Standing up together to Make a Change within Mormonism.

[_Daniel Peterson]

What thought process or emotional need lead you to be a believer?

I believe the claims of Mormonism to be true. (I also find them satisfying, but that is secondary.)

I've published scores if not hundreds of pages on my reasoning, and have much, much more in the works.

I can't do it justice in a message board post, and won't try.

Best wishes,

-dcp

[_Buffalo]

Utah leads the nation in rates of depression

This is a complex issue.

Don't jump to conclusions.

http://en.fairmormon.org/Utah/Statistic ... epressants

Do you have a more credible source to offer? That one didn't address the issue we're discussing, but rather focused on past accusations that have nothing to do with the high numbers of depressed Utahans, and made a weak pass at a correlation vs causation defense.

Even if Mormonism doesn't CAUSE depression, surely the statistics published in Deseret news refute your assertion that "we're a cheerful, optimistic, and positive bunch, on the whole. Very much so, in fact." Regardless of the causes, Mormons are depressed in greater numbers than the gentiles.

[_Quasimodo]

What thought process or emotional need lead you to be a believer?

I believe the claims of Mormonism to be true. (I also find them satisfying, but that is secondary.)

I've published scores if not hundreds of pages on my reasoning, and have much, much more in the works.

I can't do it justice in a message board post, and won't try.

Best wishes,

-DCP

I'm aware that you do publish. I'll try to hunt those pages down. Any links would be appreciated.

Why people choose to be Mormons is a question that has always puzzled me.

I understand why those that are brought up to believe, do. "Thinking" people that decide to join have me a little baffled.

[_Daniel Peterson]

Do you have a more credible source to offer?

There are other discussions. If I had the time right now -- I don't -- I would locate a few of them for you.

But your demand for a "more credible source" is a bit amusing, since you seem to imagine that a journalist's newspaper report is the final word on this question.

That one didn't address the issue we're discussing, but rather focused on past accusations that have nothing to do with the high numbers of depressed Utahans, and made a weak pass at a correlation vs causation defense.

I think it actually addressed the issue reasonably well.

Your article, by contrast, said nothing about Mormons at all. Do you seriously think that it's Mormonism that causes the alleged high rate of depression in Utah? On the basis of what do you believe that? Is it Mormonism that is also responsible for the alleged high rates of depression in the other high-ranking states of Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming? Do you think that their geographical proximity is purely coincidental?

This is a complex issue, and your newspaper article doesn't really address it.

Even if Mormonism doesn't CAUSE depression, surely the statistics published in Deseret news refute your assertion that "we're a cheerful, optimistic, and positive bunch, on the whole. Very much so, in fact."

I stand by that. Believing Latter-day Saints are a cheerful, optimistic, and positive bunch, strikingly unburdened with angst and gloom.

Regardless of the causes, Mormons are depressed in greater numbers than the gentiles.

Did you actually read the article to which I provided a link? Did you read the section entitled "Are Mormons more depressed than non-Mormons?"

[_Daniel Peterson]

I'm aware that you do publish. I'll try to hunt those pages down. Any links would be appreciated.

Why people choose to be Mormons is a question that has always puzzled me.

I understand why those that are brought up to believe, do. "Thinking" people that decide to join have me a little baffled.

A lot of my relevant stuff is here:

http://maxwellinstitute.BYU.edu/

See also

http://mormonscholarstestify.org/

[_Called2Swerve]

I want to go on the public record as strongly opposing any church or movement of any kind in which the dominant -- or even prominent -- emotions are fear, shame, and guilt, and which is based upon indoctrination.

Mr Peterson, not sure if you have seen any of these "I am an ex-Mormon" videos but a recent one included some very public comments by the TBM parents of a person who used to be Mormon.

I think that you will find that these comments toward their son included very disparaging comments that included fear, shame and guilt which I feel are very much a learned defense against what they believe to be true.

Let us hope that these comments are not typical and that most people would simply do the Christ-like thing and love and respect even those who choose to live a life outside of Mormonism.

http://www.iamanexmormon.com/2011/01/my-name-is-shane-jackman-and-im-an-ex-mormon/

[_Buffalo]

Do you have a more credible source to offer?

There are other discussions. If I had the time right now -- I don't -- I would locate a few of them for you.

But your demand for a "more credible source" is a bit amusing, since you seem to imagine that a journalist's newspaper report is the final word on this question.

That one didn't address the issue we're discussing, but rather focused on past accusations that have nothing to do with the high numbers of depressed Utahans, and made a weak pass at a correlation vs causation defense.

I think it actually addressed the issue reasonably well.

Your article, by contrast, said nothing about Mormons at all. Do you seriously think that it's Mormonism that causes the alleged high rate of depression in Utah? On the basis of what do you believe that? Is it Mormonism that is also responsible for the alleged high rates of depression in the other high-ranking states of Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming? Do you think that their geographical proximity is purely coincidental?

This is a complex issue, and your newspaper article doesn't really address it.

Even if Mormonism doesn't CAUSE depression, surely the statistics published in Deseret news refute your assertion that "we're a cheerful, optimistic, and positive bunch, on the whole. Very much so, in fact."

I stand by that. Believing Latter-day Saints are a cheerful, optimistic, and positive bunch, strikingly unburdened with angst and gloom.

Regardless of the causes, Mormons are depressed in greater numbers than the gentiles.

Did you actually read the article to which I provided a link? Did you read the section entitled "Are Mormons more depressed than non-Mormons?"

Sorry, a website specifically aimed at defending a single organization is too partisan to be considered a credible source of information. By way of comparison, using FAIR as a source would be like asking Rush Limbaugh about conservatism or Keith Olbermann about liberalism.

Mormons make up also a relatively high proportion of the citizenry of Idaho and the western states in general. East of the mountains Mormons are relatively rare birds.

You may believe what you wish, but the fact remains that where you find Mormonism, you find depression.

From the article:

"Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey are the healthiest states in terms of depression and suicide."

States with relatively few Mormons per capita.

You yourself may be free from depression, but Mormons in general cannot honestly said to be a "a cheerful, optimistic, and positive bunch, strikingly unburdened with angst and gloom." Not compared to the rest of the nation.

[_Quasimodo]

I'm aware that you do publish. I'll try to hunt those pages down. Any links would be appreciated.

Why people choose to be Mormons is a question that has always puzzled me.

I understand why those that are brought up to believe, do. "Thinking" people that decide to join have me a little baffled.

A lot of my relevant stuff is here:

http://maxwellinstitute.BYU.edu/

See also

http://mormonscholarstestify.org/

Thanks so much!

I did find you on http://mormonscholarstestify.org/ with a little finagling (that link in your signature line is inactive in my board page... you might want to check it).

I'll have a look at the other.

Thanks again.

[_Mortal Man]

What are your opinions on this?

I'd lose respect for a prophet who polled ex-members to figure out his policies. I think it would be more interesting for the church to move in the opposite direction. If the SCMC were more like the Spanish Inquisition then heretics could really test their mettle and see who's worth his salt. I nominate Dan for Grand Inquisitor.

[_Daniel Peterson]

If I were 0.00001% as ruthless as some seek to portray me, I would make a great Grand Inquisitor.

Alas, though, I yam what I yam.

I did find you on http://mormonscholarstestify.org/ with a little finagling (that link in your signature line is inactive in my board page... you might want to check it).

Thanks. Don't know why it was inactive.

I think I've fixed it.