Death Threats

[Louis Midgley]

Dr. Peterson, I am sorry that you are being threatened in anyway. I will pray for you and your loved ones to be safe.

The real problem is not recent threats made against Professor Peterson. Instead, the real problem is the lack of civility manifest by marginal LDS, former LDS, NOMs and so-called Recovering types, all of whom blast away at anyone who seems to challenge their understanding of things. There are some notorious offenders, including John Dehlin when he feels his little business endeavor is being challenged. Has he ever once admonished his followers to restrain their rhetorical violence? What we have is much hate speech directed at Latter-day Saints who do not adopt a certain stance or approve of some version of priestcraft or whatever.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Louis Midgley

[Daniel Peterson]

It really is astonishing. I've watched some of these folks with fascination for years now, and I continue to marvel at the level of vitriolic anger that they seem to have reached and -- more impressively -- to have maintained over a very long time.

The ones that I find particularly intriguing are the posters who, seemingly without even the most elementary self-awareness, can go on for many hours each day, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, in the most sneering and contemptuous language, complaining about the allegedly uncharitable behavior of people who've never once reached -- let alone settled in at -- their own level of hateful disdain.

http://www.patheos.c...al-critics.html

.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Daniel Peterson

[mathonihah]

It really is astonishing. I've watched some of these folks with fascination for years now, and I continue to marvel at the level of vitriolic anger that they seem to have reached and -- more impressively -- to have maintained over a very long time.

The ones that I find particularly intriguing are the posters who, seemingly without even the most elementary self-awareness, can go on for many hours each day, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, in the most sneering and contemptuous language, complaining about the allegedly uncharitable behavior of people who've never once reached -- let alone settled in at -- their own level of hateful disdain.

http://www.patheos.c...al-critics.html

They do it because they know you are reading them, and it bugs you. If they knew that you weren't reading them; or that if you did, it didn't bother you; they wouldn't do it. There are only two people who are affected by it: one is you, and the other is them. Nobody else cares. You are affected by it because it bugs you, and they are affected by it because of the satisfaction it gives them in bugging you. If they knew that it didn't bug you, they would get no satisfaction from doing it, and they would stop. My advice would be to stop reading them, permanently, eternally, and forever. Let them stew in their own juice as much as they want. And when they have stewed long enough they will stop. Even supposing they don't stop; who cares? The devils in hell are fuming forever; who cares?

Edited March 14, 2013 by mathonihah

[Programmer]

...

Personally I hope it does go to the lawyers. Legal discovery will be fascinating.

Personally I hope it goes to the mental health professionals. That would also be fascinating!

[Programmer]

Lou:

Thanks for posting this story. I am, frankly, growing tired of, and frustrated by, the incessant personal abuse and vilification that some have orchestrated and aimed at me.

...

Daniel.

A few years ago I had contact and attempted to help a mentally unstable man in Montreal. He was very educated man, and even had a doctorate in linguistics from Sorbonne University in France having studied under Noam Chomsky. It didn't matter how educated this man was, he attacked everyone and anyone who he encountered. And eventually bit any hand that tried to help him. It is a long story, but eventually he was kicked out of all jobs he had, he was put in jail numerous times, and in a mental hospital a few times. He lost all his children and his family and was alone and with no job. Eventually I got to talk to a doctor and found out they had diagnosed him as (I'm trying to remember) Paranoid Schizo. Eventually this man was very vicious against me in emails when I didn't bend over backwards to give him money. His emails were barely comprehensible ramblings of a kook. Eventually nothing I could prevent him from being kicked out his place and becoming homeless and a wandering vagabond.

These people who do so to you, are sitting lonely in their home, cells (that believe me), are dirty, filthy and stinky. They are mentally unhealthy people whom if you didn't know better, would pity if you saw on the streets. They are living dirty, miserable lives having brought their own calamities on their own heads. They only compound their failures in life by posing on the internet as intelligent people and slandering the honorable people of this world.

Anyways, be of good cheer. We here love and support you. And are you not blessed who "are persecuted for righteousness sake"? So if you have enemies you have at least stood very publicly for something good.

[Somebodyz]

They do it because they know you are reading them, and it bugs you. If they knew that you weren't reading them; or that if you did, it didn't bother you; they wouldn't do it. There are only two people who are affected by it: one is you, and the other is them. Nobody else cares. You are affected by it because it bugs you, and they are affected by it because of the satisfaction it gives them in bugging you. If they knew that it didn't bug you, they would get no satisfaction from doing it, and they would stop. My advice would be to stop reading them, permanently, eternally, and forever. Let them stew in their own juice as much as they want. And when they have stewed long enough they will stop. Even supposing they don't stop; who cares? The devils in hell are fuming forever; who cares?

