See ya around, chumps

[_Hoops]

yes, wanna ride with me in my chair?

Ha! Sounds like fun!

[_Polygamy-Porter]

How typical for a persecution complex Mormon.

Regardless of religious affiliation, posters who claim belief (or KNOWledge) in superstitions, magic, and the supernatural will be summarily questioned and challenged.

If you cannot handle such treatment, perhaps you need to examine your own core and/or these superstitions, magic, and the supernatural which were most likely foisted upon you by unwitting parents.

And posters who belittle said beliefs can be expected to be held to the same standards that the believers are held to.

Oh, wait, that's somewhere else. Never mind.

Belittle?

How so?

I guess its subjective.

[_Droopy]

Since I first began posting around here I've had a number of you folks complain about me to the point of wishing I wasn't around at all (in truth the complaining about me started before I ever showed up, which I guess is a sad commentary of this place as a whole but a good illustration of what is to be expected around here). My time here is probably over. I don't really intend to participate anymore. So see ya.

The gentrification of the Trailerpark continues.

Hey all, it's cool. I get it. I realize the hostility would like to continue unabated.

Not only that, it does.

I truly think its a sad thing, to tell the truth. I would prefer you all get over it and learn to enjoy others a little more--open up, relax, appreciate others (in another twist of irony it turns out this place perhaps represents the problem i see within the Church--the attitude of some members seems paramount among those who do not believe anymore and post here.

Yup. That is why this forum was created and that's what makes it what it is.

Consequently I do wonder if those prone to leave the Church and turn into the group that is here are those at Church with attitude problems?).

You may not have noticed, but Kevin Graham was almost as abrasive, arrogant, and snotty when he used to defend George Bush, the Iraq war, and free market economics here, as now when he defends Socialism, neo-Communism, and universal health care and savages the Church relentlessly on any and every point of its teachings.

There is an eerie continuity to anti-Mormonism and the prevalence of certain other attitudes and beliefs, such as in politics, philosophy, and ethics, within it.

I've come to realize more than anything, here we have the ironically named "Discussion" board. Truly its far more about mocking and deriding and high fiving bullies and back slapping for displays of anger than discussion.

A lucid and well articulated analysis.

P.S. I'll probably come back around to read what you guys say in this thread. So go ahead and offer the parting shots. I'll look at them as opportunities to get a good honest look at how I can improve as a person. I know I have a long way to go.

If you're like me, you'll come by now and then to "kick the anthill" and see what happens. I've been back now in the Celestial trying to get some involved discussions on the intersection of the gospel and politics going, but its all I can do to ignore the pot shots and concentrate on the few substantive responses.

[_Hoops]

I guess its subjective.

No it isn't. At least not substantially. It requires being a little bit less self absorbed.

[_Jersey Girl]

Porter

If you cannot handle such treatment, perhaps you need to examine your own core and/or these superstitions, magic, and the supernatural which were most likely foisted upon you by unwitting parents.

What treatment are you referring to, Porter?

[_RayAgostini]

The bottom line is that stem is gone, making "this place" more "Mormon free". All good as far as Shades' "mission" is concerned.

I'm curious. What is my "mission?"

I think it's pretty obvious:

Thus, the apostate cannot exist in the worldview of the believer. There is no place in their psychological makeup for someone who was fully appraised of all the dogma of the tradition, who accepted all its pronouncements implicitly, and yet who later rejected the system. The very existence of such a person poses a threat to the careful mental balancing act in which act believers are engaged.

Tell that to the Maxwell Institute.

Most religious traditions present two lines of defense. The first is to minimize the possibility of apostasy in the first place. The second is to reduce the threat that the existence of an apostate poses to the believer’s belief-system.

For the first line of defense, apostasy can be reduced by attacking the source – reason and logical thinking. Most religious traditions tend to denigrate independent thought, even going so far as to ascribe it to the Enemy. At the same time, these traditions will emphasize that faith is not only an alternative, but in fact a superior guide to truth.

(Emphasis added)

So note: This isn't only an attack on Mormonism.

In Western traditions, the usual solution is to place independent thought in the category of sin. This is done either explicitly, or by implicitly emphasizing blind faith as a virtue.

Jesus' famous statement to doubting Thomas in the gospel of John perfectly illustrates this concept.

John 20:27-28 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

(Emphasis added)

The Bible makes many such assertions....

The Bible is not alone in subtly denigrating human reason...

(Ms.Jack, I presume, would be a prime example?)

In addition to casting reason and independent thought in a negative light.....

In contrast, the influence of the Church remains strong in third world countries, where literacy rates remain low...

.

No need to guess which horse you're backing, and which one you personally favour. You don't even show the slightest sense of balance in the above comments.

[_Jersey Girl]

Apparently, stem isn't the only one gone.

I'd like to say that believers are leaving in droves, but there weren't any droves to begin with.

[_MrStakhanovite]

Apparently, stem isn't the only one gone.

Who?

[_Kishkumen]

Apparently, stem isn't the only one gone.

Who?

I don't care who weenies out. It's pure silliness. This place has little changed from past years. I don't see any good reason for an exodus. Maybe the tides of the boards follow the tides of politics. The Republicans and Democrats in Congress don't really speak with each other anymore, and now the apologists and critics are entering into a period of non-communication. I say they're wimps.

[_asbestosman]

I say they're wimps.

I say they're not masochists.