"TMP: 'The Mormon Pecularity'?" Topic

One or more of the trolls on social media have taken to referring to TMP as 'The Mormon Pecularity'.

I suppose what they're trying to say is that they don't think much of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ("Mormons"), and that since I'm a member of that church, to them it somehow devalues the website which I run.

Now, I find this attack rather odd, as I imagine that many of you had no idea what my religion was! I'm certainly proud of my faith, but I haven't felt that TMP was an appropriate place to witness about Christ.

I also imagine that the trolls do not realize that being called 'peculiar' is something of a badge of honor for Christians, as 1 Peter 2:9 refers to Christians being a 'peculiar people.'

The term "Mormon" was originally an insulting way to refer to members of our Church, due to our belief in the Book of Mormon, which is a second witness of Christ that stands with the Bible. Over the years, however, "Mormons" became the accepted nickname, and it is certainly easier to say than the official name! In the last few months, our church has renewed efforts to emphasize our proper name, so that even the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir is now The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

So to sum up, I don't really get why anyone wants to paint TMP as a "Mormon" website. It's a gaming website. Religious proselyting is prohibited on the forums by long-standing community rules, just as political speech is, except for the Blue Fez forum.

If you want to know more about my religion, please don't ask questions on this topic – you can PM me, email me, or just go to ComeUntoChrist.org

I knew, but didn't care. I'm here for the toy soldiers, man.

I knew but didn't care, either.

Religion, lack thereof, or denial thereof is private to the individual.

I'm here to talk miniatures.

Some people have nothing better to do than find something negative to say. They wouldn't know positive if it hit them in the face. I am here for the miniatures and the history. And I plan to stay here for the miniatures and the history.

I knew, and am a Baptist, but also a wargamer. I have no problem with anyone having (or not having) a faith.

Internet Trolls deal in fear, cruelty and ignorance, in my experience, and should be ignored.

Sorry you are being attacked. I find that the internet critics haven't the faintest idea what they are talking about. They've never taken the time to study or become familiar with ideologies or philosophies or religions or science…. Plato said that each form of government will be destroyed by what it values most, democracy will implode because we think we are free to do or say anything everyone's opinion is just as valuable as fact; anti-vaxxers come to mind….

I am surprised they could think of an acronym

I'm here for the toy soldiers,

Yep …

Internet Trolls deal in fear, cruelty and ignorance, in my experience, and should be ignored.

Very true !

If you were Roman Catholic or Russian Orthodox, the trolls would behave the same.
Why even give them any credibility by mentioning them?

Fack the trolls. They're unhappy with their own lives so they've got pick shite with others.

I am in the same boat with the editor. But I could not care less what the critics say

Not a fan of most religions myself, (it being mostly appropriated by politics as a tool) but I have never seen any sort of religiosity that might bug me here. Had it not been mentioned I would never have known. The only thing I see here at TMP is a sometimes overt political voicings of intolerant nature.i wouldn't worry to much about it. If this place was some sort of hotbed of religious proselytizing, I would be the first to complain and then leave.

I really have no need to know your religion or your politics unless I'm actively discussing those topics.

I'm here for the miniatures (as others have said).

Maybe you should consider renaming the site:
Those Magnificent Paintjobs
Them Mini Playthings
Titans, Mostly Playable

That will end up confusing the haters and we'll just hang out looking at paint jobs we can't hope to match.

Well said Bill. In the same boat with you. I too come here for the discussion, news, and witty repartee on military history and model soldiers.

It's only intended to induce a reaction.

My reaction – 'yawn'.

It's a general attack on organized religion IMO, try to ignore it.

How about "Too Many PaintfreeminiaturesthatIhaveyettofinish"?

I knew, but don't care in the least. This is all about our wonderful hobby. You can be an Atheist, Mormon, Agnostic, Baptist or even a Buddhist like myself and I still wouldn't care. Over the years I've made friends here, and often found helpful advice. saw some really stunning works of art and read articles I even didn't know existed. That's what it's all about. Nothing else. Keep up the excellent work Bill.

Didn't know, doesn't make a difference.

I agree with all above. I believe I'd heard you're Mormon before; but I see no evidence that that has ever affected how the site is run.

They are just a bunch of English sillys.-;^))*

.* Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Don't worry about it Bill.

Haters have to hate, and will come up with some reason to do so.

This, coming from an atheist who could care less about other people's religions, with the exception of when they use it to abuse children.

