...she tried to compare us to the flying Imams, but wrote it as 'Inmans'. Since then we've been compared to flying pigs, pigs in need of hosing off, fools, anarchist, liars, devils ... and a whole list of stumbling accusations which have only spurred us on to greater research so we can bring the direct blasphemous quotes of Mormon leadership to the FREEREPUBLIC exposure they so richly deserve... [MHGinTN]
Actually, last April I had to set the record straight among us Inmans on how this came about...and will have to do so again [all of our memories get a bit fuzzy on a few details]
But MHGinTN, one of the original Flying Inmans, is certainly correct about the mudslinging aimed our way -- especially the pig references given to us by one of the Mormon FReepers.
So, I've divied this post into five parts (if ya wanna pass on a legacy, ya gotta know the heritage!):
* "The Flying Inman" clarification intro
* Explanation of the Original "Flying Inman" designation
* A good-sport response from our original tag-producer
* My comment to Lds from last May 30, 2010 -- our three-year anniversary
* An early notification to set aside May 30, 2011 -- Memorial Day -- as a "remembrance" day for the spiritual warfare that goes on these threads and elsewhere as we wage a war with the enemy of our souls for beloved Mormons everywhere!
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Explanation of the Original "Flying Inman" designation:
(What follows is the April 22, 2010 explanation I gave -- followed by Plutarch's response. Plutarch is not Lds -- yet gave us the original nickname. And I've included his response below...he's a good sport!)
...the "Flying Inman" designation was given by an Episcopalian -- not a Mormon. (Albeit a Romneyfied Episcopalian). See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1841913/posts?q=1&;page=101
Just as "Christian" was a derisive term first bestowed upon them by their opposition @ Antioch (see book of Acts), "Flying Inmans" was meant to be yet another derisive term used by a self-confessed FR "Romneybot" (his, Plutarch's term, not mine)... (And it was GF who immediately noted back then that Plutarch was essentially comparing us to "terrorist wannabes").
In that infamous post, Plutarch said (to Colorcountry & six others of us he copied): "I regard the claims of Mormonism as theological. Didn't you claim to eschew theological discussion on political threads a few posts back? Henceforth, you and your co-FR-theologians shall be known as the FR Flying Inmans, because in a secular setting you make a big fuss out of religion..."
Now in partial defense of Plutarch, there was a bit of "play" involved in this gesture...it wasn't what I would call 100% mean-spirited. In fact, Plutarch, when it was pointed out that he mispelled "Inman" then wrote: Far be it from me to call people names. That would be mean. The FR Flying Imam appellation is just a nickname, you know, like what GWB bestows on reporters and everyone else. It don't mean nothing. If those of you whose negative posting on Romney derive from your theological disagreement with Mormonism want to call yourself something positive, such as Crusaders for Truth, go ahead. I support Romney, so I guess I am a Romneybot.
So if...
...a self-confessed "Romneybot" designated us as "Flying Inmans"...
...in an FR thread headlined "Romney Beginning to Look Like GOP Front-Runner"...
...well consider the source. Ask yourself, "Hmm...which 'camp' do I favor...the 'Romneybots' or those who stand in strong opposition to him?"...
...and then ask, "Who did more than their fair FR share in '07-'08 to head off Romney remaining as that "front-runner" than the 'Inmans?"
...I'm glad you brought this up. The FR Flying Inmans have grown significantly in less than three years. And with another Romney campaign threatening our party and our land, perhaps we need a special FR anniversary posting day set aside to "honor" Flying Inman contributions...
Therefore, in Royal FR Plutarchian fashion ("arch" is Greek for "ruler"), and to use as close as possible the original official designation language, "Henceforth, in honor of all past, present and future co-FR-theologians who are known as the FR Flying Inmans, who indeed have made a big fuss out of the mainstreaming of Romney and Romney's religion, I hereby designate May 30 as 'Annual FR Flying Inman Day.'"
...Plutarch, we thank thee for thy designation May 30, 2007...