Plenty of people do care.

Dan did ignore those on another board, it made no difference.

I believe Dan has said this isn't about just those on the other board, it also other LDS.

When threats are given, the supposed victim, does not have to just put up with it and many don't think Dan should have too.

[stemelbow]

It really is astonishing. I've watched some of these folks with fascination for years now, and I continue to marvel at the level of vitriolic anger that they seem to have reached and -- more impressively -- to have maintained over a very long time.

The ones that I find particularly intriguing are the posters who, seemingly without even the most elementary self-awareness, can go on for many hours each day, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, in the most sneering and contemptuous language, complaining about the allegedly uncharitable behavior of people who've never once reached -- let alone settled in at -- their own level of hateful disdain.

http://www.patheos.c...al-critics.html

.

Yep. That's my point too.

[The Nehor]

Can we now refer to them as terrorist cheerleaders then?

[Daniel Peterson]

They do it because they know you are reading them, and it bugs you. If they knew that you weren't reading them; or that if you did, it didn't bother you; they wouldn't do it. There are only two people who are affected by it: one is you, and the other is them. Nobody else cares. You are affected by it because it bugs you, and they are affected by it because of the satisfaction it gives them in bugging you. If they knew that it didn't bug you, they would get no satisfaction from doing it, and they would stop. My advice would be to stop reading them, permanently, eternally, and forever. Let them stew in their own juice as much as they want. And when they have stewed long enough they will stop. Even supposing they don't stop; who cares? The devils in hell are fuming forever; who cares?

Other people have offered the same counsel.

And, in fact, I've ignored the Contempt and Defamation board for many months at a time -- I left it several years ago -- making no comments on it at all for lengthy periods, but new threads continued to be dedicated to me every week (sometimes several in a single day), without any discernible reduction in pace or quantity or sneering hostility. If a perpetual motion machine has ever existed, it seems to be Kishkumen's Hate Place.

.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Daniel Peterson

[wenglund]

Can we now refer to them as terrorist cheerleaders then?

That may, in several respects, cause them to convulse in hyper-politically-correct apoplexy. So, yes, please do.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[The Nehor]

“Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one's first feeling, 'Thank God, even they aren't quite so bad as that,' or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally we shall insist on seeing everything -- God and our friends and ourselves included -- as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.”

- C.S. Lewis

So they are devilish terrorist cheerleaders too. Nice.

[Calm]

If they knew that you weren't reading them

Many would just assume he was....enough to continue on.... Edited March 14, 2013 by calmoriah

[The Nehor]

Many would just assume he was....enough to continue on....

I imagine that even with complete proof that he was paying no attention they would continue on. It is almost a religious ritual at this point. The ceremonial character assassination of DCP is needed to make the crops grow and to kindle fervor to keep their little cult going.

[RobertAC]

Sorry to hear about this. Some people need a hobby and a lot more perspective on life.

[Calm]

I imagine that even with complete proof that he was paying no attention they would continue on. It is almost a religious ritual at this point. The ceremonial character assassination of DCP is needed to make the crops grow and to kindle fervor to keep their little cult going.

Nibley being dead---the ultimate proof that he is not longer paying attention---hasn't stopped his character assassination...nor for Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, etc.

[Louis Midgley]

I imagine that even with complete proof that he was paying no attention they would continue on. It is almost a religious ritual at this point. The ceremonial character assassination of DCP is needed to make the crops grow and to kindle fervor to keep their little cult going.

I have never posted a thing on that Shades thing--not even once. And yet I have had people call my attention from time to time a stream of invective, bald faced lies, distortions, ugly name-calling that several on that thing have directed at me. The worst one, since he is probably the best educated and also the most devoted to posting rubbish, is an assistant professor of classics at Florida State University. How he finds time to post up a storm on that thing is a mystery to me, especially since he needs to be doing something to merit tenure. Does he share his addiction with his academic colleagues? What might colleagues think about someone busy every day posting up a storm on a ridiculous message board? The one who calls himself wayfarer when he belches out confusion and venom on that Shady thing, also posts as Shazi Daoren on something called the Dao Bums. Oh what a blizzard of nonsense--among the worst of New Age rubbish. Beginning perhaps prior to 2006, I noticed someone posting under the name Mayan Elephant (aka Corey Kilpack) opining up a storm. Both of these fellows have, in the short time I have been a captive on this board made cameo appearances in which they try their worst to spread their own confusion. The one I am almost tempted to label Fishy Kishy, stays safely in the drivers seat on that Shady thing. However he seems to let the Malevolent One--Dr. Scratch--out from time to time for certain curious purposes. When people cease to believe, why not just move on? Why the obsession to make of themselves cartoon figures?

