Disclaimer: The following is an ad hominem attack on Tal Bachman. If you are Mr. Bachman, or one of his small number of ever dwindling fans, I suggest that you not read this post. I will try to be objective, but be forewarned; I do not have a lot of good things to say about this pretentious, washed-up has-been.
I don’t like Tal Bachman. I’ve read a lot of his posts, and if they are any reflection of who he really is, he must really be one pathetic son of a bitch. Am writing this because he left Mormondom? No, I can’t really say that I’m sad to see him go. Some of the nicest, coolest, warm-hearted, generous individuals I know have left the Mormon church and I have yet to launch a single ad hominem attack on them. In fact, we continue to be good friends regardless of varying religious choices. Membership in an organization is no arbiter when it comes to friendship. With that in mind, let me turn my attention to Mr. Bachman. His singular claim to fame is that he wrote and sang a hit song, “She’s So High.” As a one-hit wonder, he’s in the same category as the illustrious Right Said Fred, Vanilla Ice and Lou Bega (of Mambo No. 5 fame). I’m surprised he hasn’t starred on the Surreal Life yet. Maybe he’s holding out for a spot on Dancing with the ‘Stars’. Marie Osmond made it, why not him?
He has written a voluminous amount of material regarding his thoughts on Mormonism. I’m not sure if he intends to sound like a pretentious, holier-than-thou, pseudo-intellectual, but everything he writes is pretentious, holier-than-thou or pseudo-intellectual. Take a blog post he published a few months ago in May. He criticizes the Mormon conception of heaven and hell, but he makes himself sound like a self-satisfied jerk in the following quote (which can be found here)
“I think heaven isn't a place we go to after we die; I think it is a place we can live in everyday, if we are determined to, and perhaps, if we have a bit of luck. I think it is something we create and find here on earth...and right now. Heaven can be right now...
“I feel sad sometimes when I think of how long I lived always thinking of heaven as another place, and another time. I was too often blind to all the beauty right before me, because I was too often straining so hard to see something far, far off in the distance - which, it turns out, there is no reason to believe is even there, at least in the way I thought.
“I submit that true heaven isn't crazy stories, or distant stars, or strange names and strange clothes and strange spouses. I think it is something that we all have, within us, the power to create and experience, at least to some extent, right here and right now...”
Yeah, whatever, buddy. And with three paragraphs, he assigns those who don’t share his easy rockstar lifestyle to a hell worse than any that God proposed. What happens to those sorry souls, who, for whatever reason, don’t have ‘a bit of luck’? What happens to them? Mr. Bachman would consign them to misery and woe because they are not determined enough, I guess. Or chastise them for hoping for some kind of better existence in the next life? And what is the basis for Mr. Bachman’s faith in humankind? He claims there is no reason to believe in heaven. I agree, at least as far as objective evidence is concerned. But what evidence does he have the mankind can make a heaven here on earth? His own Shangri-La lifestyle, where his biggest complaints are that nobody in the record industry wants to hear his music? He wants to argue both sides of the fence. He has to have a reason for the distant heaven, but offers no reasons for the heaven ‘within’.
Other posts focus on his inability to talk to females in the past because of his worry about temptation. Obviously this is the Mormon church’s fault. The most common complaint I hear about this church is that it stultifies relationships between members of the opposite sex who happen to be married to other people. It would be completely illogical to assume that Mr. Bachman stultifies himself. Maybe someone should tell him that just because he feels ‘tempted’, it is highly unlikely that the person he is talking to feels the same way. When I talk to women at work or at school, I usually don’t get the impression that they are chomping at the bit to go to bed with me, regardless of how naturally charming I am. It must be a rockstar complex to think like that. Maybe Mr. Bachman should evaluate how he internalized the teachings of the Mormon church, rather than make unwarranted generalizations about the impact those teachings have on the general membership.
I think most of my invection comes from the colossal waste of time it was to read what he had written and the colossal waste of time writing this post represents. I don’t usually like (or write) ad hominem attacks, but when someone practically begs for it, can I be anything but obliging?
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14 comments:
Regarding the question of whether this life can be a heaven even for those whose lives aren't so heavenly: this is a hotly debated topic among atheists. One of the most interesting recent discussions was over on Daylight Atheism here: On Atheist Janitors.
Yeah, I grew up with Tal just outside of Bellingham, Washington and have corresponded with Tal since he fell from better things (note his slide in personal appearance to correspond with his enlightened view of life...). It has been sad to see the change and knowing that the seven children he is responsible for have a bitter shell of a person as a father. I also note that our former Troop 12 Scoutmaster (Warren Pugh) has followed a similar acrimonious path and shares many of the same views with Tal. When talking with his confused and angry kids about their father, it turns out that he was having an affair with a former love interest. So, I am not surprised to learn that Tal talks of dealing his demons with women - probably the same issue of fornication or adultery (just guessing here).
