|
By Rosemary Pollock
LDS Internet Apologist Websites Agree to Merge
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- The Foundation for Apologetic Information and
Research, known as FAIR, has joined Internet forces with the
Scholarly &Historical Information Exchange for Latter-Day Saints
(SHIELDS) by merging their operations into one central clearinghouse
in order to answer anti-Mormon claims. The merger was approved by
the boards of both organizations and will consolidate the two groups
into one.
The new FAIR chairman, John Lynch, explained the merger as "some
ambitious aspirations in terms of our future direction and growth."
"We also see ourselves as a clearinghouse of reliable information, a
place where members and others can turn for well-researched
information. In this way, we hope to make the average member capable
of responding to criticisms and questions of those critical of our
beliefs, and if possible, improve the church's standing in the eyes
of the world."
With an active membership of more than 1,000, FAIR has been the host
to an annual conference for the past two years. Neither FAIR nor
SHIELDS is affiliated or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Even so, FAIR's mission statement is to "address
charges leveled at the doctrines, practices and leaders" of the LDS
Church.
FAIR is based in Felton, Calif. and boasts ties with several BYU
scholars. The tone of arguments among critics and defenders of the
LDS faith are often respectful, but both sides have accused each
other of resorting to personal attacks, sarcasm, belittling and
innuendo in the written e-mail salvos they exchange.
Scott Gordon is the new president of FAIR and states that the
organization isn't backing away from critics but claims the tone of
its approach to them will change. "We believe our audience is church
members who have been affected by anti-Mormonism. We want to provide
a place where people can go to try to find answers....We're not out
to stir the pot. We're more of a collection point to answer
particular criticisms, more a repository of information and less
direct confrontation."
FAIR chairman John Lynch and president Scott Gordon will be in Utah
this week recruiting speakers for their annual conference to be held
in Utah County next summer. For more information, see the web site
at http://www.fair-lds.org.
Source:
Apologist Web sites merge, will answer anti-LDS claims
Deseret News 20Jan01 I4
By Carrie A. Moore: Deseret News religion editor
|
