The Sacred and the Profane

[_sock puppet]

If I believed in the truth claims of any religion, I imagine I would not go to message boards where there are posts that I would consider rendering profane that which I would hold sacred.

I am left wondering, how the motives of TBMs that participate here on MDB outweigh the profaning of what the TBMs hold sacred that is in many posts here? This would likely vary from one MDB-participating TBM to the next, being a very individualistic response. For example, I imagine that bcspace's response would be greatly different than Simon Belmont's, which would be different than KevinSim's, which would be different than MentalGymnast's, and so on and so forth.

For example, I doubt many of these TBMs would darken the door of a bar, where people are drinking beer and spirits, because of the TBMs' beliefs. Yet they come here, and post along with the heathen and critic. MDB must not be the cesspool that TBMs perceive a beer bar to be.

Consequently it seems an irony that many will come here. I am interested in reading about how this is balanced out by various TBMs.

[_Simon Belmont]

It is sad when you can count the TBMs of a Mormon related message board on one hand.

[_Quasimodo]

For example, I doubt many of these TBMs would darken the door of a bar, where people are drinking beer and spirits, because of the TBMs' beliefs. Yet they come here, and post along with the heathen and critic. MDB must not be the cesspool that TBMs perceive a beer bar to be.

Consequently it seems an irony that many will come here. I am interested in reading about how this is balanced out by various TBMs.

Hi Sock,

I think the bravest of them come here to do battle. Girded loins, shields and swords in hand, hoping to best the unbelievers. Recent posts may illustrate this (subgenius?).

They come and go.

[_sock puppet]

It is sad when you can count the TBMs of a Mormon related message board on one hand.

Simon, you feel the need to derail even this thread?

[_Simon Belmont]

That wasn't a derail. I was responding to a specific comment you made in the OP.

But, there are those who are offended and there are those who aren't. There are those who are more "thick skinned" and there are those who aren't.

I enjoy the intellectual side of things (even if I am not an intellectual), and it is rare that one gets to discuss "deep" topics at church meetings.

[_sock puppet]

That wasn't a derail. I was responding to a specific comment you made in the OP.

But, there are those who are offended and there are those who aren't. There are those who are more "thick skinned" and there are those who aren't.

I enjoy the intellectual side of things (even if I am not an intellectual), and it is rare that one gets to discuss "deep" topics at church meetings.

So, Simon, what is the personal calculus for you in this regard?

[_Simon Belmont]

I enjoy the intellectual side of things (even if I am not an intellectual), and it is rare that one gets to discuss "deep" topics at church meetings.

So, Simon, what is the personal calculus for you in this regard?

I believe I answered that.

What should it be? Should only non-LDS post here? It is Mormon discussions, doesn't that indicate that Mormons can, at least, participate?

[_GR33N]

I come to learn.

[_sock puppet]

I enjoy the intellectual side of things (even if I am not an intellectual), and it is rare that one gets to discuss "deep" topics at church meetings.

So, Simon, what is the personal calculus for you in this regard?

I believe I answered that.

What should it be? Should only non-LDS post here? It is Mormon discussions, doesn't that indicate that Mormons can, at least, participate?

It should be whatever your personal balancing of the pros and cons, whatever they are, yields.

The beauty of MDB is that anyone can come and participate for as long as he or she wants, return if he or she wants, etc. I only recall one poster having been permanently banned (not sure of the details why). So no, Simon, MDB is not for non-LDS only.

If there are TBMs that get offended and for that reason leave (I'm not convinced there is a cause and effect there), how or why do you remain?

I take it from your post here, and now in this thread you indicating that you enjoy the intellectual side of Mormon topics, and I sense you dislike the profaning and mockery of Mormonism and its leaders. So, here's how I see the pros and cons for you, so far:

PROS
1-Show that many critics are highly abusive
2-Show that there are 'logical, well researched' answers for every critism.
3-Enjoys the intellectual side of Mormon topics

CONS
A-Mocking of your Mormon faith
B-Mocking of your revered Mormon leaders

Some TBMs with those same sets of pros and cons might leave MDB, finding A and B too much, outweighing the benefits of 1, 2, and 3. You (and other TBMs) with those same sets of pros and cons remain. I am simply interested in your thinking in this regard. (It is as interesting as the converse for ex-Mos--why do yet find Mormonism interesting enough to discuss? But that is the topic for a different thread.)

[_sock puppet]

I come to learn.

Are you willing to share an example or two of what you may have learned to date, here on MDB?