Someone said that a comment I made on a thread might make people feel disinclined to post on that thread, or even scared of the moderators. I am curious to see if that's actually how it came across, so I'm posting my comment here and asking for your vote in the poll.
BTW, folks, the discussion is fine so far. But make sure that you don't venture into questioning church practices. It's fine to say you don't understand it. It's fine to say that you have struggles with the concept. But it wouldn't be fine, for instance, to question whether it was ever an inspired practice. We accept that it was, even though we may seek greater understanding of the principles involved, the specific practices, and what we ourselves would do if the practice were ever reinstituted. No one has yet broken the rule or gotten close, but as moderators we prefer that things not get bad in the first place
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
I think it depends on the topic. I've met members who might try to enforce their opinion as church doctrine.
Suppose you'd posted that in regards to whether it's okay to eat refined sugar? I'd most definitely think you were going overboard. In the case of polygamy, I can understand your sensibility, but on the other hand, I think we're ALL aware that the issue is controversial, and so in that regard, being told to behave is a bit like being told "I don't trust any of us to keep this civil"... You may even be 100% right, but no one likes to be told that.
Heck in some forums I've frequented the topic is entirely banned.
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
I've been here long enough that I know how it goes here so it was fine with me. I could see the potential problems. The rules are clear and have worked well since I came on board. Aside from that one troll a while back the subtle and sometimes not so subtle reminders have kept things friendly and on track. The only moderator I'm scared of is Cat and that's because I've seen what he looks like, he's a very intimidating fellow!! There have been a lot of new folks on this forum lately and it takes a while for people to get the feel of things and the lay of the land here on Bountiful. I thought it came across as a friendly reminder to folks to just be careful. I like Bountiful. It is different than any other forum I have been on. The posters are some of the most articulate and well reasoned folks to be found anywhere. Where there are dissagreements, they are generally worked out and everyone still gets along sometimes realizing that people have different opinions and views. There are specific rules and guidlines though that help keep us in line which I appreciate. So Arbi, I guess what I'm saying is that I didn't take any offense to your post, the tone, or intention.
I voted, but since I'm trying to be the impartial facilitator in the related moderation discussion thread, I will withhold sharing my opinion here for the time being.
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
I voted that it could go either way. Just because I felt like in some circumstances, yes, that would probably shut me up if I felt my thoughts were not going to be well-received or easily misunderstood. I like to question things- not questioning the Brethren outright, but this is a living, changing organization. The doctrine of marriage is a prime example. What was once required to become gods now gets you excommunicated. To me, saying that does not mean I'm questioning the GAs. But other people may not like that. I guess with September Dawn coming up and reading more about the "blind obedience" that took place there, my opinions are a bit tainted. If, on the other hand, I was very confident, well-read and passionate about the topic, I'd probably go ahead and post and think, "Bring it on. I'm right, and I'll prove I'm right."
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
