Earlier this week on the blog a reader commented that the LDS statement about the Brussels attacks had affirmed that the Church was praying for the families of people injured and killed in Brussels and Paris, but said nothing about Istanbul.
Many American denominations, he noted, show “a tinge of racism by whom they omit in their calls of prayer and remembrance.”
Hardly fifteen minutes later, a reader named Bryant fired back this furious response:
WUT?
Somehow, from the two sentences David had submitted, Bryant assumed that David was an attention-seeking “sycophant” who knew nothing about the history of LDS Church work around the world. (Vocab news flash: sycophants don’t criticize openly, like David; they flatter and fawn. Just FYI.)
And in a classic bully move, Bryant also felt free to insult David by calling him “Davie,” maligning his intelligence (“but that would just confuse you, wouldn’t it?”), and telling him to “pack up” and leave.
Then he put the cherry on top of his own venom by adding, “We’ll pray that you will calm yourself and gain this knowledge also.”
In other words, “I will abuse my religion’s teachings by covering my unethical verbal abuse in a veneer of brotherly concern by saying I will pray that you, who actually don’t have nearly the anger issues I am exhibiting, will calm down enough so you can realize that I am obviously 100% right.”
It was too late to delete his comment, since other people had already jumped in to protest, but I would have if I’d gotten to it sooner. When I finally had the time to fully moderate the conversation this morning, I found several other comments that were insulting and defensive, remarks that had to be deleted or edited to remove personal digs.
Most of the vitriol came from Mormons.
Why is it so hard for some people to understand what is within the lines of acceptable dialogue?
And why, oh why, do they think that with their insults and contempt for other people, they are actually helping and not hurting the cause of the LDS Church?
I hate tried redoubling my efforts to scrub the comments a few times a week, but frankly this is exhausting and I HAVE A DAY JOB, PEOPLE. I should not have to play referee to your personal anger issues in my off hours.
So listen up: On the third strike you’re out, and that’s if I’m feeling generous. Personal insults will not be tolerated here. I don’t have time to be your babysitter.
And as the book of James puts it, our anger does nothing to achieve the righteousness God desires (James 1:20).
So for God’s sake – literally – keep a lid on it.
