Turn to Tea for a New Year health kick

New Year will see people turning to tea for their post Christmas detox, if past trends continue, says the UK’s favourite tea producer.

Last year sales in green teas rose by around 40% and fruit and herbal sales rose by almost 15% during January reflecting the trend for healthy New Year resolutions. Ray Duffin, Marketing Controller, from the nation’s favourite tea producer Tetley says, “At this time of year people are thinking about their healthand wanting to choose a resolution which is easy to stick to and packed full of health benefits. Tetley Green teas can help you ease into your new regime as they are packed with goodness and a great way to kick off a healthy new year.

“Consumers in the UK are beginning to recognise the important health benefits of green tea. Tetley green teas are as hydrating as water, naturally rich in antioxidants and are a natural source of theanine. Early research suggests that antioxidants may help maintain the body’s defence systems and suggests that theanine may create a feeling of relaxation and alertness at the same time. This makes green teas from Tetley the perfect accompaniment to a healthy regime, particularly during the New Year.”

Tetley Green Tea Pure is made from only the best quality leaves and uses the gentle process of steaming to produce a tea that has a smooth and round flavour unlike the harsh taste consumers associate with other green teas.

Tetley has a green tea blend for everyone – apart from Green Tea Pure, there are three other varieties – Green Tea Lemon, Green Tea Decaf and Green Tea Mint.

Tetley also makes fruit and herbal teas which are in fact infusions, rather than tea, as they are produced from flowers, fruits, herbs and spices. They are naturally caffeine free and are traditionally believed to have added benefits, such as Tetley Peppermint Punch which is thought to aid digestion.

Tetley has a large variety of fruit and herbal teas ranging from the more traditional infusions of camomile and summer berry to the exotic tastes of lemon tangerine, redbush & vanilla and blackberry.

“We welcome the sales boost to newer varieties in the new year but know that all teas are ultimately healthy which is good news for Tetley tea drinkers,” Duffin concludes.

Tetley's green teas (99p for 25 bag pack) and fruit and herbal infusions (79p for a 20 bag pack) are available from larger branches of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrison's. All are packaged in Tetley’s unique stay fresh resealable canisters which ensure that the last bag of Tetley
remains as fresh as the first.

Overview of Britain's favourite tea maker Tetley is the biggest manufacturer and distributor of tea in the UK. It is the nation’s favourite tea brand with a 28% volume share of the total tea market, and its tea bags are regularly bought by about every third household in the UK.

Tetley has a range of Green, Fruit & Herbal and Speciality teas along with black teas including Decaf, Organic and Extra Strong. With a range of teas to suit every taste, Tetley is well placed to consolidate its place as Britain's favourite tea maker. Tetley really is ‘Everyone’s cup of tea’.
www.tetley.co.uk
www.tetley.com
www.teaexperts.co.uk

Tea (especially Green Tea) is also becoming increasingly popular in the USA, due to the ongoing research into the health-giving properties of both ordinary black tea and Green Tea.

"Churches and temples are no longer safe in America" claims Reverend Craig X. Rubin

"Churches and Temples are no longer safe in America," claims the Reverend Craig X Rubin of Temple 420, who was arrested November 8, 2006, at his religious establishment by over one dozen 'heavily armed' officers of the LAPD.

"If they can do this to us, they can do it to any church that the government disagrees with." The Reverend known for his reoccurring role on Showtime's hit series "Weeds" said arresting officers did not treat Temple clergymen as required by California Penal Codes 1524 and 1525.
The Reverend Rubin (pictured) is known as the General Pharmer to his congregation.

The investigation of Reverend Rubin began only days earlier. An undercover officer joined Temple 420 on November 3, 2006, and immediately purchased 3.5 grams of sacrament, "PurpleErkle." This was the basis of the arrest warrant for defendant Rubin; the seizure of all sacrament and money from the church; and, the freezing of all financial assets before conviction. As a result, Temple 420 may be forced to close.

(Note: Video of the arrest is available at: youtube.com/watch?v=Mw8W4wJcGOg).

"What if this was my church?" Rubin's lawyer asked. A key tenet of Temple 420 is that members receive communion by burning a sacramental herb, marijuana. However, the plant contains THC, regulated under the Controlled Substances Act by the Federal Government; the sect is currently being barred from engaging in the practice of its religion on the grounds that it violates the California Health & Safety code.

Temple 420 claims the Religious Freedom Restoration Act affirmed by the Supreme Court for protection. By law the Government is prohibited from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion, unless the Government demonstrates that application of the burden to the person represents the least restrictive means of advancing a 'compelling interest.'

This was affirmed in the case of "Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao Do Vegetal" when the church's Schedule I hallucinogenic sacrament was seized. But, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the church's sacrament being returned and them being allowed to continue their religious practices.

Temple 420 has retained civil rights attorney La'Chelle Monique Woodert, who plans not only to defend the church, but to then help the Temple sue the city for violating Temple 420's religious freedom rights when they beat the criminal charges.

A new voice in Pagan Literature emerges LINK FIXED!

A new voice in Pagan Literature emerges. Refreshing, direct and a little bit mad Valley of the Cynllaith 2006.Emerging from the shadowy mists of the Welsh / Shropshire Borders , Rob Chapman, Druid, Counselor has spent the last Five years creating workshops, ritual and group experiences for people around the UK.

The culmination of this Five years is his new Book.Llyfr o Cythrawl a Awen by Rob Chapman, is his first offering to the world. It presents on one hand a new and refreshing look at some of the ideas and conc,epts of modern druidry, whilst also giving a metaphoric description for the emergence of the true self, through actualization.

"It includes sections upon ritual as well as ideas of free expression as a means of growth and healing. One reader said “Just downloaded and read your book...! Have to say, makes loads of sense, and its refreshing to see someone approaching druidry from a unique perspective (though I suppose we all do anyway...)

"It's very easy to write and include all that has gone before, though in some respects you have done that, just finding your own definition and way of working which is definitely (not that I deal in definite anything really), a welcome change from the usual garbage that’s perpetuated in the name of Paganism in general."

"You have a firm grasp of the nature of things, this comes across really well, and its nice to hear these subjects covered from a Druidic perspective and simply rather than a lengthy tome ... very succinct and "to the point"."

Rob Chapman wrote Llyfr o Cythrawl a Awen to help relieve the fire in the head that comes when you spend all your time thinking and exploring the ideas and ways of Druidry. Also because as a Druid he sees that an important role is to teach, but also to push the boundaries and not let things stagnate.

He came to Lulu because he wanted to be in control of the publishing process and found Lulu’s print-on-demand tools to be fast, easy and, most importantly, free. Llyfr o Cythrawl a Awen is available for purchase at www.lulu.com, in a marketplace filled with other unique and wonderful surprises. Link to Publication http://www.lulu.com/content/569765

Rob Chapman has over twenty years experience within the occult and pagan Traditions. 10 Years of which have focused largely upon Druidry. He has over the last Five years trained as a Person Centered Counselor as well as running workshops and spiritual camps.

I thought I'd share this with you! Post Mormon enough for you, eh?

Thank you to Gunner for pointing out the problem with Lulu. I have now attacked this from a different angle and put in a different link which takes you directly to the book.

Mormons and Mormonism in the news

For the first time in a long, long time I have decided to do a trawl for Mormon-related news items. Here they are!

Mormons ignore Mary, mother of Jesus!
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4757591

“ For most of the year, though, Mary is largely tucked away - respected for her submissiveness, admired for her faithfulness, but largely invisible. She does not adorn their chapel walls, nor stare down from stained-glass windows. She is not part of their weekly worship or routinely mentioned in prayers. And she barely merits a mention in LDS books. True to the Faith, a recent compendium of Mormon teachings, moves from "marriage" to "Melchizedek Priesthood" without a line about Mary. Ditto for Preach My Gospel, the handbook of doctrine used by LDS missionaries worldwide, even in the section on Jesus' earthly ministry. She's nowhere to be found in Mormonism for Dummies, either. "There is next to nothing official about Mary from the modern LDS perspective, so we wanted to err on the side of caution rather than offering our own speculations that may not have been doctrinal," says Jana Riess, Dummies co-author with Christopher Bigelow. "When it does offer teaching about Mary, the church tends to emphasize her role in the fulfillment of prophecy, and particularly her being of the Davidic line."



Mormon temple to get rates (property tax) bill

http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=73&ArticleID=1898273

“Mormons must pay full rates
The Mormon Church has suffered defeat in its legal campaign to stop rates bills being slapped on its massive temple in Chorley.
Top judges ruled against the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, saying the temple did not qualify for a rates exemption – because it can only be used by selected Mormon believers and is not "a place of public religious worship."The Appeal Court decision is a bitter blow to the Church whose 6,300 square metre temple is just one of a number of very large buildings set amidst 15 acres at Temple Way, adjacent to the M61 motorway.”


Mormon necrodunking satirised by UK publication
http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s2i11826
“WASHINGTON, DC -- Rabbi Jacob Baer stood before his congregation at Temple Sinai on Military Road yesterday morning, poised to perform a ritual that he had perfected just hours before. On a long table before him were a silver bowl, a small dark blue bottle, a lighted candle, a lockbox, and a blow dryer.”

