks in large part to my participation here. Every once in a while a topic will come up that I'll be interested in. I'll post when I feel like I have something to add or if I simply feel like insulting crocket. Otherwise, I spend most of my posting time in the off-topic forum where I can talk about video games and cats and stuff. And music. I've met some amazing people on this board and I keep contact with many of them through other outlets (i.e. Facebook). I'll never officially retire from the board. I'll come and go, depending on my level of interest and the availability of my time.

Thanks to Shades and Keene and the mods for keeping this thing going.

[_antishock8]

Many people who leave MDB, can't leave it alone.

-------

Whether it's this board or another board it mattereth not. For verily I sayeth many of the afflicted have family still in the Great and Spacious Building. As much as we would like moveth on, we're constantly pullethed backeth, and venues like this alloweth us to venteth a biteth.

As more and Mormoneths are encouraged to spread their lighteth around the Internets, there will be fresh fodder for the canons. I wouldn't worry too much, Harmony. Plus, the Internets is a biggeth placeth. There's roometh for eveyroneth.

[_harmony]

None of you addressed the message. None of you asked why I posted this. None of you got past your kneejerk reaction. Instead, you gloated, you dismissed, you marginalized, you trivialized... anything so you didn't have to focus on what is right in front of you. You attacked the messenger, not the message. If you can't see how that makes you and this board exactly like the church, then you're as blind as the FP.

Harmony, I tried to be very respectful in my responses on this thread, even though I disagreed with you. Don't lump us all together.

Sorry, Rollo. Sometimes you're judged by the company you keep. In this case, I posted to Scratch's comments and didn't see yours.

[_Bond James Bond]

I don't have to come here to read about Mormonism nowadays. I get my fill from reading political blogs because of all the Prop 8 tie-ins. Really my interest has waned. What's left to read? I've been here for two years, I think I've gotten through all the topics and seen all the boardwars and board politics and rivalries and all the other distractions people do to get away from the real point which is that's it's false. Besides I'm kinda hurt Mister Scratch didn't send me a birthday card...so really I've gone inactive cause I got offended.

[_Some Schmo]

Admittedly, the main reason I’ve been here in the last few months was for the political threads. Now that the election is over, my interest has waned.

The fact is, Mormonism is boring as hell. There’s nothing left to talk about or holds interest for me personally. To me, this is Mormonism in a nutshell:

- It’s not true
- There’s likely no god; certainly no Mormon god, and the Bible/Book of Mormon are crappy fiction
- Joe Smith was a con artist/fraud
- The church is bigoted
- It’s got the worst cost/benefit ratio in modern history
- It does terrible things to families (ironic for a church that preaches family first)
- Just about anything is more interesting that organized religion
- Mormon apologetics is like a dam made out of Swiss cheese

What else is there to say? I think that pretty much covers it all.

So, my participation here is not diminished because I was offended (as though that could actually happen) or because I think we need to raise the standard of discourse (this board has one of the highest standards I’ve seen, with the exception perhaps of the Bright’s forum).

As others have mentioned, it’s just that after a while, Mormonism is a dead horse that will only take so much of a beating before your arms are tuckered out.

However, that doesn’t mean I’m worried about the future of this board. As long as the church keeps pumping out disgruntled, recently awoken ex members, this board will serve a purpose.