Subscribe Feed (RSS)Are we reluctant to speak?
June 22nd, 2007 by Richard K Miller | Filed under Ideas, Member missionary work, Mormon, Online missionary work.If you're new here, read more about the More Good Foundation. We help members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon church) share their beliefs on the Internet. Learn more about what Mormons believe or talk with Mormons at LDS.net.
GetReligion.org recently linked to a fantastic interview with Richard Bushman. Mr. Bushman fielded questions from some of the nation’s top media outlets, discussing Mormon church history, the implications of Mitt Romney’s presidential candidacy on the Church, and the public’s perception of Mormons. I thought it was an awesome read. GetReligion.org has highlights.
Near the end of the interview, Sally Quinn of the Washington Post said it has been difficult to find Mormon bloggers for the On Faith blog. So far, all the weight has fallen on Michael Otterson’s shoulders. Quinn commented to Bushman, “[M]aybe you have an answer to why people have been so reluctant to speak out and to talk about it.” Bushman replied:
I don’t know; Mormons are very talky about their faith. I think it may be a kind of defensiveness; they don’t know whether they can trust you, whether it is a trap. I think I could easily find well-spoken Mormons who would be very pleased to take part in an operation of that sort.
If, as Mr. Bushman says, Mormons are “very talky about their faith,” is there a hesitancy to participate online? How can we make participation on the Internet more appealing and “safer” for a greater number of Church members?
Richard,
I think this is a very interesting topic. I wonder if part of the answer is this: As Mormons, we are very busy in the “spheres” that immediately concern us — providing for our families, serving in our callings, spending quality family time, home teaching, family history — you know the list. Within those spheres we speak freely about issues that concern us, including being “talky” about church policy, culture, doctrine, practice, etc.
However, I often find myself hesitating before I proffer an opinion online. Before I commit myself IN WRITING to an audience of people that I suspect are probably better read and more opinionated than I am, I want to check my sources and get a firm grip on my position. However, thinking about that is a bit daunting, and at the end of the day, I usually end up doing something else and not engaging in the online discussion.
I wonder if our comfort level will increase over time as the Mormon Blogosphere grows and we simply gain a greater comfort level in the space AND begin to see the value of having that wide community of opinions? Time will tell.
For some people, I believe there is a concern of casting pearls before swine. Certainly the majority of Latter-day Saints are “talky” enough to converse with an inquiring person about our faith; publishing your beliefs on a public blog, however, exposes you to those with whom you probably wouldn’t share sacred things in person.
I don’t know when he plans to start blogging, but Richard Bushman is now listed as an On Faith blogger.
Neal: I think this underscores the need to create easy and enjoyable methods for members to share the Gospel online. More Good Foundation and other organizations need to make this easy so people will know how to do it and do it.
Connor: This is a good point. Maybe some people will be more comfortable with telling a story about what it’s like to be Mormon, instead of bearing their testimony? There must be some level at which each member is willing to do something “public”. I hope.
Justin: Thanks for pointing this out. Sally Quinn must have convinced Richard Bushman to get involved after all. I hope he’ll join Mike Otterson soon.
Richard -
What do you think? Why are we reluctant to speak? Do you think being online has anything to do with it? Or are the same well spoken members not saying much in Sunday School either?
I hadn’t thought of that, Melissa. In Sunday School, it feels like there’s reluctance to be the first to lead out. Once the conversation starts, it’s easier to jump in. Maybe we need to reach a critical mass of participation before it will be mainstream. (Is this Seth Godin’s Dip?)