[Gervin]

This thread reminds of me of a quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win"

This thread reminds me, too, of a quote:

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

[Daniel Peterson]

Just for the record:

Over at the Contempt and Defamation Board, somebody's demanding that my feet be "held to the fire" over my false claim of a death threat, from which I've now apparently backed away. But, of course, I never claimed that this latest was a death threat. I didn't even claim that it was a threat of violence, though I've received those previously, from (I presume) a different person.

And our pal Wayfarer, who has been so upset by my nastiness that he's been spewing invective and insults my way for several weeks now from over at Kishkumen's Hate Place, has just accused me of spreading his IRL name around:

i don't recall sharing my name publicly, but Dan Peterson forwarded a personal and private email i sent only to Dan to his entire group, revealing my name. tacky.

I have no idea what he's talking about. I may have received a personal and private email from him, but, if so, I don't recall it. And, so far as I'm aware, I don't know his name. Nor do I much care about it.

Finally, "lance peters," who made the threat (under a different pseudonym) that provoked this thread, is still darkly hinting at ways in which he and his alleged group hope to harm me:

Probably the most fascinating part about DCP's acquiring of a person's information is that it would be very easy to fully Dox DCP and his buddies. If a Dox were run on DCP then not only would one have his name but also his ... well ... let's just say, one would have everything about DCP and his buddies, both private and public information. I love that DCP and his buddies think themselves clever; unfortunately, however they really are quite a bit less clever than a group of folks who's interest DCP and his buddies have sparked.

They've now conjured up for themselves a whole deliciously horrifying demonology in which I'm supposedly trying to discover all sorts of personal information with which to damage them, It's bunk, of course. I haven't done any such thing, and have no interest in doing any such thing. The most I've done, after roughly a year and a half of Everybody Wang Chung's boasting that he's a currently serving bishop and that he went to Israel with me last April (during which time he personally witnessed my absurd antics as a Mopologist and a tour guide), was to take one elementary and obvious step that demonstrated that no currently serving bishop went to Israel with me in April -- and that, thus, Everybody Wang Chung seems to be lying.

.

Edited March 15, 2013 by Daniel Peterson

[Jude2]

Nibley being dead---the ultimate proof that he is not longer paying attention---hasn't stopped his character assassination...nor for Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, etc.

Guess you're in good company Br. Peterson

[Daniel Peterson]

For the record, again, because I actually do, contrary to the claims of my enemies, try to get things right:

Wayfarer was, in fact, able to come up with a message of his that I shared with (I think) three of my friends whom he had been publicly attacking along with me. It contained a "peace proposal" to the effect that, if I would publicly renounce and denounce certain statements of these friends (including a recent article in Interpreter), and if I would assent to everything Wayfarer had been saying, he would stop calling me nasty names. I thought it was a transparently unserious idea -- even, frankly, a contemptuous one. I declined the offer and forgot about it. Whether his message contained his IRL name or not, I don't recall -- I would have to look -- but, in any event, I couldn't, even under torture, come up with Wayfarer's IRL name at the moment. I don't remember ever having known it. I haven't sought to find it out. I truly, genuinely, don't care.

Since then, perhaps provoked by my failure to capitulate, Wayfarer has considerably ratcheted up the intensity of his insults and name-calling. And, of course, he's been joined by the usual chorus at Kishkumen's Hate Place -- and Kishkumen, incidentally, is being comforted and consoled for the vicious way in which we're all going after him here. (You really can't make this stuff up.) I had been puzzled, to be honest, as to why Wayfarer has seemed even more hostile lately than he was before, but now, having been reminded of his "peace offer," I think I understand the timing.

[rodheadlee]

There must be a lot of broken arms over there as much as they pat themselves on the back for their cleverness and intelligence.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

For the record, again, because I actually do, contrary to the claims of my enemies, try to get things right:

Wayfarer was, in fact, able to come up with a message of his that I shared with (I think) three of my friends whom he had been publicly attacking along with me. It contained a "peace proposal" to the effect that, if I would publicly renounce and denounce certain statements of these friends (including a recent article in Interpreter), and if I would assent to everything Wayfarer had been saying, he would stop calling me nasty names. I thought it was a transparently unserious idea -- even, frankly, a contemptuous one. I declined the offer and forgot about it. Whether his message contained his IRL name or not, I don't recall -- I would have to look -- but, in any event, I couldn't, even under torture, come up with Wayfarer's IRL name at the moment. I don't remember ever having known it. I haven't sought to find it out. I truly, genuinely, don't care.

