Saturday, February 28, 2009
Whoops
In high school I was very defensive about my religion. I usually felt like people were asking me loaded questions, trying to trick me or use my words against me. I often felt like I was just moments from being harassed. This of course didn't encourage conversation or ease my general anxiety. I shouldn't have felt that way, it's one of my biggest regrets from my teenage years. I wish that I could have told my teenage self to calm down. Over the past five years or so I've started to collect examples of people who answer all the tough questions about being Mormon without any of the hostility or contention that I often brought to the table. I've found another excellent example. If you've got the time watch this clip, this 20 year old does a fantastic job at answering the moderators questions without being defensive or reactionary. I want to write her a letter or something, I'm really proud of her. Also, if you do watch this clip please comment to let me know if you think the moderator is being even handed? I feel like she's a bit condescending at points, but that could be because she's condescending to everyone or that my old tendencies are creeping back into play.
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7 comments:
I watched this clip a few weeks ago- she did a fantastic job explaining some rather difficult principles, huh? I also didn't have an issue with the way the moderator probed or asked her questions. I think she was fair & even especially when I think of what the average person (who doesn't know much about the LDS faith) would want to ask.
I actually watched this a few months ago too. I thought she was AMAZING and so well-spoken. Her brother buys his BYU football season tickets with my brother so he told him to go watch it. I was really impressed. I thought the moderator was fair. I didn't watch her ask the other students about their religions so I can't be sure, but I thought she was fair.
Wow there's no way I could've answered questions like that as well as she did. I thought the moderator was fair for the most part. It did seem a couple of times though like she was trying to "trick" or "catch" her in the way she asked the question.
I thought this young girl did an amazing job - especially at answering some tough questions and I felt very happy that my religion was represented in such a positive way....If I were not a member and had been there to hear this, I would be investigating. Also you could really feel a wonderful spirit about her. I give it about a l0 thumbs up. I wasn't crazy about the moderator, but she was alright in most cases. I need to go back and listen to the other religions discussed.
all i can say is wow,and to echo em's comment i think the moderator of the discussion was very fair and that she asked questions which are both relevant and probably probing to the point where most of the students were comfortable,ie inquiring minds would want to know
one tiny little factual criticism is that it was actually Gordon Hinckley who made the comment in General Conference re: coming with all of the truth which you possess,and we'll see if we can add to it,not Joseph Smith [ i believe this to be an original quote of his,not Joseph's]
Strangely enough, this girl (Rachel) is my second-cousin. But I agree-- she did a great job. Her answers were honest and thoughtful. And I agree that the moderator was a little skeptical/cynical/condescending. Can't quite put my finger on it, but it was there. But that's to be expected. I liked watching the faces of the guy sitting next to her, though. He seemed affable.
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