What Mormon Stories is (and isn't) Trying to Do

[_cwald]

EDIT

[_Kishkumen]

One of the most important things to keep in mind through all of this, in my opinion, is that no single person or group of people can tell you what your faith should be. Of course, there are always those busybodies in the world who will be happy to tell you what you should think and do, because they are extremely uncomfortable unless they feel like they have lots of outside affirmation backing them up. But, this is what it means to have a lamp with no oil.

It very well may be that a number of the apologists we encounter are like this. They cannot tolerate others thinking, feeling, believing, or acting differently, so they bolster their own egos and comfort themselves by being aggressive with others who do not do and think as they do. I am utterly convinced that being a good LDS person is mostly about charity. For those who feel they need apologetics, or enjoy apologetics, I say fine. Those who don't should probably just ignore them. They are in no way necessary. Those who arrogate authority by telling everyone else what is right in place of the Spirit, or Church authorities, are in no way necessary either. Ignore them.

[_cwald]

One of the most important things to keep in mind through all of this, in my opinion, is that no single person or group of people can tell you what your faith should be. Of course, there are always those busybodies in the world who will be happy to tell you what you should think and do, because they are extremely uncomfortable unless they feel like they have lots of outside affirmation backing them up. But, this is what it means to have a lamp with no oil.

It very well may be that a number of the apologists we encounter are like this. They cannot tolerate others thinking, feeling, believing, or acting differently, so they bolster their own egos and comfort themselves by being aggressive with others who do not do and think as they do. I am utterly convinced that being a good LDS person is mostly about charity. For those who feel they need apologetics, or enjoy apologetics, I say fine. Those who don't should probably just ignore them. They are in no way necessary. Those who arrogate authority by telling everyone else what is right in place of the Spirit, or Church authorities, are in no way necessary either. Ignore them.

Thank you. Well said.

Maybe I should quote you over at MDD?

[_Kishkumen]

Thank you. Well said.

Maybe I should quote you over at MDD?

Thank you!

Go ahead and quote me. It has been at least a couple of days since I have been verbally savaged over here or there.

I am beginning to feel unloved.

[_Chap]

Here's the PowerPoint presentation, for those who want to skip/skim through it.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3563634/OSFFun ... rt%29.pptx

Sorry we don't have a transcript yet, but can work on getting something out.

Many thanks. That is exactly what I wanted. It is short enough to render a transcript unnecessary, so don't spend your time on that. Maybe include the link on your website, if it isn't there already?

I am a nevermo, but have found the phenomenon of Mormonism and exmormonism a fascinating part of the religious landscape. I was born into a religion (a kind of Episcopalianism) that I eventually left without too much trauma, whilst retaining much respect for ordinary believers and for its ordained ministers throughout past centuries.

But had I been born a Mormon, things might have been very difficult, and I think you might have been a vital ingredient in managing an escape that was not unbearably traumatic.

Keep up the good work!

[_Alter Idem]

all right. I'll go see if I can find it.

Update... Here you go http://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/58141-how-critical-information-affects-members-of-the-church/

http://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/58129-john-dehlingiant-killer/

Hi Cwald, I just skimmed through the top link. I would NEVER post this on the thread (it's against the board rules) at MADb, I thought of PMing Selek but the chance of that being of any value is close to nil and I thought of reporting his posts to the MOD's, but that also will be of little value, so I'll post to you on this board.

I hope you don't mind that this is going to involve me venting;

Selek's view of 'helping' posters like you is badgering you into silence with burdensome 'CFR's he has no interest in reading or giving any consideration to. Meanwhile, the MODs tacitly allow this bullying. I had left that board for a long time, came back to read because of what happened to Dr. P and I am now reminded of why I stopped posting there.

I am really tired of "LDS" members who claim they are trying to defend the faith, do so by verbally bludgeoning anyone who has questions. There are a vocal handful of modern day 'Pharisees' there who have little regard, let alone 'charity' for others if they dare deviate from what they determine is orthodoxy of Mormon thought.

If you want answers to your questions, I would strongly advise you to not ask them at MADB (and I sure wouldn't ask them here at MD either, but for other, obvious reasons). It's very sad that I have to say that; at one time, you could have asked questions there and a number of reasonable, good members of the church would have been willing to have a conversation with you, but those days are over.

I've seen too many posters whose harsh treatment at the hands of a vocal, agressive minority were hurt in their relationship with the LDS faith.

[_cwald]

Selek's view of 'helping' posters like you is badgering you into silence with burdensome 'CFR's he has no interest in reading or giving any consideration to. Meanwhile, the MODs tacitly allow this bullying. I had left that board for a long time, came back to read because of what happened to Dr. P and I am now reminded of why I stopped posting there. .....If you want answers to your questions, I would strongly advise you to not ask them at MADB (and I sure wouldn't ask them here at MD either, but for other, obvious reasons). It's very sad that I have to say that; at one time, you could have asked questions there and a number of reasonable, good members of the church would have been willing to have a conversation with you, but those days are over.

Thanks. Yeah, I'm not really interested in asking the questions here at MD. I'm mostly just a lurker when I get a few minutes...

I don't expect to be around at MADB for long...I only went over there to get a feel of what is going on after all this Dehlin "wolves" rhetoric the last few weeks - especially the article in MormonTimes...just kind of wanted to know what the church was about.

No one answered my question over there at MADB.... They ran me out at LDS.net. My own family called my SP 700 miles away, and then SP banned me from all callings because of my participation on MS, NOM and StayLDS. If I can't hang out at MS, NOM or StayLDS because they are apostates and wolves, and the folks at MADB treat me like crap....where AM I SUPPOSE TO GO to find out what the church members are like and believe? Surely they are not as "culty" as my LDS family members??????

Anyway, thanks though. I suppose I will just continue my association with the wolves...at least the folks over there can tolerate differences of opinion and are nice to each other.

[_Kishkumen]

Hang in there, cwald. I am sorry you are having such a rough time. Should not be so, in my opinion.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

No one answered my question over there at MADB.... They ran me out at LDS.net. My own family called my SP 700 miles away, and then SP banned me from all callings because of my participation on MS, NOM and StayLDS. If I can't hang out at MS, NOM or StayLDS because they are apostates and wolves, and the folks at MADB treat me like crap....where AM I SUPPOSE TO GO to find out what the church members are like and believe? Surely they are not as "culty" as my LDS family members??????

Anyway, thanks though. I suppose I will just continue my association with the wolves...at least the folks over there can tolerate differences of opinion and are nice to each other.

You'll always have a place here. There are many faithful LDS on this bb -- we may have unorthodox ideas and plenty of doubts/questions, but we are just as active and faithful Mormons as any of those clowns on MDD, in my opinion.

[_cwald]

Thanks fellers.