Bad Apologetics

I try to judge how harmful it would be to let it stand unchallenged. Often, I let it go; often, I chime in GENTLY and QUIETLY with something like, “I was reading a book/talk by Brother/Sister/Elder/President (Nibley / Bushman / Faust / Wirthlin / Kimball / Snow / Okazaki / whatever) where they said __________” – or “I think that’s an interesting perspective, but I know someone who believed that __________________.” (which is true, since I know myself – *GRIN*)

Once in HP Group, I disagreed STRONGLY with the instructor about what life will be like in the Celestial Kingdom. He talked about how we feel in the Celstial Room of the temple and equated that with unending peace in the CK. I mentioned that, while I think we will feel internal peace and beauty, our lives still will be full of emotional pain and weeping and sorrow – since we have mutiple accounts of God weeping for the sins of His children. I felt the other protrayal was too much a Protestant image of the harp-playing, cloud-lounging hereafter that I abhor (and, therefore, was false doctrine) – so I thought it was important to offer my own opinion. I had to apologize to the instructor afterward, since he was trying his best and seemed gun-shy after my comment – but I also got lots of quiet agreement from others in the group throughout and after the lesson.

I think whether or not to interject is subjective; I think HOW to do so is critical – that it always be done softly, meekly and in a quiet voice – and that it address ONLY the point being made, not the person who made it.

Interestingly (or not) bad apologetics have become cultural doctrine.

My sister tried to gently correct someone close to her on some bad apologetics only to find out that that person had accused my sister of apostasy to a family member.

I’ve wondered in the past why the brethren don’t make a stand on some of the more egregious examples; maybe “let sleeping dogs lie”.

swimordie – ironically, the phrase I was thinking was “don’t cast your pearls before swine.” 😆

My own view is that I correct misinformation based on a series of principles:

– what is the mistaken notion I feel compelled to correct? Is it completely wrong (proven to be wrong), or just unlikely (other theories are more compelling).

– how should I bring it up? This depends on what I’m bringing up. If it’s inaccurate info, I might just say “That’s not correct” and explain why. If it’s speculative, I might say, “Some disagree. Here are some alternate viewpoints.” If it’s laughably stupid, I probably will just enjoy a private chuckle.

– who said it and in what context? Is this just one person with a mistaken notion (easy to correct) or a GD teacher who wandered off the reservation? If it’s just one person, it’s easier to correct. When there are others there, it gets more complicated.

– who is the audience? If I’m having a conversation with just one person, I usually debunk the myth. If it’s GD, it depends. Some teachers get rattled. Others are excited to have new info brought in. I try not to blow a teacher’s confidence. Sometimes I confirm what they say (“yes, I’ve read/heard that too” so they feel confident) then bring in a dissenting view (“and more recently I read that . . . ” as if I’m building on their comment).

I keep the idea in the back of my mind that I’m a guest in the teacher’s class. But then other times, I think that the misinformation has to be clarified for the class members’ benefit. It’s a fine line.

I find that it usually depends on my mood as to whether I decide to correct someone or not. Am I feeling argumentative, or is it better to just to skip class and let others try to feel the spirit?

My wife will quickly slip in from time to time to see what I’m reading/listening to. I think that she is somewhat hopeful that I have at least come back to some reading of things Mormon.

Of course it hurts her when I’m on the abrasive Mormon sites, and she quickly leaves, unwilling to have any part of it. However, the other night she sat here and listened to the whole of John’s recent interview with Mormon Expressions … not saying a word, playing like she was busy on her computer.

I knew this was something that would give her a new found hope of me going back. The mere fact that she sat and listened to the whole of it was unusual for her.

The next day I said something to her about wondering if I could go back, under the circumstances she had heard from John. She got all excited and the following burst out;

“You can NOT go back and say anything!”

The uncontrolled response surprised her as much as me … we laughed.

This, obviously is one of the topics which I need to consume, ponder and gain some control over before considering dropping back in.