DiscussMormonism.com

Something Ray said stuck with me. He said that I posted here to demean and destroy my former faith. I have to admit to being taken aback by this statement. Maybe I have been too negative. Who knows? But I know what my reasons are for posting here: it's been healthy for me to reexamine the principles by which I've lived my life but this time without looking through a religious prism. I think on the whole I've been pretty charitable (to steal Wade's word) toward the church. I recognize the good it has done in my life, and I recognize the ways it has hindered my progress as a human being. But I have no desire to destroy or demean; I leave that to Porter and Merc. ;-)

So, why do you post here? I'm curious.

I guess for me it's to have the kind of intellectual discussion that I cannot have at home with my TBM spouse.

I'm not trying change anyone's mind about Mormonism. My reason for posting is to increase my own perspective through exchange with other people--especially through contact with less aggressively defensive believing Mormons than are often found on Mormon BBS's.

I think others may benefit from this, too. I hope they do so that the exchange can be one that is productive for all.

Up until a few years ago, I spent my life carefully shielding my worldview from criticism. After "too much thinking", as my wife calls it, finally forced me to abandon those beliefs, I decided that my new worldview, if it was worth having, would have to be able to withstand opposing arguments.

So, it's partly because I want to take my current ideas out where they can be corrected, if they're wrong, and partly because of the golden rule. I wish I'd had more complete information about Mormonism earlier in my life, so I think everyone should have access to the best arguments for and against the church.

Why do I post here, as opposed to MAD or RfM?

Well, I got fed up with the extreme bias on MAD. That and the fact that you couldn't express an opinion without have a CFR issued.

RfM is just too biased the other way. It serves it's purpose, but I'm beyond that hurt stage.

Why do I post on Mormon message boards at all?

Well, I feel a sense of community here. I feel like I know you, to some extent.

I also like to debate. Which is different than argue.

ozemc wrote:I guess for me it's to have the kind of intellectual discussion that I cannot have at home with my TBM spouse.

Same for me. In addition, many of the discussions here simply can't be had at Church without being branded a heretic.

I'm lonely and have been banging my head against my perfect plaster walls for a few years and needed an outlet.


:)




There's also a step-son of mine that is LDS.

Rollo Tomasi wrote:In addition, many of the discussions here simply can't be had at Church without being branded a heretic.

I'm curious, but do you think you'd be branded a heretic if you had a discussion in church about whether Dr. Peterson engaged in gossiping about Quinn? ;-)

Runtu wrote:So, why do you post here?

I do it for the chicks...



... that and it often helps me refine my own views/thoughts/beliefs to hear the views/thoughts/beliefs of others. I'm always looking to grow in any way (however minimal) that I can...



...and for the chicks.

Doctor Steuss wrote:

Runtu wrote:So, why do you post here?

I do it for the chicks...



... that and it often helps me refine my own views/thoughts/beliefs to hear the views/thoughts/beliefs of others. I'm always looking to grow in any way (however minimal) that I can...



...and for the chicks.

Well, that goes for me too, minus the chicks (my wife would not be too happy). That's why I'm puzzled that some people see only two opposing sides: good and evil.