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/11/30/231605.shtml?s=lh
The Rev. Jerry Falwell quickly distanced himself from a published report that claims he has endorsed Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president in 2008….
"It has come to my attention that a statement attributed to Governor Mitt Romney suggests that I have endorsed his candidacy for president... I have not endorsed or offered support for Governor Romney or any other candidate…”

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_4747901
Man charged in library bombing said he was studying Mormon faith, not blowing up library.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/19/CMGTTLVBEJ1.DTL
Jeffs described as: "...pope of Mormon polygamy"

Monson attacks BYU football coach for failing to seperate religion and sport. (That's Gordon Monson, by the way)
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_4753437

"Even - no, especially - at an institution owned by a church, there has to be separation between righteous living, earning or invoking God's blessings, and kicking tail on the football field. There is no connection."


Oops! Book burning goes too far! (Don't they ALL?)
http://www.forbes.com/technology/2006/11/30/book-burnings-potter-tech-media_cz_ds_books06_1201burn.html

In August 2003, two Michigan pastors, T.D. Turner Sr. and son T.D. Turner Jr., took a stand against sorcery by burning a Harry Potter book outside their Jesus Non-Denominational Church. The younger Turner, Tommy, says that while he hadn't read the book... The fire so inflamed parishioners' passions that, according to the Detroit Free Press, some of the 50 spectators proceeded to burn the Book of Mormon..."


http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2006/ae_3_2006-11-23.cfm

"When Brian Evenson began writing The Open Curtain, he was a Mormon. By the time he finished the book, he was not. Leaving the religion one grew up in can be fertile ground for a novelist to explore. "


http://www.ocweekly.com/music/music/purpose-beyond-crap/26259/
"Musician Theo Hirsch has 30 years of frustration to get off his chest. Is it fair to call your songs rants set to music?I rant a lot. Yeah. Did you have stuff to get off your chest after being a Mormon for so long?" (Yes, it IS Theo from RFM)

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4599863
"Pearson's was a searing tale of her husband's battle against his homosexuality, their attempts to create a faithful Mormon family, his leaving to live as a gay man and his eventual death from AIDS. Her story of love, hope, betrayal, forgiveness and reconciliation put a human face on gayness. "

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11222006/news/nationalnews/14_year_olds_polygamy_nightmare_nationalnews_.htm
"November 22, 2006 -- ST. GEORGE, Utah - A 14-year-old girl cried and was clearly troubled in the weeks preceding an arranged marriage to an older cousin, her sister testified yesterday at a hearing that could lead to a criminal trial for the leader of a fundamentalist Mormon sect.
"She was 14," said Rebecca Musser, whose sister has a different last name. "It was just shocking and horrific . . . She didn't want to get married." "

As covered in the New York Post

Paranoid? Yes. But what if they ARE after you?

Someone wanted to know if the Recovery From Mormonism board is monitored. The short answer is yes, of course it is.

But what is the long answer? The long answer is, yes it is monitored, but not only by the Mormons and their external PR consultants.

The RFM board is very, very busy. Something like an average of 350,000 + hits every year. That’s why posts are not kept for very long (ten days, I believe) before being dumped as they just do not have the server capacity to keep them for any longer than that.

But who else monitors the RFM board? A poster on the board has reminded me that there are certain “hot button topics” which, if they are mentioned in a post, all hell usually breaks loose.

There’s an experiment that I suggest you don’t try for risk of compromising Eric’s rather precious bandwidth and server capacity.

Write an article in praise of one of the following topics: Acupressure, Acupuncture, Alexander technique, Aromatherapy Art therapy, Auricular Acupuncture, Australian Flower Essences therapy, Ayurvedic medicine, Bach Flower Remedy, Chelation Therapy, Chiropractic, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Colour therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Herbal medicine, Homoeopathy, Indian Head Massage, Iridology, Kinesiology, Medical Herbalism, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Reflexology, Reiki, Rolfing, Yoga and pretty soon there will be a firestorm of critics raining fire brimstone and fire down upon your head!

Why is that? There are some theories that people who give up believing in God and leave Mormonism also give up believing in everything. Oh, wait! No. That’s a BAD thing. You have to believe in science.

But that doesn’t explain why so many people would attack you for expressing praise for any alternative health model. Especially when you realise that all is not quite what it seems. For you will be attacked by people who have never posted on the board before and the majority of whom might not even have heard of Joseph Smith. A tiny minority will add something vaguely “exmo-like” to keep up the pretence that they are former Mormons.

How or why do they know when these “hot button topics” come up? Many PR companies now have highly sophisticated computer software that will analyse the World Wide Web to see where and how –for example- the name of a client shows up somewhere, anywhere, in the world.

And I think that is what is happening with the “hot button topics.” (This is based on experience as there’s a firm not far from my office that specialises in this line of work.)

Am I paranoid? Perhaps. But just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not after you...

Talking to God: Carnival of the Veil #28

Talking to God: Carnival of the Veil #28

"FREE CHANDRA Campaign. Innocent girl kidnapped and held against her will

“On Nov. 1st our sister Chandra was forcibly abducted from her bed by a stranger, handcuffed and taken away to a Behavior Modification Teen " Boot Camp" called Turnabout Ranch,” writes Wendy Berg.Wendy goes on to add: “She has done nothing wrong....No drugs, No alcohol, a good student. She has never been in trouble with the law or her school, nor has she even kissed a boy.“Turnabout Ranch is in Escalante Utah and they are keeping her for a minimum of 90 days. This is a camp for teens with severe behavior problems, juvenile record, drug abuse and out of control behavior. Here is a link to an article that describes the type of hard core juvenile offenders that are sent to Turnabout Ranch.

(http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/comment/story/0,9828,1414997,00.html)

“Chandra is none of these things. She has never done drugs, drank alcohol, or been in trouble with the law or school. She is a good student that has never even kissed a boy. Chandra has expressed interest in becoming a Vet, and has volunteered at a local vet clinic.

"Turnabout Ranch does not offer traditional schooling, so this 16 year old will receive no math or science education for the next 90 days. Chris Fudge the admissions director at TAR was contacted to discuss the inappropriate placement of Chandra at their facility. Chris stated that the mom has the power and wants her at TAR so she will stay.

"There is no screening in place so any child can be sent to this facility with no way out. Chandra's Father Kevin Robb of Spanishfork, Utah, Passed away on June 5, 2006. Chandra is left with no support and as a result her mother has absolute power.

Kevin's mother, Chandra's Grandmother, Hatty Jo Robb was interviewed and stated "Kevin would have never, never allowed this to happen to Chandra, absolutely not. If Kevin were alive today he would have Chandra live with him and would never have agreed to this".

TAR is licensed by the state of Utah, Office of Licensing, Department of Human Services run by Ken Stettler. The problem is that there is no oversight or monitoring of children that are sent to these schools. Chandra is allowed no contact with the outside world, so even though Chandra is old enough to file for emancipation under Utah law at age 16, there is no way for her to ask, Turnabout Ranch keeps their students in total isolation.

The Licensing department provides no avenue for these jailed teens to ask for a appeal or review. Even terrorists in custody get visits by the red cross, Chandra gets nothing.She was sent to TAR by her mother, Lori Robb-Allen because she did not get along with her stepdad, Steve Allen. There are abuse allegations made by all four children, Chandra has 3 younger sisters.

Chandra was sent away to Turnabout Ranch just days after a reported incident involving physical abuse of Chandra and her sister Mikayla. The CPS worker assigned to this case is Chelsea Smith of the American Fork Office. When contacted, Chelsea stated that there is nothing she can do to help get Chandra out, she essentially washed her hands of any responsibility.

Please help free our sister by joining our email and voice mail campaign. The only way under the law she can be released is if her Mother, CPS or the state requests it. You can help Chandra by calling the state and CPS offices and requesting a guardian ad litem (GAL) be assigned to Chandra.

A GAL has the power to visit her at Turnabout Ranch and represent her in the court system. Without the support of her Mother this is Chandra's only way out. Help us get the word out that our sister is not disposable, and people do care about the treatment of minor children. Click on the following link for information on what you can do to help Free Chandra: http://www.freeshandy.com/How2Help.htm

Photograghs taken before and after show that, after her abduction, Chandra had a severe bruise to the middle of her forehead.As Wendy points out, “There is a stark difference between the two pictures. Help us see Chandra happy again.

To contact me with information, thoughts about Chandra, or wanting to help email me at this address: freeshandy@gmail.com. It has become apparent that although Chandra is held as a de facto prisoner at the facility, she was not subject to any independent assessment before she was taken to the facility.

Questions are being asked about the propriety of the actions of the so-called boot camp.It is to be hoped that the Turnabout Ranch will be able to survive the possible firestorm of negative publicity that their actions are likely to engender.

PLEASE NOTE: We would be very greatful for this blog article to be reposted on your blog and forwarded to anyone you know who you think could hlep, including alll media outlets, print and broadcast. Thank you.

My experiment

I tried an experiment with my mother, recently.

I called her in July, I think it was. She told me how much she loved talking to me, how much she missed our conversations and my sense of humour. (That's not quite how I remember it, as she was always critical of my sense of humour. (Apparently I was too rude!")

So, I thought, OK, well let's see how this works. I decided to use the old British tradition that if someone phones you then that means, in general terms, that they owe you a phone call.

So, I waited for her call and to continue the communications that she said she wanted. I waited in vain. In fact, after four months I got bored and phoned her. And got more of the I miss speaking with you blah blah blah, etc., nonsense.

I then came to a sad realisation. My mother wants to talk with me... but not really!

My mother wants to talk to the Mormon me who has not existed since I was 22 or so. I am now 49 and have not been a Mormon for the best part of 30 bloodly years!

But my exmormonism is still just a phase, of course.

I feel sorry for her. But there's nothing I can do .

Ghostly gift for the person who has it all!

How will you be spending Halloween? Tucked up in bed with a really scary dvd and your teddy maybe? OK... But what if you you fancy something a little more, shall we say, adventurous?

