why me wrote:Zoidberg wrote: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?
Having been just banned from MAD, I can testify that they don't welcome very many viewpoints there.
But that's beyond the point. I don't think that Mormonism, or any religion/belief necessarily requires sticking your head in the sand. If it is so, then my head is in the sand because I believe in God.
The OP was specifically talking about people who cannot constructively approach and change illogical conclusions. The Church is definitely not encouraging independent research and conclusions; only faithful, sanitized history is presented in its current official publications and you can't get a TR if you don't stay away from "apostate groups". So, IMHO, the official Church guideline is to keep your head in the sand and shun information from non-Church-approved sources.
Of course, there are exmos who are the way you described. However, I think you should have noticed by now that Mormons who have doubts/questions are often considered less faithful by the unquestioningly obedient group, and that the realm of matters the Church has been trying to influence has expanded far beyond its membership.
I kept my head in the sand for a while because some evidence was so obvious I had to totally ignore it. Having been an ancient Egypt buff in elementary school, I couldn't help but realize that the Book of Abraham facsimiles represent anything but what Joseph Smith claimed the first time I saw them. I simply shut off all the logical explanations and didn't think about it.
Trying to explain it backwards like FARMS is doing was beyond my ability. I'm not capable of that kind of faith. I believe most people would rather not face the facts. You can only handle so much cog dis.