Jesus himself, while commenting on why the wicked Pharisees would not/could not recognize the greatest Being ever to walk the Earth for what he was, called them a "wicked and adulterous generation". As an Engineer, I have tried coax the reasons why out of scripture (with no apparent success) but this I do know - that sexual sin leads to people becoming like Tal and Warren Pugh - deniers of the truth. The same occurred with Oliver Cowdery, Harris and other early figures who apostatized from the truth. All that can be done is to love them.
Whoever runs this blog should at least have the decency to demand that anonymous bloggers not use it as a forum for baseless and damaging personal insinuations and accusations, which, if they do not constitute bearing false witness against their neighbours, appear at least to be in the same category.
For the record, I left the Mormon church because, to my great sorrow, I discovered that its founder did not tell the truth about his experiences, and therefore, that the church he founded is not, and cannot be, what it claims to be.
There is no need (though I know how tempting it is to do so when we are still absolutely convinced we are right) to posit some other weird "cause" for people leaving, like a desire to commit adultery, take drugs, murder, rob, or what have you, any more than to do so for people who discover that the Moonies or the J Dubs aren't what they claim to be.
The Eric I once knew and admired so much would never have stooped so low as to try to tear people down publicly through anonymous innuendo. I find your comments incredibly disappointing.
Tal
I just stumbled on your blog. I find the personal attack on Tal tasteless, although you do warn readers inadvance. Worse though are the comments by "iraq" who appears to either know or once known Tal. You sir are the lowest of lows. You make baseless accusations and imply his personal appearance is related to leaving mormondum. I do hope that your children whom you so profess your love and support to, someday read your bigoted comments. Peace out...
I am obviously months behind the conversation but I was left so.... aghast after reading your comments on Mr. Bachman that I couldn't resist commenting.
Obviously, you are a Mormon. You state almost immediately that your "issue" with Mr. Bachman is not that he left the flock. After all, a lot of your closest friends have left the flock, or so you state. Your issue, as you present it, is his intellect and his status as a musician. I am not quite certain what one has to do with the other, or what either have to do with his leaving the church, but you use them to qualify your "ad vulgar" attack on Mr. Bachman.
One can't help but wonder if you would be so willing to attack his posts and comments as "pseudo-intellectual" were they made within the context of Mormon Doctrine. Methinks not.
Your post attacking Mr. Bachman shows your true colours, friend - and the flag you are waving is that of a religious zealot angry that finally a person of intellect, a man of some reknown has left the church and been vocal, intelligent, thoughtful and non-prosecutorial of religion in general about his reasons for departure.
As opposed to accepting this, or dealing with the actual facts of your own faulty belief system, you attack like a rabid dog and then somehow manage to place yourself above the pack. Shameless.
One can only assume that it is far easier to attack Mr. Bachman for being honest, forthright and open in his struggles with Mormon doctrine than it is to face the untruths of the LDS Church. Easier to attack a "has been rockstar" than to attack your lying, adulterous, charismatic prophet, Joseph Smith. Easier to attack Mr. Bachman than closely examine the words and teachings of that great Mormon Misogynist, Brigham Young.
I am certain you felt a sense of satisfaction in your pointless diatribe. Sure hope that sense of self satisfaction carries you through to your celestial glory.
I'm not sure what the author of this blob has against Tal, because as far as I can determine there are no real reasons listed here. The author seems angry because Tal has left Mormonism. Perhaps the author should research what Tal found, or like most Mormons, are you afraid of what you might learn?
As for Tal's life after he left the church, none of it has anything to do with whether the church is true or not. The fact Joseph Smith was a pedophile who married 14 year old girls and lied through his teeth about it (and everything else) should be of more concern to you people who follow this crook as if he was Christ himself. Take a look at yourselves before you criticize.
Ms. Planet:
I get the feeling that you didn't read any other posts on my blog and I doubt that you would have considered me a flag-waving religious zealot (I'm not sure what you're intimating as bad, that I'm a zealot or that I'm a flag-waver).
Oz:
I'm not sure what you would classify as a "real" reason. Perhaps you haven't read Mr. Bachman's drivel that he passes off as deep thinking. As a sceptic and nihilist, I don't know how Mr. Bachman can be such a smug, self-assured writer. I'm sure that these are not 'real' reasons, but then again, I'm *so* angry that Mr. Bachman left the Mormon church that I just can't think straight. The loss of a self-admitted potential suicide bomber can hardly be classified as a loss...