Then how about spending the night ghost hunting? You can take part in a real live ghost hunt at one of the most haunted locations across the UK. Imagine, being part of a late night vigil,accompanied by a medium, using genuine ghost hunting equipment to detect any paranormal activity you might encounter? Wouldn't that be something else?

www.buyagift.com has a single (£95.00) or two person (£185.00) Ghost Hunting ‘experience’ which will be the ultimate gidt expereience.

What are you waiting for? and so much better than watching a DVD!

For more information on these experiences and hundreds of other gift ideas please visit www.buyagift.com

But… what if it’s NOT your fault and not your problem?

OK, let’s see… Your brothers and sisters never see you, they do not like their children being alone with you, your parents think you are one of Satan’s minions.

What are you? A murderer? Child molesterA rapist? A convicted fraudster? No. Just a former Mormon.

When my brother found out that I was talking to my nephew at a family (nevermo) party he could not wait to run over to us at the party (knocking an elderly nevermo relation out of the way in his indecent haste. Way to go, bruv!)

Apparently he thought I was an evil influence on my nephew and would try to lead him to the pathway to Hell.

The truth was that within minutes I found out more about my nephew than his stupid father (my brother) had in his life.

I had found out that he had been binge drinking with a mate several times and I was actually advising him to take it easy with alcohol. Not that my brother would believe that. But that’s HIS problem!

But of course, as I am a filthy, degenerate apostate ™ © then I can have no good intentions and no noble objectives. Of course not. Because, of course, only Mormons know The Truth ™! The Truth? Sadly most Mormons would not know the truth if it bit them on the arse.

But we feel guilty when we do something non-Mormon like drink coffee or have a glass of beer with our meal.

But this is NOT our fault, nor is it our problem.

They are, after all, the ones who are following the example of a rapist and child molester and convicted fraudster, not us...

Are Mormons Christians?

Are Mormons Christians? That’s a subject that comes up quite often over at the RFM board. Some people say no, some yes.

But are they? I like to use analogies. So let’s try this one.

You feel the need to help fight against crime. It is something that has concerned you for years, and whilst you are figuring out what to do, there is a knock at the door. “Hello. We are in your neighbourhood promoting crime fighting. Are you interested in becoming a crime fighter?” says the young man on your doorstep.

Wow. What a coincidence! You invite him in. He tells you he is from a body called National Crime Fighters. He explains that National Crime Fighters is the only body for civilians who want to become crime fighter.

You decide you will join. After all you want the opportunity to help fight crime and this organisation called National Crime Fighters seems perfect.

You sign up. You get a cardboard badge to wear and some leaflets that have titles such as: “Crime. We are against it”. It is your job to promote the National Crime Fighters by handing the leaflets out at country shows, craft fairs, on the street, etc. You attend meetings every week with other National Crime Fighters volunteers and hear talks on “Crime. We do not like it,” and so forth.

You begin to have doubts. After all, you wanted to help fight crime. But with the National Crime Fighters all you ever do is hand out useless leaflets and attending boring meetings.

Eventually, while you are out you come across a smartly dressed man. He is wearing a very shiny metal badge with the words International Crime Fighters on it. You approach him and ask him about his organisation.

He tells you that it is an organisation dedicated to fighting crime. They provide help to the victims of crime, install free burglar alarms in people’s homes, and act as the eyes and ears of the law enforcement agencies around the world.

So. You were lied to. National Crime Fighters was NOT the only organisation you could have joined. So why did they lie to you? And how come you only got a crappy, flimsy badge and to attend boring meetings whilst the members of International Crime Fighters got to help prevent and help crime.

But there is worse. The next day you see newspaper headlines that reveal that the National Crime Fighters organisation was set up by a convicted fraudster and that the National Crime Fighters was nothing but a front to help him defraud people.

You then join International Crime Fighters and help fight and prevent crime.

Question. When you were a genuine crime fighter whilst you were with the National Crime Fighters or not?

Picture this

Picture this. You and your family all live in a small and very cramped one room home. There are spaces where there should be windows, but they are boarded-up and no light ever come through them.

Although you share the home with other members of your family, you find it really hard to see them, as the only illumination comes from a small, 5 watt bulb suspended from the middle of the room. So the room is very dimly lit and you can only ever catch glimpses of the other members of your family when they walk directly beneath the .light bulb.

Every-so-often water starts to drip down on to you and your family. This, you are told, is special water sent from God to bless you. Funny. But to you it feels cold and unpleasant. And not much of a blessing at all.

At regular intervals your family is visited by a pair of men who come to check on you and your family to ensure that all is well. They wear strange, thick clothing and have goggles on their faces to protect them from the evil that is outside of your hut.

They knock on the door with a special knock and are quickly hustled in, lest the evil influence of outside contaminate the home.

But still, you sometimes wonder what outside actually is and how evil it might really be. One evening, someone is a little slower than normal in closing the door and you catch a glimpse of outside. All you were able to see was that it looked really interesting. So, you decide to leave the safety of your family home to find out what outside was like.

When the others are praying with the visitors, you sneak out through the door, closing it behind you. You gaze around you. All you can do is say: Wow!” You see the remains of the setting sun in the West, watch the first stars coming out, twinkling in the gathering night.

You wander away, looking at everything. It all looks so beautiful. Presently, overcome by exhaustion, you fall asleep under a hedge.

The next morning you are awoken by the singing of many different types of birds. And you see the sun rise. You look around you, shielding your eyes. You are unaccustomed to such brightness, but your eyes gradually adjust.

You retrace your footsteps as best you can. Eventually you find your home. What a terrible shock. Your home, of which your parents are so proud, is, you see, nothing but a small and cramped shack. But worse than that.

It is quite clear that it is built out of a variety of strange materials, all from different sources. Old packing crates, randomly sized bits of wood, all held together with bent nails, bits of old string. From where you stand you can see the flat roof of the hovel that you have called home all your life. There were so many holes in it that there was no wonder water fell on you and your family.

As you walk towards your home, you see a pair of the visitors staggering down the street, in their thick clothing, clutching each other. You wonder if one of them is ill. But then you notice that they are both wearing goggles that are totally painted over with black paint. They are clutching each other because they can barely see where they are going.

Somehow they make it to a neighbouring hovel that is similar to the one you call home. There are, you notice, a small number of these hovels all gathered together in a piece of rough land bounded by a tumbledown fence. There is a rickety slam as they are hustled into the hovel.

All around them there is fantastic beauty. Trees, vales, open pastures, farmland, gorgeous hills, valleys, majestic mountains. Everything. As your gaze shifts toward your home, the hovel, you start to weep. How could you and your family have lived in such a horrible home, whilst all around was not great evil and horrors but a truly beautiful world?

You resolve to tell your family the truth. You run to your door and open it. The action of your family surprises you. Shocks you, even. As the light of the day falls on them, they scream in terror. They push you out, shouting that you had been tainted by the evils of the world. They slam the door behind you, and you see the whole, pitiful shack shake and vibrate with the force.

You spend hours and hours hammering on the door, shouting for your family to join you in the light. But they do not even deign to give you a direct response. Instead they sing hymns to drown out the sound of your voice.

Eventually, you realise that you will never reach your family. So you turn to leave, noticing that it is already coming upon the evening time, again.

As you stand outside the hovel, wondering what to do next, several people approach you. They identify themselves as fellow former dwellers in the hovels with their own families. Some had their entire family with them, others one or two family members but most were like you, with only themselves having been able to escape their family’s hovel.

They invite you to join them. So you do, wandering off to see what great adventures might exist outside of the hovel that your family called home. Picture this.

“OK, Matt! Apart from posting on RFM and your Notamormon blog, what exactly do you do?”

I write. All day long at work I write. I work as a journalist for a small publishing company. Although the company is small that doesn’t stop it from publishing five different magazines every month. (Actually, 2 are published 17 times a year, rather than 12 times) Unfortunately I am the only full time journalist employed by the company. We use some freelance writers, (some are a hinderence rather than a help as I have to sub-edit their work and do some re-writes) but I write most of the copy for the magazines, all of which are between 40 something to 64 pages, depending on advertising sold.

So, what do I do when I get back home? I write. Why? Because the way I earn my living is also my hobby. Great. I found someone kind enough to pay me for my hobby!

One of the things I run is my own News Portal, which is found at www.thatsnews.org.uk which leads on to a variety of news channels. News, health and nutrition, building and construction, business news, book reviews, etc.

There’s even a special section for Apple Mac users (called Apple Mac Heaven!) and I have a weekly humour column by Jason Love.

You know something? Although my lifestyle is a bit high stress, I love it to bits! Would I have been able to do the same kind of stuff had I been a Mormon? Hell, no! There’s no way my life would have worked out the way it did with the dead hand of Mormonism laying its rotting hand on my shoulder.

This is shameless self promotion. If you like my www.thatsnews.org.uk website, would you be able to help me by linking to it? (I’ll do reciprocal links, of course)

Also, does anyone have a bit of simple html code that I could use to create a linkable banner so that I will be able to replace the simple html link on the top of each portal entry page with a nice banner? If you do, please email this to me at matt_exmo@yahoo.co.uk Thanks!

I have decided to write a book.

It will be based on my Ex-Mormon blogging here at Notamormon. I think that I will called it Not a Mormon, anymore.

Those of you who have followed my blog since the early days (it seems like years, but it is only several months, honestly!) know what kind of material it will cover. To others? Well, it may come as a surprise.

Will I use my real name on the book? (That is always provided I can find someone willing to publish it!) I have thought long and hard about this. I was very tempted to use my real name.

