The Problem with Schryver

[_Phaedrus Ut]

I'd like to go on record and say I hope Will continues posting and challenging people. I think he contributes quite a bit of energy to the discussion of his topics and even though I generally don't agree with him I'm all for the open exchange of ideas.

The other thing that strikes me is how people pointing out Will's behavior are allowed to behave the same way in their criticism of him.

When it comes to threats to someone's cherished beliefs it's not uncommon to see them lose a bit of their cool. We all have done/will do it. I'd hate to see this place become the self-reinforcing feedback mechanism that MADB has become. And as one of the few critics left there I can say it's a lonely place.

Phaedrus

[_Trevor]

When it comes to threats to someone's cherished beliefs it's not uncommon to see them lose a bit of their cool. We all have done/will do it. I'd hate to see this place become the self-reinforcing feedback mechanism that MADB has become. And as one of the few critics left there I can say it's a lonely place.

But Phaedrus, David was not attacking Will's cherished beliefs. He was disagreeing with an apologetic argument. And this is worth flying off the handle to him?

[_William Schryver]

Phaedrus:

'd like to go on record and say I hope Will continues posting and challenging people. I think he contributes quite a bit of energy to the discussion of his topics and even though I generally don't agree with him I'm all for the open exchange of ideas.

The other thing that strikes me is how people pointing out Will's behavior are allowed to behave the same way in their criticism of him.

Whoa!

Although I'm sure I have a considerable difference of opinion with you when it comes to characterizing my "behavior," do you mean to call into question the suggestion that I should be silenced, and that I should be formally and publicly ostracized by those supposed to have some influence over me?

Do you mean to suggest that there is a thick irony (and substantial hypocrisy) at work at times on this message board?

You better watch out, Phaedrus, you’re treading on very thin ice with such heresy. You might find yourself targeted for silencing if you keep it up.

When it comes to threats to someone's cherished beliefs it's not uncommon to see them lose a bit of their cool.

Perhaps so. But I never lost my “cool.” If you disagree, please present evidence to the contrary. Actual quotes from my posts will be de rigueur, of course.

I think an honest and objective examination of my history on these message boards will reveal that I seldom, if ever, lose my "cool."

I cause other people to lose theirs.

It's a gift I have.
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Trevor:

But Phaedrus, David was not attacking Will's cherished beliefs. He was disagreeing with an apologetic argument. And this is worth flying off the handle to him?

David apologized for “flying off the handle.”

And he and I kissed and made up.

(At least I think that’s how I got this slobber on my cheek ... )
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[_Trevor]

David apologized for “flying off the handle.”

And he and I kissed and made up.

Yes, David has all the class you lack.

I know you like to present yourself as a 'cool customer,' but it is pretty obvious that there were some strong feelings motivating your commentary. After all, you spent a waking night coming to terms with what he was posting.

[_DonBradley]

David apologized for “flying off the handle.”

Yes. And I think he set an excellent example of what to do when one has crossed boundaries of respect.

Don

[_William Schryver]

David apologized for “flying off the handle.”

And he and I kissed and made up.

Yes, David has all the class you lack.

I know you like to present yourself as a 'cool customer,' but it is pretty obvious that there were some strong feelings motivating your commentary. After all, you spent a waking night coming to terms with what he was posting.

I am a "cool customer." That's part of the reason you people hate me so.

Still, there were strong feelings motivating my commentary--feelings of sincere love and concern for a brother and friend.

And only in The Great and Spacious Trailer Park™ can such feelings be twisted into anger, outrage, threat, condemnation, etc.

That, of course, is the nature of this beast: this unfaith community of fault-finding evangelists for secular anti-Mormonism. Your disapproval of me is, in my estimation, a sure affirmation that I must be pretty close to the right path in my life.

Indeed, as I shared with one of my friends among the "others" to whom I have made occasional reference:

If the day ever comes that our most ardent and dedicated critics enthusiastically endorse anything I have said, I will look upon their approbation as a red light flashing on the dashboard of my life, and a certain indicator that whatever I have said is flawed in some way or the other.

As for "class" and my alleged lack thereof--well, I suppose it's one of those "eye of the beholder" kinds of things when it comes right down to it.

Nevertheless, I've made no claim to "class," regardless of what you mean by the term.

I am who I am.

If I'm a bum in your eyes, so be it. One man's "class" is another man's cultured pretensions. And I'm damn sure not any whited sepulchre who presents one face to the public while concealing my true persona beneath a patina of pretense.

If you don't like it, I don't care.

I know my friends, and they know me.

As for my enemies ... they will all be confounded in course of time. It's a promise made to me long ago, and I have yet to see it fail.

[_Trevor]

And only in The Great and Spacious Trailer Park™ can such feelings be twisted into anger, outrage, threat, condemnation, etc.

I chose my words deliberately and carefully.

That, of course, is the nature of this beast: this unfaith community of fault-finding evangelists for secular anti-Mormonism. Your disapproval of me is, in my estimation, a sure affirmation that I must be pretty close to the right path in my life.

If one of us condemned someone for murder or child abuse, would that affirm the rightness of that person's path to you? See the problem?

If the day ever comes that our most ardent and dedicated critics enthusiastically endorse anything I have said, I will look upon their approbation as a red light flashing on the dashboard of my life, and a certain indicator that whatever I have said is flawed in some way or the other.

Which is a faulty reasoning strategy at best. I hope your friend was kind enough to point that out to you.

And I'm damn sure not any whited sepulchre who presents one face to the public while concealing my true persona beneath a patina of pretense.

Implying something?