[Robwin]

What is up with that, Gondring? No, I am NOT a Mormon but didn’t the Prop 8 events teach you anything? You don’t want to be a Mormon? You don’t want to accept Joseph Smith as a prophet and seer as they do? Fine and dandy. But why go out of your way to offend a sizeable group of Freepers and the Conservative movement’s dedicated allies in the battle against the Libtards; a battle that actually means something, unlike the point of your pathetic and insulting post? My friend, make no mistake, we either stand together or we will hang separately.

[bert]

perhaps the word fanatic is the reason

[Gondring]

The similarities are uncanny, just updated a few centuries (thus the iPod joke). Did you know that the surgeon who operated on Joseph Smith as a boy was named Nathan Smith? I truly wonder if there's a connection (though the Smith name is quite common. :-)

It's amusing that you were upset at my post, as during the aftermath of the invasion of the FLDS ranch in Eldorado, Texas, and with defenses of Gov. Romney (though he wasn't my preferred candidate), I was accused by fellow FReepers of being "a Mormon apologist."

And what I said shouldn't be offensive...what I said was just straight factually true, acknowledged even by LDS apologists...

Joseph Smith was

• a money-digger in New York, notably charismatic but unsuccessful despite claiming to have a magic stone to guide him,
• was charged with fraud,
• said he found golden plates, and
• succssfully founded a religion.

Nathan Smith has only the first part, and doesn't seem to be doing too well at it. Founding a religion might be a bit more lucrative for him (though it was Joseph Smith's ultimate demise!).

My friend, make no mistake, we either stand together or we will hang separately.

I'm "offended" that you would misquote Benjamin Franklin, so...I'm not sure whether it's worse that you made his quote pedestrian or that you didn't credit him. At least you didn't do both. :-)

But in the end, your message is right on target. I admire the courage coming from the LDS corner, and I admire their drive and maintainance of many strong family values.