Special pleading is a form of spurious argumentation where a position in a dispute introduces favorable details or excludes unfavorable details by alleging a need to apply additional considerations without proper criticism of these considerations themselves. Essentially, this involves someone attempting to cite something as an exemption to a generally accepted rule, principle, etc. without justifying the exemption.

The lack of criticism may be a simple oversight (e.g., a reference to common sense) or an application of a double standard.

A more difficult case is when a possible criticism is made relatively immune to investigation. This immunity may take the forms of:

Claiming that vocabulary is owned by a distinct community with sole rights to assess meaning and application

Example: We are the only ones with the fullness of the gospel so we alone can determine what is meant by the terms "valid temple ceremony", "Urim and Thummim", and "revelation".

Unexplained claims of exemption from principles commonly thought relevant to the subject matter

Example: I'm not relying on faith in small probabilities here. These are prayers to our Heavenly Father bolstered by fasting, not primitive chanting. They are different.

Claims to data that are inherently unverifiable, perhaps because too remote or impossible to define clearly

Example: There is no real problem with the lies told in Mormonism [or insert some other faith here]. Like all religions, Mormonism does have some adverse effects, but Mormonism is different. Many have benefited from Mormonism.

Assertion that the opponent lacks the qualifications necessary to comprehend a point of view

Example: I know you think that Mormonism does not always make sense. There are things about Mormonism that you don't have the spiritual insight to understand.

Assertion that literally nobody has the qualifications necessary to comprehend a point of view

Example: I know the idea that the Mormon church is led by inspiration makes no sense to you, but that's only because you're human. Humans cannot understand supernatural phenomena.