A Farewell to Daniel Bashing

[_The Nehor]

As to whether Scratch has played any role in helping to shape opinion about DCP in this obscure anti-Mormon circle, though.... I think it's fair to say, "Yes." But to single him out as being the "leader" or whatever of some secret movement to have him blackballed---yes, probably true. It wouldn't surprise me if there were talk of DCP being a "problem" or an "enemy," and that Scratch participated in this and said his share of unkind things (indeed, some of these things were said openly on MAD/FAIR/MDD), but I don't think you can pin all the blame on him, to be frank. Just most of it. Was there a "whisper campaign," and did "rumormongering" take place? I don't think there can be any doubt about that. But should a majority of the blame be placed on Dr. Scratch? Yes.

Fixed the rest for accuracy.

[_Mortal Man]

Hello, Everyone:

After watching and participating in the latest thread about D. Michael Quinn, I am done with attacking Daniel Peterson. Done.

I ask that all of our resident apologists make a note of this thread and throw it in my face if I ever go back on my word.

Life is too hard for everyone without all of this nonsense. Daniel no more needs this drama in his life than I do, and I can't help but think that there is something fundamentally unhealthy in continually dredging up the past to beat up on anyone like this.

The madness has to stop for me. You all do whatever you like, but I can't take it anymore. Daniel has been nothing but kind and polite to me outside of the heated arguments we have had online, and I can't in good conscience attack him or stand by and not comment when other people do. My comment: I denounce these incessant attacks.

Do I agree with apologists and the way apologetics are sometimes conducted? No. But I'll be damned if I am going to continue to single out and hound any one person as the sacrificial lamb for the "evils" of LDS apologetics.

I don't care who did what when. I don't care who is right or who is wrong. There is a time for compassion and grace extended to our fellow human beings. Now is that time for me. Daniel, I am sorry.

Trevor

Well said Kish. Add me to the list of those who wish to see the personal attacks cease. There is a difference between heated debate and character assassination. One of the reasons I don't post here very much is because there are very few apologists here. I think there are very few apologists here partly because of the way they see Dan and others being treated.

In my book, Dan gets enormous credit for engaging critics directly on a field where he is outnumbered. He deserves basic respect, as does anyone else who comes here under their real name.

I'm all for parody and even subtle mockery when it's deserved, but the incessant allegations of bigotry etc., which are clearly undeserved, constitute genuine harassment.

[_consiglieri]

Thank you, Trevor. I genuinely appreciate it.

Kishkumen is Trevor?

[_Daniel Peterson]

I deeply and sincerely appreciate the kind and reasonable things that are being said on this thread. I am, to be perfectly candid, pleasantly surprised -- and I don't mean that in a cynical or mocking way.

I really do think that your board would be a much better one, and that more faithful Latter-day Saints would post here, if it were much less exasperating (and sometimes infuriating) on a personal level than it has been for me.

I'll be honest and say, though, that one of the two or three factors that have kept bringing me back here has been the quixotic and generally futile-seeming desire to deny various unethical acts and deep character defects that have been alleged against me, usually by Scratch.

Genuine thanks to those here of good will.

[_Kishkumen]

Hello Mr. K,

FTFY. Dr. Quinn is vilified in the LDS communitfy for his honest and documented observations of LDS history. It would be nice if the guy could be shown some Christlike behavior from our Mopologists...

V/R
Dr. Cam

Lots of things would be nice, Doc Cam. Lots of things. But my greatest power in this world is to be a source of nice things, not to sit back and criticize others for failing to be nice.

[_Kishkumen]

I'll be honest and say, though, that one of the two or three factors that have kept bringing me back here has been the quixotic and generally futile-seeming desire to deny various unethical acts and deep character defects that have been alleged against me, usually by Scratch.

You're creating a real bind for us, Daniel. We are afraid to lose you, and you tell us that treating you nicely may be the easiest way of chasing you off.

[_Doctor Scratch]

I'll be honest and say, though, that one of the two or three factors that have kept bringing me back here has been the quixotic and generally futile-seeming desire to deny various unethical acts and deep character defects that have been alleged against me, usually by Scratch.

You're creating a real bind for us, Daniel. We are afraid to lose you, and you tell us that treating you nicely may be the easiest way of chasing you off.

Lol

[_sock puppet]

I deeply and sincerely appreciate the kind and reasonable things that are being said on this thread. I am, to be perfectly candid, pleasantly surprised -- and I don't mean that in a cynical or mocking way.

I really do think that your board would be a much better one, and that more faithful Latter-day Saints would post here, if it were much less exasperating (and sometimes infuriating) on a personal level than it has been for me.

I'll be honest and say, though, that one of the two or three factors that have kept bringing me back here has been the quixotic and generally futile-seeming desire to deny various unethical acts and deep character defects that have been alleged against me, usually by Scratch.

Genuine thanks to those here of good will.

Daniel, that means that someone like Zeez that would like to see you here more would need to besmirch you in postings to get you to come and deny it. Rather than limit the 'baiting' of DCP to that, you could engage on the substantive topics. Then no need to bash you just to get you to come and engage.

[_Milesius]

Scratch & company would be better served by aiming their criticisms at Ira Fulton, not Professor Peterson.

[_Kishkumen]

Scratch & company would be better served by aiming their criticisms at Ira Fulton, not Professor Peterson.

What Ira Fulton said and did was really unkind. To call D. Michael Quinn a "nothing person" was, in my opinion, beyond the pale.