But what if I don’t? What if I just sign myself as Matt? Now, if I do that, then nobody will know who I am. I could be that person who a TBM has not seen in church for a while. Maybe it is their cousin Billy? Or perhaps I am that British missionary they met whilst they were on their mission in Australia?

You see, if I were to say: “I am so-and-so”, every TBM could be tempted to think: “His story would never have happened in MY ward!” When, in fact, every ex-Mormon knows that our kind of story happens in every ward and branch all over the world.

In closing this blog post anyone got the contact details of a publisher who would be willing to look at publishing an exmo book? Just email me the details, please! Ta!

Fictionalised references to Mountain Meadows massacre

Jack London wrote directly about the infamous moment when Mormons inflicted this secret mass murder upon innocent men, women and children.

But exactly how secret was it? Jack London wrote an outstanding novel based on it and even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle msde an oblique reference to it in A Study in Scarlet.

Do you know of any other books that make mention of the Mountain Meadows Massacre?

Here is Conan Doyle' obliuque mention of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.


"Arthur Conan Doyle
A Study in Scarlet
Chapter 3
John Ferrier Talks with the Prophet
Three weeks had passed since Jefferson Hope and his comrades had departed from Salt Lake City. John FerrierÂ’s heart was sore within him when he thought of the young manÂ’s return, and of the impending loss of his adopted child. Yet her bright and happy face reconciled him to the arrangement more than any argument could have done. He had always determined, deep down in his resolute heart, that nothing would ever induce him to allow his daughter to wed a Mormon. Such marriage he regarded as no marriage at all, but as a shame and a disgrace. Whatever he might think of the Mormon doctrines, upon that one point he was inflexible. He had to seal his mouth on the subject, however, for to express an unorthodox opinion was a dangerous matter in those days in the Land of the Saints.

Yes, a dangerous matter— so dangeous that even the most saintly dared only whisper their religious opinions with bated breath, lest something which fell from their lips might be misconstrued, and bring down a swift retribution upon them. The victims of persecution had now turned persecutors on their own account, and persecutors of the most terrible description. Not the Inquisition of Seville, nor the German Vehmgericht, nor the secret societies of Italy, were ever able to put a more formidable machinery in motion than that which cast a cloud over the state of Utah.

Its invisibility, and the mystery which was attached to it, made this organization doubly terrible. It appeared to be omniscient and omnipotent, and yet was neither seen nor heard. The man who held out against the Church vanished away, and none knew whither he had gone or what had befallen him. His wife and his children awaited him at home, but no father ever returned to tell them how he had fared at the hands of his secret judges.

A rash word or a hasty act was followed by annihilation, and yet none knew what the nature might be of this terrible power which was suspended over them. No wonder that men went about in fear and trembling, and that even in the heart of the wilderness they dared not whisper the doubts which oppressed them.

At first this vague and terrible power was exercised only upon the recalcitrants who, having embraced the Mormon faith, wished afterwards to pervert or to abandon it. Soon, however, it took a wider range. The supply of adult women was running short, and polygamy without a female population on which to draw was a barren doctrine indeed. Strange rumours began to be bandied about — rumours of murdered immigrants and rifled camps in regions where Indians had never been seen.

Fresh women appeared in the harems of the Elders — women who pined and wept, and bore upon their faces the traces of an unextinguishable horror. Belated wanderers upon the mountains spoke of gangs of armed men, masked, stealthy, and noiseless, who flitted by them in the darkness. These tales and rumours took substance and shape, and were corroborated and recorroborated, until they resolved themselves into a definite name. To this day, in the lonely ranches of the West, the name of the Danite Band, or the Avenging Angels, is a sinister and an ill-omened one.

Fuller knowledge of the organization which produced such terrible results served to increase rather than to lessen the horror which it inspired in the minds of men. None knew who belonged to this ruthless society. The names of the participators in the deeds of blood and violence done under the name of religion were kept profoundly secret.

The very friend to whom you communicated your misgivings as to the Prophet and his mission might be one of those who would come forth at night with fire and sword to exact a terrible reparation. Hence every man feared his neighbour, and none spoke of the things which were nearest his heart.

One fine morning John Ferrier was about to set out to his wheatfields, when he heard the click of the latch, and, looking through the window, saw a stout, sandy-haired, middle-aged man coming up the pathway. His heart leapt to his mouth, for this was none other than the great Brigham Young himself. Full of trepidation — for he knew that such a visit boded him little good — Ferrier ran to the door to greet the Mormon chief. The latter, however, received his salutations coldly, and followed him with a stern face into the sitting-room.

Is the Notamormon blogsite exmo website list up-to-date?

Some time ago with a great deal of help from several people, I compiled a list of exmo blog and websites.

You can find the link to the list here:- http://notamormon.blogspot.com/2006/04/ex-mormon-websites.html


I believe that there are some new websites that need to be added. Do you have any candidates you would like to have included?

If you would like to link the list to your own blog or website, please do so. If you want to email me with some more websites or blogs, please do so at: matt_exmo@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks for your help.

Has my mother being driven mad by years of Mormonism?

The reason I ask is because she seems unable to employ rational thought processes. The woman who used to be bright and clever is now, well, acting stupid, for want of a better word. And has been doing so for at least ten years.

Some examples of what I mean.

I caught glandular fever. My mother advised me that as she did not want my nephews catching this that I must on no account visit her. I thought this was a little harsh, but I acquiesced to her instruction.

Some time later she range me up, tearfully, berating me for “not visiting her.” When I pointed out that I was only acting on her instructions she said in an odd, cold voice: “Oh. Yes. That’s right. That’s what I said” almost as if she resented my remembering it.

When she went on her mission several years ago my brother and my sister and their families both moved house and took the decision not to tell me their new addresses or new phone numbers. For the full time she was away (with a holiday at the end it was 24 months) they made not one effort to contact me or tell me how they were. Suddenly when she comes back the family and my mother both express shock and concern that I do not feel willing or able to have a family relationship with them. As I said to my wife at the time they all took the decision to cut me out of their lives: “I can take a hint. They obviously have no room for me in their lives.”

Whenever I phone my mother she says: “Oh, I do miss speaking with you.” But she can’t really miss speaking to me, or why would she not just pick up the phone and call me? I mean, she is Internet savvy, has done a legit online university course and sends email to everyone in the family (but not me) so yes, she could call me and speak with me, if she really wanted to.

And my mother (when I phone her up) says: “We do miss you at family events. You should come to them.” That’s a real great idea, mother. Except, of course, I have only been invited to a family event once in three years. It was my mother’s birthday over two years ago and I was invited by accident. The party was actually a Sunday lunch crammed between video showings of a General Conference, so was not really a fitting way to mark her 70th birthday, but then, as an exmo, what would I know?

Are Mormons trained to be liars?

Mormons are apparently taught not to lie. More specifically, in the Biblical terminonlogy, they are taught “not to bear false witness.”

How strange it is for us ex-Mormons to keep finding that Mormons descend on the ex-Mormon bulletin board (www.exmormon.org) with the express intention of lying and bearing false witness to us?

They use a variety of guises. The gentle seeker after truth. The ex-Mormon who has some sincere questions about the faith, the believing Mormon who is struggling with attending church, and there are even people who were born into Mormonism who pretend that they were converts from another faith when they visit www.exmormon.org.

Why do Mormon feel it necessary to visit www.exmormon.org and to lie to the people there? Do they not realise that, in the lies that they tell, they are condemning themselves?

Is it perhaps possible that they do not consider lying to “apostates” (sic) to be an real lie? Do they consider that “being a liar for Jesus” is somehow justified in the arid and vacuous theology that appertains to Mormonism?

Do they really, honestly think that the people who use www.exmormon.org are so stupid and gullible that they will not be able to spot that they are not what they claim to be, but are, instead, nothing but filthy liars?

They attempt to re-convert ex-Mormons by trying to blind us by throwing dirt in our eyes. As a tactic, it is mind numbingly dense. Stupid, even. But when Daniel C. Peterson, a lecturer at BYU decides to use such subterfuge at www.exmormon.org, one realises that the “being a liar for Jesus” programme is one that is approved of at the very highest levels of the Mormon church.

The Mormon church. Condemned as a hotbed of lies and liars out of its own , filthy mouth.

(A slightly different version of this post was published in February. But I thought the points could do with being raised again.)

Calling IAmThat

You wrote:

"Matt, Interesting that you chose the exact same name and surprisingly have the exact same merchandise for sale, by the exact same supplier. And you have the same name as the NAM site owner. You even end your emails with the same salutation as the other Matt did. Such a coincidence.

Whatever."

Interesting? Only to someone who does not get out enough.

Do I have the same merchandise for sale? No. It would seem that you claim that Matt and myself both use or used the same online shop, Cafe Press (as do thousands of other people and organisations). But NOT the same goods. (The goods I have for sale were designed by me only a couple of months ago, so your claim that we have the SAME goods on sale is untrue. You DID check the goods that are on sale, didn't you? Because I do not think you did.)

What? There are more than two exmos using the name Matt? Do you know how many people use the name Matt or Matthew on the Exmo board? Do you? You do not have to check. I'll tell you. It is 16. And that's only 16 that are registered, there are unregistered ones, also.

Wow. Two people use the same salutation! Is that really "such a coincidence?" Not to anyone with an ounce of common sense. (How many salutations can there be?)

Of course, had you been arsed to email me as I asked you, I could have supplied you with my private UK email address. (Mind you, one would have thought that the fact that I use a UK Yahoo address might have been something of a clue...)

