What I've learned from apologetics

[_harmony]

And Moniker cannot post where accusations are made against her.

Thanks to you, Harm. The Great Advocate of "free speech".

Are you now going to say, "I was only doing what I was told"?

And when you have proof that Mangoes is our only banned poster, you can try to make a case, Ray. But you don't have that proof, and you will never have that proof. As far as I know, Mangoes can post here.

[_Ray A]

And when you have proof that Mangoes is our only banned poster, you can try to make a case, Ray. But you don't have that proof, and you will never have that proof. As far as I know, Mangoes can post here.

I find it, frankly, hard to believe you don't know this. It's obvious you haven't been following MAD. Well, if you want the real proof, what about a PM to me on MAD, from Moniker, under the name of "Barrell O' Mangoes"?

[_Jersey Girl]

I'm gonna take a short break here to make a decision about something.

[_marg]

And Moniker cannot post where accusations are made against her.

Thanks to you, Harm. The Great Advocate of "free speech".

Are you now going to say, "I was only doing what I was told"?

And when you have proof that Mangoes is our only banned poster, you can try to make a case, Ray. But you don't have that proof, and you will never have that proof. As far as I know, Mangoes can post here.

Now you are being extremely disingenous. Are you now going to claim, you didn't appreciate who Mangoes was? If not then why the remarks, such as I thought she was divorced or getting a divorce? Just who did you think you were talking about. I'm done with this discussion. Going to go watch a movie. Liz has deleted your remarks that should have been deleted, so that is the important thing.

[_Ray A]

As far as I know, Mangoes can post here.

As long as they don't know she's actually Monker.

[_Mary]

John said:

Sure there were a few uber-orthodox fanatics, but most of us had adjusted our Mormon paradigm enough to make things work, and we were pretty much on the same page.



So these days I'm glad I'm still here. I've met a lot of good people, and some not-so-good people. Thank you to everyone who has made my stay on these boards interesting.

John, I don't pretend to be an expert on LDS history and I am learning all the time, but I am truly intrigued. I only read Mormon Polygamy and it sent my faith in Joseph Smith crashing down, I didn't read all the other books out there.

What finally made you leave? What information tipped the balance from believer to unbeliever?

By the way, I have met some great people through these boards both on the believing and the non-believing side. I'm learning to appreciate Polygamy Porter and Mercury because they are both clever people anyway, but I must admit to finding their anger a little hard to come to terms with initially.

I also have great, great respect for the believers who know their religion and make a decision to stick with it.

Just to say also, that my life is fuller and richer for having been able to read and contribute to boards like this. (Mad, MormonD and initially Post Mo. where Jeff R and PeterMary helped me more than I think they would even realise). Before Post mo, I just bottled it all up and didn't talk about the church and my experience within it to anyone much. It was like a 20 year vacuum.

Life is good.

Mary

[_KimberlyAnn]

First, I'd just like to say how much I hate the sort of displays made on this thread. They're awkward.

Second, I want to thank Harmony for her vigorous defense. It's kind of you to go to bat for me, Harmony, but really, what was posted on MAD isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. It's alright. Now, I don't like the insinuation that was made there, but I can't do anything about it. The folks on MAD did realize that I'm the Cupcake Queen and that the insinuation was a serious one. I got several Facebook messages and emails about it. I told those folks what I previously said here on the board: I have absolutely no clue what's going on or why that post was made but that I hope Mangoes and her family are well. That reply will have to do because it's the truth and there's nothing else to say.

Third, I really wish the bickering on this thread would stop. I don't always get my wishes, though. If it is possible, I'd love for the portions of this thread that are off-topic to John's original post to be moved to the Off-Topic forum. I feel awful that my friend's thread has been so derailed and want to thank Miss Taken for making an on-topic post. She's a lovely lady.

Now, I've a good, busy day planned, so I won't be able to further reply to this topic. And it's Friday. Tonight, I'm out for a delicious dinner at a nice restaurant and possibly a movie or cocktails afterward. I hope all our MDB posters have a good day planned as well.

Kimberly Ann

[_Runtu]

What finally made you leave? What information tipped the balance from believer to unbeliever?

I've written about this before, but part of my adjustment of belief was admitting to myself that I didn't believe the Book of Mormon is an ancient historical record. There are way too many problems and too many obvious signs of it being a 19th-century, American production. But I soldiered on, safe in my testimony, until a good friend called in distress because he had learned about Joseph Smith's practice of polygyny and polyandry. It was then that I realized I had been giving Joseph Smith a pass for what was really appalling behavior. Once I quite making excuses for Joseph, the rest collapsed in short order.

[_Mary]

What finally made you leave? What information tipped the balance from believer to unbeliever?

I've written about this before, but part of my adjustment of belief was admitting to myself that I didn't believe the Book of Mormon is an ancient historical record. There are way too many problems and too many obvious signs of it being a 19th-century, American production. But I soldiered on, safe in my testimony, until a good friend called in distress because he had learned about Joseph Smith's practice of polygyny and polyandry. It was then that I realized I had been giving Joseph Smith a pass for what was really appalling behavior. Once I quite making excuses for Joseph, the rest collapsed in short order.

Thanks John,
I do agree, I think that Joseph's behaviour on occassion was appalling, and the more I learn of Brigham Young, I'm not sure I think much of his behaviour at times either. I'm trying really hard to see it from the perspective of a believer though. They know the same information and respond to it differently.

KimberlyAnn, you are pretty lovely yourself! (Love your blog)

Mary