FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormonism and apologetics/"ad hominem"
What is "ad hominem"?
ad hominem:
1. appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect.
2. marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made.
—Merriam Webster. off-site
1. appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect.
2. marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made.
—Merriam Webster. off-site
Hales is not a scholar. He's an anesthesiologist who hired Don Bradley to do his research for him. He then wrote 3 books using his employee's homework. Author? Sure. Apologist? Yes. Amateur? Yes. Scholar? No. He's an apologist disguising himself as a scholar. The real scholars in the field of polygamy have issues with many of Hales' conclusions and interpretations. Anyone with big bucks and writing skills can do what Brian did. All you have to do is hire guys like Don Bradley to do all the work for you and then you throw the stuff in a nice hardcover book with your name on it.
—Jeremy Runnells, author of the "Letter to a CES Director", posted on "Who's the Real Amateur?," Ploni Almoni: Mr. So-and-So's Mormon Blog (16 July 2014) off-site
—Jeremy Runnells, author of the "Letter to a CES Director", posted on "Who's the Real Amateur?," Ploni Almoni: Mr. So-and-So's Mormon Blog (16 July 2014) off-site
I used to think the people at FairMormon were just delusional but with honest intentions. Now after dealing with them for close to a year now? They're not only delusional but dishonest and deceptive.
—Jeremy Runnells, author of "Letter to a CES Director" (22 June 2014). [1]
—Jeremy Runnells, author of "Letter to a CES Director" (22 June 2014). [1]
Topics
What is "ad hominem" and how it it employed?
Summary: Critics of Latter-day Saint apologists often accuse apologists of executing "ad hominem" attacks on those with whom they disagree. What is "ad hominem"? How is "ad hominem" employed?
Case studies of the application of "ad hominem"
Ad hominem case study: An attempt to discredit Brian Hales as a scholar
Summary: The author of A Letter to a CES Director attempts to discredit Brian Hales as a scholar without addressing his work.Ad hominem case study: An attempt to portray FairMormon as delusional, dishonest and deceptive
Summary: The author of A Letter to a CES Director attempts to dismiss members of FairMormon as "delusional, dishonest and deceptive."Ad hominem case study: An attempt to portray Dan Peterson as dishonest and possibly mentally ill
Summary: John Dehlin attempts to portray Dan Peterson as dishonest and possibly mentally illSummary: John Dehlin attempts to dismiss Rosalynde Welch because her father-in-law is Jack Welch, founder of FARMS.
Ad hominem case study: An attempt to discredit Hugh Nibley by accusing him of child abuse
Summary: Robert Ritner attempts to discredit Hugh Nibley by accusing him of child abuse
Notes
- ↑ Jeremy Runnells, posted as "kolobot" on the ex-Mormon subreddit, June 22, 2014.