Regarding Infiltrator
Amazing, but I've only been away from this forum for a few short days, and oh, the odd things that have happened.
I realize that I'm not a Board Trustee, nor am I a moderator on this forum. But I must comment on the mood shift that has occurred as the result of a single person (who I expect will now lambast me as he has so liberally lambasted everyone else). As I review the intent of this site, I am reminded that it is to serve as a support system for people who have evolved out of the Church. It has been a wonderful place for thoughtful, intelligent, well-meaning individuals to reach out to one another in a spirit of mutual concern, growth and support.
In the past few days, it has been turned into a most bizarre name-calling slam-fest. An ugly turn of events, to be sure.
Dear Infiltrator,
It is apparent from reading your posts that your intent is to "prove us all wrong," and as such, you are in violation of the only ground rule this board has really tried to make firm: namely, that you know you have crossed the line when you cease saying, "This is what I believe," and begin saying, "This is what YOU should believe." Instead, you insist on belittling and berating everyone else for what they believe, and insisting that yours is the "one, true and only way to think."
I do not wish to engage you in public debate. In fact, this post is all I intend to say on the matter. I am sorry that you feel so threatened by this site that you have to engage in such mean-spirited diatribe, but I might suggest that this is not a place where your message will be heard. It is, however, a place where many of us find a great deal of compassionate support. If that is something you don't understand, than I suggest you engage an audience that wants to hear what you have to say. As for me, I've been listening to the appologetics for too long now, and I have ceased for one reason and one reason only...it's not what I want anymore. But I DO want what this forum has had to offer, until you took it upon yourself to insert your vitriol and small-mindedness.
Dear Post-Mormons,
It saddens me to see the impact that a single person has had in poisoning the atmosphere of this forum. I recognized in many of you a sincere effort to try to engage Infiltrator in a meaningful discussion, but it became painfully clear to me that he doesn't want to talk, he wants to preach. But he has chosen the worst of preaching formats, namely the, "Guilt and shame and belittle them all into returning to the fold." We, unfortunately, engaged with him. I think I understand it...but it's still sad.
I would like to see Infiltrator either respect the intent of this forum, or leave, and I would like to see us be better than succumbing to his childish taunts. And I would suggest to the moderators of this forum that if he refuses to stick within the groundrules, that he be removed. I hate to hear myself say that, because I love the openness of this forum, but he has slammed the door shut, and frankly, I find myself growing so weary of it that my enthusiasm for participation wanes.
Lastly, Infiltrator, I share this: I left my position as the First Counselor in our Bishopric a few years ago, because I upheld the right of my fellow-ward members to have confidence that the man who sat in my seat shared their testimony. I knew that I could no longer represent myself as having the same beiefs that they held, and I stepped down. Later, I ceased attending all together because I knew that what I believed and what they believed were no longer compatible. I couldn't participate any longer, because I knew I couldn't honestly represent my own views and not cause trouble for the people whom I loved and respected. So I quietly went away, and found a community of like-minded individuals with whom I could process my evolving beliefs. I encourage you to recognize the same. You are deluding yourself into believing that you have a message that we haven't heard, and that will lead us back into the fold.
You couldn't be more misguided. The collective years of research, learning, exploring and growing on this forum is actually rather remarkable. The simple fact that it is in opposition to what you believe is simply something you will have to accept. The saddest truth of it all is simply that your actions on this board have no doubt pushed most of us further away, reminding us of the narrow-mindedness that we escaped, rather than drawing us nearer. How tragic for you and for your Church.
As I respected the institution you love, out of respect, I ask you to consider the same of the institution I have grown to love.
Peter_Mary
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