Responding to Persecution

[Solon]

While religious persecution is a terrible thing, increased scrutiny is often a good thing.

I look forward to seeing Bednar squirm a little.

[Blueintheface]

While religious persecution is a terrible thing, increased scrutiny is often a good thing.

I look forward to seeing Bednar squirm a little.

I'd like to see that gif.

[DrumNFeather]

This is one of the two things that led to my discovery of the intense ambiguity that exists in Mormon history. There was a call to go online back in the mid-2000s to refute the naysayers, which timing just happened to coincide with the other thing. I don't mind the call to "go online" but the church needs to realize that a lot of the information out there is actually true, it's just hard to swallow.

And it matters to Dehlin because it means more validation, which leads to more money and power.

Right. That's what I mean. Joining the discussion can be a good and positive thing for the church and its members...but when people are responding to articles with stuff that members haven't heard...even if it's not totally true (thinking of that donk that mentioned Joseph getting caught banging the nanny or housekeeper or however he said it.) then you'll certainly have members affected by joining the discussion.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Well that settles it.

Perhaps you can help us out by explaining what you mean by your question. Why shouldn't he be interested in issues like this? What's your point?

[jay santos]

I've been thinking about this topic a lot.

I think most people who want to attack the church don't understand it well enough to do it very well.

The best critics are former Mormons. The toughest questions right now for Mormonism are related to historical issues like lack of evidence for Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, the details of the BOM translation process, multiple First Vision accounts, and other esoteric historical details. Most of the general population don't understand these issues well enough to attack Mormons with them.

The people that attack the church now are the Evangelicals who hate the church for doctrinal reasons and non-religious people who attack the church for its stance on gays, women, racism, etc. These people just scratch the surface in terms of how effective their attacks could be.

I expect the presidential election will bring even more scrutiny, but it will still be in this soft category from previous paragraph.

If Romney wins, that is when all hell breaks loose. Mormonism will be in the spotlight for long enough that people will have the time to look into all this, and Mormonism will start getting hammered on the more difficult issues.

[DrumNFeather]

Perhaps you can help us out by explaining what you mean by your question. Why shouldn't he be interested in issues like this? What's your point?

I guess I'm just always surprised (though I really should not be by now) that someone like Dehlin who, not long ago, posted on his FB page that BKP looked very very sick and got several "likes" from his followers, worshipers, friends is out on the forefront of a lot of these issues relating to Mormonism. I think Santos and Moliere answered my question though...he cares because the best critics are former Mormons, and it's great for business.

[UtahDan]

A few thoughts on this...

Elder Bednar's comments are in step with what I recently heard from one of the church's social media/web presence higher ups. That is, LDS folks need to be ready to join the discussion that will go on in forums and articles etc. Now, his message was to testify. What I think is undersold in that presentation is the fact that many aren't actually interested in the discussion, but rather to simply imbrue the name of the church. Nevertheless, LDS church members need to be ready to potentially answer some difficult questions.

For me, in this context, I think that Elder Bednar is suggesting that much like a midget in a urinal, we're going to have to stay on our toes. So perhaps the persecution term is a little too strong.

I'm sorry but I must ask...why does this matter to Dehlin again?

You sent me to my dictionary for that one which is worthy of it's own post. Well done.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I guess I'm just always surprised (though I really should not be by now) that someone like Dehlin who, not long ago, posted on his FB page that BKP looked very very sick and got several "likes" from his followers, worshipers, friends is out on the forefront of a lot of these issues relating to Mormonism. I think Santos and Moliere answered my question though...he cares because the best critics are former Mormons, and it's great for business.

Ah geez. Speaking of persecution complex...

[DrumNFeather]

Ah geez. Speaking of persecution complex...

[TripletDaddy]

You sent me to my dictionary for that one which is worthy of it's own post. Well done.

Not sure it is a noteworthy accomplishment. You didn't know how to pronounce "exegesis" until last week.

[DrumNFeather]

You sent me to my dictionary for that one which is worthy of it's own post. Well done.

All credit to the movie Lean on Me.

[jay santos]

Dehlin who, not long ago, posted on his FB page that BKP looked very very sick and got several "likes" from his followers, worshipers, friends is out on the forefront of a lot of these issues relating to Mormonism.

I don't have a facebook account. If they let you put a dislike or a thumbs down instead of only a like/thumbs up, I would sign up today.

[pellegrino]

That's funny. That horse left the barn a long time ago.

SHHHH! He doesn't know that.

seriously though, this exact post was on CB a week or two ago. Is Dehlin reading CB?

[UtahDan]

A few thoughts on this...

Elder Bednar's comments are in step with what I recently heard from one of the church's social media/web presence higher ups. That is, LDS folks need to be ready to join the discussion that will go on in forums and articles etc. Now, his message was to testify. What I think is undersold in that presentation is the fact that many aren't actually interested in the discussion, but rather to simply imbrue the name of the church. Nevertheless, LDS church members need to be ready to potentially answer some difficult questions.

For me, in this context, I think that Elder Bednar is suggesting that much like a midget in a urinal, we're going to have to stay on our toes. So perhaps the persecution term is a little too strong.

Yeah, that sounds about right. I agree with Jeff's comment that is more of a defensive mentality than an opportunistic one. But maybe it is all more of a threat than an opportunity. That could easily be true.

I'm sorry but I must ask...why does this matter to Dehlin again?

Because when you inhabit a world were all the most important people in your life are Mormon, the church that influences them also indirectly effects you generally. Specifically on this issue, whenever there are teachings that could be viewed as encouraging members to see dissent as threatening (especially when it gets framed up in terms of the fulfillment of prophecy, probably prophecy pertaining to the battle of good and evil in the last days) and you are a dissenter...at least one eyebrow goes up.

[UtahDan]

That horse left the barn a long time ago.

What color was it?