Ambushed

[_Gazelam]

Many here subscribe to the wisdom and Philosophy of one "Kid Rock" who is famously quoted as saying:

"Get in the Pit and try to Love someone"

[_Runtu]

Hi Runtu,

I am grateful that you bucked the trend, and didn't respond to my innocuous query with hostility.

I don't know about you, but I didn't notice that the tone of "A light in the Darkness" was any more harsh than most on this thread, and perhaps even less harsh than some. And, given the disparate odds of people on this thread who were for vs. against what s/he had to say, I think her/his response was quite mild in comparison--though perhaps I may be biased in my perceptions.

Even still, were s/he the one who was hoping to encourage the participation here of believers, then my taking into consideration her/his behavior would have made sense. But, as far as I know, that is not what he was encouraging. Rather, from what I had gathered (and I could be wrong), this was the objective that many veterans of this board had in mind, and that is why I thought it pertinent to look at whether their behavior on this thread would lend itself to accomplishing that objective, or do just the opposite.

Now, if it were me, and were I wishing to attract people to my store, so to speak, I would be less inclined to look at the customer's behavior, and more inclined to look at my own or my fellow busnessmen. In fact, with the stated goal in mind, I may even be inclined to be more forgiving of the customers' behavior than I would my own. But, that may just be me.

Make sense?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Wade, Lord help me I tried. I responded politely and was met with ridicule and insult. I called him on his poor behavior and was labeled a hypocrite. I think making this place more comfortable for believing Mormons is a desirable and admirable goal. Making it more comfortable for the rude and mocking is not.

I'm perfectly willing to forgive this person's bad behavior. Why would you think otherwise? And if I have behaved badly in my interactions with this person, I apologize. I've already apologized at least 2 or 3 times publicly and in PMs with no response. To me, it's clear that one of us doesn't want a respectful dialogue.

It's not me.

[_A Light in the Darkness]

Wade, Lord help me I tried. I responded politely and was met with ridicule and insult. I called him on his poor behavior and was labeled a hypocrite.

You criticized me for saying I thought someone wasn't being honest or was just plain incompetent. You made much of that fact that it is very wrong to even hint at someone having less than full integrity. Then, literally not even a day later, you referred to religion as a b***s*** money-making scheme. I called you a hypocrite.

[_Runtu]

Wade, Lord help me I tried. I responded politely and was met with ridicule and insult. I called him on his poor behavior and was labeled a hypocrite.

You criticized me for saying I thought someone wasn't being honest or was just plain incompetent. You made much of that fact that it is very wrong to even hint at someone having less than full integrity. Then, literally not even a day later, you referred to religion as a b***s*** money-making scheme. I called you a hypocrite.

I apologized for that mutiple times. I do not and never have considered religion to be a b***s*** money-making scheme (with some exceptions which we would probably agree on).

But the insults continue unimpeded from you. That's why I don't consider you to be interested in honest dialogue.

[_A Light in the Darkness]

beginning with his very first post.

My prediction was accurate. If I am to be faulted, it is for saying it outloud.

[_Runtu]

beginning with his very first post.

My prediction was accurate. If I am to be faulted, it is for saying it outloud.

Yes, generally, expressions of contempt for your fellowbeings are to be faulted when said "outloud" (sic).

One of the things I used to teach my BYU students was that often how you say something is at least as important as what you say. You find it humorous that people focused on your "aggressive" posting style. Frankly, your insults have been more noticeable than your arguments, so it's not surprising. And yet you fault people for responding to your insults.

[_A Light in the Darkness]

Yes, because the title "prophet, seer and revelator" is a way of denoting humility.

It is no more arrogant than the president of the United States referring to himself as the commander and chief of the United States armed forces.

Asshat.

...

Just thought I'd quote it. I'm called a "arrogant prick," a "fundie," a "dishonest little s***," a "enormous, ugly hypocrite, "mindnumbingly stupid," a "slackwit," "dumbass, "jackass," and much more. In the span of a few days no less. Yet, when I merely point out that people are attacking me, I'm accused of having a fantasy persecution complex. Fascinating. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not...

[_Runtu]

Just thought I'd quote it. I'm called a "arrogant prick," a "fundie," a "dishonest little s***," a "enormous, ugly hypocrite, "mindnumbingly stupid," a "slackwit," "dumbass, "jackass," and much more. In the span of a few days no less. Yet, when I merely point out that people are attacking me, I'm accused of having a fantasy persecution complex. Fascinating. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not...

For what it's worth, I've never said you had a "fantasy persecution complex." I've consistently said that when you come in a place like this and begin insulting people right off the bat, you're probably going to get some back. And, not surprisingly, you have.

[_Yoda]

Just thought I'd quote it. I'm called a "arrogant prick," a "fundie," a "dishonest little s***," a "enormous, ugly hypocrite, "mindnumbingly stupid," a "slackwit," "dumbass, "jackass," and much more. In the span of a few days no less. Yet, when I merely point out that people are attacking me, I'm accused of having a fantasy persecution complex. Fascinating. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not...

For what it's worth, I agree that this type of attack is inappropriate. I don't condone it on either side of the aisle.

You did, however, come to this forum with a chip on your shoulder. You made it clear in your early posts that you had preconceived notions about the attitudes of posters here. You made blanket statements about how people thought about issues, and then seemed surprised when they countered your generalizations.

You also ignored my suggestion to take a look at the "Composition of the Board" thread in the Celestial Forum to gain a broader feel for the posters on the board.

I think you will find that if you take things out of "defense mode" and quit addressing every difference with an "everyone is out to get me" type of attitude, you will have a different reception.

I, for one, am perfectly willing to engage in cordial conversation with you, and if we "agree to disagree" on some issues, then so be it.

;)

[_Runtu]

For what it's worth, I agree that this type of attack is inappropriate. I don't condone it on either side of the aisle.

You did, however, come to this forum with a chip on your shoulder. You made it clear in your early posts that you had preconceived notions about the attitudes of posters here. You made blanket statements about how people thought about issues, and then seemed surprised when they countered your generalizations.

You also ignored my suggestion to take a look at the "Composition of the Board" thread in the Celestial Forum to gain a broader feel for the posters on the board.

I think you will find that if you take things out of "defense mode" and quit addressing every difference with an "everyone is out to get me" type of attitude, you will have a different reception.

I, for one, am perfectly willing to engage in cordial conversation with you, and if we "agree to disagree" on some issues, then so be it.

;)

What the smart lady said. :-)

I'm willing to engage in cordial conversation as well.