Faithful Mormons often imagine that those commenting on Mormonism from outside their circle form one monolithic block of “antis”. Mormon culture encourages this view, so people are often surprised when they read the discussion on the Internet and find that the people who disbelieve Mormonism occasionally agree with the Mormons more than they agree with each other. But, really, is it any wonder?
Here’s a little Venn diagram I drew up, based on my experience with LDS-interest discussion on the Internet:
I was reading an entry from the Liberal Mormon That Could (it seems…be rather faithful and not New Order-ish)…and even though I think she stretched out her concerns, when she talks about culture vs. tradition vs. doctrine, I think she very neatly fits into the yellow, white, and magenta overlaps of a faithful mormon…so isn’t that interesting?
I think she is a little too charitable, but at least, for example, she seems uncertain about the claim “When the Brethren have spoken, the thinking is done.” So…that’s a similar question to: “What is right?” in “do what is right, let the consequences follow.”
Yum. Glad you included Outer Blogness as the background shade that makes the colors and the text stand out so sharply. We are beneath all, around all, within all. 😉
Great graphic, Chanson. I would not fit on this graph because Mormon principles led me right out of the Mormon Church. Desiring to live the gospel principles, unfortunately, I cannot be part of any efforts to reenact Galileo Galilei during our life time.
In my experience, the white core “do what is right” no longer overlaps with the faithful red domain.
But I think that’s exactly why we have a non-religious Cultural Mormon track.
You can leave the church, which is just a small part of the culture, but you can’t say goodbye to a lifetime.
And I look at the overlapping sections at having two parts: underneath the underscore is the question that allows people to break from TBM positions. Everyone wants to “do what is right and let the consequences follow” — but the underlying question is: what is right? And then if you also apply to the overlap between nonreligious cultural mormon and an other faith believer, you can realize, “Well, I don’t agree with the church…but are any other churches better?”
Andrew — Very interesting link! It’s true that what she’s saying fits in that circle.
Matt — lol, I didn’t really mean for the black to be Outer Blogness, but I guess that’s a possible interpretation. 😉
Hellmut — Andrew’s right about the interpretation of the diagram. It was your principles that led you out of the Mormon Church, but others believe they’re doing what’s right by staying in. I’m not granting that those who “follow the prophet” are doing what is right, but I will grant that they believe that they’re doing what is right.
All three groups agree on the statement above the line (that you should do what is right), but disagree on the answer to the question below the line: what is right?
That would mean that your graphic is not a venn diagram. Is that right?
In a venn diagram, you would have to be a member of all three domains to be in the white intersection.
It’s a venn diagram of how the perspectives intersect. So an idea that fits into all three viewpoints goes in the white intersection.
The lower half of each section indicates points of disagreement, so that part might not really be a venn diagram, unless it’s possible to have a negative venn diagram… 😉
In the other faith believer – it’s interesting that they wouldn’t have an option to also believe that mormonism was a part of their heritage or family. I’m thinking of someone who has left the mormon faith, joined another faith, but still somehow “claims” mormon heritage or culture. Maybe they like green jello or roadshows or something.
Aerin — Of course some do. It’s my impression, though, that taking on a new faith identity and especially a new faith community has a strong effect of canceling out one’s emotional/identity connection with Mormonism. Additionally, the Christian “Ministry to Mormons”-type sites tend to have a mix of exmo Christians (many of whom were raised mainstream Christian) along with Christians who have never been Mormon.
Nonreligious people who discuss Mormonism online are almost exclusively people who have been Mormon and/or have a strong personal/family connection with Mormonism.
In you graph there seems to be no notation for Mormon Mendacity.
God does no play dice but love game theory
A new species discovered by counter-apologist.
It’s called the Viagra Mormon, it’s easy to find just search Mormon Viagra.
Yes the newly discovered species (yet unnamed) has a considerable stash of mormon viagra pages. Lets call them the Mormon Viagra Archives.
Search image or text: Mormon Viagra
Yes you will get: Best viagra Blog Archive Best viagra
note: Show more results from http://www.bloggerofjared.com
for more results you can expand the list of pages even further.
Yes, there are 174 pages of Mormon Viagra Archives.
Question:
just click on the cache for the source of this profligate religious promiscuity.
How do other Mormons feel about this need to hide, lie, deceive, obscure, unwanted fact Is there a pattern here?
What pillar sustains such mendacity?
What Mormon Species is this? Will the character of Mormonism be improved?
Is, site:www.bloggerofjared.com mormon viagra a market trend? ?Where is the foundation of the pillar that sustains such mendacity?
Will there be peace by consensus or is it to win at any cost; is this the new path to enlightenment?
Im embarrassed to be the one to direct your attention to the enemy within. ?I will postulate, its all about the Religion Making Business.
There blogger Jared lies on the second page, slowly slipping from sight.
Jettboy has edited all his blog entries to reflect the beatific, the pure of heart, the elect and the one whos being watched.
Jettboy has a new identity: The straight and narrow blog
His new baby is scrubbed and clean of any comment that conflicts with The straight and narrow.
I guess that why its called The Straight and Narrow Blog,
http://jettboy.blogspot.com/
STRAIGHT AND NARROW BLOG
As they say, open up the windows, let the bad air out.? http://scari.org/mormon-hapless.html
gok