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.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
"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.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
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.
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.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
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...
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...
Friday, November 24, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
"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.
(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.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
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 .
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 .
Saturday, October 14, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
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...
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...
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
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?
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?
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
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.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
“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!
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!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
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!
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!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
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?
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?
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
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.)
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.)
Saturday, August 12, 2006
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...)
"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...)
Friday, August 11, 2006
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