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A good-sport response from our original tag-producer
Source: Plutarch's side of the story :
"Gee, who would have thunk this Flying Imam thing would have taken on such a life! It is deeply embarrassing that I misspelled Imam. The thing is, the dig was not really about anything political or religious, but more about FR posting etiquette. My objection was to posts on threads with a purely political topic that were animated by undisclosed non-secular concerns, and a penchant for these posts to hijack threads. If you guys want to have religious discussion, have at it, there are threads for that. I just got peeved by these discussions breaking out on political threads. I have neither political nor religious disagreements with any of this merry band. I trust you are all conservative, and I'm just not interested in the religious stuff. [Plutarch, April, 2010...Thanks for your input, Plutarch]
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My comment to Lds FR posters from last May 30, 2010 -- our three-year anniversary:
Happy Flying Inman Remembrance Day!
Three years ago today, May 30, 2007, the “Flying Inman” designation was bestowed upon us. We honor three years’ of self-sacrificial service all day today!
(By designating today as Flying Inman Remembrance Day, we take nothing away from the brave men and women who serve us in our armed forces. They, in fact, flesh out what it means to engage in warfare. They give us a living word picture of what spiritual warfare is all about, even in victory. Our armed forces, when they defeated the Japanese and Germany, didn’t gloat over them...didn’t treat them beyond what justice deserved...and in fact, was merciful to the point of rebuilding their lives and economies. So, too, we celebrate our victory in Jesus Christ.)
We want to make it plain to those who follow Joseph Smith: YOU are not our enemies! YOU are our prize! We desire for you to accompany us to heaven!
We love Mormons. And I appreciate you Mormons who have sacrificed of your time to converse with us! …[I named six specifically} the rest, we appreciate you!
We love you, often with a tough love, but yes, still a love. Aside from anything you DO, you are esteemed greatly in Heavenly Father's eyes. He loves you. He looks forward to a reconciliation, and a putting away of any barriers that may block the way.
Please understand while our skirmishes are with those who would lock you and others into legalism, our REAL battle isn't with flesh and blood at all. As aMorePerfectUnion indicated, spiritual forces undergird certain doctrines. That's why the apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, mentioned "the doctrines of demons."
Those doctrines haven't remained in the ethereal floating around. They've been translated into false prophets' works and words.
We disagree on much. But relationships are important. And we want to honor you, by hearing you out, and by providing a platform for you to express your convictions. That's what a "Free Republic" is all about!
Finally, we thank Free Republic, JimRob and its moderators for the fine service they provide for America!
Colofornian
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Utah Binger was so nice to offer a Sunday, May 30, 2010 sunrise service. Certainly Utah Binger's hosting JimRob the third weekend of July 2011 makes for a fine weekend to consider goin' to honor our Free Republic host on a month set aside to a Free Republic Independence celebration.
Also, as you set aside some time on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011...
...to honor our veterans of war...
...and to ponder their endurance, strategic tactics and self-sacrifice...
...consider applying that to our spiritual lives as well!
[And...don't forget...it will also double this year as Flying Inman Remembrance Day! Join us online for fellowship & discussion!]
Bravo! Thanks for the correction. I shall now rearrange my ‘Inman sanctuary’ to reflect the more accurate History. Sorry, Resty, you will no longer get the notoriety I’ve been sending to you. ... Perhaps we can get the High Priestess of The Napkinists to relate the rise of our splinter cult?
Thanks, Colofornian. I enjoyed the read and reminisce.
And THIS is what is WRONG with MORMONism today: it seems that NONE of the members know from whence they sprang!
That's where we INMEN come in - as HISTORY teachers for the folks who were sleeping when they got touched by that old dude with the OIL!
Thanks for the reminders, Colo...I hereby designate Colofornian as the Official Flying Inman Historian and Scribe. Those Inmans NOT in favor, reply via snail mail.
I guess I missed Plutarch's info re the reason for the appellation..sorry, Plutarch, it's hard to seperate the Romney supporters from the mormons.
Thanks!