Originally Posted by fusnik11 (Post 302738)

changed drastically since the advent of this site?

In what ways, if any?

Originally Posted by fusnik11 (Post 302738)

changed drastically since the advent of this site?

In what ways, if any?

Originally Posted by MikeWaters (Post 302745)

I would say, for me, the most profound change has occurred because of the internet in general, not this website.

And that is that there is a wide diversity of belief and opinion among Mormonia, including people who hold views similar to my own.

Just sitting in Sunday School, I did not really have that impression.

Moreover, I believe the trend in the church is towards heterodoxy, and Prop 8 really brought out some things I didn't expect to see--run of the mill active members getting on the net, non-anonymously, and expressing their strong disapproval for the church's position. I'm not sure that occurs 25 years ago.

Hammers only fall on one nail at a time. When there are thousands of nails, hammers get discouraged.

Originally Posted by Archaea (Post 302747)

I agree with your observations about the internet opening eyes. It remains to be seen how the culture of the Church changes.

One of your observations will be interesting to be watched, that our activities are often subpar. With so much variety and entertainment available, the sloppy, boring affairs will no longer capture the imagination of members. So the burden to provide quality will become an increasing challenge.

But I agree the power of the hegemony will dissipate, and Church culture will become quite different over time.

Originally Posted by Tex (Post 302748)

I disagree with you (big surprise).

The church cannot be expected to compete with modern entertainment. I am reminded of an investigator we had a while back. He was a born-again Christian who really struggled with the fact that joining the church meant no more guitars and lead-singers jamming out on stage. The hymns were just too boring.

We're not here to entertain folks, least of all the youth. We're here to raise a righteous people with strong testimonies of the truth. There are fun ways to do that, and I endorse them. But we're not going to be able to compete with the pomp and show that the world offers. Those who come to the gospel will have to accept that the rewards for doing so are more sublime.

Originally Posted by Archaea (Post 302750)

Perhap my inarticulate expressions confuse you.

It would not be possible to put together media quality productions but slipshod stuff often seen won't cut it either. We can and should do better.

Originally Posted by fusnik11 (Post 302738)

changed drastically since the advent of this site?

In what ways, if any?

Originally Posted by Indy Coug (Post 302781)

I used to believe that apostasy on a large scale in this modern age of transportation, communication and centralized curriculum was impossible. I don't believe that any longer. I see that the internet is the new avenue for sewing the seeds of spiritual discontent, making the church in people's own personal image; one that confirms more conveniently with mainstream religious and political thought.

The tares are in the process of being gathered up.