I am a member of FreeRepublic who left Mormonism. I am now saved by Jesus Christ. I tell my story as often as anyone will let me.
Mormons try to silence me. Thank you Mr. Robinson for letting me have a voice.
As one of those “anti’s” on this list, lets review what greg west of SPAM was trying to accomplish.
1) He was pimping his blog site for ‘fresh meat’ to throw into his ‘fair’ debates.
The commentary on his blog site would wilt most plants in what could be called hate speech directed towards Christians.
2) He was deliberately trolling and insulting Freepers, then running to his little blog to pound his chest.
3) Finally, he openly admitted he left FR before because it would not bend over backwards for Mitt, so he came in with a chip on his shoulder to begin with.
The Religion Moderators do a good job at not letting things get out of hand. Readers will see that on these threads - started by mormon and non-mormon alike - a volume of documented materials - not just unsubstantiated claims. Mormons challenge my doctrine and I don’t go whinning off and start a blog, but defend those beliefs. If they can’t handle that they should read other threads.
Do you have access to that post where some freeper threatened JR with a lawsuit? I can’t even remember the name of the guy who did it.
Elsie, ColorCountry, You two are two of the three persistent, strongest “anti-Mormon” voices on FR, but you know of what you speak (or at least are very convincing), and you persistently and soundly support what you say, and criticize Mormonism in an intellectual and experiential that is heart-felt yet rational, and entirely appropriate in a forum which seeks healthy, informed, enlightening debate.
Restornu, you have an admiraable passion. I confess that on occasion I’ve let people get my blood hot, myself. I have to tell you this though:
My initial attitude towards Mormonism when I started Freeping was generally positive. If asked my impression of Mormons, I’d probably would have said, “eccentric, but they seem like good people. I don’t like their theology, but they seem to do very well with impressing strong, good values on people.”
When pinged to check out who was on the anti-Mormon, I wasn’t sure I wasn’t on it, though. In any controversy, I always seem to end up on the other side, except once in a while when Catholicism seems to get struck in the crossfire. I have to say that in both style and substance, Elsie cleans you clock, over and over and over.
I walk away from some of the debates having to remind myself “No, Mormons are good, decent people.” And it’s not because Elsie or cc have slandered you or Mormonism. It;s because you either do a lousy job of defending Mormonism, or get pulled into arguments you can’t win. And I’m writing you not because you’re the worst, but you’re the most prolific, or at least the most memorable.
Some tips:
1. It seems that the early Mormon “prophets” and presidents said a lot of things which comes off sounding pretty dumb. Let it slide. You continually and other Mormons deny or questionably “contextualize” the statements, only to elicit ten times more and even better quotes. I know that a sense of reverence can make you desire to defend them, but you only provoke a far more devestating response. Let the decency of Mormonism be their defense.
2. Understand that Mormonism is going to come off kooky. Mormonism’s best sales pitch is “try it, you’ll like it.” If your faith in the peculiar tenets of the Mormon faith are based on the Holy Spirit working in your heart, then try to recognize where the arguments seem illogical. Joseph Smith comes of like a con man to a lot of people because, frankly, he comes off like a con man. Some FR Mormons use the assertion that the Holy Spirit opens the mind as if it were reasonable within an argument, however. That just comes off as someone being incompetent to win an argument resorting to an appeal of “I understand it because I’m holier than thou.” It does not go over well, and it’s arguing the point of “try it, you’ll like it,” but missing the point at the same time.
3. Don’t make opponents needlessly. Tennessee Nana, ColorCountry and Elsie probably have very strong disagreements with my faith, Catholicism. I say this because I get the vibe that they’re fundamentalist protestants. But I couldn’t swear that they aren’t Catholic. Like I said, sometimes Catholicism gets hit in the crossfire, but not from them. Yet you routinely make arguments which are patently offensive to Catholicism. Hey, I know I make statements which are very counter-Mormon, my point isn’t to accuse you of anti-Catholicism. And I don’t mind sparring with you. But you’ve got something far more counter-productive going on. You offend Catholicism without even trying. And I’m sure you do it to loads of other beliefs. You’re like the guy in the food fights who misses his target and hits a table full of curiously pie-hungry non-combatants. You seek no common ground.
I am a member of FreeRepublic who left Mormonism. I am now saved by Jesus Christ. I tell my story as often as anyone will let me.
Mormons try to silence me. Thank you Mr. Robinson for letting me have a voice