Clearly, few who do know the issues still believe in what they once did.
You are saying there are only a few members of the church left throughout the world who know the issues and yet still believe that the church, more likely than not, is true? That's a stretch, isn't it TD?
No, I'm saying that those who know the stuff no longer believe it as they once did... Paul Osborne is the only one I can think of who knows the stuff and still believes it as the church teaches it.
Most folks who discover the truth expand the box! ;-)
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I believe it is honest, decent, and healthy, to not present a knowingly false story...
TD, you and I both know that the church hasn't presented a false story. They've presented a whitewashed story.
I think it goes far beyond "whitewashing." They present a false story... intentionally! I do not see this as honest.
From Joseph Smith lying about his extra marital relationships, to missionaries telling potential members polygamy was to take care of the many, many extra women in Utah, the church is filled with dishonesty.
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And the whole, "milk before meat" nonsense is an attempt at hiding its condescention! (IMHO)!
What does condescension really have to do with it? Could there be other reasons?
Another reason for what? Oaks is clearly stating the church was not ready for the truth... sounds condescending to me! He didn't think the church members were strong/smart/dedicated/indoctrinated/immersed/whatever enough to handle the truth.
Either that or he just hoped it would all go away.... :-) (Like things tended to do, pre-Internet)!
~dancer~