My Column in "Mormon Times"

[The Nehor]

They're really quite ingenious about demonstrating this to be true -- particularly the Stalker and, to a lesser degree, Xander/Kevin -- and very determined, and they may be able to convince you.

Not likely. You see, I've interacted with them before.

[Pahoran]

It certainly was on 23 December, when that column was published.

It's not false advertising at all. You just need to read what I write through the eyes of my Malevolent Stalker, Xander/Kevin, and Kishkumen. As they see it, just about everything I produce, whether as author or editor, is a "hit piece." They're really quite ingenious about demonstrating this to be true -- particularly the Stalker and, to a lesser degree, Xander/Kevin -- and very determined, and they may be able to convince you.

As for Kishkumen, my impression is that he is a world class panderer. Having surrounded himself with an audience, he feeds upon its adulation; but in order to keep on getting it, he has to cater to its shared prejudices.

And cater he does. If only he had some moral courage, he might be able to disagree with the Church without selling his intellectual integrity to the most vulgar street mob he could find.

Mind you, that impression rests in part upon the conviction that he can't possibly be so oblivious to reality as to actually believe the drivel he posts. A professor of classical studies at an actual university ought to have the intellectual tools to detect the malice and self-interest driving the prejudices to which he panders.

But recently I have come to wonder whether he really does have those tools. Is it possible that reading Cicero and Seneca in the original is within the grasp of any educated redneck?

Regards,

Pahoran

[Daniel Peterson]

I have to admit that I've been extremely disappointed in Kishkumen over the years, and especially over the past several months. He seems to spend much of each day sneering at and deriding "apologists" in particular, but also, to a remarkably large extent, Mormons in general. And, while he's rigorous to the point of blatant injustice with regard to the flaws he sees in those targets, he's remarkably serene (to the point of blissful unconsciousness) about the obvious flaws on his side.

The old Popular Front slogan and implicit rule of thumb was Pas d'ennemi à gauche ("No enemy to the left"), which meant, in practice, that the preferred enemy was always somebody or something on the right. For Kishkumen, there seems to be no enemy, nobody to be seriously criticized, among critics of the Church and of those who seek to defend it. But he subjects defenders of the faith to withering disdain and moral indignation, often on remarkably flimsy and even downright illusory grounds. And he's notably credulous with respect to often extraordinarily wild charges leveled against them.

[Daniel Peterson]

More spiteful and bilious rhetoric, covering up a dishonest use of evidence that doesn't even exist anyway and a complete lack of logic:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765581231/We-can-learn-from-sins-of-Nephites.html

[Libs]

I read your column, as I almost always do....this time with mixed emotions and questions stirring in my mind.

Do we choose what to believe? To some extent, I suppose we do, but to some extent it doesn't feel like a "choice".

Who are the enemies of the church? And, if they are working against the church, because they disbelieve, aren't they just following their own conscience and beliefs, as most do?

Disbelief hardens the heart. I heard this a lot, in the church. I guess it is true, to an extent, but if something really is untrue, then shouldn't we be "hardened" against it? I am very "hardened" against Calvinism, for example, and I do speak against it, if the subject comes up. I think it is a harmful belief system. So, that's another issue...sometimes it's more than mere disbelief, but a belief that something is harmful, that causes one to want to work against it. I don't, personally, believe that about the LDS Church, overall...only in regards to a couple of issues...but overall, I think the church is a positive...but, some people do see it as an evil, for various reasons (usually dependent on their own beliefs and/or experiences).

[Libs]

Hmmm, I see this a little differently, after reading Will Schryver's new thread. Enemies within the church, I suppose, is more on target.

[Libs]

This article is kicking up quite a dust storm.

