I Have Questions wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 9:05 am
huckelberry wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 4:15 am
I think Stig's comment is reasonable. With no desire to actually adjudicate the conflict, I do find myself thinking that being faced with a whole cluster of people with hostile comments as MG was can be difficult and unsettling. It is not a situation where calm judgment is easy.
Maybe consider why multiple unrelated posters who have had a long history of trying to engage with MG have all, independently and at different times, all reached the same conclusion - that he’s a bad faith actor. Further, an A.I. analysis of his posting reached exactly the same conclusion.
He’s been a bad faith actor for many, many, many, years. His board reputation is now irrecoverable. Not only that, MG doesn’t even attempt to try to be different. How he behaves is a conscious and deliberate choice. It’s who he wants to be.
The thing that needs to be made clear is that perceptions of people vary dependent on your point of reference. I see things differently because of where I stand relative to where you and some others may stand. We are talking about what I would consider to be eternal truths and verities while at the same time you and others view these same things quite differently. There is only one of me and many here that feel differently towards the LDS Church and the gospel. I don't see where there can't help but be an either conscious or unconscious bias towards whatever I say or do on this board.
Of course, you are going to see it differently and point everything my direction...as you have done.
Notice that there are certain posters that I communicate with and have very little, if any, friction. Why is that? We see each other as people to be respected AT THE OUTSET and be given the benefit of a doubt and also given grace.
The concern that often makes itself known and rather obvious is that I don't agree AT THE OUTSET with various views that are presented here. I make that known. Some folks see that as a personal attack and others, fortunately, don't.
In the case of Stig I truly wanted to learn and understand what his own personal history was. His Mormon Story. Unfortunately because there are just a few here that want to 'make waves' rather than calm the waters, and do that consistently, we have folks like Stig who follow in line with the predetermined narrative:
MG is a jerk.
The thing is, I think this might have been the first interaction I've had with Stig. It was unfortunately influenced by negitive 'vibes' contributed over and over again by just a few posters. Mainly one in particular. One other has now joined the bandwagon. A few others jump on board now and then.
In the meantime we have folks like huckleberry that are observers of the mayhem and wanting to have a reasonable conversation and/or make a comment that actually has substance and merit.
It's kind of frustrating.
Again, there are some real differences in the way a believer and a critic or apostate from the LDS Church are going to view the world and our place in it. That doesn't necessitate or mandate being able to see the 'other' as a reasonable person who is worthy of respect.
Granted, my view of a few people here has become rather jaundiced because of repeated assaults on my character and good name.
It will not surprise me is that continues to be the case. It is what it is.
Another poster that has participated here who goes by 'honorethos' has gone the rounds with me many times and we, generally speaking, have been able to have productive conversations. Same with some others. Why is that?
It's similar in some ways to politics. People vs. policies. I'm a policies guy, not a person guy. I'm looking for people with policies I agree with. I don't prejudge the policy based on the people/groups presenting those policies.
In religious controversies or issues the 'person' and the church/gospel/policies can get intertwined unnecessarily.
That is unfortunate.
I feel bad for lurkers and some other 'regulars' here that have to muddle their way through some threads to actually get at the heart/meaning of what I'm saying in order to see and/or value the 'content' rather than being subjected to a contrived caricature being presented/built by one or two people that present themselves as speaking for all.
Believers in Christ are going to be looked at as being 'hostile' to non believers. In my case, that's not it. I simply have disagreements with some of the 'policies', so to speak, of the non believers and critics. Not the people themselves. Although, again, there have been a very few I have become somewhat frustrated with.
In one or two cases recently I've reached out to invite a particular person to lunch to try and get through that barrier created by differing worldviews and beliefs.
To no avail.
I think that might demonstrate the gulf that may separate the believers from the non believers. I have friends and family that see the world and the church differently than I do but we still see each other as friends and family.
Unfortunately, on a message board like this we can see that it often becomes the person of belief, any person, that becomes the punching bag for those who have a need/desire to lash out at the church or its doctrines.
I've noticed at times when I take a break from this board and pop I to see what some of the threads are about it is more often or not just a bunch of negativity towards the church and its members, specifically its leaders or apologists. More or less an echo chamber where some truth/reason is mixed with fiction and downright filth at times.
I like to 'course correct' things when I can see things are out of kilter, in my view. Some folks REALLY don't like that and come at me with both hands swinging.
Anyway, that's the way I see it. An alternate voice.
Regards
MG