Carnival of the Veil Week 13 is up!

http://the-thought-spot.blogspot.com/2006/08/carnival-of-veil-week-13.html

All thanks to the hosts!

The current Carnival of the Veil is up!

Thanks to Mr G for running this fantastic service!

http://sinisterporpoise.blogspot.com/2006/08/carnival-of-veil-week-12-bread-and.html

Why DO so many Mormons enter MLM schemes?

Why do so many Mormons get into MLM schemes or other direct selling schemes and try to sell Amway, Noni Juice, Nu Skin, Mary Kay, Nature’s Sunshine Products, Herbalife, Nutra-Smart, XanGo, Living Scriptures, 4Life Research, NSA, Pharmanex, Quixtar, Shaklee, Kirby, Unicity International, USANA Health Sciences, Inc., and Old Mother Jones’ Baked Goods by Mail? (OK, although it sounds like a good idea, I just made that last one up!)

Now, some ex-Mormons say that this is because Mormons are stupid. This must mean that either they, the ex-Mormon, is also stupid, or somehow when they became an ex-Mormon miraculously became non-stupid and magically intelligent.

However, as most ex-Mormons do not believe in miracles or magic (they drag out that lovely little hobby horse, the Invisible Pink Unicorn) then we must look for another explanation as to why so many Mormons get involved with MLM schemes and scams. The answer is so simple that I am surprised the “Mormons are stupid/gullible” theory has held sway for so long.

The real answer is, I believe, because the Mormon church, in relative terms, keeps its membership ‘dirt poor.’

Every faithful (and some less-than-faithful) Mormon pays 10% of their income to the Mormon Church in a tithe. Now, in strictly Biblical terms, the Mormon tithe is not “legal”. This is because it tithes income before tax; Federal, State, Income Tax, Sales Tax, VAT and Council Tax in the UK, so it tithes gross income and not net/increase as a genuine tithe would.

Therefore the situations for Mormons is worse than it would at first appear to be. Depending on local taxation regimens, the real cost of a Mormon tithe could be anything up to 25 to 50%. And this does not take into account mission fund, fast offering, etc., which takes an even larger chunk of money out of the typical Mormon family budget.

So in comparison to their non-Mormon neighbours (even those of other Christian denominations who might pay a tithe based on increase, rather than gross income) many Mormons are “dirt poor.”

So in order to live any kind of meaningful life and to not have to rely on food stamps, social security handouts or Mormon church welfare, an extra source of income is required.

What about a second job? An attractive idea, true. But as for the practicalities of a Mormon getting a second job? As Austin Powers would say: “Oh, behave!” Most faithful Mormons spend almost all of their free time in meetings, or even in meetings about meetings. Not to mention, home/visiting teaching, missionary splits, etc., etc. They would not have time for an extra job.

So what to do to ensure their children have some luxuries in their life, such as food to eat, a roof over their heads, and so forth? Try MLM. You can run it in your spare time. (What spare time?!) and even if you do not have spare time, you can try to have a whispered conversation in the hall in between three hour block meetings with Brother Zee or Sister Wye, about how you are SURE that Wonder Cure Mineral Drink will just change their lives forever! (And all for only two cans a week, at $14.00 per can.

Do they make any money? The answer varies from not much to zero. So not only do they not get out from the Mormon Church poverty trap they end up even more miserable and depressed. And then what happens? More Prozac, anyone?

So, next time someone says to you that Mormons are stupid for getting into MLMs, ask them where they parked either their Bible or their Invisible Pink Unicorn? Ask them when (or if!) THEY stopped being stupid. Or point out that Mormons are not necessarily stupid, but are kept in the Mormon poverty trap. After all, a poor person is often more pliable than a wealthy one.

The day a Mormon missionary got the $%£$ beat out of him by a surgeon in Shropshire, England

Wellinton, Shropshire, surgeon J. F. Steedman was famed and highly regarded throughout the area of Wellington, Shropshire, for his skills as a surgeon.

However in 1854 Mr Steedman caused a sensation in Wellington when he was on trial for attacking and severely beating a Mormon missionary.

The trial of Thomas Williams v J. F. Steedman took place in the County Court, under “that indefatigable” member of the judiciary, Uvedale Corbett, Esq., as the Welllintton Journal described him.

The case was brought against Mr Steedman by Thomas Williams, a “Mormonite” –as they were then often described- from Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, some twelve or so miles from Wellington.

Due to the high feelings of people against the Mormons in Wellington and the popularity of Mr Steedman, the case had to be removed from the Wellington County Court to the picturesque medieval town hall of Newport, Shropshire.

On the day of the trial the courtroom was packed out with a large crowd of interested parties.Mr Craig was the advocate for the plaintiff, T. S. Smallwood for the defence. The damages claimed were fixed at the then princely sum of £50.

After the jury was sworn in Mr Craig stated the case of his client, claiming that he had been the subject of an unprovoked attack by Mr Steedman. (In Britain surgeons are always addresses as Mr., never doctor, by tradition.) He concluded his opening speech by questioning Williams as to his belief in the New Testament, which he professed to believe in.

Williams gave the following deposition to the court: “I am a thread-finisher in the employ of Marshalls of Shrewsbury, where I have been employed for 15 years. On Sunday 1 January this year (1854) I was in Park Street, Wellington, in the company of a young man named Henry Shaw, going from house to house, distributing tracts belonging to my sect.

“I called at the house of Mr Steedman who is a surgeon, alone. Mr Steedman answered the door himself. (many employers in Victorian times gave their servants Sunday off) I presented a tract, and asked him if he would have the kindness to read it, and I would call on him on the next Sunday, and renew it if agreeable. He glanced over the outside of the tract and asked if I would walk in.

“I said I had no objection, and he shewed me into a room on the left side, There was no one in the room. He went to the window, opened it, looked up and down the street for a moment or so. And then shut the window.

He opened the tract, turned it leaf after leaf and said; “What does this tract contain?” I said; “It contains the initiatory principles into the sect of which I am a member of.”

He said: “What is that?” I answered: “”Faith, repentance, baptism, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

He said: “You believe in miracles, don’t you?” I said I did. He said: “You believe in the gift of tongues?” I answered that we did. He said: “What reason have you for believing that?” I replied, “because I had received them myself.” He said: “You believe in the gift of healing, don’t you?” I said: “Yes, we do.”

He then rushed at me, gave me a blow with his clenched fist over my left eye and said, with an oath, “Get that healed!”

The blow nearly stunned me, and caused me to kneel, but before I fell, he again struck me. That floored me.

He then commenced kicking me; the first kick was on the calf of my leg, the second was in the ribs. The room appeared to spin round, and I seemed to be losing my senses. His kicks took the breath out of me.

When my senses returned he was standing over me, and again commenced kicking me.With the assistance of a chair, I got into a half-standing position, and he then began striking me, about the head, face and shoulders with his fist.

I called “murder,” and made for the door, which I got open about an inch. He rushed at me, put his foot against the door and shut it, and recommenced kicking and striking me. I shouted: “Oh, dear sir, have mercy upon me; or do you intend to kill me?”

He took no notice, but gave me a blow on the left temple that sent me bouncing against the wall. I felt myself going again. He then stepped back a yard or so, and I got the door open.

He rushed at me, and with a kick on my posteriors, sent me from the door to the causeway, and said: “There, _______, you devil, take that!” I went over the intermediate steps, clear.

I saw no one but the defendant while in his house. I did not strike him, the first blow put me past striking. He is a much larger man than I am. While I was against the palisading (in front of the defendant’s house) Shaw came up. I saw also a man and a boy.

Shaw assisted me. We walked a few yards, and then I vomited three mouthfuls of blood. We went to Mrs Butler’s in New Street. Mrs Butler fomented my face with hot water for about half-an-hour, and gave me a glass of spirits.

“I lay on the sofa till about a quarter past seven. Mr Shaw assisted me upstairs and looked at my ribs. I had much difficulty in getting home that night by rail. My mother got me to bed and sent for Mr Pidduck, the surgeon. He could not come, but sent directions for my treatment.

“On the next day, I went with my father to Wellington, and saw Mr Jones, the surgeon, there. On our return I fell fainting into my father’s arms.

“Mr Gill first saw me on Wednesday the 4. In the meantime I was fomented and poulticed, as Mr Pidduck directed, by my mother. Mr Gill attended me till the 28 or 29 of January, the day before I resumed my employment.

“During that time I was constantly attended by my mother. I could not dress or undress myself for a fortnight. I am now wearing a strengthening plaster on my side, by Mr Gill’s orders.

“I cannot work overtime as I formerly did, and now follow my employment with difficulty. Before the injuries I earned 15s a week, including overtime.”

He informed the court that he had been made overseer (“of the saints”) in the district and claimed that no tracts were delivered without his knowledge. “I never saw Mr Steedman before.”

In his cross-examination, he admitted that the dissemination of the doctrine of “plural marriage” had caused many disturbances in Wellington. He denied that he had offered religious instruction to Mr Steedman, or that he had claimed that the “gift of tongues” was “exclusive to Mormons.”

Henry Shaw, who was also employed as a thread-finisher at Messrs. Marshall’s, PC Smith of Wellington; Mary Butler of Wellington, formerly a 'Mormonite,' (as she put it) but who was, she told the court, now a Roman Catholic (“I have not been a saint since last October”) and Mary Williams, the mother of the plaintiff; all gave evidence that corroborated some of the parts of the statement by Williams.

The controversial Mormon doctrine of polygamy, where one man could take as many wives as he wanted, did seem to influence the development of the case.