[Duncan]

This article is kicking up quite a dust storm.

a certain FB phenom has a thread about it and vitriol abounds

[Libs]

Yes, that's where the "dust storm" (fire storm?) is happening...on some Facebook pages. <sigh>

[Daniel Peterson]

Peterson's insatiable lust for vengeance, his obsession with avenging all the wrongs he imagines himself to have suffered and all of the humiliations that have been inflicted upon him over the course of an admittedly pathetic life, reaches the Deseret News from the ancient city of Tiberias, where his noxious presence currently blights the life of the residents of northern Israel:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765582991/Messianic-ideas-in-Judaism.html

[Daniel Peterson]

Disgraced Mopologetic hit man Daniel Peterson erupts in volcanic rage against those who, he imagines, have slighted him:

http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/765584731/Korihor-and-Social-Darwinism.html

[Pahoran]

Disgraced Mopologetic hit man Daniel Peterson erupts in volcanic rage against those who, he imagines, have slighted him:

http://www.deseretne...-Darwinism.html

Thank you for that. It is, as always, a thought-provoking article, although your link goes to the comments rather than to the article itself.

I'm intrigued that you see Korihor as a kind of proto-social Darwinist. I've been inclined to see him as something of a proto-Nietzschean, myself.

Incidentally, the clear philosophical differences between the various Nephite heretics rather scuttles B. H. Roberts' famous (and probably not sincerely held) description of them as being essentially indistinguishable.

Regards,

Pahoran

[Daniel Peterson]

Ooops. Here's the proper link:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765584731/Korihor-and-Social-Darwinism.html

Sorry.

[DH]

Thank you for your article in "Mormon Times," Dr. Peterson. It is very timely, as it seems to me that Korihor's attitude is being embraced with renewed fervor these days.

"What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts." -- Isaiah 3:15

[Daniel Peterson]

Still flailing about in impotent rage, the discredited mopologetic hack Danny Boy Peterson snarls at non-Mormons:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765586394/Sharing-the-gospel-with-our-talents.html

[Calm]

I am shocked they are allowing you to continue to publish there, seeing as how you have been so thoroughly discredited and thrown to the dogs even.

BTW, been very much enjoying your blog on your travels....considering the heat here, it is like having a cool refreshing breeze blowing looking at all those pictures. Plus the commentary can be quite inspiring as well.

Speaking of Switzerland, here is another article I stumbled upon after reading yours many here might enjoy:

http://www.deseretne...ssionaries.html

[Evangeline]

This sentence stood out to me:

"Perhaps you speak a "language" that can touch the heart of somebody out there better than anybody else on the planet can."

Just want you to know, Dr. Peterson, that your "language" has touched my heart many times.

Here's an example (scroll up a bit to see the exchange between me and 3DOP):

http://www.mormondia...entry1209139200

[Libs]

Cal, I have really enjoyed the travel blog, as well...and the beautiful photos!

[DH]

Still flailing about in impotent rage, the discredited mopologetic hack Danny Boy Peterson snarls at non-Mormons:

http://www.deseretne...ur-talents.html

Ooh, I could feel waves of your anger practically radiating from the screen!

[Daniel Peterson]

My volcanic fury hasn't subsided even now, as is obvious from this diatribe:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765587890/Christianity-is-all-about-community.html

[KevinG]

RE: Comments. Boy the stalkers really want to shut you up completely don't they? I think they are under the illusion that they steer BYU and LDS Headquarters policy and hold sway over who publishes any LDS article, study or book.

Ride the wave of love Dr P!

[sjdawg]

I have

My volcanic fury hasn't subsided even now, as is obvious from this diatribe:

http://www.deseretne...-community.html

I have read and agreed with many criticism of Mormonism. There are also many criticisms of Mormonism I disagree with. This particular viewpoint is new to me. I have never seen or read anything from any "secular critics" stating that Mormonism is unfashionable because it is overwhelmingly middle class.

Today, some secular critics find American Mormons culturally unfashionable because, among other things, we're overwhelmingly middle class, which simply isn't cool. (By contrast, such critics sometimes romanticize poverty.)

[Daniel Peterson]

This week's explosion of hate, resentment, and vengefulness:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765590762/Beethoven-is-a-study-in-hope-healing.html

[Daniel Peterson]

This week's explosion of hate, resentment, and vengefulness:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765590762/Beethoven-is-a-study-in-hope-healing.html

[Libs]

Wow, that was so hateful, it posted twice!

Beethoven is one of my favorite classical composers. Such a sad life. So much suffering and yet so much beauty came out of that man.