Status: Hoax-facilitating software
Genealogists are
in an uproar about new software that allows people to create fake (but real looking) online family trees. The program is called
Fake Family. (Because of the controversy, the website of the software maker is now given over to an Open Letter to Genealogists.)
Genealogists argue that the fake information created by this program could easily find its way into real family history databases. They also charge that the only purpose of the software is to create webpages that will lure people with false information, and then profit from advertising links.
The maker of the software, Don Harrold, defends his creation by insisting it's very unlikely that a serious researcher would be taken in by the information Fake Family produces. For instance, the software will often list people as being born in cities before those cities existed. He also makes a curious point:
The people most upset about Fake Family seem to be folks who have a RELIGIOUS reason for being upset. (However, if I was going to be baptizing people who had passed on, I would do more research than just "grabbing names" from a website.)
Does this mean there are people who do genealogical research in order to retroactively baptize their ancestors? Can a dead person be baptized? I had never heard of such a thing.
Anyway, Harrold's basic argument is valid enough. The internet is so full of misinformation that anyone who uncritically uses historical information they find online is asking to be misled. But having said that, it sounds like the purpose of his program is to create spam (spam that clutters search engine results rather than email inboxes). And spam in any form should be condemned.
Comments
"For those of you that are concerned about being baptized by a Mormon: If the Mormon church and its doctrine are false, then what's the worry about being baptized after you're dead? It really won't make a difference. On the other hand if you get to the after-life and find out that the doctrine is true, wouldn't you regret telling all of your family to make sure that you're never baptized by proxy?"
Hey, here's an idea--how about you guys just honor the wishes of people, even those who disagree with your faith? Why do you feel the need to FORCE it on others?
Seriously, is the BEST argument you can make for your beliefs that it MIGHT be right, so therefore everyone should just go along with it? Do you not see how generic that is? Any belief system could use that "logic." You'd have no problem if I inducted you into the Church of Satan without your permission? After all, it *might* be the correct belief, so what harm could it possibly do?
Silly, silly, silly.
I am not arguing the LDS beliefs or attmepting to convince anyone of the doctrine. Also, I am not advocating forcing anyone to become a member of a demoniation that they do not wish to be. You read way too much into my post. I just wish to understand why someone might get upset at the idea of someone (with misguided beliefs or not) baptizing you 100 years after you have died.
Do you believe that if you are baptized after you have died that you will be "forced" to be a member of a demonination that you do not want to be?
To answer your question: If you "inducted" me into the church of Satan without my permission, and I am dead, I really could care less. I don't believe it will affect me either way whether there is an after-life or not.
"Do you believe that if you are baptized after you have died that you will be "forced" to be a member of a demonination that you do not want to be?"
No, it's all nonsense. What I DO believe is that people should respect the wishes of other people. If I don't want to be baptized, how about you just DON'T DO IT whether I'm alive or dead when you perform your silly little ritual?
As I see it, it's as if you were to put my name on some petition I don't agree with after I have died. No, it won't "hurt" me but it goes against my wishes. If I haven't consented to it, don't assume that it's okay to do, whether I'm here to argue or not.
And to all of you who are so adamant about not being baptized after your death and do not want to be FORCED into a religion: in my beliefs, you have the CHOICE, to accept the Gospel after your death. So if you're so afraid of "being Mormon" then so be it.
"First of all, they aren't "magic undies". Temple Garments are an outward expression of an inward commitment. They are a reminder of the covenants you make with Heavenly Father, not some underpants that will give you the winning lotto numbers."
Oh, they DON'T give you the winning lottery numbers? In that case, I DEFINITELY don't want to be a Mormon. Man, you guys are sure testy about the "magic underwear" thing. I remember when I was doing a morning drive radio show in Boise, Idaho; talking about "magic underwear" was a sure-fire way to get Mormons to call in.
"And to all of you who are so adamant about not being baptized after your death and do not want to be FORCED into a religion: in my beliefs, you have the CHOICE, to accept the Gospel after your death. So if you're so afraid of "being Mormon" then so be it."
As you well know, the LDS church believes in post-mortem baptism so, in a sense, you DO force people into your church. I don't believe in this nonsense, but you guys DO, so if you say it doesn't make any difference, why do it at all?
Because we believe it's a commandment. Baptism is only half of it. The second half is you have to be confirmed a member of the church by the laying on of hands. We obviously can't do that once your dead, so that' is your free agency on the other side. If you so choose to not follow the Gospel then so be it. You won't become one of those "cultish Mormons", even in the afterlife.
