My first encounter with the people who are just MAD
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 5:16 am
After reading here for a while, I thought it would be interesting to see what was actually being said over on the MA&D board.
I logged on there, got a login name (ozemc), and, after reading some topics, decided to get involved in one called "The Biblical God as Literal Father" in the LDS Dialogue & Discussion group.
Well, things started out rather calmly with me talking about what I have talked about here, about stars and the universe, and all that.
The topic soon devolved to a debate between me and a poster called Maklelan.
In that series of debates, the topic changed to where it was about motivations about beliefs and who God really is.
In a nutshell, I proposed the idea that all religious belief had a root in feelings and emotions; There is no actual, physical evidence to bring to the table regarding the existence of God. Maklelan did not agree with me, and, at one point, resorted to ad hominem attacks.
Somewhere during the discussion about what motivates believers, I brought up the fact that people in the People's temple (Jim Jones), Branch Davidians (David Koresh), and the Heaven's Gate cult all believed that what they were doing was "God's will", and that those experiences were just as valid for those experiencing them as someone in the Mormon church who feels led, say, that "God" wants him to tithe.
What I found interesting is that Maklelan at one point just blew me off, not wanting to debate anymore, since, in my opinion, I was using too much logic and reason to debate with. Just couldn't go against that ingrained theology. He (or she) could not hold up their views against what I thought were very reasoned and well-thought out ideas.
Finally, one of the senior admins, who goes by the name of Chaos, replied to my post by stating:
"Once you resort to comparisons to criminals the other side wins the debate. Thread closed."
I had to laugh. Once you start showing how close the parallels are to other cults, the debate stops. It's the equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying " Nyah, Nyah, Nyah, I can't hear you!"
If you would like to read the thread, it is here:
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/index. ... opic=16812
I guess my only comment would be: if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
I logged on there, got a login name (ozemc), and, after reading some topics, decided to get involved in one called "The Biblical God as Literal Father" in the LDS Dialogue & Discussion group.
Well, things started out rather calmly with me talking about what I have talked about here, about stars and the universe, and all that.
The topic soon devolved to a debate between me and a poster called Maklelan.
In that series of debates, the topic changed to where it was about motivations about beliefs and who God really is.
In a nutshell, I proposed the idea that all religious belief had a root in feelings and emotions; There is no actual, physical evidence to bring to the table regarding the existence of God. Maklelan did not agree with me, and, at one point, resorted to ad hominem attacks.
Somewhere during the discussion about what motivates believers, I brought up the fact that people in the People's temple (Jim Jones), Branch Davidians (David Koresh), and the Heaven's Gate cult all believed that what they were doing was "God's will", and that those experiences were just as valid for those experiencing them as someone in the Mormon church who feels led, say, that "God" wants him to tithe.
What I found interesting is that Maklelan at one point just blew me off, not wanting to debate anymore, since, in my opinion, I was using too much logic and reason to debate with. Just couldn't go against that ingrained theology. He (or she) could not hold up their views against what I thought were very reasoned and well-thought out ideas.
Finally, one of the senior admins, who goes by the name of Chaos, replied to my post by stating:
"Once you resort to comparisons to criminals the other side wins the debate. Thread closed."
I had to laugh. Once you start showing how close the parallels are to other cults, the debate stops. It's the equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying " Nyah, Nyah, Nyah, I can't hear you!"
If you would like to read the thread, it is here:
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/index. ... opic=16812
I guess my only comment would be: if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.