by Mike Parker on October 31st, 2008
I’ll be up-front about my politics here: They’re conservative, libertarian, anti-foreign intervention, and pro-civil rights. I have mixed feelings about California’s Proposition 8; I probably would vote “no” on it if I still lived in California.
Considering my views, it only makes sense that I’ve read and enjoyed Andrew Sullivan’s blog for many years.
But at issue is not my politics, it’s Mr. Sullivan’s over-the-top claim in his October 31st blog post:
Yes On 8 has been bankrolled to the tune $20 million from the LDS church. And their main theme has been the ancient blood libel against gay people (and Jews): that we’re out to “recruit” or abuse others’ children.
Disagreement with another’s political views is one thing; outright dishonesty is quite another.
Believe what you want, Mr. Sullivan, about what’s really in Mormons’ hearts as they go to the polls on November 4th. But no pro-Prop 8 campaign advertising has even come close to using “blood libel against gay people” and fears of gay “recruiting” or abuse of children — let alone made it the “main theme” of the campaign.
Andrew Sullivan is employing the same sort of stereotyping of Mormons that he complains Mormons are doing about practicing homosexuals. And, as someone who usually enjoys his writing, I find it beneath contempt.
Posted in Uncategorized | 41 Comments »
by Allen Wyatt on October 27th, 2008
Only 8 days left until election day in the United States, and some of us will be very happy when the posturing, spinning, campaigning, and criticizing will be over.
The Church has taken quite a bit of heat in some quarters regarding its stance relative to Proposition 8 in California. I know and support the call from the Church for members to help pass the proposition. I also know several faithful members who take exception to the Church making such a call. (Of course, a few other faithful members may take exception to characterizing those exception-taking members as “faithful.” So be it; that’s a nit I am not willing or worthy to pick.)
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Posted in News stories, Politics | 61 Comments »
by Keller on October 24th, 2008
Though bandaged and bruised, Elder Ferguson (middle) and Elder Collinsworth (left) survived a knife attack. Photo courtesy of President and Sister Scruggs (10-18-'08)
In a letter distributed to the families of the missionaries of the Australia Sydney North mission President Scruggs recounts the events of Tuesday, October 14: Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in News stories | 3 Comments »
by Mike Parker on October 20th, 2008
In the last week FAIR has received an increasing number of queries about the supposed transcript of a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer in the Forest Bend Ward on 12 October 2008.
We have been in touch with Church Public Affairs about this matter. Here are the facts:
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Posted in News from FAIR | 23 Comments »
by Keller on October 12th, 2008
We here at FAIR Blog are pleased to report on the latest Olivewood Books fireside featuring BYU law professor John Welch. In case you missed it, we have covered past speakers John Sorenson, John Gee, Mark Wright, and Daniel Peterson. If you live in the Utah County area and don’t want to miss out on future events, you may consider bookmarking this informative site and checking often.
Ever the prolific scholar, Welch authored a recent book examining legal cases in the Book of Mormon. Since attending his lecture, I have read the new book, which will inform my recap and commentary. Welch related the story of how Rex E. Lee recruited him to teach at to work at the fledgling BYU law school in 1979. Lee’s pitch was that if Welch taught a designated course he could teach whatever else interested him. Welch half-jokingly suggested Babylonian law as it relates to the scriptures and Lee responded that that was exactly the type of course BYU needed. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Book of Mormon | 7 Comments »
by Steven Danderson on October 11th, 2008
Twenty-eight years ago, I was introduced to Heavenly Father’s Church, through the auspices of ”Uncle Sam.” One thing that those drill sergeants shoved into our heads were the General Orders:
- I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.
- I will obey my special orders and perform all of my duties in a military manner.
- I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions to the commander of the relief.
Events of the past few years have me re-reading the Book of Mormon, as Mormon implies that he is writing it for our benefit, because we’re going through the same thing [Mormon 8:35-36].
In California, the Church seems willing to make a “last stand” on the issue of homosexual marriage–which is part of a concerted effort to make the behaviour seem normal, rather than the sin that it is. Sadly, it appears that this is a fight that the Church will lose–if not at the polls, then in the courts, ratified at the polls when people elect those who appoint the anti-Mormon and anti-Evangelical judges. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Anti-Mormon critics, Book of Mormon, Doctrine, General, LDS History, LDS Scriptures, News stories, Politics, Polygamy | 103 Comments »
by Mike Ash on October 7th, 2008
Critics frequently argue that—unlike believing Mormons who supposedly grasp at straws and rely on irrational feelings to support their beliefs—they (the critics) are rational, logical, and rely on the findings of science and empirical evidence for their beliefs. On an on-line discussion board populated by ex-Mormons who gather to vent about their former faith, one poster—using the screen name “Baffeled [sic] and Bewildered”—recently asked, “Why do intelligent people still buy into the [Mormon]…lies?” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Uncategorized | 113 Comments »
by Mike Parker on October 7th, 2008
Over at the blog Dave’s Mormon Inquiry, the eponymous Dave Banack examines the “Stages of Faith” that has become something of a fad among those who reject the literal nature of the Restoration.
According to developmental psychologist James Fowler, individuals develop in their religious faith from a basic understanding centered on safety of one’s environment (Stage 0) to a universal enlightenment (Stage 6). Conformity to an organized religion is rooted in Stages 2 and 3, where myth, cosmic justice, and conformity lay (along with notions of an anthropomorphic god). According to Fowler, those on their way to enlightenment will leave these simplistic beliefs behind on the way to “universalizing” faith.
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Posted in Anti-Mormon critics | 22 Comments »
by Robert White on October 7th, 2008
Ever since FAIR published an introductory review concerning Rod Meldrum’s presentations and DVD, various members of FAIR have been vilified by him for shining some light on what he was doing. On Rod Meldrum’s blog he wrote this:
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Posted in Book of Mormon | 78 Comments »
by Steven Danderson on October 5th, 2008
Recently, much has been made of FAIR taking issue with a DVD and fireside presentation of a theory which claims that the Book of Mormon events were based in the upper Great Lakes region. While that theory may be right, the proponents of the Great Lakes theory bear the burden of showing that it is so.
While I shan’t go deeply into the that theory, let me briefly state why I am unconvinced by the evidence thus far presented, in spite of the fact that an emeritus General Authority is convinced: Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Book of Mormon, Doctrine, General, LDS History, LDS Scriptures, News from FAIR | 24 Comments »
