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I see this as a model engagement. It airs out
differences while continuing to 'embrace' one another as persons in relation. My
thanks to Slade and Dave.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: January 18, 2005 00:23
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] What is a
Christian?
Slade Henson wrote:
A Message for Dave Hansen and Dave Hansen
alone
Are you offended with posts of this nature that include
your name in a disparaging manner? If so, would you be equally offended if
your name was not included and the term "The average Mormon" was
used? DAVEH: I am saddened by
such, Slade. But I am not offended by it. >From experience,
I've learned to expect it, but it does surprise me that after being here for 5
years now, I would continue to be on the receiving end of it from some of my
TT friends.
In a sense, I prefer that there
be no ad hominen rules apply to those who want to speak their mind to
me. It bothers me to think that others can't be up front when they talk
to me. If they think ill of me, I'd prefer they vocalize it so I can try
to mend the broken fence. Failing that, I'll try to find another way to
mitigate the situation. On the other hand, if everybody is afraid to
bare their souls to me, I fear the hate that will fester will be far more
destructive in the end....to the one harboring such
feelings.
As you know.....I've got a thick skin and
am not smart enough to know when somebody is really out to do me harm.
So....most ill phrased comments tend to bounce off without doing much interior
damage. Furthermore....I'm getting too old to raise my blood pressure
simply over social misbehavior. Also, I learned many, many years ago
that an angry dog will not bite when you stare them in the face.
It is only when you turn your back on them to run that they will nip you in
the butt. (Hope that doesn't draw a TT reprimand! :-) ) So....when
somebody is airing out their grievances against Mormons, it allows me to face
their accusations head on, which to me is the safest place to be in such a
situation. As I see it, if their true sentiments simmer within for a
long time, eventually their soul will boil over in a situation that becomes
difficult to control.
So, in summary.....Go easy
with reprimands to those who view me as a problem in TT and feel the need to
express their true feelings. Unless it creates a problem for you to
dispense discipline unevenly, allow them to let their steam blow off
harmlessly and I'll let you know if the heat becomes unbearable for me.
The reason I ask is this:
I am not a
Mormon, DAVEH: Hmmmmmm......that
can be corrected, Slade! ;-)
as you know, but I am embarrassed for you. Why? If
Kevin Deegan hopes to "convert" you away from
Mormonism, DAVEH: No Slade, IMHO I think
you are wrong on that. I don't want to psychoanalyze Kevin publicly in
TT, so it is best if I don't continue along that line.
it's my opinion that embarrassment and ridicule is not
a proper method of
evangelism. DAVEH: I agree. But
from my limited experience, it seems to be the SOP for some street
preachers. That's why I am so curious about why some of them go to the
lengths they do in decrying the LDS Church during Conference time in SLC twice
a year. IF they really understood the Mormon mentality, I can't believe
they would use such tactics to try to convert us away from Mormonism.
What they do there only drives us closer together, rather than
apart. That's why I said above that I really don't think some
TTers are trying to embarrass me in hopes of converting me. So....why do
they do it, you may ask? Briefly....I think it is a source of
empowerment. A lot could be said about it, but it would go
beyond the scope of this thread.
I can't help believe that the main thrust is to shame
you away from TruthTalk.
DAVEH:
Long before you arrived on TT, there were others who tried
unsuccessfully to do that. IF most all TTers are uncomfortable with me
and really want me to leave, I'll without hesitation unsubscribe, as I don't
want to be an aggravation to most of you folks or give Mormonism a black eye
on my behalf by staying beyond my welcome. However.....I suspect my
detractors would somewhat miss me if I were to leave.
:-)
Please let me know your feelings. Privately if
necessary. DAVEH: I prefer to keep most
stuff out in the open. If any TTers think I'm crying to the moderators
behind their backs....it ain't so. Nor will it happen in the
future. If I've got a beef with anybody on TT, I'll try to diffuse the
situation openly and in public.
I love you DAVEH:
Thanx Slade. I appreciate you saying that.
and I [of course] would like you to see the Truth as I
see the Truth, DAVEH: All TTers see it
that way.....both to me, and to the other TTers! Interesting how that
works, eh..... It would be nice if we can all share our
perspectives and discuss them civilly. That does not mean we have to buy
into the other person's argument. Rather I think it is important to
understand why people believe the way they do. I guess I'm one of the
few on TT to feel that way though.
but G-d has us standing one two different shores of
doctrine at this time. DAVEH: I don't
see that as a big problem for this type of forum at all. Unfortunately,
some do. While the divide between us seems great at this time, I wonder
if in the grand scheme of the Lord's Gospel, the fences we build on earth will
be recognizable once we are on the other side of the veil. So...maybe
while we are here on earth, wouldn't it be nice if we could lower those fences
enough to peek over on the other side occasionally? It seems to me that
TT is a great place where those with diverse opinions and beliefs can talk
about our differences over those fences without letting friction heat the fuse
of spiritual destruction to the point of ignition. But...it does require
a little effort from each one of us.
Praying for the best in us all.
slade
- Dave must adhere to "all the good" and choose the right, else he is
not a True Mormon
- Dave has testified that he follows the Prophet
- Dave is not a spokesman for the church
- Since Dave claims to be part of the Mormon Church he must follow the
principles below as to the prophet
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dave Hansen
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.langlitz.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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