The Tiers of Apologetics

[_Gadianton]

Otherwise, this is clearly Tier 2 apologetics.

Yes, a good call on your part, professor.

[_The Nehor]

An outsider with a very light understanding of a diverse field filled with vast differences in author, intent, and subject matter is attempting to classify the system into three tiers. The intent of the classification system is to show how the whole apparatus is being used to dupe others.

You know, Nehor, the field of Mopologetics isn't really that diverse and complex. And I think you're being hypocritical here given that your beliefs force you to divide the entire human race up into three kingdoms of glory.

Yes, but I'm not quite arrogant enough to divide everyone up by the Three Degrees of Glory. I do think God can do that fine without my input. He is also omniscient so he has a few advantages in that area. You know virtually nothing about how Apologetics is produced and still feel that you are qualified to divide it up. It's nice to know that Cassius University has such high academic ambitions.

[_maklelan]

Yes. It's sort of like a restaurant menu. There may be a vegetarian entree listed next to the Jidori chicken. Does the presence of the vegetarian dish mean that it's totally unrelated to the chicken? These are both coming from the same restaurant, no?

But you want to tell the restaurant they're not allowed to have a vegetarian entree because you only think of them in terms of their Jidori chicken. You can obfuscate all you want, but you all this bickering hasn't engaged the substance of my concerns. It's clear you're not going to get around to it either, so I'm not wasting any more of my time.

[_Doctor Scratch]

Yes. It's sort of like a restaurant menu. There may be a vegetarian entree listed next to the Jidori chicken. Does the presence of the vegetarian dish mean that it's totally unrelated to the chicken? These are both coming from the same restaurant, no?

But you want to tell the restaurant they're not allowed to have a vegetarian entree because you only think of them in terms of their Jidori chicken.

No, not at all, Mak. I'm fine with the fact that they serve both. I just don't like being lied to about the fact that both dishes are coming out of the same kitchen.

You can obfuscate all you want, but you all this bickering hasn't engaged the substance of my concerns. It's clear you're not going to get around to it either, so I'm not wasting any more of my time.

In other words, you're hitting the ejector button. I've seen you do this time and time again. You are an intellectual coward.

[_Gadianton]

You are moving the goal posts now, Nehor. Your argument, recall, was that Mopologetics is too diverse and complex to divide into three categories. That is an ontological objection. Now that I've demonstrated your Mormonism takes on far more ambitious ontology than I would ever dream of, you are changing your objection to be epistemological. Apparently, there can be three tiers of Mopologetics, but only God would have the ability to make the classifications. I, for one, don't know enough, according to you.

But there are three tiers of Mopologetics, I do know enough to divide Mopologetics between them, and I have in fact done so.

And that, for some reason, makes you very angry, Nehor.

[_The Nehor]

You are moving the goal posts now, Nehor. Your argument, recall, was that Mopologetics is too diverse and complex to divide into three categories. That is an ontological objection. Now that I've demonstrated your Mormonism takes on far more ambitious ontology than I would ever dream of, you are changing your objection to be epistemological. Apparently, there can be three tiers of Mopologetics, but only God would have the ability to make the classifications. I, for one, don't know enough, according to you.

Okay, wait. You were seriously thinking that the LDS three degrees of glory were comparable to your three tiers? Then you took my rebuttal of that insane comparison seriously?

But there are three tiers of Mopologetics, I do know enough to divide Mopologetics between them, and I have in fact done so.

Congratulations Doctor. In one day you're just rewritten Apologetics. No doubt this system will be internationally known by the end of the week.

And that, for some reason, makes you very angry, Nehor.

Angry? No, I find it funny. It's like watching grown men think they're brilliant entrepreneurs and congratulating each other on it because they started a lemonade stand in their front lawn.

[_Gadianton]

I think the "3 degrees" is an example of categorization far more ambitious than mine. And it's something you believe in via burning sensation that leaves no doubt in your mind as to its immutable truth.

According to you, if I comment on apologetics, I'm rewriting everything in apologetics. If I say that tier 1 apologetics is a means to an end, you assume the end must be sinister. You take things way too far Nehor. you are reading all this bad stuff into what I'm writing. Guilty conscience? Maybe...

Angry? No, I find it funny.

No, you are angry. You've been infuriated over the last couple of days. Claiming that you just think all this is funny and part of your own personal entertainment, as if you're controlling the situation, is just a defense mechanism.

[_The Nehor]

According to you, if I comment on apologetics, I'm rewriting everything in apologetics. If I say that tier 1 apologetics is a means to an end, you assume the end must be sinister. You take things way too far Nehor. you are reading all this bad stuff into what I'm writing. Guilty conscience? Maybe...

No, my exalted Doctor. No, I'm assuming YOU are trying to make it appear sinister because that is what you and the esteemed faculty of Cassius do. If you'd like to revise the mission statement you've all tacitly been following then please do so.

Angry? No, I find it funny.

No, you are angry. You've been infuriated over the last couple of days. Claiming that you just think all this is funny and part of your own personal entertainment, as if you're controlling the situation, is just a defense mechanism.

I was a little annoyed with Scratch because of his basic lack of logic. Infuriated? No. Claiming that I am infuriated is a time-honored tradition amongst the celebrated hacks of Cassius as it allows them to dismiss my comments as ranting. They then assume the role of the kindly stern parent suggesting I calm down. This allows them to be patronizing gits. I'm assuming it's transparently obvious to most readers. Still, we're not exactly dealing with the pinnacle of the gene pool (speaking generally and not specifically) here.

[_EAllusion]

The tier system here is just a tool for organizing the concept. Goodness.

Suppose we define as apologetics as the effort to persuade that a religious position is rational. Gad correctly observes that there are a few ways apologists go about doing this with there being a clear gradient of how direct it is. On one of the spectrum you have direct argumentation. On the other indirect efforts to increase credibility. I find breaking this down into "levels" because of the discrete tactics involved a useful heuristic. In fairness though, I am suffering from severe syphilis.

[_The Nehor]

In fairness though, I am suffering from severe syphilis.

That's what you get for hanging around here.