liz3564 wrote:There is, however, still the matter of my other question/observation. How can we look up information on issues we do not know exist?
Well, Liz...
This is where critical thinking comes in. I don't believe we should accept anything we're told at face value. Part of thinking for ourselves means understanding that we must discover things for ourselves, and either confirm or deny what others tell us.
True...but don't you think that brief statements explaining things from a faith promoting perspective would generate good discussion, which would definitely lead to critical thinking and self-discovery? I think it would encourage members to delve into more study from added resources. If Church members were guided in the right direction, then they would be accessing Church approved resources, instead of "sneaking around" the Internet, forced to wade through a lot of anti-Mormon literature.
I don't see this as a lose/lose situation. I see it as a win/win.
Sociopaths are usually defined as people displaying anti social behavior which is mainly characterized by lack of empathy towards others that is coupled with display of abnormal moral conduct and inability to conform with the norms of the society. People suffering from antisocial personality disorder are often referred to as sociopaths. Some of the other characteristics that sociopaths may display are stealing, lying, lack of remorse for others and towards living beings, irresponsible behavior, impulsive behavior, drug or alcohol abuse, problems with the law, violating rights of others, aggressive behavior and much more.
This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis.Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them Authoritarian Secretive Paranoid Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired Conventional appearance Goal of enslavement of their victim(s) Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love) Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim Incapable of real human attachment to another Unable to feel remorse or guilt Extreme narcissism and grandiose May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
(The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.)
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. 2 Tim 4:4 They will turn their ears away from the truth & turn aside to myths
Jersey Girl wrote:Okay, but tell me why you single out Criddle with regards to the wordprint studies?
Simon Belmont wrote:One of Rich's many anti-Mormon links (and, I might add, only one non-anti-Mormon link) was to Craig Criddle's word-print study. When I posted Rich's anti-Mormon links, you asked about Craig Criddle. Other than that, I am not singling him out.
Jersey Girl wrote:Do you mean these?
Sidney Ridgon Creating the Book of Mormon — Craig Criddle Craig Criddle, a well-known anti-Mormon. Tracking Authorship Through the Book of Mormon — Craig Criddle (under construction) Craig Criddle, a well-known anti-Mormon.
Belmont,
You keep skipping over my posts. Are the above the wordprint studies you refer to?
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.
Chinese Proverb
Neither of those are wordprint studies. Those are Criddle's companion essays.
The set up... and the trap is sprung.
Those are the links I object to, because they along with every single other link is hostile toward the church (except, I think, one).
Belmont,
With all due respect, it is clear to me that you aren't well familiar with Criddle's work. The links that you extracted from Rich's website are not wordprint studies.
Criddle has conducted NO wordprint studies.
Are you aware of that?
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.
Chinese Proverb