For Tal Bachman's description of "Heaven" it can simply mean to find good in our daily routine instead of trying to search for something and never be satisfied. I think you're a bit too tough on the guy.
I think disillusionment with one's beliefs is the most heart-wrenching experience that will colour every aspect of your life, cause you to make irrational decisions, and stir up a force of energy that needs to be directed somewhere (in this case towards his church).
I saw Tal Bachman perform at a house concert within the last year where he shared his stories. Although he demonstrated remarkable vulnerability, I could sense some masking - regardless, I was really proud of him (even as a total stranger). I've been down a path myself of disappointment and I'm kind of fond people comfortable facing their own dark side.
It takes tremendous courage to continue believing in anything after the premature loss of your beliefs and I wish him strength and hope in finding a new path past his 'bitter shell'. He may never be the same Tal, but he will return to a new normal where he will find support, acceptance, and if he's courageous enough maybe a new truth.
A note to the author: you either have never faced substantial hardships, and are therefore naive, or you are being an arrogant ass covering up for some insecurity of some sort. This is just a reaction based on one blog post where I am inferring about your character - totally hypocritical but hopefully personanally illustrative for you...
Clearly I am years behind in the conversation (if you could call it that).
This is such a disturbing post.
So much so that in the beginning I started by merely skimming your words because I didn't want to stomach witnessing that kind of senseless acid coming from one human towards another.
When I got the part with the three quotes beginning with “I think heaven isn't a place we go to after we die; I think it is a place we can live in everyday, if we are determined to....."
I started reading more carefully, as naturally I was attracted to the more positive verbiage.
I finally thought; oh well now it seems this guy actually makes sense. Maybe this blogpost actually turns around somewhere because this is not an evil person. This is a thinking, searching, caring person.
So I stopped skimming and scrolled back far enough to realize it was not your words (blog author) that I was reading, but the words of the person you are attacking.
I'm glad I found this years after you have written it, because I've seen and worked with the man and I know he is 'nothing' like what you have described. Therefore it is pretty clear that your observation skills need work and your powers of prediction are weak.
Either that or you are just jealous.
admittedly, this comment is years after the discussion has ended.
however, i felt the need to point out how ridiculous and hypocritical you sound for attacking a man for his own personal religious/spiritual journey. why are you so angry at him for not believing joseph smith's ridiculous and utterly illogical stories?? you know, the guy who claimed he LOOKED INTO A FREAKING HAT AT A STONE AND TRANSLATED GOLDEN PLATES. uh, yeah...
Interesting conversation, although I find it to be typical. Someone of faith takes a stance, only to be ridiculed and harassed by those professing the doctrine of "people can say and do anything they want to, even if you don't want to hear it, unless I don't want to hear it." This debate is broken because when people of a religious background start speaking about things in a religious context, non-believers attack from a non religious angle, which creates a huge disconnect. This author is arguing something different from what people are attacking him for. Everyone is creating a straw man argument and beating that up instead of attacking this man's points. I absolutely detest modern debate style that automatically begins with "I'm offended at your remarks," or something of that nature. To bring things to a totally emotional level is useless.
I once had a political blog that received thousands of hits in a short time. However, it was only because I manipulated the message, causing people to want to view my posts. If the message was positive for their candidate, people liked it and would read it. If it was negative and logical (even the same candidate) people hated it and wouldn't read it. And the few supporters who did read the negative articles would only do so to attack it. It showed me that in order to get readers and hits,a message must be manipulated to reader satisfaction. This blog does not do that; therefore, people will not read it, be offended, and attack its message because it differs their own beliefs...which is exactly what all the hypocrites are doing when they attack this blogger. "You shouldn't attack someone who doesn't believe what you believe." Isn't that attacking someone who doesn't believe what you believe? Pure rubbish.
What a load of horse fertilizer. The op obviously is jealous that Mr Bachman had the courage to say and do what he felt was right and just.
Everyone has the right to express themselves but only God has the right to judge.
My advice to the op, get off your high horse and find a way to get this years old blog post off the net buddy.
If y'all were years behind wonder what I am, no jokes please,my mind already flung enough zingers at me for being "behind" I just wanted to keep this going, no, actually I was reading every comment until that inner voice screamed, "Next!" I wanted to say what I was suprised that no one else thought... or if they did, they never said. well, I am not brave, I am just so far behind that it looks like I am ahead, ok, ok... did anyone else think the writting style was quite Talish (New word alert!) And, I felt like either I was far stupider or something was missing...
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