Archive for the 'media manipulation' Category

The Problem with Tolerance


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The church has a history of high level leaders making sweeping pronouncements that are later deemed incorrect, speculative, or unauthorized, yet in each case, church leaders are reluctant to make public correction of those presumptions.  This tolerance sometimes results in dogmatic voices flourishing, drowning out those same tolerant voices that have graciously granted them access to the open mic. Continue reading…

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Strange Bedfellows


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One aspect of the church that makes me nervous at times is the alliances we form when our interests coincide with other groups, whether this is in the political realm (as is often the case), or even at times in interfaith work we undertake. Continue reading…

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Does Tom Hanks Hate Mormons?


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Tom Hanks is a beloved actor to many Mormons for his family-friendly roles and everyman quality.  Yet, his recent negative remarks (and hasty retraction) calling Mormons who supported Prop 8 “unAmerican,” and his role as executive producer on Big Love which is about to air the most sacred Mormon ritual on television begs the question:  Does Tom Hanks hate Mormons? Continue reading…

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A Brand New Year


Continue reading…

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Temperance Movement and The Word of Wisdom


For almost two centuries the Word of Wisdom is solid proven evidence to many members that the Church is true. Continue reading…

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Twilight and “The Great Mormon Novel”


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Many consider The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene to be the quintessential Great Catholic Novel:  a book written about faith and doubt with great courage.  So far, no one has written what one would call “The Great Mormon Novel.” Continue reading…

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“Mormon Fundamentalists” on Law & Order


Did anyone watch Law & Order last night on NBC? If you didn’t, you missed an interesting parody based on the events that transpired in Texas with the FLDS Church. Instead of the FLDS Church it was The Church of the Path. Today’s guest post is by The Captain. Continue reading…

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White-Washing


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“Whitewashing” is an accusatory term often used against the church to describe efforts to gloss over sticky points in doctrine or history.  So, does the church engage in whitewashing? Continue reading…

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Brainwashed?: Polygamists & Terrorists


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Are teens who practice polygamy devout or brainwashed?  Are teen terrorists devout or brainwashed?  When is a teen old enough to be held accountable for crimes, but not old enough to make his or her own life decisions? Continue reading…

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The Mormon Urge to Glurge


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glurge (GLURJ) n. A sentimental or uplifting story, particularly one delivered via e-mail, that uses inaccurate or fabricated facts; a story that is mawkish or maudlin; the genre consisting of such stories.  Continue reading…

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“She’s a Monster”: A Media Generated Controversy


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I am not an Obama supporter and this article is not politically motivated. It is actually a commentary on how the media often creates a controversy rather than reporting an existing controversy. This issue has been weighing on my mind since the Danzig case and the Salt Lake Tribune’s quick retraction of the headline. The Samantha Power story seemed like an apt example.

The headline read:

‘Hillary Clinton’s a monster’: Obama aide blurts out attack in Scotsman interview

Continue reading…

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