George P. Gill, who had examined Williams said; “I examined the plaintiff. The principal injury was merely a bruise, extending from the fourth to the seventh ribs. It was a good deal swollen and very tender. It might have been produced by a blow or a kick, most probably the latter.

He had complained of some difficulty in breathing. I did not see him spit blood. If the vomiting took place, it most likely proceeded from the rupture of a small blood vessel. I saw no reason to apprehend any bleeding had taken place.

"There was a contusion on the left eye, not of any very serious extent. The plaintiff appeared to have had a good beating. A small enlargement of the gland took place about a fortnight after I was called in.

"During the first part of his illness, he appeared to suffer a great deal of pain. I saw him twice at his own house. He came to me about three weeks. During that time I think he was not able to work.

“He seems a poor, feeble, sickly person. From the nature of his constitution, the injuries may be felt for some time, but it is not very probable. The enlargement of the gland has almost subsided.

“The distance between my house and the plaintiff’s is about a mile and a half; he came to me three or four times. My attentions were so slight that I only charged a guinea.”

Mr Craig, for Williams told the court that the sole reason for the attack was personal animosity towards his client by Mr Steedman. However, the defence advocate, T. C. Smallwood, painted a wholly different picture. He scoffed at the idea that there was any personal animosity by Mr Steedman for Williams.

He told the jury that Mr Steedman had been affronted by having someone of the beliefs of the plaintiff promoting his religion in the town in which he, Mr Steedman, lived. The words T. C. Smallwood used were reported thus: “Mr Steedman felt indignation at having the privacy of his home invaded by disseminators of doctrines of the horrible nature that had been disclosed.”

According to the local press, the speech was skilful at playing on the passions of the jury. He asked them, as husbands and fathers, to put themselves in the place of Mr Steedman.

Consider, he asked, if his resentment at the “lewd and blasphemous creed, which this sect propagates, was not pardonable?”

The impression he made on the jury was strong and the calm and clear summing up by Judge Corbett was unable to remove the effects from the minds of the jury members. After only a few moments consultation the jury rose and returned a unanimous verdict.

Although they found in favour of the plaintiff (Mr Steedman had not after all, denied that he had assaulted Williams) in the sum of £5 .Mr Steedman was also known for his great work for Christ Church, Wellington.

This is a re-worked version of a similar article.

Blogger IamThat PLEASE READ

I am NOT the Matt from www.notamormon.com

I am Matt from the UK, on the RFM board.

As I have explained previously, I did NOT know about www.notamormon.com before I started my blog. Had I known, I would have chosen a different bloody name for my blog.

Oh. And that comment you said I would not publish? Here it is.

" sure wish you would have taken us up on the offer to buy notamormon.com from you before you let the site lapse. NYMarshall and I would have kept it going. Instead, you did not notify your users -- some had been with you as much as five years -- that you intended to let the site die. You didn't answer your emails. There were those of us who would have like to archive the messages elsewhere.I doubt this post will make it on your blog and I don't expect a response. I just wanted to let you know how disappointed I am in your actions. I think many of us deserved better than this."

Maybe the Matt who ran that board is ill? Dead, even? Have you considered that possibility?

Email me at matt_exmo@yahoo.co.uk if you want.

Talking to God

Talking to God

What cost Mormonism?

I wonder if anyone has ever figured out exactly how much money and material the Mormon church has wasted since it was founded?

I mean, people were encouraged to emigrate from Britain, fro example, and they took with them gold, silver or whatever else they had.

And what about all the chapels, stake houses, stake centres, Mormon church office buildings, temples and latterly all the McTemples of Hinckley’s crazy temple building programme?

And what of the wasted talents of all the people who became Mormons and the waste the talents of their descendents?

What amount of money has been wasted? Billions of Pounds Sterling or Dollars?

And have you ever tried to figure out exactly how or why your former Mormon friends and ex-family members are so damn scared of you? Is it because they think you have a deadly, contagious disease?

Do they think you have some sort of moral cancer that will cause them to fall away from the faith like you did?

And why do they refuse to believe the reason why you stopped being as Mormon?

I mean, after all, it is a well-known “fact” that ex-Mormons only quit being Mormons so they can: Sin or continue to sin, because someone upset them, because they were offended or they were weak or yada, yada, yada.

I think the underlying reason is this. We ex-Mormons scare them. I really do think that. We freak them out. They think if they get too close to us, we will play freaky little mind games and then we will ensnare them and we will hold their souls for ever!

Stupid cult? Oh yeah. Big time stupid cult.

Mormonism and the Stockholm Syndrome

On RFM the other day, someone posed this question: “Ok, to be fair, what's something nice that happened while TBM?”

This supposes that there is a reason why we should be “fair” to the Mormon Church. I know of no reason why anyone should want to be “fair” to the Mormon Church.

The desire to look back and try to spot some positive element of Mormonism is something that I would suppose almost every ex-Mormon is “guilty” of at one time or another. I know I was guilty of this. Until I decided to take ownership of my own life.

I believe that this desire to look for good, positive effects that Mormonism might have had on our life is like a sort of modified Stockholm Syndrome. We were, in effect, kidnapped by Mormonism and held hostage by it.

Over time, like the original Stockholm Syndrome victims, we came to rely on our kidnappers for everything, even for small acts of kindness which we came to look upon as examples of how much they loved us and how much they held us in high regard. When in truth the Mormon Church held us hostage.

What has Mormonism ever done for you? Or, to put it another way, where would YOU be, without Mormonism?

What has Mormonism ever done for you? Or, to put it another way, where would YOU be, without Mormonism?

This is something I have put a great deal of thought into, in recent years. I believe that, if my parents had left Mormonism when they both (as I now realise they did) came to the knowledge that the Mormon church was untrue, we would have returned to our home city from the rural backwater we had found ourselves in. The idea of moving was scotched by the church elders/bishopric in some way I never did fully figure out, but believe was guilt, guilt and MORE guilt. So my family never moved.

Had we returned to Birmingham I would have received a first rate education, gone on to university and, as they say, the world would have been my oyster. Sadly, this did not happen and I received an education that was very much below standard. It was basically designed to fit you for work in a large local factory as a machinehand or in a local munitions depot as a storesman.

But the local Mormon elders wanted my parents (and us their kids) and they did not want us to move away to another branch or ward. Never mind that my father would have been able to have commanded a salary of FOUR times what he was earning in Shropshire! That wasn’t important! What was important was local membership figures.

Years later my mother said to my father: “I am glad we did not go back to Birmingham. I do not think we would have continued being Mormon, there.” I thought to myself: “And what would have been so bad about that?”

Where would I be, now, had my parents done the right thing and returned home? I would certainly have had a better life. A life free of the constructed stupid guilt of Mormonism. A life when a cup of tea or a mug of coffee are not terrible sins against God.

A life where our family was not impoverished by having to give 10% of our income plus all the other little collecting scams for my father’s appallingly poor wages, in a low wage area.

A life where I would have been judged by who I was, not whether or not I wore a tie to shirt to shirt, or if I drunk a cup of tea. A life free of pre-programmed Mormon guilt.

Where would YOU have been without Mormonism? What would you be doing now, without the dead hand of Joseph Smith the child molester resting on your head? Please let me know.

What IS it about Mormons?

What IS it about Mormons? That make them so annoying?

They can't help themselves. I really believe that.

Once, when a Baptist told a Mormon that she had prayed about something the dense Mormon squealed and blurted out: "Oh! I did not realise Baptists prayed! I thought only Mormons prayed!"

And Mormons really do not get WHY other people think they are so irritating...

Ex-Mormon get-together taught me something new

We recently had an ex-Mormon meeting in Birmingham, England. It was very successful. We all had a great time.

It was not until Tuesday severla days later, when I was walking along a rural road not far from our house to release an insect in some woodland, that a thought struck me with such force that I had to stop, momentarilly, to take stock of my situation.

I had suddenly realised that the meeting with fellow ex-Mormons was the first time I had EVERY sat chatting to a group of people who didn't need the others in the group to tell them how they felt. They already knew. Because they had gone through it themselves

That was a most exilerating experience. Thank you!

Exmo meeting a success

The Birmingham ex-Mormon meeting was a great success. 7 of us turned up and drunk whatever we wanted (soft or “hard”) ate some rather nice food and chatted about life both Mormon and post-Mormon.

It was like we’d know each other for years. As it happened, I had met someone at my mother’s house, as he spent part of his mission in Telford! A very small world!

Why not organise an exmo meeting where YOU live? It’ll be fun.

The latest Carnival of the Veil for your reading pleasure

http://tomanyquestions.blogspot.com/2006/06/welcome-to-week-8-of-carnival-of-veil.html

Yes, the above link is for Week 8 of Canival of the Veil, and it is all thanks to Gunner and his team of volunteers.

Jim kindly commented on my blog. This is my reply to Jim

What Jim wrote is at the foot of this blog post

Dear Jim,
Thank you for your email.
The title of my blog might be a little confusing. I suppose the proper title would be "Not A Mormon... any more."

For I was raised as a Mormon. I read the Book of Mormon at least three times all the way through, did seminary, took part in seminary scripture chases. Went through Institute, and was made an elder in the Mormon church.

You claim I twist and distort things. I am amused by this claim. Why? Because what I write is either based on my own research or on stuff that happened to me.

Therefore they are not twisted or distored. And I note that only a Mormon would believe that someone with something critical to say about (for example) the less savoury points of the life of Joseph Smith is "bashing" anything.

Unless you are the type of Mormon who knows that every Mormon who resigned their membership only did so because they wanted to sin? :)

I left the Mormon church because I prayed very fervently to God and God told me the Mormon church was not his true church. To be frank, I was not expecting that answer, I was expecting to be told that it was true. So I felt compelled to leave the Mormon church by God.

