Comments on: A zealous anti-Mormon explains his motivations

By: John C.

John C. — Sun, 10 May 2009 05:49:21 +0000

Allow me to share a typical Mormon Coffee exchange. I decided to mention that an evangelical participant was not adhering to the rules of the forum in that he was engaging in a lot of name calling. Initially the other commenter’s comments were removed. However, they were quickly returned to the thread. When I asked why, I was informed that Joseph Smith had slandered others and so it was okay for this commenter to do the same. Huzzah!

By: chanson

chanson — Sun, 10 May 2009 05:32:38 +0000

An apologist can be someone who just actively defends something.

The thing is that I don’t defend Mormonism. That’s the funny part. I merely disputed some of the questionable claims in the original post, and I was immediately labeled an apologist.

It’s not out of desire to defend Mormonism that I link to and read your blog. It’s because I read and link to all of the exmo blogs I can find, and I participate in the discussion. I’m a non-believer, but my position is neither wholly pro- nor wholly anti-Mormon. I generally try to keep my discussion positive, but I’m willing to dispute or criticize points that I disagree with.

By: Mark Brown

Mark Brown — Sun, 10 May 2009 02:53:34 +0000

“…without resorting to personal attacks or other counter-productive methods.”

LOL!

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 10 May 2009 02:23:11 +0000

People have had their comments deleted on Mormon Coffee in the past primarily because of personal attacks or going too far off-topic. We have largely given up on high-maintenance moderation of threads now for multiple reasons. You can read the newly trimmed-down comment policy here. There have been and there are currently Mormons writing plenty of things that don't conform to my view of Christianity or Mormonism. There have been some good Mormon comment authors (like Ralph) who have done a good job of consistently promoting his Mormon view without resorting to personal attacks or other counter-productive methods. I suggest that more Mormosn pay attention to his manner of communication.

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:11:49 +0000

I’m afraid Mark Brown has you on that one Aaron.

By: Mark Brown

Mark Brown — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:59:27 +0000

Aaron, part of helping people move on to adulthood from adolescence is helping them become more comfortable with healthy conflict. Since you delete and moderate anything on your blog which doesn’t confirm your worm’s eye view of Mormonism, you obviously aren’t comfortable with healthy conflict. I expect you’ll continue riding that short bus for a long time, or at least until you do some growing up.

Grace and peace, etc.

By: BHodges

BHodges — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:49:30 +0000

Aaron,

I hope you don’t think my picture is offensive, it’s just a little elbow jab.

Grace and peace in Christ, who judges all according to their works (Revelation 20:13),

Blair

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 09 May 2009 22:51:34 +0000

An apologist can be someone who just actively defends something. There are armchair apologists, academic apologists, published apologists, etc…. all are nonetheless apologists.

On a side note, I have met quite a few ex-Mormon atheists who defend Mormonism. I just met one this past Thursday who thought it was mean to criticize religions, including Mormonism.

If you’re taught over and over again that all contestation is an evil form of contention, it’s hard to view apologists or evangelists (who call people to repentance) in a positive light. Part of helping people move on from either the Mormon worldview or postmodernism is helping them become more comfortable with healthy conflict. Christian tolerance doesn’t avoid all conflict, it rather selectively embraces it as a necessary (but unfortunate) part of life.

Grace and peace in Christ, who justifies the ungodly like me by faith apart form works (Romans 4:4-8),

Aaron

By: chanson

chanson — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:07:58 +0000

I canâ€™t take Aaron seriously ever since he (apparently) referred to me as a Mormon apologist. Me, an apologist? Thatâ€™s like using a napkin to defend yourself from lions.

Interestingly, the folks at Mormon Coffee mistook me for a Mormon apologist "in the making" as well (see here). And I'm an atheist! lol

By: John C.

John C. — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:31:27 +0000

Thanks for that, calvin. Also, I don’t believe you.