Silencing Christian Critics of Mormonism

Mormon Research Ministry ^ | Jan 5, 2012 | Sharon Lindbloom

[colorcountry]

A crusade (of sorts) is moving across Facebook. It is targeting pages that are critical of Mormonism. Who the crusaders are is unknown, but it seems reasonable to suggest that they may be Latter-day Saints.

The crusade is aimed at silencing those who disagree with Mormonism. In a broad sense (and from the perspective of many Mormons), this has some biblical support:

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” (1 Peter 2:15)

The Facebook crusader’s strategy, however, does not involve “doing good,” nor does it seek to expose what some Mormons would call “the ignorance of foolish people.” The Facebook crusade instead is employing oppressive tactics in order to have critical discussion shut down and/or removed from public view.

Though a bit more complicated than I’ll describe here, the program goes something like this: A site critical of Mormonism is identified by the crusaders; this group of people begin a flurry of reporting, flagging the page’s status updates, videos and comments as “hate speech”; Facebook’s automated response sends warnings to the page owners and Admins, removes flagged “offensive” content, and eventually disables (temporarily) the personal accounts of those who receive sufficient warnings.

Trying to look at things from a Mormon perspective, I can acknowledge how some things posted may be reasonably understood as offensive to a Mormon (e.g., a discussion about sex; namely, the physically sexual relationship between Heavenly Father and Mary. In fact, this Mormon teaching is offensive to me, too!). Due to “one or more reports,” Aaron received a Facebook warning at Christmastime related to his audio series on the Virgin Birth:

But most of the things that have been flagged in this crusade (that I am aware of) reflect mere disagreements between Christians and Mormons regarding spiritual issues. For example, this (subsequently flagged) Facebook comment was posted on December 9, 2011 as part of an ongoing conversation:

“God has provided these tools to validate His truth. While there is an element of faith, I’d say that faith is based on things that are unseen, BUT NOT PROVEN false. Science and history have definitively proved the Book of Mormon not to be [of] God. The Bible holds its own.”

Two more examples, these removed by Facebook:

“Which Jesus, Elizabeth? The created brother of satan or the Un-Creator of all things? God?”

“oh! but one last thing Bobbi…how did you check to make sure that the answer to your prayer was truth?”

According to Facebook policy, the use of a person’s name in comments, even in a response to a comment that person may have previously posted, can be construed as “harassment.” That explains Facebook deleting some of the comments, but it does not explain the initial reporting of these conversational comments. Only a crusade designed to itself harass and silence Mormonism’s critics makes sense.

On December 26th a Christian friend received a warning from Facebook for posting a link to Aaron’s video project, God Never Sinned – Do Mormons Agree? Facebook removed the entire post and threatened the owner of the page with possible loss of his Facebook account. Facebook stated that the video link had been reported, and anything that is “hateful, threatening, or obscene” is not allowed. Yet the God Never Sinned video consists entirely of Mormons responding to a question that clarifies their own individual beliefs. Why flag that as hateful?

All of this sounds a bit un-American, or at least unlike the America envisioned by her Founding Fathers, who placed a premium on freedom of speech and the lively, open exchange of ideas. In fact, as others have noted elsewhere, these crusaders on Facebook seem to be following in the footsteps of Mormonism’s founder. When Joseph Smith was confronted with dissident voices in Nauvoo, Illinois, rather than answer them, he did his best to silence them by destroying the newspaper and press that gave the critics a platform.

Yet another aspect of this crusade is equally troubling. Assuming that the crusaders are Mormons, it must be noted that Mormons expend a lot of energy trying to convince the world that they are Christians (that is, followers of Jesus Christ). But their disregard for biblical teaching regarding how to deal with critics demonstrates a different spirit.

The Bible, recognized by Christians to be the very Word of God, does not tell followers of Christ to silence critics by taking away their voices.

