Sustaind.org is sick. :( If you're a PHP programmer, can you help us upgrade Sustain'd and get it working again? If interested, email richard AT moregoodfoundation DOT org.
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sustain!
This article confronts a growing problem in the Church - members using their blogs to criticize the Church and its leadership
comments
I find it somewhat quizzical that you thought that I thought (following me here? :)) that you were casting MGF and Sustain'd in a negative light. Far from it, I supported your article (and thus Sustain'd it), realizing you were talking about other blogs out there that cast the Church and its leaders in a negative light. I didn't think you were pointing out my own blog either - I sure hope not, for I support and defend the Church and its leaders and this stances (I hope) shows in the things I write about on my blog.
So, I guess there was miscommunication.
You've presented an articulate view of one side of this question, and I appreciate it. I hope you can realize that there are those who differ in their approach to religion. For me, religion is not a warm comfortable blanket used to smother all the doubts I might have. It's more of a vehicle I ride as I navigate life's tricky spots. We all encounter ambiguities and questions in the Church. I feel best when I am free to confront these, discuss them, and learn more about them. In doing this, I grow. In the past I have tried ignoring and stifling these concerns, as counsel in your post has suggested. This feels false and uncomfortable.
I do consider many of those who write what you call "Blogs of Apostasy" to be worthy and active members of the Church. I hope that people with your paradigm will allow us a place in the Church as well as online where we can flourish, instead of pushing us out of the Church and kingdom with well-meaning but intolerant actions and remarks.
BYU Gets An F in Sex Education
Primary Songs went Right Over My Head
Some Lessons Al-Qaida Could Learn
The Lone Man in the Church
Why Darwin Matters
For all the Reid Haters
Missouri's Mormon Past
Missionary Malpractice
Those Who Leave
In none of these could I find criticism or mocking of Church leaders. The vast majority of blogs reviewed here are reasoned approaches to faith issues. In your comment to me you say that "A sincere and humble person can easily and effectively explore their doubts and disagreements."
Perhaps it would be helpful if you would identify what you have found that you believe is "mocking and apostate." Those of us who have blogs listed on Sustain'd would like to know exactly who you are calling to repentance.
"Let me clarify that these articles were not associated with the More Good Foundation or sustaind.org. These websites only acted as portals to these articles. They were in no way maintained or supported by either site. My purpose in mentioning these two sites is to show how I discovered these blogs and to illustrate my intention on finding good material, not searching for bad."
Is that sufficient?
I can't speak for others, but I try not to be overly negative on my blog. I'm very forthcoming about what I love and appreciate in the Church.
But I think the negative trend of many blogs may be a reaction to the exclusively positive light in which the Church is painted in other Mormon forums, as well as the LDS social pressure to not express a divergent opinion in such ituations.
I'm not convinced that it's any more beneficial for someone curious about the Church to stumble across a blog at the other end of the spectrum, one that endlessly glorifies the Church and its leaders.
I think the trend is a result of the popularity of blogs rising, and the ease with which someone can use blogs to mock and criticize while remaining nameless and unaccountable.
You're absolutely right. I never said there wasn't middle ground. I like to believe that there is. I think one can be a loyal member of the Church who gives credit where it's due, and at the same time be unafraid to voice a dissenting opinion.
Unfortunately, many blogs do fall into one extreme or the other.