It certainly doesn't bother me what religion anyone use even though I have no religion myself.

I think I should mention that being a Mormon is probably viewed as more odd in the UK than in the US. Religion is largely dying out in the UK and declarations of faith are usually met with embarrassed looks and a degree of sympathy that the someone believes that "mumbo-jumbo". That's if someone says they are in mainstream religion. As for stuff at the margins, like being a Mormon, you may as well have two heads.

Didn't know, don't care what beliefs you or anyone else has so long as they don't try to force them on me. I haven't seen this from you and the few who have extreme beliefs and sometimes show up with them here I ignore. That's why I generally avoid "Social Media" because it is generally anti-social. Any idiot with a phone or computer can say what they want with apparent impunity. Best thing to do is ignore these sad lifeless people.

"As for stuff at the margins, like being a Mormon, you may as well have two heads."

I would have thought It would have been the two wives. Not that Mormons still do that.

I've had some decent chats with some missionaries of that church,interesting stuff. Even met a pair from SLC itself. Complimented them on how cool their home turf looked. And mentioned how late at night,sometimes I'd be able to pick up a 50KW clear channel radio station from there as well.

Being Catholic I am sort of used to my religion being trash talked – like Thresher said, haters gotta hate

Have had an FB account for 10+ years, go into it around 4x each year. Posted around 6x in the 10 years. I don't like the format, and I do not vent my spleen of all things personal, to the Internet. Only created it for contact with my son, and his family, living overseas, while he serves in the military (didn't work out, need to close it down).

No idea what, or even if, anyone posts about me on FB. Could not give a "vapor" (obtuse reference to an old, US, Southern culture euphemism, on passing intestinal gas).

Only interested in gaming related posts, here on TMP. Cheers!

I'm a kinda practicing Jew, married to a secular humanist. I've worked for a Catholic newspaper (from your neck of the woods actually) for 15 years. You've mentioned being Mormon several times in the past, I've never cared.

An Uncle of mine became a 'Saint' (his term) and his
family (4 children) were raised in that faith.

Known for long time of your faith, no issue here.

I didn't know and didn't care. Now that I know I still don't care…

I'm United Methodist, but I lived in the Salt Lake Valley for 20 years, and knew about your faith. Like the people I gamed with in Utah, you have concentrated on gaming related things, and not pulled religion into it.

In fact, I've posted about the battle at Stone Fort (north of SLC), the establishment of Ft. Douglas (excellent field of fire that includes downtown SLC), and a few other Utah Mormon topics.

Grelber

I knew, but didn't care. I am Southern Baptist myself, a reviled denomination in some quarters. And, please don't be offended, I consider LDS to be a cult.

That said, I have met numerous Mormons and found them to be friendly, open, and the most family oriented people I've ever met. So, while I may not agree with your religion, I have no problem with it.

Besides, I'm here for miniatures and as long as that's what we talk about, I don't really care.

Didn't know, didn't care. Now that i know, I will never visit this website again. --- JUST KIDDING!!! STILL don't care!
Trolls. What ya gonna do? Ya can't embarrass them or shame them into behaving. Identify them and move on.

Well, if the trolls really wanted to nitpick about something, they could visit TMP (it wouldn't actually occur to them to) and get into heated discussions about the color of the piping on the sleeves of 1809 Wurtemburg Jaegermeisters… ;-)

Do they have piping?

I am a leader in my local non-denominational church and like many other religions I may not agree with all that you believe – but if you don't require a statement of faith I am here for the miniatures.

As a side note while in the military I have served beside Soldiers from almost every religion and I care more about competence than their specific worship preferences. Most of the LDS Soldiers I served with were great men and women I am proud to have served with them.

As others have said forget the haters.

Yep, didn't know & don't care. I come here for the hobby aspect.

I doubt anyone knew until you decided to post about it.

Since it allowed you to post 3 links concerning your faith you really can't complain.

As others have said forget the haters.

Amen to that !

Well, isn't it obvious, those guys trully need to get a real hobby, like miniature wargaming!!!

Born and baptised Baptist, raised Methodist, married Lutheran and graduated from a Baptist University kinda came full circle there didn't I? My point is, who gives a rats behind? You seem to be decent enough fellow, despite sticking me in the dawghouse, twice, but I'm not gonna hold a grudge (frankly I did deserve it, at least the first one).