The Bible tells us of the benefits of a “soft answer.” It proclaims, “To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” It teaches that the righteous think about how to answer, as opposed to the evil responses of the wicked (Proverbs 15:1, 23, 28)

The apostle Paul talks about “persuading” people of the truth while being “able to answer those” who are mistaken in their spiritual focus. He says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (2 Corinthians 5:11-12; Colossians 4:6)

And, of course, there are the familiar instructions for God’s people to “contend” for the faith, be ready to “give a defense” of that faith, while “patiently enduring evil, correcting [spiritual] opponents.” (Jude 3; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:24-26)

Christians are not supposed to bully those who disagree with them by forcing them into silence. Christians are supposed to answer the objections and persuade opponents by speaking the truth, hoping that the lost and deceived will “come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil.”

This is what the Christians on Facebook (and here on Mormon Coffee) are endeavoring to do. What, then, is the aim of the crusaders?

[Colofornian]

Well, i pray i am not going to the same place Hitler and his crowd are going.

But you're underlying (unsaid) conclusion -- if we were consistent with your worldview, that is -- who cares?

All is forgotten. All done on this side of the veil...doesn't matter. Won't be brought up.

If ALL done (& not done) in this life doesn't have a past reference in the afterlife, it won't matter. You won't be able to discern between a Hitler, a bin Laden, a Mother Teresa, and a Billy Graham.

You've morally "equalized" them all.

Now it's one thing to say, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. (We're all sinners; we all caused Christ to die on our behalf).

'Tis another to say there's no essential long-term distinction between the anti-Christ and Billy Graham. Or between Satan and Michael the archangel.

If all is forgotten, then who knows? Bin Laden, Hitler, the anti-Christ could all be your "buds" in a "future life" -- and you'd never know it!!!

Sorry, Ravenwolf. You're living in a consequence-free fantasy world.

There is such a thing as ultimate accountability.

Otherwise, it wasn't necessary for the Son of God from eternity past to become a diapered baby boy who 33 years after that took a horrific death on the cross. If my sin and your sin wasn't a necessary evil to do away with forever -- accountability-wise -- then the cross was unnecessary.

But the cross has defeated my sin -- and yours. You can be acquitted in the cross; yes, "guilty" as charged -- but another took the rap. Did the time. Paid the sentence. In full.

Trust Christ as Your Living Substitute. The One who defeated Satan, sin, fear of death, and death itself.

[pennyfarmer]

The story seems to reflect on peoples personal behavior rather than the fact that they are in the Lord. We could make the same argument about some horrible LDS people, but such stories really don’t further the argument.

People can be nice and “moral” and yet be athiest, people can claim to be Christians and be thieves and liars. We must also remember that there are numerous people who are going to go to Church tomorrow and yet find themselves in hell. I don’t think that anyone’s good works means they are Christians.

(No I am not damning anyone to hell as I have no idea who is going there no matter their professed religion.)

[mrreaganaut]

And the Catholic history is untarnished?

Whoa, ravenwolf! I never said that I was Catholic, either. However, you do demonstrate that it's easy to say harsh things about anybody. Mormons and Muslims take this as 'persecution' and whine about it - or attack the messenger.

Real perscution involves slavery, torture, or beheading, things that today only happen in Muslim communities.

[svcw]

Yes, it is about the doctrine. mormonISM follows a false Christ. There are many nice people in the world who are deceived.

[greyfoxx39]

GF wouldn’t be responsible for anything other than taking offense at your words, which you typed, which, instead of accepting responsibility, you blame GF for

Amazing isn't it how someone can infer a FReeper's intent (mind reading) ..virtually comparing the words they post to the perpetrators of the holocaust and when called on it, attempt to turn it around and as usual, present a case for their being the "victim of persecution (how mormon!).

Various FR mormons have used almost identically the same language, which resulted in their suspension. I mentioned that and also said that the offensive post should be pulled at the very least. This resulted, as you Szonian described, in comments "projecting the blame of a potential zot" on me for calling attention to the facts.

