To non-believers of the LDS faith

[prisonchaplain]

I'm still trying to get ahold of this concept of trolling. Is that when you go to a website dedicated to something you disagree with, you make a buffoon of yourself, then offer yourself a belly laugh, which really quickly becomes nervous laughter, as you realize everyone else is staring out you wondering about what kind of parenting you were subjected to as a child?

[crazypotato]

If I can just quote Pam with slight modification, it explains my primary reason for being here, besides meeting awesome people, learning, discussing, sharing life and spiritual experiences, etc...

I admit I find myself 'trolling' the homosexuality forums more often than I probably should, but I tend to chime in on occasion in other places as well. The problem I've found, though, is that my opinion doesn't seem to matter much when talking about gospel things, because sometimes people don't particularly LIKE me talking about gospel things - I think it's funny when I say something inline with church teachings on varying church subjects, only to have someone try to start an argument with me (maybe I have a credibility problem since I'm an ex-member?).

Maybe I should create a new account for those discussions . I could probably play the part of an 80 year old true-to-the-faith LDS woman pretty well - tee hee hee.

If someone is pretending to be an 80 year old LDS woman, by gum, I'll find out!!:)

[Sitamoia]

A troll is someone who posts messages that are off topic and designed purely to get other poster's knickers in a knot. They don't usually last too long because they are usually outed due to their disagreement of the basic premise of a site. A troll here would be someone who disagrees with with the basic ideas and beliefs of the lds church and stirs others up by posting deliberately inflammatory posts/threads rather than someone who is questioning to find out more or someone who disagrees with an opinion.

[pam]

If someone is pretending to be an 80 year old LDS woman, by gum, I'll find out!!:)

No pun intended right?

[Jamie123]

A troll is someone who posts messages that are off topic and designed purely to get other poster's knickers in a knot.

I don't think a "troll" need necessarily be "off topic". My understanding is it's someone who deliberately posts stupid or outrageous comments so that he/she can enjoy the angry responses.

I believe the term originates from "trolling", a type of fishing in which barbed metal spinners (or sometimes brightly coloured feathers) are trailed from a moving boat to attract fish. A newbie (like an inexperienced fish) will "bite" at the troll's posts, whereas a more canny poster will ignore them.

Hence the warning "DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS!"

P.S. Wonderful childhood memory - trolling for mackrel in Abersoch Bay in Wales, and then cooking the fish on a BBQ. There's nothing to compare with the taste of freshly caught mackrel!! :)

Edited August 3, 2010 by Jamie123
Had to mention the mackrel!

[pam]

What's interesting is we have 2 regular posters on this site who claim to be Atheist. Both former members of the Church. Yet I see them defend Mormonism left and right. I have a lot of respect for both of them. So do I disregard their comments about gospel related subjects because of their claim to atheism? Hardly. Now if they were constantly belittling or posting derogatory comments about the Church THEN I'd have a problem.

[Tarnished]

I don't think a "troll" need necessarily be be "off topic". My understanding is it's someone who deliberately posts stupid or outrageous opinions so that he/she can enjoy the angry responses.

I believe the term originates from "trolling", a type of fishing in which barbed metal spinners (or sometimes brightly coloured feathers) are trailed from a moving boat to attract fish. A newbie (like an inexperienced fish) will "bite" at the troll's posts, whereas a more canny poster will ignore them.

Hence the warning "DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS!"

I always thought of trolls as the nasty little monsters that lived under bridges and caused travelers problems. Much like the story about the three billy goats and the troll under the bridge.

I always figured that people on forums were called trolls because they were acting in a monsterish manner and causing problems, much like what I could imagine a bridge troll would act. It makes me curious though, as a word nerd I might just go look it up.

Edit:

You were right, it did originally come from the fishing term, it was a truncated version of "trolling for suckers". But it also creates a bit of a double entendre by bringing up the image of the monster troll. Interesting article regarding internet trolls found here: Troll (Internet) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edited July 28, 2010 by Tarnished
More Info

[MichaelCraig]

HEY! Trolls aren't smelly and live under bridges waiting to collect cash. You are confused with TOLL. They can be smelly too but usually live on top of the bridge or multi-lane roads in a small glassed in case, and they DO make you pay to pass.

I came here for the girls. I had no clue what I would find here but after being here a while I can tell you one of the big reasons I stay. Because this forum is a haven for people of many different faiths who try as best as they can to answer questions in a honest and courteous manner without bashing or being judgemental. This forum is not perfect, it is the internet and button pushers/trolls are just the nature of the beast. But compared to the many, and I've been in a LOT...this one is the best and it's because of many things besides the nice folks who answer questions. This forums has the best moderators of any forum I've ever been a member of and that helps tremendously. Thank you every one who is always there to answer my crazy questions and to the many who have the knack to do it in a funny way. (LM, and others) I also feel that I have something to contribute here even though I'm not LDS. If there is any person who is thinking about joining the church who is in a family that is totally non-LDS and you feel that it just won't work, that you will loose either your family or the church...I'm your proof that it CAN work. You CAN be LDS and still have your non-LDS family. It takes a little doing, time and perseverence but it can work. If I see anyone here who needs help or wants to know how I/we did it I will offer my guidance along with my prayers. But other wise, I like it here cause it's fun!

[Marcella]

I first came to this site to understand. I have known many mormons over the years & really didn't understand what you believed. I'd heard lots of opinions & it's been nice to find out the truth. We have much more in common than not. I stay because you guys are such nice people.

[Maureen]

I'd also like to add that these buttons really make the place unique and fun.

M.

[Jamie123]

HEY! Trolls aren't smelly and live under bridges waiting to collect cash. You are confused with TOLL. They can be smelly too but usually live on top of the bridge or multi-lane roads in a small glassed in case, and they DO make you pay to pass.

LOL - that reminds me of a short story by Terry Pratchett where the troll from the Three Billy Goats Gruff is moaning about how the "troll profession" is going downhill:

"My nephew sits in a little box by the roadside and collects money from travellers as they pass over his bridge. AND HE CALLS HIMSELF A TROLL!!!?"

[Guest Kamperfoelie]

I was gonna say something clever at first but at the end of the thread I just found myself battling an overwhelming desire to out myself as a troll, just for the sake of trolling... but then id rather stay a member.

Actually, on the subject: wouldnt it be great if instead of a little title describing our site membership ( junior/senior member / moderator etc ) we could have titles describing our church status (like active / inactive / investigator / lurker etc.) I think id be a senior lurker

[Truegrits]

Troll or not, what I would like to know, is how did you get that picture of my dawg? :)