The Topic of Hate

[_Sam Harris]

When I first investigated the church, I went online. Of course, the missionaries were there, quick to tell me that all the opposition I saw with regards to the church was true. I started out a TBM on the message boards, quick to defend the faith. I even defended it when the folks on FAIR were squatting around and calling me a racist for not bowing down to their blacklds.org testimony site. I'm sorry, but I get queasy easily.

I've seen the word "hate" used on both sides. When I was "younger", I used the word as well. Until I woke up and realized that most of my opponents didn't hate me, and none of them knew me.

Many TBMs like to use the word hate against those who don't agree with them. But these same folks aren't walking alongside folks like me. If I hated Mormons so much, why have Mormon friends? If I felt that Mormons were tools of the devil, instead of believing that they approached God in their own way, why would I ask for their spiritual perspective on anything? An LDS friend just gave me a blessing the other week. I asked for it, but more for him than for me. I'm not about proving right religion, wrong religion. But I do have a problem with any organization, religious or not, that doesn't deal well with making sure every human being knows his or her worth. Do I hate said organizations? No.

I really think the TBMs on this site need to drop the word hate. It's a rare thing when I personally become convinced that it wouldn't be prudent to even spit in your direction should you find yourself on fire. That type of sentiment is reserved for only the most treacherous...and so far only two people have that place on my s*** list. Anyone else who decides they want to be an opponent (because I don't make enemies, people make themselves my enemies) is just a minor annoyance. With the exception of relatives. I can't get rid of them, so they prove to be more stressful.

My take is this: you want respect give it. TBMs on here, stop trying to psychoanalyze everyone here. We're not crazy. I'm not shy about explaining my issues, but they are not the reason why I couldn't be a good Mormon. Not in the sense that the fundies want to make it seem.

Quit it with the hatred card, jeez. I don't know any of you. And like I told Coggins, I've never loved you (with the exception of Moksha, we have quite a special bond), so how can I hate you? To me, an emotion that strong can only come along in my life if I've loved you and you repeatedly and willingly let me down...and lied about it, etc. etc.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[_Gazelam]

I don't hate you, although your avatar on the other hand.... : )

Gaz

[_OUT OF MY MISERY]

I love GIMR's avatar

And I don't hate you Gazzy boy...I don't know you....