MAD's Chopping Block---Take 2

[_Runtu]

I don't think any in that list will be chopped. Two of them are die hard Mormons, and Sethbag will always buckle under pressure to the extent required to keep his head.

Bach might be in trouble for asking why I was banned (no reply to him yet I see).

Welcome to MDB, Fortigurn. It's nice to see you over here

Runtu/Not quite me

[_Yoda]

My bets are on Why Me.

He's posting here, and has admitted on several threads here that he is inactive.

Also, he has made the critical mistake of being nice to the critics. :)

I hope he doesn't get banned over there, because I think he's a solid contributor, but I wouldn't put it past the Mods to be that stupid.

[_Sethbag]

Do LDS get banned?

Scratch and Seth are Mormons?

I am just too far behind to catch up I think... :(

This needs a word or two of explanation. Yes, I'm a Mormon in the sense that I'm still a member and usually go to church, though lately I've been busting out of there after Sacrament meeting more often than not. My wife wants me to go to church, so if I hit SM that seems to make her happy. However, I've pretty much thoroughly lost my testimony that the church is true. In fact, I've lost my testimony that there's even a God up there. I'm an RM, married in the temple, grew up in the church, etc. I was a very strong believer for most of my life, in recent years there had been a bit of a weakening as I realized that in more and more things, starting out with science topics, Old Testament myths, etc. the church was simply wrong. A couple years ago, just as I was moving out here to Arizona, I read "By His Hand Upon Papyrus" and read a lot about Joseph Smith's polygamy. I'd known about the polygamy before, but hadn't known just how extensive or how egregious it was. I think it was the Book of Abraham stuff that made me finally realize that I had to consider the possibility that the church wasn't true, and let the decision follow the evidence and the logic, and came to realize, much to my chagrin, that it wasn't. The moment I allowed that possibility into my mind, a whole lot of things started making a heck of a lot more sense. It's now clear to me that the LDS church is a manmade church right along with every other church out there.

So yeah, I'm a Mormon, of a sort. But not the sort that's going to be well-loved on MAD by the TBMs.

[_why me]

Do LDS get banned?

Scratch and Seth are Mormons?

I am just too far behind to catch up I think... :(

This needs a word or two of explanation. Yes, I'm a Mormon in the sense that I'm still a member and usually go to church, though lately I've been busting out of there after Sacrament meeting more often than not. My wife wants me to go to church, so if I hit SM that seems to make her happy. However, I've pretty much thoroughly lost my testimony that the church is true. In fact, I've lost my testimony that there's even a God up there. I'm an RM, married in the temple, grew up in the church, etc. I was a very strong believer for most of my life, in recent years there had been a bit of a weakening as I realized that in more and more things, starting out with science topics, Old Testament myths, etc. the church was simply wrong. A couple years ago, just as I was moving out here to Arizona, I read "By His Hand Upon Papyrus" and read a lot about Joseph Smith's polygamy. I'd known about the polygamy before, but hadn't known just how extensive or how egregious it was. I think it was the Book of Abraham stuff that made me finally realize that I had to consider the possibility that the church wasn't true, and let the decision follow the evidence and the logic, and came to realize, much to my chagrin, that it wasn't. The moment I allowed that possibility into my mind, a whole lot of things started making a heck of a lot more sense. It's now clear to me that the LDS church is a manmade church right along with every other church out there.

So yeah, I'm a Mormon, of a sort. But not the sort that's going to be well-loved on MAD by the TBMs.

I respect Seth's story and I can understand it. It is very human and I have no problem with people drawing their conclusions. At MAD, I have been hard on Seth because at times I sensed his claims as speculative proof and that just doesn't cut it with me. But personal stories like his above, I see with no remorse or debate.

I am just not bothered by what he sees as bothersome. But then again, I am a guy who has not been heavily involved with the LDS church, in terms of callings, tithings etc. But the Book of Mormon for me has not been refuted, nor will it be in the near or distant future. And the critic interpretations of it just doesn't turn me on.

And besides I make safe bets. I just don't know what will happen upon death...but if the church is true, I do not want to be caught with my boots off.

But I respect Seth and his own story. But I will give him a hard time if he calls Joseph Smith a con man or if does a hypothetical illustration to make a point at MAD. :=)

[_why me]

Hammer was nearly chopped at the same time as Fortigurn. He got real lucky.

This is true and I did mention this. He is skating on thin ice but he doesn't know it. He needs to put more substance in his posts and not be so flippant with his words. But he has his own interesting take on things and we need that at MAD. The MAD world should be a beautiful rainbow of cyberpersonalities. But truly like the MAD board. The FAIR board saved me from my darkest hour a couple of years ago. And MAD has helped too. But we do need diehard apologists there...the big guns...the people with knowledge.

[_harmony]

But we do need diehard apologists there...the big guns...the people with knowledge.

And that would be... who? I've seen people with a lot of opinions, but knowledge is in short supply.

[_moksha]

Hammer was nearly chopped at the same time as Fortigurn. He got real lucky.

This is true and I did mention this. He is skating on thin ice but he doesn't know it. He needs to put more substance in his posts and not be so flippant with his words. But he has his own interesting take on things and we need that at MAD. The MAD world should be a beautiful rainbow of cyberpersonalities.

Good point, a well functioning board does indeed have a variety of personalities. When these personalities are repressed or mean spirited tendencies like Hammer's prevail, then the board will require extensive therapy time to regain its health. Perhaps they should call in Wade for a consultation. I think Dunamis should be the first on the couch.

[_Mister Scratch]

Hammer was nearly chopped at the same time as Fortigurn. He got real lucky.

Absolutely false. Hammer had been abusing me repeatedly without fear of consequences, and was never once threatened even with suspension.

Fortigurn---

I cannot tell you what a delight it is to see you here! It is a pity---and a great loss to them---that you were banned. However, their loss is clearly our gain. Welcome!

[_harmony]

Perhaps they should call in Wade for a consultation. I think Dunamis should be the first on the couch.

Okay, now THAT was funny, Mok.

[_Fortigurn]

Thanks for the warm welcome Mr S.