John Larsen Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 I knew that they were in the news but Larsen has not made the impact with his podcasts as Dehlin has done. I think to get press today is rather easy. Have a gimmick such as this mass resignation idea, do it over something secular as gay marriage. Or bring up something that the church practiced over a hundred years ago such as polygamy and claim racism based on denial of priesthood for the african americans before 1978. And then suddenly the internet press picks up on it and a way they go.But what happened to Helen Radkey? She came, she went and now she is gone. Famous for 15 minutes with the press.And yet Dehlin told us that we have more downloads than he does. About 20,000 active listeners and growing. Maybe you should check your facts. Since most of our listeners tend to not be trying to make the middle way work, they don't cause as much sturm und drang.
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) I am curious now how developed is your community surrounding the podcasts or do you concentrate solely on producing podcasts?Since most of our listeners tend to not be trying to make the middle way workSo it is primarily an exmormon community (assuming you would label it as a community)? Edited July 2, 2012 by calmoriah
John Larsen Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 I am curious now how developed is your community surrounding the podcasts or do you concentrate solely on producing podcasts?So it is primarily an exmormon community (assuming you would label it as a community)?I'm not sure if this is directed at me or not, but we don't have any community other than social. We don't try to build the kind of pseduo-religion that Dehlin does. Our events consist solely of live recordings and things like family picnics.For Dehlin, the podcasts have become secondary to his primary purpose of building the Mormon Stories conferences and community networks.
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) It was directed at you, very interesting observation. Thank you. Edited July 2, 2012 by calmoriah
John Larsen Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 So it is primarily an exmormon community (assuming you would label it as a community)?The social community tends to be primarily ex-Mormon and liberal Mormons. Generally, those who attend don't like defining themselves in terms of Mormonism but are looking for social connections. Our communities are not censored or moderated. Dehlins are heavily so and there have been dustups between the liberals and ex-Mormons in Phoenix, Boise and Salt Lake as well as the nearly constant back and forth on the online communities. In the interest of full disclosure, both my wife and I have been "ex-communicated" from the Dehlin communities.The podcast listenership is an interesting break down of believing Mormons, questioning Mormons, non-Mormons and ex-Mormons.
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) In the interest of full disclosure, both my wife and I have been "ex-communicated" from the Dehlin communities.Very, very interesting.The podcast listenership is an interesting break down of believing Mormons, questioning Mormons, non-Mormons and ex-Mormons.Do you have stats on this by any chance? Edited July 2, 2012 by calmoriah
John Larsen Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Do you have stats on this by any chance?Just based on listener feedback and participation. Of course, there is no way to know the faith status of podcast listeners. But we have active participants both on air and behind the scenes that are practicing Mormons.
ERayR Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Many other denominations believe this as well. The LDS Church makes extrordinary truth claims beyond this that have relevance to it's being and existence as to whether is it is the One and Only True and Living Church. I would think much more should be disclosed. Even the current missionary lesssons disclose more than this.Many other denominations also make truth claims beyond this. If one finds they cannot agree with the truth claims beyond this point then simply move on until they find something that resonates with them. In God's kingdom there is a place for everybody and nobody needs be stuck where they are not comfortable but please, Please do not burn the house down on your way out as some of us are comfortable here. 2
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Just based on listener feedback and participation. Of course, there is no way to know the faith status of podcast listeners. But we have active participants both on air and behind the scenes that are practicing Mormons.Thanks again.
