Things We've Learned During the Board Wars

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
_The Dude
_Emeritus
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Post by _The Dude »

beastie wrote:I may have an over-active imagination, but I believe the reopening of sput's thread was due to Juliann's desire to create a dogpile attack on me, in order to provoke me to leave the board.


Then you are not the only one imagining things. I think that's what happened too.

by the way, dude, do you post on a skeptics site associated with Shermer, or has someone else stolen your name?


I've never been there. Is it any good? I'd have to come up with a new handle though... hmmm... I'm sort of in a Bruce Campbell mood, what with Mitt Romney in the news so much of late.
_Bond...James Bond
_Emeritus
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Post by _Bond...James Bond »

Runtu wrote:I feel like all I ever accomplished in these years is to get myself out of the church.


That sounds like enough, Runtu. ;)
"Whatever appears to be against the Book of Mormon is going to be overturned at some time in the future. So we can be pretty open minded."-charity 3/7/07
_beastie
_Emeritus
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Post by _beastie »


beastie wrote:
I may have an over-active imagination, but I believe the reopening of sput's thread was due to Juliann's desire to create a dogpile attack on me, in order to provoke me to leave the board.



Then you are not the only one imagining things. I think that's what happened too.

Quote:
by the way, dude, do you post on a skeptics site associated with Shermer, or has someone else stolen your name?



I've never been there. Is it any good? I'd have to come up with a new handle though... hmmm... I'm sort of in a Bruce Campbell mood, what with Mitt Romney in the news so much of late.


Well, you're a sensible level headed guy (at least on the internet) so I will conclude my imagination is not over-active at all.

I just visited the skeptics board today, it just looks like a typical atheist board, but I haven't read much so far so can't recommend it. But I did immediately notice "the dude" posting.
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.

Penn & Teller

http://www.mormonmesoamerica.com
_moksha
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Post by _moksha »

Beastie, when all has simmered down, I hope you, Bond and Runtu can view this as water under the bridge and not let it keep you from posting there if you so desire. My thought is that they need folks like yourself to challenge them - the synthesis of which is a better mixture than they would have without you. Till then you will have more time to brighten this board.
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
_Dr. Shades
_Emeritus
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Post by _Dr. Shades »

moksha wrote:My thought is that they need folks like yourself to challenge them - the synthesis of which is a better mixture than they would have without you.


Who cares about their needs?
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"

--Louis Midgley
_asbestosman
_Emeritus
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Post by _asbestosman »

Dr. Shades wrote:Who cares about their needs?


Apparently you don't. Is it any wonder many of them don't feel welcome here?
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy.
eritis sicut dii
I support NCMO
_Dr. Shades
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Post by _Dr. Shades »

asbestosman wrote:Apparently you don't. Is it any wonder many of them don't feel welcome here?


Looks like I failed to properly articulate my point.

Here's what I mean: Why suggest going back to other boards to meet people's needs when they abjectly refuse to join us? If they want their needs to be met, let them exert the minimum effort and come here, at which point I'll do everything possible to make them feel welcome. In spite of their claims about the profanity and (non-existent) pornography, there's a perfectly good Celestial Forum that's every bit as clean as the very best forum on MA&D.

To address the specifics of Moksha's post and my response thereunto, if MA&D needs critics to challenge them, the way to solve the problem isn't for beastie, Runtu, and Bond to pander to them by returning there and enduring their abuse; the way to solve the problem is for the MA&Dites to take a modicum of responsibility and come here.

Think of it this way: If a homeless person needs food, I'll do everything in my power to give it to him or her. If, after this, he or she refuses to bring the fork to his or her mouth, insisting that I spoon-feed him or her, . . . that's where my altruism ends.
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"

--Louis Midgley
_asbestosman
_Emeritus
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Post by _asbestosman »

Dr. Shades wrote:Think of it this way: If a homeless person needs food, I'll do everything in my power to give it to him or her. If, after this, he or she refuses to bring the fork to his or her mouth, insisting that I spoon-feed him or her, . . . that's where my altruism ends.


I see. So you refuse to help parapalegics? [/silliness]

To address the specifics of Moksha's post and my response thereunto, if MA&D needs critics to challenge them, the way to solve the problem isn't for beastie, Runtu, and Bond to pander to them by returning there and enduring their abuse; the way to solve the problem is for the MA&Dites to take a modicum of responsibility and come here.


I'd say that makes sense. However, I do come here partly to challenge you guys--among other things.
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy.
eritis sicut dii
I support NCMO
_Dr. Shades
_Emeritus
Posts: 14117
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:07 pm

Post by _Dr. Shades »

asbestosman wrote:I see. So you refuse to help parapalegics? [/silliness]


Hah!

I'd say that makes sense. However, I do come here partly to challenge you guys--among other things.


And that's a PERFECTLY letigimate reason to come here. I welcome anyone who wants to challenge me/us.

Make no mistake: As much as I despise the moderation at the MA&D boards, I would welcome any and all of their posters--moderator or not--with open arms should any of them make an appearance. Heck, I would give my right testicle to have Juliann post here. Can she say that about any of us?

(Um, wait. . .)
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"

--Louis Midgley
_Runtu
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Post by _Runtu »

I can't speak for anyone else, but I figured out in the last few days that it's partly what beastie said, that Mormons (and exmormons, too) have a hard time separating religious criticism from personal criticism. I know I've struggled with that. And really, one of the biggest issues I had to deal with upon exiting from the church was the loss of that identity. Who was I, now that I wasn't John, the Mormon? I don't want to live the rest of my life as "John, the exmormon."

But the other part of the problem is that people gravitate to these boards because they like to debate and argue. It really wouldn't matter what the subject was; they'd argue about it anyway. As I mentioned, I was asked to participate in an American Idol board to counter some Mormon-bashing pastor. But people over there had the same kinds of personal attacks and hurt feelings about a reality TV show. It wasn't all that different from what happens here and on MAD. It was interesting to see Zakuska treating every curious non-Mormon as an enemy to be defeated.

I left those boards because I was getting too personal for me; and I don't blame Dr. Peterson for leaving for the same reason. It's interesting that I had PMed a few people about my decision to leave. One called me to repentance (literally) and said that I was making excuses for people who are angry, hurt, and bitter, thus perpetuating the festering victimhood syndrome.

I tried to do a few things in my interactions on FAIR/MAD:

- I wanted to learn more about my religion, and I think I did.
- I wanted to promote a little more kindness and understanding between the two sides, and I think I failed miserably at that.
- I wanted to defend the truth. I know I managed to do that.

So, it wasn't all bad, and I made some good friends over there. I hope you can put up with me over here when I nag you guys about being nicer to each other. Hell, I think we should even be nice to Pahoran. ;-)
Runtu's Rincón

If you just talk, I find that your mouth comes out with stuff. -- Karl Pilkington
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