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.
Question: How does FAIR respond to criticism?
FAIR Answers—back to home page
Question: How does FAIR respond to criticism?
Everyone is an apologist sometimes—whenever you give a logical reason for what you believe (in religion, in politics, in science), you are providing "an apology" in this sense.
There are generally two approaches for apologetics, as there is for any reasoned argument:
- the apologist can answer the objections which others raise (sometimes called "negative" apologetics in that it seeks to "negate" the arguments someone has made against the Church);
- the apologist can provide affirmative reasons which support their argument (sometimes called "positive" apologetics, because it "adds" to the evidence in favor of one's position.
As you can see, we all do this, all the time. Apologetics usually involves doing a mix of both of the above.
To prepare it's material, FAIR:
- Seeks out criticism—volunteers stay familiar with critical websites, critical researchers.
- Studies the evidence and claims being offered
- Considers mistakes in reasoning, biases that are unaccounted for, and evidence that the criticism seems not to have considered
- Prepares easy-to-read and well-documented summaries of their findings, with links for those who want to learn more.
Logical fallacies: how to reason well
In order to provide a well-reasoned response, all need to understand the language of debate. Errors in reasoning are sometimes called logical fallacies.
FAIR has provided an introduction to logical fallacies on this page. Watching out for these errors in our own thinking or the thinking of those with whom we debate religion, politics, or scholarship helps us identify sloppy thinking.
FAIR strives to update its materials
Scholarship, history, science, and knowledge never stand still—there is always more to learn, and new things to learn. As more information becomes available, FAIR volunteers may add to or correct arguments that have been made before.
If you find an error or think we've overlooked an important source, argument, or area of investigation, let us know. Much of our material has been developed because of questions from readers.
Conclusion
The Lord’s church doesn’t have to worry about criticism. It owns the world’s largest library of anti-Mormon literature under divine mandate. The Lord promises us:
Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest. Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.
Notes