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Ever run into people who seem to be overly defensive and have a sense of being a victim? Perhaps someone who is so defensive that defensiveness has even developed into a chip on his shoulder? Heck, I think we all have. I've even been that person sometimes and perhaps you have too. It is definitely an uncomfortable condition and can make life unpleasant for those around you as well.

The Wikipedia has this to say about Siege Mentality:

Siege mentality is a shared feeling of victimization and defensiveness. It is a state of mind whereby one believes that one is being constantly attacked, oppressed, or isolated and makes one frightened of surrounding people. This can cause a state of being overly fearful leading to a defensive attitude.

Although the term evolved from real sieges, today it may refer to persecution feelings by anyone in a group that views itself as a threatened minority. This can be used in the field of sports, where coaches or managers often create a siege mentality in their players by highlighting an environment of hostility from outside the club (whether the hostility is real or exaggerated does not matter). Siege mentalities are particularly common in business, the result of competition or downsizing. Some religious groups may have this paradigm, particularly if they are not traditional mainstream groups.

Within the LDS Church, my witnessing of siege mentality seems most evident in strident apologists and message board moderators. Have you noticed that too? It is especially evident when defensiveness turns to offensiveness with a constant cry of victimization blended in as well. The vast majority of people in my ward are not like this, probably because they are not glued to message boards like you and I.

To those experiencing siege mentality, all of their responses must seem the most logical and rational thing to do, since it is the best way of dealing with critics. After all, haven't they heard this same thing over and over again from the same group of persecutors? Why shouldn't they act this way? After all, it is their Church that is under fire and it is their board and besides, their posters want it that way because they are constantly being victimized all over the place? Why won't it let up? Why won't it stop? The voices pounding incessantly, yearning to lash out and take revenge! Moderators, do your duty!!!

How do we break out of that siege mentality?

moksha wrote:How do we break out of that siege mentality?

Stop hanging around those who want to besiege us?

moksha wrote:Within the LDS Church, my witnessing of siege mentality seems most evident in strident apologists and message board moderators.

Should I be taking this personally?

harmony wrote:Should I be taking this personally?

No. You're not feeling besieged are you?

Have you witnessed this in others on this message board or elsewhere? It could be that I am just up in the afternoon with this idea or perhaps it is something that really exists.

moksha wrote:

harmony wrote:Should I be taking this personally?

No. You're not feeling besieged are you?

That depends on how long I have to wait for Shades to make a ruling...

Have you witnessed this in others on this message board or elsewhere? It could be that I am just up in the afternoon with this idea or perhaps it is something that really exists.

I've always thought of the phenomena as "piling on" and, depending on the board, the one on the bottom of the pile will be of either side in the argument.

Ever run into people who seem to be overly defensive and have a sense of being a victim?

Yes. Many antiMormons and apostates seem to have that problem. I could name names, but then that might make this a Terrestial thread.

harmony wrote:

moksha wrote:Within the LDS Church, my witnessing of siege mentality seems most evident in strident apologists and message board moderators.

Should I be taking this personally?

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that Moksha is talking about the MD&D board.

I think a lot of the MAD board members have convinced themselves that the critics are going to break into their houses and tar and feather them in the town square.

Isn't the fear/paranoia on both sides? I think some of it has to do with "I know what you don't know, nyaaah nyaaah." If people would be more open about understanding the others' POV, the fear would dissipate. Glenn sent me on to Matt Roper's stuff, and I gleaned some very useful information from his articles.

An open mind is a very good thing to have, and I believe that God made human beings with good intellectual capabilities and included a directive to use His gifts for good purposes.

MCB wrote:Isn't the fear/paranoia on both sides? I think some of it has to do with "I know what you don't know, nyaaah nyaaah." If people would be more open about understanding the others' POV, the fear would dissipate. Glenn sent me on to Matt Roper's stuff, and I gleaned some very useful information from his articles.

An open mind is a very good thing to have, and I believe that God made human beings with good intellectual capabilities and included a directive to use His gifts for good purposes.

Very well-stated.

I also think that it is important to remember that there are real people on the other side of the computer screen. Many of us are parents. I think that when it gets down to it, we have more in common with each other than differences.