Thread At MA&D About Doubting Members and Fair/MA&D

[_beastie]

Any doubter who would be satisfied with remaining in the LDS forum would be equally satisfied with the initial answers believers offer. They're not the problem (problem for the MADdites)

The real problem is when doubters aren't satisfied with the answers apologists give. THAT is when they're viewed as a problem, and people who aren't going to be satisfied with the answers given, nod their heads obediently and say "yes", are still going to go on the main forum to find more information. It's not going to solve anything. The problem for the MADdites is insoluble - because so many of the answers given by apologists are only satisfying to those who are determined to keep believing, no matter WHAT.

[_The Dude]

It's interesting to watch the troll supsicion kick into action with such regularity. Can you imagine being thrown into a room with these people?

What happens, I wonder, when a new person with questions shows up at the other board (ldsforums)?
A lot of the same apologists are there, so does the same thing happen? Or maybe the aura of churchiness keeps everyone in line.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

It's interesting to watch the troll supsicion kick into action with such regularity. Can you imagine being thrown into a room with these people?

What happens, I wonder, when a new person with questions shows up at the other board (ldsforums)?
A lot of the same apologists are there, so does the same thing happen? Or maybe the aura of churchiness keeps everyone in line.

I've seen a lot of trolls on MAD. I've seen some sincere (albeit brash or rude) new posters be ridiculed in unfortunate ways. I've even done some ridiculing. I try to accept new posters at face value, though.

[_harmony]

It's interesting to watch the troll supsicion kick into action with such regularity. Can you imagine being thrown into a room with these people?

What happens, I wonder, when a new person with questions shows up at the other board (ldsforums)?
A lot of the same apologists are there, so does the same thing happen? Or maybe the aura of churchiness keeps everyone in line.

I've seen a lot of trolls on MAD. I've seen some sincere (albeit brash or rude) new posters be ridiculed in unfortunate ways. I've even done some ridiculing. I try to accept new posters at face value, though.

Any true believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ would be extra thankful for trolls. Trolls give the believers an opportunity not often found in real life to actually turn the other cheek and to outwardly show that they live the gospel they profess to serve. It's not just lip service then. Trolls bring out the need for the real deal. The way posters treat the trolls is the dividing line between those who are true believers and those who merely put on the mask of the true believers. And we all know who wears the masks on MAD.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

It's interesting to watch the troll supsicion kick into action with such regularity. Can you imagine being thrown into a room with these people?

What happens, I wonder, when a new person with questions shows up at the other board (ldsforums)?
A lot of the same apologists are there, so does the same thing happen? Or maybe the aura of churchiness keeps everyone in line.

I've seen a lot of trolls on MAD. I've seen some sincere (albeit brash or rude) new posters be ridiculed in unfortunate ways. I've even done some ridiculing. I try to accept new posters at face value, though.

Any true believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ would be extra thankful for trolls. Trolls give the believers an opportunity not often found in real life to actually turn the other cheek and to outwardly show that they live the gospel they profess to serve. It's not just lip service then. Trolls bring out the need for the real deal. The way posters treat the trolls is the dividing line between those who are true believers and those who merely put on the mask of the true believers. And we all know who wears the masks on MAD.

To an extent. I'm far from casting anyone off just yet. The wheat and the tares resemble each other too much until the final harvest is here. Until then, I ought to worry about myself.

[_Scottie]

I'm astonished at just how fragile the ego's of the apologists at MAD. I mean, honestly, if a troll posts, and they answer the questions honestly and politely, and they get burned, what are they out?? A little embarrassment for being taken?? So freaking what? Wouldn't it be better to be made a fool of a hundred times for the 1 true questioning poster that you help? But their ego's can't handle that they might be duped. So they jump to the troll card at the first insignificant sign that the poster just MIGHT be one so they won't be made to look the fool.

[_Yoda]

I'm astonished at just how fragile the ego's of the apologists at MAD. I mean, honestly, if a troll posts, and they answer the questions honestly and politely, and they get burned, what are they out?? A little embarrassment for being taken?? So freaking what? Wouldn't it be better to be made a fool of a hundred time for the 1 true questioning poster that you help? But their ego's can't handle that they might be duped. So they jump to the troll card at the first insignificant sign that the poster just MIGHT be one so they won't be made to look the fool.

This is what has always been my beef with FAIR/MAD.

When I was a Mod at FAIR, I tried to address this. It didn't get very far.

I still don't really understand this mentality, either, Scottie.

Maybe Charity can shed some light on this, since she is a new apologist to our board.

If you are an apologist, you are sharing your gift, your intense study and understanding of the gospel with others who are less knowledgeable. If that person is a troll, does that fact diminish your answer to their question in any way?

I don't see how that makes the apologist look foolish, particularly if the apologist is giving a sound argument in response.

[_Runtu]

This is what has always been my beef with FAIR/MAD.

When I was a Mod at FAIR, I tried to address this. It didn't get very far.

I still don't really understand this mentality, either, Scottie.

Maybe Charity can shed some light on this, since she is a new apologist to our board.

If you are an apologist, you are sharing your gift, your intense study and understanding of the gospel with others who are less knowledgeable. If that person is a troll, does that fact diminish your answer to their question in any way?

I don't see how that makes the apologist look foolish, particularly if the apologist is giving a sound argument in response.

Looking back, I think my stint as an apologist was aimed more at reinforcing to myself that I was RIGHT. Maybe I'm projecting, but I see that same motivation in a lot of apologists. When your motivation is being right, sincere doubters present a problem, so most people view them as threats, the enemy, and treat them accordingly.

[_mms]

I'm astonished at just how fragile the ego's of the apologists at MAD. I mean, honestly, if a troll posts, and they answer the questions honestly and politely, and they get burned, what are they out?? A little embarrassment for being taken?? So freaking what? Wouldn't it be better to be made a fool of a hundred time for the 1 true questioning poster that you help? But their ego's can't handle that they might be duped. So they jump to the troll card at the first insignificant sign that the poster just MIGHT be one so they won't be made to look the fool.

This is what has always been my beef with FAIR/MAD.

When I was a Mod at FAIR, I tried to address this. It didn't get very far.

I still don't really understand this mentality, either, Scottie.

Maybe Charity can shed some light on this, since she is a new apologist to our board.

If you are an apologist, you are sharing your gift, your intense study and understanding of the gospel with others who are less knowledgeable. If that person is a troll, does that fact diminish your answer to their question in any way?

I don't see how that makes the apologist look foolish, particularly if the apologist is giving a sound argument in response.

I have asked this question time and again and never received a straight answer (or an answer at all that I can remember). It seems to me that one could either ignore a poster he/she deemed a troll and a waste of time, or answer sincerely and hope it does some good.

[_Dr. Shades]

I'm astonished at just how fragile the ego's of the apologists at MAD. . . But their ego's can't handle that they might be duped.

Scottie, please read this post.