This incident is a good example of the kind of action that is documented in this thread article. I encourage everyone reading this thread to again read this original article for similarities in attempts to silence Christian critics of mormonism.

[TaraP]

Romans 10:13

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Joel 2:32

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

1 Cor. 1:2, Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus...

Jesus calls for all sinners to repent..

To the Jew first then the Gentile....

[Tennessee Nana]

BTTT

[svcw]

mormonISM follows a FAULSE christ
mormonISM follows a created christ not the eternal Christ of the Bible.
mormonaiSM follows A christ not THE Christ.
mormonISM IS NOT Christianity
mormonISM calls out to a FAULSE christ It would help you to learn about mormonISM.

[Godzilla]

“They are sealed to more than one person in their temple with whom they will live eternally in a polygamous relationship.” Hold the phone. You don’t believe that, do you. So why do you care?

Whats the matter SD - suddenly come to the realization that you'll have to put up with sister-wives throughout all eternity?

[TaraP]

I understand...

I agree with you...

I apologize.

[dragonblustar]

I've had this happen plus the ones who only want to be friends while they are running for office and once they lose, you get dropped. Its funny.

[dragonblustar]

I live next door to the best neighbors who are Conservative kind and compassionate that are Mormons

I have a neighborhood full of Mormons and they are the most stuck up people I've ever seen. If you don't go to their church, you don't exists.

Thank goodness there are a few Catholics on the block, who are normal, laid back and very friendly. If there was ever a problem, they are the first people I'd go to and I'm not Catholic.

[dragonblustar]

I feel bad for the anti Mormons because their comments reflect hatred rather than logic and reason

That's funny coming from a person who stands up in front of other Mormons stating " they believe in the truthfulness of the book of Mormon" but refuses to look into actual historical documents that would disprove that book.

[svcw]

I am to the point where I feel very sad for the anti Mormons here; they know not what they do. I feel bad for the anti Mormons because their comments reflect hatred rather than logic and reason.

[cloudmountain]

What if they feel as strongly about it as you do, but they think you are wrong?

If they are old enough and have some brains and reading, we will state our opinions and agree to disagree.

[Colofornian]

Most of the LDS FReepers have already been banned. We are not permitted to post “LDS Caucus” threads nor are we permitted to post “Ecumenical” threads.

You're "funny," Saundra. Truth fudging again -- implying that LDS FREEPERS were "banned" for posting Lds "caucus" or "ecumenical" threads? Why don't you tell the truth, Saundra, as to why your fellow LDS FREEPERS were banned?

Or do you want a thread-by-thread accounting that exposes your fellow LDS FREEPERS for what they did?

Retraction, Saundra...or those specific LDS FREEPERS will be exposed link-by-link for what they said? Do you want that, Saundra?

[metmom]

Satan must be taking a real beating with the truth coming out like it is. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so intent on silencing the opposition.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

[metmom]

I love that and am stealing it.

[ravenwolf]

But you’re underlying (unsaid) conclusion — if we were consistent with your worldview, that is — who cares?

---

I don,t know how you are making all of these conclusions out of what little i said.

here is what i said
ravenwolf to pennyfarmer
Ok, i see what you mean and i believe in the after life, but only spiritual as i do not believe we will even remember the any thing that we have been through in this life, so i believe it is false doctrine.

and here is why i said it.
Ecclesiastes 1
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

[ravenwolf]

And the Catholic history is untarnished?

Whoa, ravenwolf! I never said that I was Catholic, either. However, you do demonstrate that it’s easy to say harsh things about anybody. Mormons and Muslims take this as ‘persecution’ and whine about it - or attack the messenger.

Real perscution involves slavery, torture, or beheading, things that today only happen in Muslim communities.

---

Whoa yourself, i did not say you were a Catholic, and read it again, the only harsh words came from you.