What is of value to me? Truth. My personal integrity. Helping to inform people that the Mormon church is not God's true church, when I have the chance.

What would I devote myself to if the LDS church ceased to exist? Pretty much what I do now. Voluntary work, and working within my professional field which takes up so much time I am mildly stunned to find I have ANY free time!

The time I spend on the issues raised by the existance of the Mormon church is tiny, in reality.
Best wishes,

Matt

Hi Matt,I just came across your blog and enjoyed reading the comments that you posted.I understand by the title of your blog that you are obviously NOT A MORMON. So tell me. What exactly are you? You seem to know what you think is not right and feel pretty comfortable bashing, twisting and distorting things that you claim are of no value to you, but what exactly is of value to you?Do you actually stand for anything? If so, I would love to hear about it. You seem to be someone that has given a lot of thought to spiritual things and I am sure that you have some beliefs that you DO believe in, other than the "LDS Church is false". At least I hope that you do. Think for a moment...If the LDS Church ceased to exist tomorrow, what would you be devoting yourself to? What worthy cause would occupy your mind or would you cease to exist as well? I hope that your life isn't only built around bashing the mormons, because if it is....... then my friend, I am afraid that you need them to exist. Maybe you should begin to give some thought to that and dedicate yourself to something that doesn't require you to depend on the existence of Mormons.Best Wishes and Kindest Regards,Jim

New website to help you interpret and explore dreams to find their hidden meanings.

And if THIS subject ain't post-Mormon, than goodness knows what IS!

Dr. Barry Burns announced a new Web site that explores dreams and their interpretations: www.diagnoseyourdreams.com. The site specialises in how everyone can find a unique meaning of dreams.

“The central theme of the site is to help empower people to interpret dreams for themselves," said Dr. Burns.

“Dream dictionaries are of limited use. They can give you common meanings to dream symbols, but the meaning of symbols vary widely from one person to another.”

Dr. Burns cites the following as an example: "To one person the color red may symbolize 'love;' to another it means 'blood.' Dreams are created by each person's brain, so the correct answer is the association each individual's mind makes with the symbol, regardless of what a book or another person says."

Dr. Burns, a former minister, studied dreams and their interpretations while attending seminary. There were no formal classes on the topic, so he created an independent study course under the direction of his adviser.

Along with his academic research of dreams and the scientific results of previous studies, Dr. Burns conducted a lab experiment with himself and another subject. During the course, they trained themselves to wake up after each dream (usually five to six times per night) and record it in a journal.

At the same time, they kept a diary of their waking lives.Over a period of months, they were able to make connections between the dream journals and the daytime diaries and observe how the conscious and subconscious minds were interacting.

Fascinated by his study, Dr. Burns later went on to get his doctorate in the study of the subconscious mind at the American Institute of Hypnotherapy.

The new Web site includes information on dream symbols, common dreams and the spirituality of dreams. It also includes interactive features such as a Polling Booth and a Message Board where visitors can share their dreams and ask for feedback in understanding them.For more information about this release, visit www.diagnoseyourdreams.com

About Diagnose Your Dreams:Diagnose Your Dreams' parent company has been providing educational opportunities through books, tapes, seminars and the Internet since 2000.

About Dr. Barry Burns:Dr. Burns received his doctorate from the American Institute of Hypnotherapy where he studied Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Hypnosis, and Dreams and did his dissertation on the role of the subconscious mind in the spiritual traditions of the world. He is the founder of Wellspring Hypnotherapy in Costa Mesa, CA and has conducted seminars around the country on personal and spiritual growth.

There are NO positive benefits to Mormonism

I was thinking to myself yesterday. I thought "Surely there must have been some unique positive benefit to my membership of the Mormon church?

"So… what was it?" I thought. I could almost hear the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees of my imagination, as I waited for the answer.

Of course, no answer came. Why not? Because there was no unique, positive benefit that I, or anyone else, derived from membership of the Mormon Church.

As a youth in the church, there were no dances, no functions. Sometimes we took part on a road show. But eventually these were stopped. They had an annual stake New Year dance. Which they decided at one point had to finish at 10 pm, which rather did put a dampener on the whole thing, as you could imagine.
Before my parents made me become a Mormon I was a member of the Sea Scouts. When we became Mormons, somehow, I wasn’t a Sea Scout anymore. I was never allowed to go to school discos. It was felt that these weren’t appropriate for a young Mormon. We were supposed to attend nice safe Mormon events instead. Unfortunately there were no Mormon events for local young people, so that was a rather moot point, in reality.

There was a local youth club that was more of an outward bound style club, with trips to mountains, etc., etc. That was deemed "un-Mormon" too. So I never took part in that.
To rub salt in the wounds we had church books and magazines that told us about "cool" things like Mormon Church promoted scouting, etc., but we didn’t get anything like that in the UK, when I was growing up as a Mormon. We went on Father and son camping expeditions. But, in truth, there were only ever two or three of those organised.

What about church dances in our ward? There were only ever two. And I organised both of those, as I was so angry that nobody had organised dances when I was younger, that I decided to organise one. I used part of a redundancy compensation to hire equipment for the disco.
The disco was a great success. The second one was a failure as the Stake president’s first counsellor decided that young people should not waste their time going to dances. His words were: "Those young members who had not gone on a mission should be staying at home studying their scriptures, whilst those who had been on a mission should already be married and at home with their wife!" Weird, or what?

But that was his view. Someone complained to Stake President about him. (not me) And got excommunicated for failing to sustain the brethren, for their pains. His wife left the Mormon Church, too, taking their children with them, so I guess it worked out well for them, in the long run.
So, what about the fact that I do not smoke and me a decent person? Strangely enough, most of my non-Mormon relatives do not smoke and they are all exceedingly nice, decent, honest people. And all this despite the fact that they were never members of the Mormon Church.
Claims by Mormons that they would not be good, decent people had they not been Mormons are the result of cult indoctrination.

Exclusive Notamormon designer items now on sale at the Notamormon shop

Notamomon now has its own shop, selling exclusive Notamormon designer items. All very tastefully designed.

There’s clothing (from bibs to golf shirts, via t-shirts and jackets and thongs) clocks, mugs, beer steins, journals, trucker’s hats, calendars, greeting cards, tote bags, messenger bags, etc., etc.

To visit the Notamormon shop please visit this link http://www.cafepress.com/matt_exmo

Mormon Truth!!: Welcome To Week 6, Of The Carnival Of The Veil!!

Mormon Truth!!: Welcome To Week 6, Of The Carnival Of The Veil!!

This is another exceptionally cool COTV! Enjoy!

Mormon Truth!!: Welcome To Week 6, Of The Carnival Of The Veil!!

Mormon Truth!!: Welcome To Week 6, Of The Carnival Of The Veil!!

This is another exceptionally cool COTV! Enjoy!

New Mormon online service makes me somewhat sad

PRESS RELEASE:

"Clean email and a safe and fun online experience are the focus of a new website catering to the LDS community.Launched in April of 2006, http://www.ldscentral.org/ is quickly becoming “the Homepage” for many Mormon's around the world.

"The one of a kind website was created to bring together many Internet resources and make them conveniently available and centrally located for the LDS community," says Jay Olson, Founder of LDS Central.

The website boasts many online features available to the member such as: LDS Dating and Personals ads, Job listings, Mormon Scripture and Gospel, Auctions, Filtered Email service, Instant Messaging, and Healthy Living and Nutrition tips for the Mormon community.

“It is our intent to provide a safe and secure gateway to the Internet while providing an interactive and resourceful website for members of The Church.

LDS Central is maintained and monitored on a daily basis to keep in harmony with our purpose and mission of providing a safe and fun filled on-line atmosphere for all of the LDS Central members,” concluded Mr. Olson.

LDSCentral.org memberships start at just a few dollars for 1 month of access with LDS Single and Family plans available."


NOTAMORMON COMMENT
Doesn't Jay understand that his boss, Moron (sic) president Gordon "the Controller" Hinckley does NOT want Mormons like Jay running their own websites?

Repent Jay! Repent! Confess to your Bishop. Close down your website and submit to the will of the collective!

Didn't Mormonism used to be a church?

Didn't Mormonism used to be a church?

The reason I pose this question is because when my parents decided the family would become Mormons in 1966, it seemed to be to my youthful mind, a church which the members and the leaders believed in.

David O. Mkay was the president, then. We got the impression that he really believed in the truth of the church and always did his best for the membership.

I believe that it is possible that the history of the Mormon church is something like this:- Joseph Smith started the Mormon church as a combined joke and method of scamming money from people. After all, making your faithful followers take baths and then getting them to wear underwear with magic markings sewn on to them has to be a joke, right?

But then, Smith had a change of heart. He sent out an order telling members to stop wearing their so-called temple garments. Perhaps he had realised that he should stop poking fun at his followers? Had he somehow received a real revelation from God chiding him for abusing his followers?

But then he was killed, so we wont know exactly what Smith would have done. But it is fair to surmise that Smith and at least Brigham Young were aware that the whole thing was nothing but a scam.

But by the mid 1960s, the leaders seems to take it all very seriously. But a curious thing happened. At some point after this, the leadership (most noticeable in the time of Hinckley) seemed to suddenly re-connect with the idea that the Mormon church was nothing but a scam and decided to take the opportunity to poke fun at the members, pretty much as Smith had done.

Mormonism used to be a church at least in the 1960s, when my parents made us join. It is not a church anymore. It is a Pyramid scheme which offers those lower down the slopes of the pyramid no chance of earning anything. President Hinckley's downline pays its members absolutely nothing!

