I think there are ways to take mixed views of Mormonism without adopting a find a way to stay goal or a whatever is whatever view (The phrase “moral relativism” is tricky, I think). One can see positive elements without forgetting the negatives. In fact, I think in terms of a project of understanding the human condition and how we think and hope one should see a variety of qualities in all sorts of groups.drumdude wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:00 pmI've seen a lot of attempts over the years to deliver a softer criticism of the church, John Dehlin tried this and even created an entire forum called StayLDS - devoted entirely to trying to "make it work" as a skeptical progressive member.Kishkumen wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:41 pmI think criticism is a good thing. Don't get me wrong. That said, the amount of unanswered criticism that occurs here practically invalidates the whole board. Some people just dismiss this place because it contains almost nothing but criticism. Some of the criticism here goes too far. I also think that criticism can be a matter of perspective.
You know, the whole idea of the "prophets, seers, and revelators" being God's mouthpieces on earth doesn't seem to amount to as much as one might think. Consider how short today's LDS leaders fall of Joseph Smith, and I don't think you can do anything else but conclude that they are not prophets, seers, and revelators in the way Smith was. They hold the titles and exercise authority over the LDS Church, but they don't do what Joseph did to lay claim to those roles.
Bill Reel tried to make it work, Dehlin tried to make it work, plenty of Mormons tried to walk a nice soft line and guide the church and its members gently in the right direction. And the church came down on them hard for all of their efforts.
At the end of the day, both sides think that the truth matters. If Mormonism is a sham, it should be criticised. It's the objectively right thing to do. And if Mormonism is true, it should be preached from the mountain tops. The middle ground is a weird moral relativism, and almost nihilistic view that nothing really matters and no belief system is any better or worse than any other. I think if you take that to the extreme, and put Scientology/Mormonism/*insert high demand cult here* on the same level as the Catholic church or Buddhism, you've gone wrong. I know it's a hot take to equate Mormonism and Scientology but in my mind you have to do a lot of mental gymnastics not to see the glaring and harmful similarities.
Kishkumen's take often makes sense to me but not always, nor should that always be the case.