Stephen Smoot?????s Masterclass in Victim Blaming

[_Dr Moore]

https://www.plonialmonimormon.com/2019/ ... gress.html

Smoot recently published an allegory, or mashup of what he claims to be real world ex-Mormon exit narratives.

The post itself is problematic on a number of levels. Then, the damage is exponentially compounded through his responses to the comments section.

The content of this post and comments is a masterful case study in victim blaming and re-traumatizing individuals in pain.

What is your goal here Stephen?

Is your ego really so threatened by the existence of exmormon reddit, Bill Reel’s podcasts, and the CES Letter that you need to insult people who would look into those resources?

Or are you, immaturely, projecting a larger doubt, that sincere truth seekers can and do opt to leave the church for the very reason that they value integrity and honesty?

If a person does find Bill Reel’s years of podcasts to be a helpful resource, why do you feel the need to derisively label that person “a disciple of Bill Reel?” We can both disagree with some of Bill’s arguments without villainizing him or those who appreciate his approach to study and inquiry.

If a person is disturbed by the CES Letter, and subsequently struggles with faith and how to participate in the church while sorting those struggles, does that necessarily mean that person is shallow, deceptive, and unwilling to study writings of apologetic authors and FAIRMormon? No, it doesn’t, as your allegory strongly suggests. In fact, many DO make at least an equal study of those sources, and come away more confused and less convinced that the church has a truthful narrative underpinning the doctrines of the restoration. How mean spirited do you have to be not to see that or allow for it in your own writings?

If a person finds some solace in exmormon reddit, however temporary or shallow, who cares? The pain is real. The anger is real. The feeling of despair and confusion is real. Would you rob others of a resource to vent that with others who are feeling the same feelings? Why does the existence of exmormon reddit give you perpetual license to inflict harmful shame on others?

Also, how is it irrelevant what people feel after reading FAIRMormon? Last time I checked, the entire foundation of the church is based on each person experiencing spiritual feelings as they study. If FAIR isn’t helping folks to consistently feel the spirit, perhaps something is wrong with the approach or the material.

You’re a public figure Stephen. Good people are asking you to walk a mile with them. How about walking two, rather than giving folks a kick in the a$$ instead. Unless you enjoy kicking people when they’re down. It appears you do.

Your online behavior at the blog linked above is textbook victim blaming, mean spirited bullying and entirely antithetical to the teachings of the master you claim to defend. Ironically, it belies your own doubts and disbelief.

[_Philo Sofee]

Wow Dr. Moore! This is a fascinating comments post. I will take a look at Stephen's article tonight after work. What you say appears to be spot on based on other comments Smoot has made in the past.

[_Stem]

Thanks for getting me to read that nonsense.

Sadly there are plenty of people who leave the faith who have read all the authors he attributes to Jim's dada as reading. I agree with him, if he's trying to suggest as much anyway, it has far less to do with who has read the most and far more to do with the conclusions people have drawn. I noticed in his efforts he dismisses any certain criticisms and instead tries to paint a picture that all concerns and criticisms are dealt with, as if anyone who disagrees with him have given it a lesser effort. Kind of a lame us vs them type of scenario.

If a person finds some solace in exmormon reddit, however temporary or shallow, who cares? The pain is real. The anger is real. The feeling of despair and confusion is real. Would you rob others of a resource to vent that with others who are feeling the same feelings? Why does the existence of exmormon reddit give you perpetual license to inflict harmful shame on others?

Not to give him credit nor a pass, but I think that's part of his point, isn't it? he's trying to say that exmormon reddit is so bad that it's giving "each other perpetual license to inflict harmful shame on others".

I think his analogy falls apart on it's simplicity. Seeing so many families and friends parting ways because of the effects of faith transition/crises I don't know that remaining believers are all at fault. There's efforts to inflict shame going both ways.

I hate to say it because I'm squarely on the outside looking in these days and want my side to look good....but it's ugly stuff.

I don't say this to validate his stupid analogy though. I think he's causing the problem as much as the exmormon reddit regular who mocks his/her grandma for her belief.

[_Res Ipsa]

On the one hand, I can understand how hard it is to feel compassion for those who mock and ridicule the beliefs that one holds sacred. On the other, that’s when compassion is most needed. Smoot strikes me as a troubled soul.

[_Lemmie]

From the comments:

Mark Steele
August 27, 2019 at 1:27 pm | Reply


It was striking how you equated your blog post with the reddit exmormon site. (You will stop writing stuff like this when it ceases to exist.) I found your comparison apt, since I found the same spirit or attitude prevalent in both. Becoming a mirror image of them is possibly not what you were hoping for.

This was fascinating. I don’t know any adult I interact with who doesn’t view the exmormon subreddit as the ill-behaved kid sibling of more thoughtful subreddits, where substantial conversations take place. It’s funny and fun, but it is also obviously a place to act out and cut up, and get some aggressions worked through. No one takes it seriously. Except, apparently, for Smoot, who seems to be at a similar maturity level.

Smoot is tilting at some imagined windmill defined exclusively as coming from this intentionally snarky, obviously immature subreddit where posts involving acting out and relieving pain through outrageousness are the order of the day. Why? Does he see that type of behavior as the counterpart to his approach?

When he grows up, there are better comparisons to make.

[_Dr Moore]

Well said Lemmie!

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Stephen “Woke as “F”” Smoot ripping off A Pilgrim’s Progress. Cool.

- Doc

[_Stem]

Smoot responds:

I’ll stop writing these articles when r/exmormon stops existing.

Yah...apparently he just wants to be upset and get back at r/exmormon reddit people who has upset him. don't think it worked. I think he just upset other people who expected more from him.

[_Dr Exiled]

Does anyone think Smoot might be doing this to impress the Midge, a man who recently disparaged Smoot's sexuality? Midge loves in your face attack Mormonism and young Smoot is giving it to him.

http://www.mormondiscussions.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=51534

[_Dr Moore]

First time reading The Pilgrim’s Progress, fascinating.

The parallels to Lehi’s dream practically scream from the pages.

“Dreamed a dream”
Host holding a book
“Forbidden paths”
“The way”
People in building calling to stop moving forward
Field
Reward of celestial / life eternal at the top of the hill
Dream interpreter at length, piece by piece

Many more themes and key phrases from Lehi’s dream and Nephi’s interpretation

Wow.

Surely someone has written on this already...???