I had to go back a ways, but found why I think RS has his knickers in a knot over the mormonISM posts. Thinks it’s impeding a mormon’s freedom of religion. (RS, correct me if I’m wrong, but I can find the post you made back in June to provide the source of my comment.)
Doesn’t seem to mind impeding other’s freedom of speech though because it can be deemed “offensive” to a mormon or a knight in shining armor riding to save the damsel (mormonISM) in distress.
There are many reasons to post the truths and expose the hidden doctrines and tenets of mormonISM, too many to list here, but I’ll offer a few that I think are important.
First, the posts and threads become search engine fodder. Folks searching for things on the web will get these as results and can peruse the information presented to provide balance to the “official” LdS information they would find on a LdS site.
Second, lurkers. There are probably a few folks here on FR who may be struggling with mormonISM and posting materials and life experiences may help them make a decision to leave the LdS. By offering up the information in a different context, it may prompt a person to re-evaluate their perception of said information.
Thirdly, mormonISM is a lie. Perpetrators (whether cognizant or not) of the lie will do whatever they can to convince people to join. Mormon missionaries number in the 10’s of thousands, yet, a couple of folks posting on the interweb are a cause for flame wars. Quite a dichotomy. Do you protest to SLC about the missionaries tracting in neighborhoods telling unsuspecting folks that they’re going to hell if they don’t join the LdS pogrom?
Of course, understanding these concepts is contigent upon one being willing to grant the “opposing” party equal consideration and attempting to comprehend their POV.
Which, unfortunately or maybe fortunately, depending on one’s POV, doesn’t happen very often.
Btw, there are a couple of us on FR who have abandoned mormonISM because of the persistent efforts of tenacious FReepers despite the personal invectives and aspersions cast in their direction.
I am in their debt.
How many others who may have left mormonISM without saying so is impossible to say. But, as in all things requiring faith, it is hoped that many have.
The basic premise that many are missing regarding the perpetrator in the article is this; he was taught that he was in a position of authority over this woman. That he abused that authority is not in question.
But, one can make a logical conclusion that teaching an unstable or potentially abusive individual that they’re in a position of authority over someone, may be the catalyst they need for acting upon their desires. The flip side of this, is the women are taught that men wield priesthood authority over them and they are to subject themselves to that authority. This makes the women vulnerable to abuse.
No, I dont like this group smearing a religion by using the failings of its practitioners, then running away from their own argument, then turning everything that happens in Utah news into a Mormons are eeeevil story, then using the Religion Moderator to protect them from attacks, then saying that my argument is against their freedom of speech.
In a nutshell, I dont like cowards and I dont like people who twist logic.