There is undoubtedly a market niche for a board that has one sided apologetics, presented in a droll but substantive manner. Make it as bland as possible. Sprinkle it with sugar and mark it with a J and put it on the internet for the Bishop and me.
Can you hear this answer from over there?
I think it does help to keep in mind that the purpose of apologetics isn't really to delve seriously into issues, but rather to create material that sounds scholarly and informed enough to help believers, who aren't scholarly or informed, feel good about continuing to believe in the face of what seems like serious counter-evidence. Critics' role in this staged drama is simply to provide a foil.
And yes, they hear you quite clearly. Obsessively, one might say. ;)
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.
Thanks for the clarification on Utah Lighthouse. I was trying to point to the fact that the repeated cry is that LDS are outnumbered by critics. And so what if they are? What IS criticism if it isn't an opposing viewpoint? Discussion or debate without opposing viewpoints is simply head nodding.
I distinctly recall (and if I were able to use the search on MAD, I could prove it) many MAD posters singing the praises of James Bond right up until he expressed disagreement with Juliann's conduct.
So, the message I'm getting is that "critics are okay so long as they kiss butt and don't criticize our position or our posters"
What good is apologetics without someone to defend themselves to?
Strangely enough, I was invited to ZLMB for two reasons. Someone wanted to see me become part of the community and another person told me to go try to dialogue/discuss/debate with the apologists.
I say this without question...whenever I challenged EV's on ZLMB...apologists were drooling all over me. Whenever I challenged THEM (which was fairly rare) it resulted in:
1. Derailment
2. Personal Attack
3. Apologists disappearing
Unbeknownst to me, one person in particular was following my posts on this board since I started posting on the first board Shades set up. Apparently totally pissed off at the comments I'd made here. My question is why? I have never made secret my opposition to the LDS Church, the Prophet Joseph Smith or the theology and doctrines of Mormonism.
If that person is still reading me, I encourage them to engage me on any topic of their choosing instead of hiding out, stewing and playing games and if they do, please stay on the horse this time instead of beating a path out of Dodge because you don't like what I'm saying. God knows, I endured a ton of stuff on Z and FAIR that I didn't like. Goose/Gander. Want a level playing field? You're on it.
Jersey Girl
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.
Chinese Proverb