Why the Mormon Church does NOT want "gay" weddings. The answer might shock you.

Why does the Mormon Church think that homosexual marriage or a similar service is a good idea?

Adam posted this on the RFM board, recently:

"I have just received a copy of a letter sent to all GA's, Seventies and Stake Presidents in the US that asks Mormons to "express themselves on this urgent matter to their elected representatives in the Senate" relative to the June 6 vote on an amendment to the Constitution "designed to protect the traditional institution of marriage."Here we go again ..."

Now, you would think that this is because the sanctity if marriage is important. That it needs to be protected, etc., etc.

But I would make a modest wager that there is another reason for their opposition to this ammendment to the law.

If that amendment is passed, it might really open the floodgates for other changes. What if, for example, polygamy was to become legalised?

The Mormon church would not be able to pretend that polygamy was a thing of the past, something of historical interest only. And minor interest at that.

Polygamy would be a live issue. A very live and dangerous issue. Because there would be no excuse not to re-introduce polygamy. Oh, damn!

Things could become very interesting for the next Mormon prophet...

This week's Carnival of the Veil up a running!

The following link will take you direct to the Carnival of the Veil. Have fun!

http://tomanyquestions.blogspot.com/2006/06/welcome-to-week-4-of-carnival-of-veil.html

There are more BAD intentions on the road to hell! Just ask Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism

Whenever someone does a good deed that turns out to have negative results, people will often shake their head and say: "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

But I would argue (in the case of the Mormon Church and its founder Joseph Smith, in any case) that there are more bad intentions paving the road to Hell, than good!

Let's face facts. Joseph Smith could not have translated the Book of Mormon. ParkerM noticed this and posted it on the RFM Board:

"http://home.teleport.com/~packham/bomvslds.htmI don't know how many if any of you have seen this, I haven't seen it linked on the site if it's not it should be and if it is it should be on the very font/top of the links page. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong really think this is a good step off point for anyone questioning the LDS church. Their teachings don't even agree with their own book "The literal word of God" Just some food for thought."

Thank you, ParkerM, for that post over at RFM (www.exmormon.org)

We know Smith wrote the D&C, which contains direct contradictions to the Book of Mormon teachings.

Joseph Smith, therefore, had bad intentions when he founded the Mormon Church. He sacrificed a sheep in ceremony that had nothing to do with Earth or Folk magic. He fraudulently used a stone to pretend to scry.

He married and had sexual intercourse with girls as young as 14. Let's face it. The road to the Hell of Mormonism was not paved with the good intentions of Joseph Smith. It was paved with his bad intentions.

What do other faiths think about Mormon Baptism for the Dead?

Is it not time that they started to fight back over this vile doctrine? It is an insult to the memories of our dear departed relations and especially to all of the poor souls murdered by the Nazis.

Now, here is a point. Jews were murdered by the Nazis and (despite claims to the contrary by the Mormon Church) Jewish victims of the Holocaust are STILL being baptised by proxy.

As well as Jews, Homosexuals were also murdered as part of the Nazi genocide. Are homosexuals being baptised for the dead, also? Or not? (The Mormon Church is anti-gay, so perhaps not.)

Either way, the roll call of Holocaust victims should not be used as a feeding pot for the vile practices of the Mormon church, established by the necromancer and convicted fraudster, Joseph Smith.

Hello! I am Buddha!

Based upon a personal and philosophic journey spanning six years, Buddha Returns details the author's realization as to the modern-day reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Buddha.
The book provides the answers to deep questions that confront all of us in a busy world that can at times seem spiritually empty.
"We return to this 'School of Life' many times until finally we graduate. Then everything becomes possible and suffering no longer exists."

Thus begins this unique work, which delves into the true meaning of karma, and how it reveals itself through the author's own spiritual experiences and insight.

The primary message of the book is that everything that we do, and everything that we experience, is a result of karma. In fact, all cause and effect can be better understood from this Buddhist perspective. When the individual truly understands karma and how it functions, then he or she will have a more enlightened understanding of life itself.

Nowadays, people frequently feel uncertain of their futures, and insecure in this often troubled world. But comprehension of karma and the role that it plays, can provide wisdom and solace to anyone so troubled, and seeking answers.

If you wish to learn about your personal karma, and begin to change it for the better, this book is an approachable point of departure.For more information, please visit the author’s website, http://www.buddhareturns.com/

Buddha Returns is available for sale online at Amazon.com, Borders.com, BookSurge.com, and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.

About the Author: The author of this book, who wishes to remain anonymous, notes on his Web site that his identity as a human being is not what people should focus upon -- rather, it is his message.

He believes that readers will be better able to understand karma if they give their attention to the message of the book, and not the book's creator, and his personal identity in this life. www.booksurge.com/bookstore.php3
More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb390762.htm

Science and religion. A scientist's view

In his new book, "God and Science Among the Infinities," Dr. Richard Coren considers the origin of religious belief and its status in our increasingly science-driven world.

He challenges our understandings of theology, science, and technology, while investigating the features which tie them together or that illuminate their differences.

Employing the simple theories of systems and of infinities, he penetratingly analyzes classical examples from our understandings of the theology of God and of various fields of science, and establishes limits on both.

Thought- provoking and original Professor Coren’s book shows how God and science coexist in the modern mind. This book is the beginning of a science of religion; it can no longer be claimed that science has nothing to say about God.

This is an important result for theologians, scientists, believers, and skeptics.For more information or to request a free review copy please contact the author at coren10 @ comcast.net.

God and Science Among the Infinities is available for sale online at Amazon.com, Borders.com, Booksurge.com, and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.About the AuthorRichard Coren is an Emeritus Engineering Professor at Drexel University.

He received his Bachelors degree from the City College of New York, in 1954, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, all in physics, from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. His specialty research areas are magnetism and electromagnetism and he has published 70 professional research papers.

More recently he has been conducting research in the cybernetic theory of evolution. He is the author of three books.

About BookSurge BookSurge LLC, an Amazon.com company, is a global leader in self-publishing and print-on-demand services. Offering unique publishing opportunities and access for authors, BookSurge boasts an unprecedented number of authors whose work has resulted in book deals with traditional publishers as well as successful authorpreneurs who enhance or build a business from their professional expertise. www.booksurge.com/bookstore.php3

I MAKE NO COMMENT ON THIS PRESS RELEASE! LDSHearts.com Announces World's Largest Family Home Evening for LDS singles

This news release was distributed by the PR Web Newswire on behalf of the organization below.

World's largest family home evening is being organized by LDSHearts.com for single members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Tampa, Florida (PRWEB) May 27, 2006 -- The World's largest family home evening is being organized by LDSHearts.com for single members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.LdsHearts.com, one of the most popular online communities for LDS singles, is making access to all features on the popular LDS community free every Monday, beginning on May 29, 2006, so that single members of the LDS Church will have an opportunity to participate in what is being called "The World's Largest Family Home Evening."

In the Church, Family home evening is considered a special time set aside each week that brings family members together and strengthens their love for each other, helps them draw closer to Heavenly Father, and encourages them to live righteously.

In 1915 President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors in the First Presidency began a Churchwide effort to strengthen the family. They called on parents in the Church to gather their children once each week for a "Home Evening."

Families were to take time to pray and sing together, read the scriptures, teach the gospel to one another, and participate in other activities that would build family unity. In 1970 President Joseph Fielding Smith joined with his counselors in the First Presidency to designate Monday night as the time for family home evening.

Since that announcement, the Church has kept Monday evenings free from Church activities so families can have this time together. Latter-day prophets continue to urge Church members to give highest priority to family home evening. They have promised that our dedication to this program will help protect our families against the evils of our time and will bring us abundant joy now and throughout the eternities. "

Like all Church members, we value the spiritual experiences and the joys that come from spending time with our family and friends during this special day of the week and we understand how single members of the Church might find it more difficult to have a regular family home evening on their own, so we feel this is a great opportunity to bring tens of thousands of like minded single LDS Church members together to discuss Gospel principles and make new friends," says James Gillen, President of LDSHearts.com.About

LDSHearts.comLDSHearts.com was established in 2003 and has quickly become one of the largest LDS singles communities online. LDSHearts is a singles online community dedicated to helping members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meet other singles from around the world in a comfortable, secure online environment. LDS Hearts is a great place for creating relationships ranging from companionship to friendship, romance to marriage.

This week's Carnival of the Veil

http://mormon2catholic.blogspot.com/2006/05/carnival-of-veil.html

Just when it looked to be getting better...

I had thought that things were improving. I was getting on better with my TBM mother. (Chiefly, however, I realise because I had made the effort.)

She probably hasn't got long to live (or so she implied the other week, as a result of several health problems.) so I was letting bygones be bygones, talking to her on the phone, and thinking of visiting her.

This has all been thrown into chaos when my wife was approached by a woman she had never met before. (My wife is a well known local writer and her photo has appeared in the local paper) The woman said: "You are Matt's wife, aren't you?"

My wife said that yes she was. This woman then began shouting at her (in public, mind you!): "I think it is a disgrace what you have done to that poor family! How DARE you upset them?"

My wife told her to go away in no uncertain terms.

I am angry, It is now clear that my mother has been continuing to gossip and lying about not only me but my wife (which I consider to be worse) to her TBM cronies.

I met my wife YEARS after I stopped being a Mormon, so what is my mother pulling through her? I am angry with her, but if I say anything to her it will just make the situation WORSE.

And this is one of the reasons why I loath and despise the Mormon Cult.