You're in the right place WB, thanks for asking. And thanks for participating. So, after you've done some more reading (and re-reading) I'll be interested in your "report". ;) Meanwhile, glad to hear you accept the existence of the big bang. And as for "spontaneous" vs. "nudged", the initial questions from me would be "nudged" by "what" e
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Thanks for the comment. Not sure I qualify as one of the "smart people," but I would like to share a few thoughts. First, as corrective for context, I would characterize the Mormon God as a "quasi-anthropomorphic being," as I do in Ch. 3, not merely as the anthropomorphic being that you rightly reject. This broader characterization makes the Mormon God not only a "H
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Greetings, For those with the book who are interested in actively participating, I have made a new posting in the DM Forum kicking off the discussion again. If you don't have a book, feel free to follow the discussion. T
Forum: Recovery Board

To kick things off, I offer below for your thoughtful consideration and engagement a "perspective" piece I just wrote that isolates what I consider to be the primary justification for the use of the "strong version" of (a priori) Atheism I advocate and employ in my book, as set forth in the FP and Chs. 1 and 2. Here it is, inclusive of notes: (Title) "On the 'Wondro
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

In the above New Introduction to this Dedicated DM forum I addressed several postings from previous DM threads in a constructed Q&A exchange to help bring some closure to outstanding topics of inquiry. I referred to this as a “gathering of fugitives.” In this posting I will address some additional outstanding topics of inquiry that I did not address in my previous post. These remaining
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

As promised, I have written a new introduction to kick things off in this dedicated forum. In this thread I will begin, for those who might be interested, an extended, constructed Q&A to address outstanding questions and concerns from other, previous threads, particularly dealing with philosophical questions and concerns regarding the approach used in the book to deconstruct Mormonism, as
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

NG, Suggest you and others tie up loose ends and clear the air in this or previous threads, if you must. As far as I'm concerned re: this dedicated forum Sue and Erik so generously set-up, the first legitimate thread will be the new one I begin "after" I am informed by Susan that those who will be participating have agreed via email or in some other way to the terms and conditions of
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Thanks Steve, have done so. Hope to be back in business soon. Cheers!
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Hello All, I have read all the postings above, and have reflected and considered thoughtfully how I would like to proceed, if there is still sufficient interest in my doing so, which there seems to be. When those interested in proceeding with informed dialogue and discussion about the book have confirmed that they have in fact completed reading the Introduction, FP and Chs. 1 and 2 of the b
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

I think yours is an important question Dale. The words that struck me in your question were "imposed" and "damaging." "Imposed," to my mind, connotes authoritarian indoctrination (including believed "benevolent" authoritarianism) inherent in "Patriarchal Social Systems," where such indoctrination entails the teaching and operant conditioning
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Respectfully, Kerry, I don't think so. But that notwithstanding, and as I mentioned in replies this evening to UD and DF (see above), the focus is not, I would submit, on Philosophy (with a capital P). Nor is it on Kai Nielsen, whose open and repeated acknowledgement of his own fallibilism and tendency to modify and evolve his own thinking in responses to his critics and alternative philosoph
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

n/t
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

You are spot on DF. Please see my other posts in this thread to UD. Tom
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

The practice of analytical inquiry advocated and practiced in the book is, as I see it, as a practical and therapeutic way to test one's faith, appropriating Loftus' OTF. It also serves as an "a priori" argument to argue for a return to our natural Atheism, and the abandonment of all theistic faith. The hope and goal, for those struggling with real doubts -- who have been bitten by t
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Well put, I think, UD. Whatever philosophical sophistry might be employed in such apologetic attempts will, I think, if they are to have any credibility to those with real doubts and discerning minds who have read the book, have to come to terms with, or convincingly refute, the assumptions underlying the analytical deconstruction of their faith. Specifically, and for those, if any, who m
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

n/t
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Hello All. I assume our unwelcomed intruder will not return either by choice in not wanting to comply in good faith with the conditions proposed for continuance, or by action taken by the Admin. Board of RfM. I want to continue our deliberations and explorations if you do. I am, of course, concerned about further intrusions by those who have bad intentions, or who desire only to be rudely d
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Mr. or Ms. "mrstakhanovite" The nature of your initial offensive and aggressive posting to me, followed by your faux, sarcastic apology to me above, your misrepresentations of what little you have read, and your uninformed reply to DF above points to the likelihood, if not the fact, that you are an imposter who has no genuine interest in carefully reading the book, and whose only int
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Before I begin my reply, allow me to say that your aggressive and frankly offensive intrusion into this forum and thread, and toward me personally, is, from my perspective, as suspect as it is unprofessional. It seems my initial instincts regarding your initial inquiry have been confirmed. That said, whatever your concerns are regarding my book or philosophical preferences are, to my mind, irr
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

My "inordinate" quoting and citing of Nielsen, as you interestingly, if not revealingly, put it, has happily and hopefully created some interest in his work, as well as his critics, although both sides are I think important. At least they were and are to me. Perhaps the best sources that would give you what you need would be found in the References section of the book. Specificall
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Who among those who have read the entire Introduction, if any, would be interested in putting it in a "nut-shell" in terms of its content, purpose and utility? Additionally, why, if at all, do those of you who have done the reading consider, if you do, that the Introduction is "Important," and what personal takeaways, if any, do you have from reading it? Finally, for no
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

"Language-game" is a Wittgensteinian notion that refers to the primary language and the actions into which it is woven within a particular form of life (e.g. Mormonism). In a theistic way of life, the "language-game" consists of how, for example, the way Mormons live their religion gives meaning to the language they use. The Mormon language-game is language-as-use, which is
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

The statement you refer to will gain greater clarity and perhaps currency in the larger context of the psychosocial assessment of the MF in Ch. 8, as well as in the Epilogue and PPS and Appenix A, inclusive of all substantive footnotes. Suffice to say at this point, children's thinking is shaped and conditioned within the social network in which they're raised, and the language-games used with
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The OTF seems fairly straightforward to me, as I understand it. To be an "insider" is to be born, raised in, or converted to, and actively engaged in a particular theistic faith as a belief system and way of life. To be an "outsider" is, technically speaking, to be someone who was not born, raised and active in any form of theism, and/or who, if once a convert to a par
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

This question can also be answered from a socio-psychological perspective, I think. My answer to the question was in the context of the question asked of me, i.e. theistic religions. Buddhism arguably has some socio-psychological merit, as I implicitly embrace in the Epilogue as an alternative to theism.
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There was no disclosed source and I couldn't find one. I think the ideas stand or fall on there own merit though.
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

They are mine, using the same analytical approach that Nielsen and others use, and that has been in use since Socrates, though not with the same theoretical underpinnings. ;) Kai's work was very therapeutic for me after my deconversion, and I adopted it in my own way to deconstruct Mormonism.
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

I don't see the absurdity of a naturalistic view of immortality as the the effect our lives have on others after we die. What that effect is is impossible to know, but then none of that matters to us when we're dead and gone, for "we" (the "self") are no more, right?
Forum: Recovery Board

Uncle Dale Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- I thought I'd begin by finding the edges of your > methodology > as applied successfully. Where are the limits -- > at what > point does it all fade into irrelevancy? When the > limits > are thus fathomed, then to what extent is the > "meat" of > the subject relevant? > &g
Forum: Deconstructing Mormonism

Uncle Dale Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I am much more interested in what, exactly > constitutes > religious activity. Can it be as little as a > single > sentence agreed to by like-mind people? Or must it > > involve some social interaction, some group > activity? > > I'm not > convinced that a non-aligned thei
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