SeN: "the crazy woman school of anti-Mormonism"

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Since we’re tangentially on the topic of Mormon feminists. From r/Mormon:



Also, RIP Carol Lynn Pearson. She passed this last week.

[Gadianton]

Thanks for getting that statement Tom, unfortunately, it doesn't add up. Perhaps he's forgotten what it means to be a "school". The female co-contributors hardly make for that. The example of Laake is a strong contender. In the quote I provided from the article you cited, " the peculiarities of Mormon women's sex lives, and the psychiatric disturbances suffered by young Mormon women, all of which have been popularized" implies there had been several others prior to Laake and Laake's contribution was a yawn-fest, seen it before a dozen times already. And so it's possible that this is what he meant. These other Mormon women who had already worn out the genre plus Laake made up for a school of thought that revolves around high-stress cult survival stories. But who were these others?

It really rings thin, and Cam's suggestion of feminist dissidents would make a whole lot more sense in terms of calling something a "school" but there doesn't seem to be examples offered. It's a real head-scratcher of a statement.

The Afore's recasting is a little more obvious. He brings up Candace Owens. But that doesn't quite fit -- she's a black women trying to make it in the world of conspiratorial bigotry dominated mostly by men but with a growing share of white women. And he doesn't seem too shocked at any other of Owens' horrible statements, when in general, Mormon conservatives are trying to get in on the wagon train of conspiratorial bigots, and so we should laugh at the fact that Owens shot them down like that. Looks like they still aren't invited to the party after all that work to be as dumb and evil as possible.

I fear that at this point the "crazy woman school" doesn't have a reference to any particular fad, movement, or collection of ideas, and is really just meant to be insulting toward women in general. If you disagree with the priesthood authority of the Afore, and if you're female, then you're a crazy woman. If you don't think an angel visited Joseph Smith and give him a golden Bible and ordered him to have sex with underage girls, then it must be that time of the month for you.

[Kishkumen]

I hadn’t thought of that phrase in many years. For some reason, it has come back to me just now.

That’s the key allusion that gives this away. The “some reason” is Candace Owens’ anti-Mormon comments.

[Marcus]

That’s the key allusion that gives this away. The “some reason” is Candace Owens’ anti-Mormon comments.

I think there was more to it than that.

Yes, he used her, but also genocide and a picture of Goebbels as a way to segue into his 'crazy woman' theory.

Thanks for getting that statement Tom, unfortunately, it doesn't add up. Perhaps he's forgotten what it means to be a "school". The female co-contributors hardly make for that. The example of Laake is a strong contender. In the quote I provided from the article you cited, " the peculiarities of Mormon women's sex lives, and the psychiatric disturbances suffered by young Mormon women, all of which have been popularized" implies there had been several others prior to Laake and Laake's contribution was a yawn-fest, seen it before a dozen times already. And so it's possible that this is what he meant. These other Mormon women who had already worn out the genre plus Laake made up for a school of thought that revolves around high-stress cult survival stories. But who were these others?

It really rings thin, and Cam's suggestion of feminist dissidents would make a whole lot more sense in terms of calling something a "school" but there doesn't seem to be examples offered. It's a real head-scratcher of a statement.

The Afore's recasting is a little more obvious. He brings up Candace Owens. But that doesn't quite fit -- she's a black women trying to make it in the world of conspiratorial bigotry dominated mostly by men but with a growing share of white women. And he doesn't seem too shocked at any other of Owens' horrible statements, when in general, Mormon conservatives are trying to get in on the wagon train of conspiratorial bigots, and so we should laugh at the fact that Owens shot them down like that. Looks like they still aren't invited to the party after all that work to be as dumb and evil as possible.

I fear that at this point the "crazy woman school" doesn't have a reference to any particular fad, movement, or collection of ideas, and is really just meant to be insulting toward women in general. If you disagree with the priesthood authority of the Afore, and if you're female, then you're a crazy woman. If you don't think an angel visited Joseph Smith and give him a golden Bible and ordered him to have sex with underage girls, then it must be that time of the month for you.

Agreed.

[I Have Questions]

In light of a recent NY Times piece--and a BYU study--showing problems with retention in the LDS Church--particularly amongst younger women--you would think that there might be a bit more room to be circumspect in Mopologetic quarters. But perhaps that's asking too much. Check it out:

Many years ago, there was a very noticeable spate of very poor books, written by women, attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About that time, the Italian Catholic sociologist of religion Massimo Introvigne visited Brigham Young University, and I was among those who spent time with him. He had devoted considerable attention to the Church (which was why he had come to Utah), and I recall that, referring to the recent books, he referred at one point to “the crazy woman school of anti-Mormonism.” I hadn’t thought of that phrase in many years. For some reason, it has come back to me just now.

Huh. What were these "recent books"? Who were the authors? Just a bunch of anonymous "women" who deserve to be dismissed in this way? It may be worth pointing out that this recollection is tied to a series of links that the Afore also posted, two of which involve alleged crimes--one of which seems to be pretty clearly related to someone going through a severe mental health crisis. You have to wonder: what was his intention in tying these various, women-related threads together? And why did he decide to share this particular recollection with his readership?

Hopefully he'll clarify which "very poor books" he had in mind.

Remind me, did Peterson manage to convert Massimo to Mormonism during their encounters?