The need to insult the worthless

[_Mercury]

I honestly feel those who adamantly support the LDS church deserve ridicule if they cannot constructively approach and change illogical conclusions. Its obvious joseph was a confidence man and that the Book of Mormon is a fantasy. For those who still hold to this, what else but ridicule do they truly deserve? Especially ones that are determined to hurl what they feel is valid spiritual condemnation instead of statements of understanding.

let the "merc is a hypocrite" statements fly!

[_Dr. Shades]

I think your scenario applies more to the wannabe-mopologists than to the everyday Chapel Mormons.

This is because even the neophyte Internet Mormons allow themselves to be exposed to the "meat," yet twist and contort in order to remain believers, whereas most Chapel Mormons simply A) aren't aware of the facts or B) have been conditioned by their leaders to automatically reject anything that isn't church-approved.

So the ridicule you describe would (should?) apply to Internet Mormons, but perhaps not so much (if at all) to Chapel Mormons.

[_The Nehor]

I honestly feel those who adamantly support the LDS church deserve ridicule if they cannot constructively approach and change illogical conclusions. Its obvious joseph was a confidence man and that the Book of Mormon is a fantasy. For those who still hold to this, what else but ridicule do they truly deserve? Especially ones that are determined to hurl what they feel is valid spiritual condemnation instead of statements of understanding.

let the "merc is a hypocrite" statements fly!

I feel that sad ex-Mormons who hate their previous religion but yet can't get it out of their life and get their fix by insulting those who still belong to it also deserve ridicule. Still have Mommy issues with the Church Merc?

[_Jersey Girl]

I honestly feel those who adamantly support the LDS church deserve ridicule if they cannot constructively approach and change illogical conclusions. Its obvious joseph was a confidence man and that the Book of Mormon is a fantasy. For those who still hold to this, what else but ridicule do they truly deserve? Especially ones that are determined to hurl what they feel is valid spiritual condemnation instead of statements of understanding.

let the "merc is a hypocrite" statements fly!

If I read the above statements as you mean them to be read, I don't see hypocrisy in them. I think it could be that you saw a heavy handed dose of insults and decided it wasn't the best form of getting one's point across and be taken seriously. I could be wrong about that.

[_karl61]

They need gentle persusasion, long suffering, gentleness, meekness and kindness. They should get that here and we should get that at MA&D, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! they won't treat us like that ;)

[_why me]

Worthless: being not of worth. Having no good qualities or skills. Having no value or use. Thank you Mercury for the comment.

[_Scottie]

I completely disagree, Merc.

Just because 2 people have viewed the evidences and come away with different understandings doesn't necessarily mean they are stupid. It just means thaither t eit doesn't hold as much weight to them as it does to you or they have a different understanding of it. People do it all the time. Lets check out some global warming threads, or abortion, or the war in Iraq, or whatever controversial issue you want to raise. Should we just call everyone that doesn't interpret the evidence the same way you do idiots and ridicule them?

And, as a former chapel Mormon, I can say that I never even knew there were problems that existed outside of polygamy and the race ban. And, the absolute fear of going near anti-Mormon literature was so deeply ingrained, that I don't blame myself for not finding out sooner. Just as I don't blame the chapel Mormons who don't look.

[_Zoidberg]

I have to admit that I'm pretty annoyed with the way most TBMs prefer to stick their head deep in the sand. But it's their right, of course. I don't blame them for that. It only becomes problematic when they think of anyone who prefers to keep his/her head out of the sand as a second-class citizen, or when they try to impose their "head in the sand" way of life on others, like with the marriage amendment initiative.

Otherwise, it's a legitimate way of life and I wouldn't forcibly dig anyone's head out of the sand if that's where they want to keep it.

[_why me]

I have to admit that I'm pretty annoyed with the way most TBMs prefer to stick their head deep in the sand. But it's their right, of course. I don't blame them for that. It only becomes problematic when they think of anyone who prefers to keep his/her head out of the sand as a second-class citizen, or when they try to impose their "head in the sand" way of life on others, like with the marriage amendment initiative.

Otherwise, it's a legitimate way of life and I wouldn't forcibly dig anyone's head out of the sand if that's where they want to keep it.

Actually I think that the opposite is true. I have found that exmos can be very arrogant and superior in attitude when it comes to Mormonism. Those who stay in the church according to many exmos are idiots, simpletons, brainwashed and looney. And as you said, they have their head in the sand.

And yet, on TBM boards, there is a wide discussion occuring about the church from many viewpoints. And on exmo boards: hardly any discussion, just 'recovery'. And so who has their head in the sand?

[_The Nehor]

I have to admit that I'm pretty annoyed with the way most TBMs prefer to stick their head deep in the sand. But it's their right, of course. I don't blame them for that. It only becomes problematic when they think of anyone who prefers to keep his/her head out of the sand as a second-class citizen, or when they try to impose their "head in the sand" way of life on others, like with the marriage amendment initiative.

Otherwise, it's a legitimate way of life and I wouldn't forcibly dig anyone's head out of the sand if that's where they want to keep it.

Actually I think that the opposite is true. I have found that exmos can be very arrogant and superior in attitude when it comes to Mormonism. Those who stay in the church according to many exmos are idiots, simpletons, brainwashed and looney. And as you said, they have their head in the sand.

And yet, on TBM boards, there is a wide discussion occuring about the church from many viewpoints. And on exmo boards: hardly any discussion, just 'recovery'. And so who has their head in the sand?

Seconded, I see more diversity and range of thought within the Church than I find among those who leave it.