"Oh, they DON'T give you the winning lottery numbers? In that case, I DEFINITELY don't want to be a Mormon. Man, you guys are sure testy about the "magic underwear" thing. I remember when I was doing a morning drive radio show in Boise, Idaho; talking about "magic underwear" was a sure-fire way to get Mormons to call in."
I'm done arguing about this. I'm not trying to convert anybody. I just wish people would be a little more open-minded. Don't you have any convictions? Wouldn't you be upset if someone openly mocked your deepest beliefs?
"Because we believe it's a commandment. Baptism is only half of it. The second half is you have to be confirmed a member of the church by the laying on of hands. We obviously can't do that once your dead, so that' is your free agency on the other side. If you so choose to not follow the Gospel then so be it. You won't become one of those "cultish Mormons", even in the afterlife."
The dead do not have the ability to consent (or NOT consent) so you guys just go ahead and do what you want. Nice.
How about respecting the desire of the living to NOT be subjected to your little rituals. Have it done to yourselves or those who want it but leave the rest of us out of it.
As for my personal beliefs, knock yourself out criticizing them, I'm not that touchy. Besides, being challenged about your beliefs makes you use your brain. Why should I fear criticism?
"The dead do not have the ability to consent (or NOT consent) so you guys just go ahead and do what you want. Nice."
So what is this argument about in the first place?
I'm glad we had this little "debate", if you will. It has strengthend my testimony.
"There is a difference between criticism and open mocking of over-used stereotypes. "
Please explain to me what I've said that is not accurate.
I'm glad that you've managed to avoid any rational examination of your superstitions and will persist in clinging to them. I'm sure that's very necessary to you.
By whose point of view?
"Magic undies" is one example. A serious criticism involves respect. Refering to something that is sacred to millions of people across the globe as "magic undies", is not very respectful.
"I'm glad that you've managed to avoid any rational examination of your superstitions and will persist in clinging to them. I'm sure that's very necessary to you."
Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. - Alma 32:21
It seems that there are a few Mormon haters here which probably have more in common with the Nazis than the topic that touched off the discussion.
The real issue is that the Fake Family Software was designed to trick Genealogy researchers into clicking on organic search results that matched the names they were searching for online.
Once the Geneaology researchers landed on the Fake Family site the creator hoped they would click on adsense ads or other links that pay them for each click they get.
The argument that the Fake Family results could not possibly corrupt Geneaology research online is a weak one since the entire purpose of the fake sites is to trick researchers into visiting them.
Here is a more full account of the opinion of the creator of the fake family program, the detractors, and the family tree software company threatening to sue the creator of "Fake Family" which has apparently been taken down since heat was put on him:
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635160683,00.html
The Mormons do POSTHUMOUS WEDDINGS! That's right, they scour through the death registers for unmarried or widowed women who recently died and marry them to men of their church who also recently died. There's some religious reason for it, something about unmarried women not being able to get into heaven and men having their own planets to rule in heaven or something, I don't know. Point being, they think they are doing your grandmother a favor by marrying her again after she is dead in some weird little backroom ceremony.
They got caught out doing this in Mesa, AZ, a few years back and their researchers were banned from accessing the official Maricopa County registers, but I doubt that slowed them down much.
I've heard that they have a very shady credit borrow (?) policies.
And... well you dont have to be very smart to see how they sicollogically abuse of weak people, they're like ticks feeding of puppies. Awful.
i hate mormons and they'r magic undies and people living in the sun ideas.
http://www.rotten.com/library/sex/masturbation/mormon/
It just happens to be in that way, if they just washed your brain and you dont think it is so, go...
just
assume that is crappy to be a mormon but some day all the normal and mentally sane person would be in hell while you enjoy salvation. HA-HA-HA.
that completely discredits any of your arguments.
I'm sorry that you feel my beliefs are stupid. I never attacked your beliefs. All I did was stand up for my own.
Please, tell me which LDS beliefs bother you the most, perhaps I can straighten things out.
i dislike the proselitism of mormons.
is you feel like keep on discussing or you feel so sure of you beliefs you shoud try by sending me an email.
its van i dosa@ gm...com
As for underwear, why do you want a pair of mine? I honestly don't want any of your nor do I want to know anything about them.
But anyway, that's not what's important now. What's important is that there are people participating in this thread who can say with one breath that Mormons ought to respect the beliefs of others and then with the next breath deliver a diatribe about the beliefs (many of them distorted and inaccurate) of Mormons ...well, that's just wrong. Shouldn't the beliefs of Mormons be respected too? Or are they not included in the list of "others"?
Nothing can force you to become Mormon, OK? If there is life after death, you will still have to choose to make the commitment or not as the case may be, and if there isn't, it won't matter.
But YOUR underwear is MAGICAL!