Since Vigilanteman has frequented Lds threads for a while now, I can say, he has not claimed to be Lds.
What Vigilanteman did say on a thread a while back is that some nice Lds members--even missionaries if I recall correctly--came and helped him in his garden.
That "testimony in action" has stayed on with him, which is an understandable emotion. Apparently ever since, he has the felt gut-level emotion of needing to defend Lds teachings. Very generally, of course, but defend them, nonetheless.
What we do find on FR is that most non-Lds FReepers who stick around to defend Mormons do so, knowing very little about Mormon teachings. Therefore, the way they often defend is to go on the offensive -- to "attack" in going after posters personally.
They have no doctrinal dogs in the hunt.
No teachings to defend.
No pet doctrines.
Well, I take that back...slightly. For some, perhaps at least one "pet doctrine" is nursed...(not necessarily descriptive of Vigilanteman...expanding here...but certainly many others I've noticed thru the years).
And the pet teaching they seem to nurse?
(drum roll, please) Stated simply, it's anti-dogmatism. They hate dogmatism, pure and simple. (Dogma just means "teaching"; but dogmatism is stating a teaching in absolute terms).
If I had to "profile" a few of these posters, I would say: They grew up in an era where pluralism was taught to them in school. For some, as they headed into college or the workplace, diversity training and "tolerance" teachings bombarded them. "Tolerance" in fact, replaced the old pluralistic teachings.
Instead of just recognizing pluralism, tolerance-ism demands you accept all perspectives, all religious vantage points, all worldviews as equally "true." And if you don't hold this view, why, you're a heretic! Why, you've "sinned" vs. the creed of tolerance!
And what's the only thing that's worse than that? Why, it's to actually come across as authoritative and dogmatic in your statements. Why, that just irks some to no end. You've "erred" in their eyes by claiming some sort of "exclusivity" or absolute teaching -- when, doncha know, all creeds were created equal!!!
Now, this by no mean explains all of such non-Lds Mormon allies on these threads. For example, some want a united conservative front and feels even having a religious section divides conservatives. (The problem with this viewpoint is they have to either deliberately ignore what Mormons have said about Christians for 180 years, or they just don't care about what they've said...No matter, their admonishments always seem to be one-directional -- toward Christians...never toward the 180-year Mormon history).
And then, perhaps for a few others, another possible factor entering the picture is they simply have personalities that cater to the perceived "underdog." They themselves may have minority religious viewpoints. They didn't like it when at some past point, they felt "ganged up" upon. Hence, if they perceive a "gang up" they rush into defend.
And since Christianity is the dominant faith in our culture, anybody constantly raising their head above a Christian-marked trench is a fair target.
What these posters seemingly haven't considered is that we're talking about a few FREEPER posters vs. LDS, Inc.
Lds Inc. already owns 1% of the state of Florida.
LDS Inc. owns $billions.
LDS Inc. sends out 52,000 missionaries.
LDS Inc. spreads more slander about the Christian church in a day via its online presence, BYU-TV, curricula, magazines, multi-media sites & venues, Mormon "scriptures" translated into hundreds of languages -- than the Flying Inmans could cover in years on FR talking about the whole of Mormonism!
LDS Inc. an underdog? (My foot!)
If you copied me in insinuating I’m an “attacker” because I’m not familar w/Mormon teachings you’d be wrong. Matter of fact I’m familiar enough with both Mormonism and Christianity to know that I choose neither and that sincere people can make it through the day with either if they so choose. I only seem to attack those whom seem to hate. You seem to fall into that category at times. The key word here obviously “seem”.
And because you have exhibited at least a little bit of decency, I will favor you with a reply in a few days when I get caught up on some chores from real life and you will be welcome to call all your friends.