Mormon Compartmentalization During Open Discussion

[_Mercury]

I find a trend so mind bogglingly (is that a word?) irritating that its like talking to a sociopath while he is explaining their rationale for why they do what they do, which is ironic.

In discussing Mormonism with active and even some inactive members you get a sense that they are instantly on the defensive. When they present their interpretations of history and doctrine its not in a specific sense and immediately following any uncomfortable truths they accidentally spit out its immediately followed with three times as much false justification for egregious realities.

Language is framed in Christian terms with the sparse christian theology being emphasized by powers of ten, dysfunctional Mormon culture is couched in glowing warm terms with accompanying justification and obvious holes in unproductive mormonism-induced behavior and an overall defensive process of staying two logical leaps ahead of the discussion play into this feeling.

It seems like this method of discourse Mormons exhibit has increased over the past few years (or I am noticing it more), with emphasis on the christian facade being maintained and heightened the past decade.

This has produced very predictable but inadequate responses to the common issues with Mormonism and has generally been a driving force behind the circling of the wagons initiated due to the overwhelming influence of the internet.

Your thoughts?

[_harmony]

I find a trend so mind bogglingly (is that a word?) irritating that its like talking to a sociopath while he is explaining their rationale for why they do what they do, which is ironic.

In discussing Mormonism with active and even some inactive members you get a sense that they are instantly on the defensive. When they present their interpretations of history and doctrine its not in a specific sense and immediately following any uncomfortable truths they accidentally spit out its immediately followed with three times as much false justification for egregious realities.

Language is framed in Christian terms with the sparse christian theology being emphasized by powers of ten, dysfunctional Mormon culture is couched in glowing warm terms with accompanying justification and obvious holes in unproductive mormonism-induced behavior and an overall defensive process of staying two logical leaps ahead of the discussion play into this feeling.

It seems like this method of discourse Mormons exhibit has increased over the past few years (or I am noticing it more), with emphasis on the christian facade being maintained and heightened the past decade.

This has produced very predictable but inadequate responses to the common issues with Mormonism and has generally been a driving force behind the circling of the wagons initiated due to the overwhelming influence of the internet.

Your thoughts?

Are you talking in terms of Sunday School? the foyer on Sunday morning? visits from the bishopric? Or on the internet?

[_Some Schmo]

In discussing Mormonism with active and even some inactive members you get a sense that they are instantly on the defensive.

I've often noticed this, and always chalked it up to the person have an unconscious/semi-conscious awareness of how embarrassing Mormon belief really is. Who can blame them? I know that's exactly how I reacted to someone asking me about my religion while growing up in it. (Now it's just a "fun fact" about my past that I sometimes muse over with others.)

[_WjExMo]

Mormons only hear what they want to hear. Anyone else is a "secular anti-mormon".

Mormons expect everyone to agree with them. If you don't, they get upset.

Why even bother talking with them? Leave them to their cult.

[_karl61]

I have noticed they have hijacked, stolen or what ever you want to call it, a bunch of words and concepts, polished them and presented them as their eternal truths that only they can know -

[_harmony]

I have noticed they have hijacked, stolen or what ever you want to call it, a bunch of words and concepts, polished them and presented them as their eternal truths that only they can know -

Oh... you mean like endowment, recommend, calling and election, primary, mutual, relief, and/or seventy?

[_Mercury]

I have noticed they have hijacked, stolen or what ever you want to call it, a bunch of words and concepts, polished them and presented them as their eternal truths that only they can know -

Oh... you mean like endowment, recommend, calling and election, primary, mutual, relief, and/or seventy?

Wow, You're still here? Imagine that.

(Merc stares at another poster and continues the conversation)

[_harmony]

Wow, You're still here? Imagine that.

(Merc stares at another poster and continues the conversation)

Oh c'mon, merc! You can do better than that! What a wimpy effort. Geez, even William did better than that. You're losing your touch.

[_Yoda]

Interesting OP, Merc.

I noticed that when Romney was running for President, he was desperate to bring out the similarities between LDS and mainstream Christians.

The way that many directives were given by President Hinckley seemed to be an effort to tie the Church in more closely with mainstream Christianity. I think that the changes to the temple ceremony were part of this movement.

To be honest, as an active LDS, I find the changes comforting because they fall closer in line with my personal beliefs.

[_Mercury]

Interesting OP, Merc.

I noticed that when Romney was running for President, he was desperate to bring out the similarities between LDS and mainstream Christians.

The way that many directives were given by President Hinckley seemed to be an effort to tie the Church in more closely with mainstream Christianity. I think that the changes to the temple ceremony were part of this movement.

To be honest, as an active LDS, I find the changes comforting because they fall closer in line with my personal beliefs.

Liz, if you were born as little qas 50 years ago you would have been ostracised for believing in a more Christian viewpoint.

This being said, yes. LDS Inc is a chameleon that shifts its public image according to whatever feels mainstream.

Its like the kid who shows up to a party and strangely shares the same interests as everyone they talk to but when pressed for details its glaringly obvious all they are trying to do is make friends through lying and come off as a squinty eyed social cripple.

Not you Liz, the mouth breathers that hang on to the backwoods folk magic mixed with what they want to call Christianity are becoming scarcer each day as the dillution of "Mormon Doctrine" continues. From an anthropological perspective its kind of like seeing a language die.