media manipulation

Bednar Was Wrong About Facebook

March 19, 2010
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Last year, Elder Bednar gave a talk at BYU-I on a subject that weighed deeply on his soul. At the time, I read his words and felt a twinge of sadness. How could he fear something as useful and worthwhile as online social networking? Sites like Facebook have integrated themselves into the fabric of our society like gold thread in a brilliant tapestry, or like the deep, misty green of kudzu here in Kentucky. It has become a part of who we are. Now, a year later, I still think that Elder Bednar was wrong. Facebook has and will...

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For God’s Sake, Blog!

January 24, 2010
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I wish I could claim credit for the title of the post, but it actually comes from this MSNBC article.  Apparently the Pope is encouraging Catholic Priests to blog.  It reminded me of Elder Ballard’s admonition back in 2007.  Even though the pope doesn’t love computers, he said,

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What if the Brethren decided to allow gay marriage? by Justin Perry

August 16, 2009
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What if the Brethren decided to allow gay marriage? by Justin Perry

What if the Brethren decided to allow gay marriage? They’d have to do a lot of back-peddling to explain why they were suddenly in favor of something they stood against for so long. But over time, the church’s previous “official” opposition to gay marriage would be downplayed, the Apostles who spoke publicly against gay marriage would be criticized for giving their own personal, uninspired opinion, and new generations of LDS children would grow up in a church that accepted gays openly.

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The Problem with Tolerance

May 19, 2009
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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.

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Strange Bedfellows

March 20, 2009
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Strange Bedfellows

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.

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Does Tom Hanks Hate Mormons?

March 11, 2009
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Does Tom Hanks Hate Mormons?

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?

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A Brand New Year

January 23, 2009
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A Brand New Year

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Temperance Movement and The Word of Wisdom

December 26, 2008
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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.

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Twilight and “The Great Mormon Novel”

November 24, 2008
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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.”

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“Mormon Fundamentalists” on Law & Order

November 20, 2008
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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.

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White-Washing

June 24, 2008
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White-Washing

“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?

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Brainwashed?: Polygamists & Terrorists

June 11, 2008
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Brainwashed?:  Polygamists & Terrorists

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?

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The Mormon Urge to Glurge

May 1, 2008
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The Mormon Urge to Glurge

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. 

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

March 11, 2008
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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

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