DiscussMormonism.com

I have posted this on several other boards, but I wanted to give those here to whom it may apply, a chance to respond as well:

The choices we humans make typically amount to an informal cost/benefit analysis, where we each weigh the cost against the benefits of known options, and choose the option that we believe will give us the most benefit.

I believe this applies even to choices made in regards to anti-Mormonism of all sorts, including what often occurs here at MD.

Would those who are interested, and to whom it applies, be so kind as to briefly, though thoughtfully, let me know what PERSONAL costs (if any) or PERSONAL benefits you get from griping about and deriding the LDS Church here?

I promise to read all of the responses, though I may not respond to all of them.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

It stimulates me intellectually and makes me feel good.

wenglund wrote:I have posted this on several other boards, but I wanted to give those here to whom it may apply, a chance to respond as well:

The choices we humans make typically amount to an informal cost/benefit analysis, where we each weigh the cost against the benefits of known options, and choose the option that we believe will give us the most benefit.

I believe this applies even to choices made in regards to anti-Mormonism of all sorts, including what often occurs here at MD.

Would those who are interested, and to whom it applies, be so kind as to briefly, though thoughtfully, let me know what PERSONAL costs (if any) or PERSONAL benefits you get from griping about and deriding the LDS Church here?

I promise to read all of the responses, though I may not respond to all of them.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Better to gripe here than to gripe at home. Saves money on divorce lawyers.

I figure I spent two years of my life preaching Mormonism, so now I get two years to rail against it. ;) I don't consider myself anti-mormon so this thread probably doesn't apply to me.

I don't think I necessarily gripe and deride, but I'm sure what I have to say could be interpreted that way by someone, so here goes:

Benefits: I get feedback on my own perceptions of things which helps me correct or strengthen those perceptions. I also learn quite a bit from other's responses, sometimes sparking new interests or adding information about topics I'm already interested in.

Costs: Since I think I always gain something from participating, I don't think its all that much of a time waster---which is probably the worst that could be said about it.

Blixa wrote:I don't think I necessarily gripe and deride, but I'm sure what I have to say could be interpreted that way by someone, so here goes:

I don't think you do much griping and deriding (and frankly, most of the people here don't either).

Hmmm. Wade, you haven't answered your question: What benefits and costs are there for you to gripe and deride the critics? ;)

Benefits: I'm entertained by what people have to say, whether for or against the church. It's a voyeuristic sort of thing for me, like people watching at the beach or an airport.

Costs: A small portion of my ISP expense, plus electricity.

I don't view myself as griping and deriding the LDS church. I critique certain LDS truth claims, and deride MAD internet apologists. That is quite different than griping about or deriding the LDS church, although I understand that some believers have so conflated issues in their minds they can't tell the difference.

The benefits of posting on a board such as this is largely the entertainment equivalent of water-cooler talk. Every now and then a more serious conversation evolves, but by and large, it's just the same sort of diversion that people engage in when they talk about any other shared interest.

The more serious engagements I have made (for example, my essays on the Book of Mormon in Mesoamerica) were for the purpose of fulfilling my social obligation of sharing information with people who are seeking out information, for whatever reason they may have. The cost was in time, but I viewed it as a worthy expenditure.

The cost of posting here is occasional minor irritation. I experience far more irritation from watching the news. This is a minor diversion that does not interfere in any way with my real life goals, obligations, or relationships.

Too bad rcrocket is no longer around, and your question isn't phrased for believers, too. I often wondered what his cost/benefit was in posting here, since he mainly critiqued posters' spelling and grammar.

wenglund wrote:I have posted this on several other boards, but I wanted to give those here to whom it may apply, a chance to respond as well:

The choices we humans make typically amount to an informal cost/benefit analysis, where we each weigh the cost against the benefits of known options, and choose the option that we believe will give us the most benefit.

I believe this applies even to choices made in regards to anti-Mormonism of all sorts, including what often occurs here at MD.

Would those who are interested, and to whom it applies, be so kind as to briefly, though thoughtfully, let me know what PERSONAL costs (if any) or PERSONAL benefits you get from griping about and deriding the LDS Church here?

I promise to read all of the responses, though I may not respond to all of them.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

The money comes in phases. Once I started questioning, I stopped paying tithing. That increased my disposable income. Then I realized that church leaders had no direct line of ocmmunication with God, and they are no more qualified to give me advice than anyone else. So I started actually learning from subject matter experts rather than prophets, and taking that knowledge to make more informed decisions. This has had a tremendous impact on my life, not only financially, but in every other way.

Also, I don't think so called "anti-mormonism" leads to vast riches. I can't think of any "anti-mormon" who got rich off of it. Compare the Tanners in their humble little store with modest attire, to The Brethren in their great and spacious buildings and costly apparel.

wenglund wrote:The choices we humans make typically amount to an informal cost/benefit analysis, where we each weigh the cost against the benefits of known options, and choose the option that we believe will give us the most benefit.
.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

While sometimes this may be the method used to make decisions, more often than not we do what we want to do, regardless of perceived cost/benefit. We typically make emotional decisions and look for logic (cost/benefit) to justify them.