the loss of innocence

[_asbestosman]

I would protest! Mordecai should be a pundit with all the books he's read.

I'm sure I'd be smart too if I read as many book jackets as him.

(PS. I'm just clowning around. I'm not really trying to slam Mordecai.)

[_asbestosman]

Posters either like or hate harmony; there is no middle ground.

I disagree. I hold you in middle-esteem. I'm not too fond of your rants against certain things, but I think you consist of more than just vile against the church.

[_harmony]

Posters either like or hate harmony; there is no middle ground.

I disagree. I hold you in middle-esteem. I'm not too fond of your rants against certain things, but I think you consist of more than just vile against the church.

You always were an extraordinary gentleman. And here I thought you liked me.

[_asbestosman]

Posters either like or hate harmony; there is no middle ground.

I disagree. I hold you in middle-esteem. I'm not too fond of your rants against certain things, but I think you consist of more than just vile against the church.

You always were an extraordinary gentleman. And here I thought you liked me.

Perhaps I should be careful to distinguish between a person and her actions. A few times your rants really did rub me the wrong way, but I was never offended by them. That's all I meant. I'm sure we could enjoy a pleasant meal together--if only I had decent taste buds to recommend a good restaraunt.

[_Pokatator]

What's there not to love about Harmony, rants and all?

[_Mary]

Hi Beastie,
Ouch, I didn't realise just how far back some of you people go when it comes to message boards.
Nice that some of you know each other off these boards too.

I'm a relative new comer (just about 2 years ago to various LDS boards after 10+ years of just getting on with life).

I don't expect anyone to change or see things my way, but it's always nice on the odd occassion when someone who
is active actually admits you have a point.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by FAIR and now MAD, simply because I found out that LDS thought is not so easy
to define, neither is LDS theology, which leaves lots of wriggle room, despite the hardcore fundamentalists that would seem
to indicate different.

When I was active I took it all so seriously. If BRM said it, it must be right. I have so much more confidence now to question and even disagree.
I don't know that I could ever have got to that point as an active member.

Anyway, I always, always enjoy your posts, and was surprised that you and I at least know one person in real life!! (someone from your mission)

That made my day!!!
Mary

(PS, despite FAIR and MAD's failings, they made you a pundit!!! That speaks volumes to me on how they regard your knowledge background in certain subjects and the esteem in which you are held)

[_Yoda]

Hi, Beastie! :)

I was very touched by your post. This particular segment hurt my heart:

It demonstrates to me that we human beings are just not designed – either by a God or a blind watchmaker – to be able to bridge the divides between us. Instead, we seem wired to form tribes that become hostile and suspicious of one another.

I certainly hope you're wrong. One thing that was disheartening for me about FAIR/MAD is that it seemed like the majority of Church members were the very posters who were the most hateful toward others. (I'm talking in generalities here. All of you TBM's who post here, and I have had pleasant discussions with, don't jump down my back. LOL)

To be honest, I had a similar experience when I lived in Orem, Utah. The majority of my neighbors were the most back-biting, judgemental group of people I have ever dealt with. It was truly an embarassment to recognize them as members of the Church I had grown up in!

Fortunately, we moved to North Carolina in 1993. The Church here is still considered part of the "mission field", and there are fewer Church members....but the members here have MANNERS. They say "please and thank you". They are genuinely appreciative when you serve in a calling or help in some fashion.

I have always taken people at face value, and respected others' views and beliefs, even if they are different from my own. After all, we're all PEOPLE! We're all either Moms and Dads, or sons and daughters. Let's face it. Most of us have more in common than not!

For what it's worth, Beastie, I hope that you have found some solace here. I have. And I have always admired and enjoyed your posts both at FAIR/MAD and here.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

Long ago, we were adversaries, or at least on opposite sides of the fence. Now that is not so. I look back on those years, when I was tearing up the boards, shredding them regularly, flaming out like a rocket, being threatened with a church court, threatened with bodily harm, my children stalked at college, my lawn with a cross burned into it... and then Doppleganger created the Fringe. He was tired of the bloodbath and we all needed a safe haven by then. Then Josh lured me to ZLMB. He discounted what I was saying about polygamy... was so sure the big guns on ZLMB would set me straight. That didn't happen, but my reputation continued to grow and the bloodbath followed. Posters either like or hate harmony; there is no middle ground. Respect from some posters; disrespect from others. All I ever ask is that we all live what we preach. I have as hard a time at that as anyone, so I am not exempt.

You know me in real life, Trix. with Walker... Froggie... Addict... Joe... Peggy... Sassy... Ed... Judy... Zenobia... Hopie... Did you meet Patton? I treasure those fun times, those memories. I was younger then, so much younger, so much less cynical. Losing Patti... and now Peggy's paddling a similiar canoe. Sometimes the pain is just too much. I need to make a trip to Utah, just to see old friends, and meet some of the folks from here, before circumstances take them away from me forever.

I know you, Harmony (and Trixie), from way back. I've been haunting LDS bb's since early 1998. I've always enjoyed your posts, even though we don't agree on everything, and am very glad you are here.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Beastie...

Yeah, sometimes it seems that there is no hope. :-(

I realize I may not be facing reality but I still think it is possible to heal this very human tendency of which you speak.

In fact, IF we survive another few centuries then my guess it will only be because we have figured out a way to overcome this tendency.

The thing is... look over the last five thousand years. Things have changed. Change happens slowly but it does indeed change, and it changes for the better.

Slavery has nearly been eliminated, child abuse is not accepted, women (in some places) are considered human beings with rights. We have laws to protect some animals, laws to protect the earth.

I truly think human consciousness is expanding or "evolving" for the better. The question in my mind is, will we evolve fast enough to survive. I don't know the answer to this question. Sometimes I am hopeful, other times I don't think it is possible.

If change is going to happen, it is going to be because enough people decide to make the necessary changes. Enough people will have to come to a place where they are more concerned with the world (regardless of race, religion, color of skin, or gender), than they are about being the chosen and elite of God.

I think the ideas that have permeated society for the past five thousand years MUST be released if we are to have the necessary creativity and determination to heal this world.

I don't know if it will change, but I do think it is possible. A long shot but possible! :-)

~dancer~

[_Yoda]

Hey, Beastie...I thought you would like to know that "Dunamis" a.k.a. Juliann is back at it. Here is her latest comment on your thread being closed:

They've put me back in action as emeritus moderator to lend a hand in the committee hashings as well as to lecture junior moderators.

I'm making the recommendation that the personal exit (atrocity?) story be deleted from this thread. Beastie, what part of "no personal threads" do you not understand (heard you were wondering why the thread was closed)?

Dunamis