Since then, perhaps provoked by my failure to capitulate, Wayfarer has considerably ratcheted up the intensity of his insults and name-calling. And, of course, he's been joined by the usual chorus at Kishkumen's Hate Place -- and Kishkumen, incidentally, is being comforted and consoled for the vicious way in which we're all going after him here. (You really can't make this stuff up.) I had been puzzled, to be honest, as to why Wayfarer has seemed even more hostile lately than he was before, but now, having been reminded of his "peace offer," I think I understand the timing.

The most interesting thing here is it seems that some people never left the 7th grade. Grown people acting like 13 year olds. So freaking pathetic. I have no respect for those tools.

[escott3564]

For the record, again, because I actually do, contrary to the claims of my enemies, try to get things right:

Wayfarer was, in fact, able to come up with a message of his that I shared with (I think) three of my friends whom he had been publicly attacking along with me. It contained a "peace proposal" to the effect that, if I would publicly renounce and denounce certain statements of these friends (including a recent article in Interpreter), and if I would assent to everything Wayfarer had been saying, he would stop calling me nasty names. I thought it was a transparently unserious idea -- even, frankly, a contemptuous one. I declined the offer and forgot about it. Whether his message contained his IRL name or not, I don't recall -- I would have to look -- but, in any event, I couldn't, even under torture, come up with Wayfarer's IRL name at the moment. I don't remember ever having known it. I haven't sought to find it out. I truly, genuinely, don't care.

Since then, perhaps provoked by my failure to capitulate, Wayfarer has considerably ratcheted up the intensity of his insults and name-calling. And, of course, he's been joined by the usual chorus at Kishkumen's Hate Place -- and Kishkumen, incidentally, is being comforted and consoled for the vicious way in which we're all going after him here. (You really can't make this stuff up.) I had been puzzled, to be honest, as to why Wayfarer has seemed even more hostile lately than he was before, but now, having been reminded of his "peace offer," I think I understand the timing.

Thanks for commenting on this, Dan.

This whole exchange seems extremely bizarre.

[Daniel Peterson]

It is bizarre. And it's boring. I'm not nearly as interested in Wayfarer as he seems to think I am or should be.

[Bill Hamblin]

Just for the record:

Over at the Contempt and Defamation Board, somebody's demanding that my feet be "held to the fire" over my false claim of a death threat, from which I've now apparently backed away. But, of course, I never claimed that this latest was a death threat. I didn't even claim that it was a threat of violence, though I've received those previously, from (I presume) a different person.

And our pal Wayfarer, who has been so upset by my nastiness that he's been spewing invective and insults my way for several weeks now from over at Kishkumen's Hate Place, has just accused me of spreading his IRL name around:

i don't recall sharing my name publicly, but Dan Peterson forwarded a personal and private email i sent only to Dan to his entire group, revealing my name. tacky.

I have no idea what he's talking about. I may have received a personal and private email from him, but, if so, I don't recall it. And, so far as I'm aware, I don't know his name. Nor do I much care about it.

Finally, "lance peters," who made the threat (under a different pseudonym) that provoked this thread, is still darkly hinting at ways in which he and his alleged group hope to harm me:

Probably the most fascinating part about DCP's acquiring of a person's information is that it would be very easy to fully Dox DCP and his buddies. If a Dox were run on DCP then not only would one have his name but also his ... well ... let's just say, one would have everything about DCP and his buddies, both private and public information. I love that DCP and his buddies think themselves clever; unfortunately, however they really are quite a bit less clever than a group of folks who's interest DCP and his buddies have sparked.

They've now conjured up for themselves a whole deliciously horrifying demonology in which I'm supposedly trying to discover all sorts of personal information with which to damage them, It's bunk, of course. I haven't done any such thing, and have no interest in doing any such thing. The most I've done, after roughly a year and a half of Everybody Wang Chung's boasting that he's a currently serving bishop and that he went to Israel with me last April (during which time he personally witnessed my absurd antics as a Mopologist and a tour guide), was to take one elementary and obvious step that demonstrated that no currently serving bishop went to Israel with me in April -- and that, thus, Everybody Wang Chung seems to be lying.

Dan never called it a death threat. I did, because I misunderstood an email from him. Dan corrected my mistake shortly after I started this thread.