Answer
G. Massacre: One of the things that
intrigues people about Mormonism is that it gives a very different picture
of Jesus from the other Christian churches. Many people have said to me
after a long discussion something like "wow, you folks have a whole different
Jesus than I'm used to."
Woococ: If anyone needs further evidence that Mormonism is not
a Christian religion, they only have to listen to Massacre's admission that
their "Jesus" is wholly different from the Jesus of Christianity.
1. Many people get a different impression of Jesus from Mormons than they do from non-Mormons.
(2. A new and different impression of Jesus is intriguing to many people.)
C. Mormonism is intriguing to many people. (deductive - direct argument.)
1. Mountain has quoted people saying that Mormons "have a whole different Jesus."
(2. Mormonism would only be a Christian religion if the Mormon "Jesus" was the same as the Christian "Jesus.")
C.
Mormonism is not
a Christian religion. (deductive - direct argument.)
Since members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
explicitly treat Jesus as both a supreme authority and a pivotal figure
in their religion, we can assume they mean the same Jesus as non-mormon christians
until someone proves otherwise, so Meadows bears the burden of proof here.
Woococ's argument is not a counter argument because it does
not address Massacre's logic. And it's not an opposing argument because his
conclusion does not contradict Massacre's conclusion. However, it is the weaker
argument.
Consider the following related argument:
1. White historians portray George Washington as a great public benefactor.
2. Native American historians portray George Washington as a land stealing mass murderer.
C. Native American historians and white historians are talking about a different person called "George Washington."
Fist of Death
Since members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints explicitly treat Jesus as both a supreme authority and a pivotal figure in their religion, we can assume they mean the same Jesus as non-mormon christians until someone proves otherwise, so Meadows bears the burden of proof here.
Woococ's argument is not a counter argument because it does not address Massacre's logic. And it's not an opposing argument because his conclusion does not contradict Massacre's conclusion. However, it is the weaker argument.
Fallacy of redefinition. Woococ is basically accusing Mormons of equivocation in their use of the word "Jesus," and using Massacre's own words to back up that accusation. But to give a different impression of someone is not the same as talking about a whole different person. Even if it is true that Mormonism paints a radically different picture of Jesus from that given by the other Christian churches, it does not follow that they are talking about a different historical figure. Woococ is changing the meaning of the phrase "a whole different Jesus."
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