Would Kirby Be Considered An Lds Anti-Mormon?

[mormonnewb]

I don't think that showing our human side makes us any less appealing as a church and a faith community. Probably more appealing.

But maybe Scott could talk the powers that be into luring Kirby over to the DN... That way he'd have a higher percentage of Mormons reading his articles.

That's the rub. With no factual basis to make this claim (that has never stopped me before), I contend that his column wouldn't last a month in the DN. So he can either be a "reverent saint" for the Mormons or a humorist for the Gentiles. But I just don't see our current Church employing someone who engages in biting cultural critiques.

Interestingly enough, we used to have such persons in prominent roles as GAs (Uncle Goldie Kimball) and as noted scholars (Hugh Nibley), but I think those days are long gone. But with the merger, maybe I'll be proven wrong AGAIN.

[rockpond]

That's the rub. With no factual basis to make this claim (that has never stopped me before), I contend that his column wouldn't last a month in the DN. So he can either be a "reverent saint" for the Mormons or a humorist for the Gentiles. But I just don't see our current Church employing someone who engages in biting cultural critiques.

Interestingly enough, we used to have such persons in prominent roles as GAs (Uncle Goldie Kimball) and as noted scholars (Hugh Nibley), but I think those days are long gone. But with the merger, maybe I'll be proven wrong AGAIN.

I don't know that Kirby's satire can be described as "biting". And I think he often shows a tenderness for his faith in his own unique way.

[mormonnewb]

I don't know that Kirby's satire can be described as "biting". And I think he often shows a tenderness for his faith in his own unique way.

Point well taken. I would say his wit is more "gumming."

Even so, do you think the DN would run his column?

[rockpond]

Point well taken. I would say his wit is more "gumming."

Even so, do you think the DN would run his column?

No. I think we've become much too timid and fearful for that.

[BCSpace]

The Wiki article on him has this to say:

 

Kirby, who is active in the LDS Church, often writes about its teachings and how its members interpret those teachings in their daily lives. Since most of the SL Tribune's readership is non-LDS, Kirby attempts to explain (usually in a humorous way) the LDS way of thinking to outsiders. He refers to himself as an "OxyMormon".[6] This approach either alienates those Latter-day Saints who feel their beliefs should not be satirized, or endears itself to the reader.[7] Despite this discordant reception, Kirby has never faced church discipline and has even been quoted favorably in LDS General Conference.[8][9]

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kirby_%28humor_columnist%29

[Tacenda]

The Wiki article on him has this to say:

Thanks for sharing that BC.

[Rain]

Is there anything that says most of the trib's readership is non-LDS? Living there it was clear that Deseret News was the preferred paper by LDS, but I am a little surprised that more non-Lds read the trib than LDS do. For years I subscribed to it and even after that I read it in restaurants and the library.