Ouch! I’ve just survived a Facebook fight with a fellow Mormon. Can you help develop a Mormon netiquette code?

Dear AMG,

I’m your average “orthodox”, NPR-listening, college educated, straight-laced and very imperfect Mormon housewife. My personal politics fall somewhere in the middle, but I’m always happy to listen to well-thought out, respectful arguments from any viewpoints. I occasionally get wrapped up in “facebook fights” with other Mormons over political issues. I usually only get involved when I feel a side is being grossly underrepresented or people are being rude. Still, even on fairly basic topics, I’ve found myself getting accused of picking and choosing my doctrines and sometimes I get told that “even the elect can be deceived.” I’m a pretty sensitive and very straight-laced kind of person, so that really hurts.

I know these incredibly vocal people are probably a minority, and that I am a worthy, good person. But, I felt, and still feel, really discouraged by the conversation. On some issues, it seems impossible for Mormons to have civil discourse because we are so caught up in jargon and not in truth. So, I was wondering if you could help write a list of rules or “netiquette” for Mormons who want to participate in political discussions online. My first rule would be “don’t use language also found in the Temple to make an argument that a political idea is unsound.” Can you help develop others?

Sincerely,

CM

Advertisement

I want to convert to Mormonism, but my parents think it’s the occult. Help?

First, readers, a little plug:  I’ll be speaking this Saturday, June  11 at the Mormon Stories Conference in Salt Lake City.  Would love to see you there!  For more info, click here.

For a few weeks, I’ve been corresponding with a woman who is in a tough place with her family, and she’s ready to reach out for support.  Here we go:

Dear AMG:

I’m a female who’s been investigating the church for quite a while. I want to be baptized, but my parents believe Mormonism is part of the occult due to reading anti-Mormon literature. They’re very strong in their opinion, and very angry. I’m old enough not to need their permission to join, but I don’t want them to worry for me. Advice?

KD