From: ksjwr@acad3.alaska.edu (REDELSS JOHN W)
Subject: Re: Spin doctor... [was Re: Mormon Usenet Forum
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41.UAC
Organization: University of Alaska - Fairbanks
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 18:42:00 GMT

> 
>	I find this a curious rendition of what has been going on. You 
>came on and mentioned that some were not ready for the `full truth,' 
>and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I posted particulars 
>concerning this `visitation,' from LDS historical sources, and this is 
>now referenced as a `vicious attack.' There was nothing vicious in the 
>reply. Although it was contrary to what you had written. However, 
>contrary does not mean vicious. In fact, what was posted was very 
>even-tempered, aside from the fact that it shot holes in one of Joseph 

	I was not referring to your post, Robert, when I spoke of the vicious
Mormon bashing that goes on in this newsgroup.  In fact, I agree with you that
your nonsense was quite "even-tempered."  I was pleased to see that you had
labored so hard to give Joseph Smith's testimony a wider audience by putting so
much of it on the net.  Your post reminded me of something I once read in the
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.  Franklin said, speaking of many of the
sermons of his day, that they served to incline him towards the material being
refuted inasmuch as the refuted material seemed more reasonable than the
refutations.

	No, among those viscious Mormon bashers who post to this newsgroup,
your post are quite inoffensive and well thought out.  I was referring
primarily to those who attempt to use their misunderstanding of the Bible to
destroy the gospel of Jesus Christ by attempting to confuse the reader with
a blizzard of misunderstood Bibical quotes which are taken out of context.

	I have made a practice of not responding to such an attack because it
is the product of a disorderly mind incapable of being influenced by the truth.
Such attacks originate in confusion, promote confusion, are incapable of
anything but confusion, and are inspired by the author of all confusion.

	You, on the other hand, do not seem to have nearly as much spittle on
your chin.  For that reason I am far less inclined to doubt your sincerity.
I bear no animosity towards those who are merely wrong.  It is those who rage
that I try to avoid.

	I really hope that whichever of us is wrong about Joseph Smith's First
Vision comes to a knowledge of the truth bye and bye.

	I would like to know what you propose I use for a religion in the place
of Mormonism should you succeed in convincing me that Joseph Smith was a liar
or a lunatic.  The primary reason I have believed Joseph Smith is that I have
found in the Mormon teachings a remarkable, internal consistency in the
doctrines.  I find no such internal consistency in the teachings of any other
Christian denomination.

	A lie MAY be consistent with itself.  The truth MUST be consistent with
itself.  Every system of mainstream Christian doctrine seems hopelessly
self-contradictory to me.  Hence they must be false.

	I will remain a devout Mormon until I find a system of doctrine that
better answers all my religious questions without asking me to accept doctrine
that is patently absurd because it contradicts itself and reason.

	Tearing down my faith does no good at all unless you can offer me
something better.
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc