Mormonism and apologetics/"ad hominem"

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What is "ad hominem"?

ad hominem:
1. appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect.
2. marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made.

—Merriam Webster. off-site

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Hales is not a scholar. He's an anesthesiologist who hired Don Bradley to do his research for him. He then wrote 3 books using his employee's homework. Author? Sure. Apologist? Yes. Amateur? Yes. Scholar? No. He's an apologist disguising himself as a scholar. The real scholars in the field of polygamy have issues with many of Hales' conclusions and interpretations. Anyone with big bucks and writing skills can do what Brian did. All you have to do is hire guys like Don Bradley to do all the work for you and then you throw the stuff in a nice hardcover book with your name on it.

—Jeremy Runnells, author of the "Letter to a CES Director", posted on "Who's the Real Amateur?," Ploni Almoni: Mr. So-and-So's Mormon Blog (16 July 2014) off-site

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I used to think the people at FairMormon were just delusional but with honest intentions. Now after dealing with them for close to a year now? They're not only delusional but dishonest and deceptive.

—Jeremy Runnells, author of "Letter to a CES Director" (22 June 2014).

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What is "ad hominem" and how it it employed?

Summary: Critics of Latter-day Saint apologists often accuse apologists of executing "ad hominem" attacks on those with whom they disagree. What is "ad hominem"? How is "ad hominem" employed?

Case study: Jeremy Runnells attempts to discredit Brian Hales as a scholar

Summary: The author of A Letter to a CES Director attempts to discredit Brian Hales as a scholar without addressing his work.

Notes