mrmandias Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) If John is so sloppy then why pay so much attention to him? I wonder if you are all giving him more spot light in blogging and talking about him. Really there is nothing any of you can do about him other than perhaps publish the paper that he squashed in some other venue. You can then expose your views of him to a readership that mostly supports LDS apologetics anyway. You can't excommunicate him. Only his SP can and my understanding is that his current SP is not so disposed. Anyway, just some of my musings.I wonder this a little myself. Dehlin strikes me as someone who is a lot less important than he thinks he is, or the amount of ink his detractors spill would seem to indicate. I want that massively unfair 100-page serial ad hominem to be published, but I don't want to hear constantly about this pinprick's antics. Edited July 2, 2012 by mrmandias
mrmandias Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Yea Wade I know you think you have the inside scoop on what the gospel is about. Facts don't matter to you.It's this kind of tone and ad hominem which gives anti-apologetics a bad name. 2
wenglund Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Our communities are not censored or moderated. Dehlins are heavily so and there have been dustups between the liberals and ex-Mormons in Phoenix, Boise and Salt Lake as well as the nearly constant back and forth on the online communities. In the interest of full disclosure, both my wife and I have been "ex-communicated" from the Dehlin communities.Out of curiosity, what do you think is driving the heavy censorship, dustups, and "ex-communications"?Thanks, -Wade Englund-
wenglund Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Just based on listener feedback and participation. Of course, there is no way to know the faith status of podcast listeners. But we have active participants both on air and behind the scenes that are practicing Mormons.I am a sometime listener. I downloaded the entire set of "George Miller" podcasts and thought it of interest that I shared some of your skepticism about some of his claims.Thanks, -Wade Englund- 1
wenglund Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 It's this kind of tone and ad hominem which gives anti-apologetics a bad name.I love it!!Thanks, -Wade Englund-
why me Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 How universal is your position here?As I see it, you are positing:Public Figures have no excuse for squashing or censoring, what might be perceived as negative press;Public Figures must be willing to take "heat" for their words, actions, deeds;Public Figures should allow negative pieces to be published;Public Figures should offer rebuttal.I agree with everything you wrote except the last one. Public figures do not have to offer a rebuttal if they do not wish to. And yes, public figures should go to higher authorities to envoke press censorship. It shows that they may have something to hide.
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) Public Figures have no excuse for squashing or censoring, what might be perceived as negative pressI don't agree. There are some topics that even public figures have a right to privacy on. Edited July 2, 2012 by calmoriah
why me Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) And yet Dehlin told us that we have more downloads than he does. About 20,000 active listeners and growing. Maybe you should check your facts. Since most of our listeners tend to not be trying to make the middle way work, they don't cause as much sturm und drang.Which means you don't have the influence that John Dehlin does. But without John Dehlin's podcasts, your influence would be much bigger. You did sort of take over from him to fill a void in the wayward mormon community. Edited July 2, 2012 by why me
why me Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) It seems that there are many now out there attempting to undermine the lds church through podcasts. They are planting the seeds of doubt. And there needs to be an active policy to counter them. Edited July 2, 2012 by why me 2
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Which means you don't have the influence that John Dehlin does. What type of influence are you talking about here?
why me Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 I don't agree. There are some topics that even public figures have a right to privacy on.I would agree. Sex life is off limits. But you also know that with public figures such a politicians they have no right to attempt to censor a critical piece on their politics or political intentions. The same can be said for John Dehlin.
why me Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 What type of influence are you talking about here?Larsen did spell it out for us: communities, adherents, conferences etc.
why me Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 I'm not sure if this is directed at me or not, but we don't have any community other than social. We don't try to build the kind of pseduo-religion that Dehlin does. Our events consist solely of live recordings and things like family picnics.For Dehlin, the podcasts have become secondary to his primary purpose of building the Mormon Stories conferences and community networks.And this is why Daniel wanted to publish Greg's piece on John Dehlin. John does have an agenda and it may not be good for the lds church.
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 I would agree. Sex life is off limits. But you also know that with public figures such a politicians they have no right to attempt to censor a critical piece on their politics or political intentions. The same can be said for John Dehlin.I would agree that censorship in the arena for which they have publicized/promoted themselves....it is in most cases hypocritical.
John Larsen Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Out of curiosity, what do you think is driving the heavy censorship, dustups, and "ex-communications"?Thanks, -Wade Englund-2 main issues. John ossolates between courting ex-Mormons and Mormons. When he is courting ex-Mormons he tends to focus on tolerance of communication. When he is courting Mormons, he tends towards censorship of the more strident critical voices. They are then shown the door and asked not to return.The second issue is that John has many great talents and is a wonderful guy in a lot of ways, but he strongly values loyality and will go after anyone he believes has crossed him or is not showing due support for his ideas. He has had many run ins with almost all of the ex-Mormon and liberal Mormon online communites.Also, Dehlin's followers can be fairly zealotus and will go after folks too.
Calm Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 It seems that there are many now out there attempting to undermine the lds church through podcasts. They are planting the seeds of doubt. And there needs to be an active policy to counter them.Doesn't take that much effort to make a video. Make a quality looking one and people tend to accept you are credible. Plus you get to be on camera.
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