The Scmc: What's Up With This?

[Tsuzuki]

I think I've found a new purpose in life... does anyone know specifically what kinds of activities may be brought to or garner the attention of the Strengthening the Members Committee? Like wearing a sheep costume over a wolve costume when going to sacrament? Posting lengthy manifestos and personal revelations on the Internet?

I'm technically in the position to help with the founding of a new religion. I think I made a thread about it before.

[structurecop]

I'm technically in the position to help with the founding of a new religion. I think I made a thread about it before.

I think that would be a good way to get yourself on the list. Even better if you start recruiting on here.

[Warship]

Did anybody else notice how completely abstract the justification was from the actions.

Js is talking about external parties injuring the property,person, or image of Mormons, but this is used as justification for internal spying on members who have commited no such injuries?

[Tsuzuki]

I think that would be a good way to get yourself on the list. Even better if you start recruiting on here.

The religion's based around the celebration of neurodiversity. The founder has Asperger's syndrome and I'm just plain crazy. Wanna join? You can still be Mormon.

[structurecop]

The religion's based around the celebration of neurodiversity. The founder has Asperger's syndrome and I'm just plain crazy. Wanna join? You can still be Mormon.

Sounds good. What's it called?

[Uncle Dale]

Wanna join? You can still be Mormon.

Can I be an apostle?

Uncle "or at least play the piano in Primary?" Dale

[structurecop]

Can I be an apostle?

Uncle "or at least play the piano in Primary?" Dale

At least you can be their version of Leonard J. Arrington.

[Tsuzuki]

Sounds good. What's it called?

I don't think we have a name yet, or if we do I don't remember. It's still in the planning stages.

[structurecop]

I don't think we have a name yet, or if we do I don't remember. It's still in the planning stages.

Just don't name your scripture "Dianetics" and you should be good.

[Tsuzuki]

Just don't name your scripture "Dianetics" and you should be good.

Maybe we could be to Scientology what Satanism is to Christianity.

[Pahoran]

Did anybody else notice how completely abstract the justification was from the actions.

Not really, no.

Js is talking about external parties injuring the property,person, or image of Mormons, but this is used as justification for internal spying on members who have commited no such injuries?

Spying? The committee takes notice of material that is published; how is that "spying?"

I once had an argument with a Tanner devotee. He showed an interesting double standard on this subject. He angrily accused the brethren of using "spies" to find out what the Tanners were up to, but coyly admitted that the Tanners got hold of confidential Church material from "sources."

So people who leak confidential Church documents to its enemies are "sources," but Church leaders finding out what those enemies are up to are "spying."

Is that how you are using the term?

And why, exactly, should the mere location of an enemy make any difference to the Church's mandate? What level of protection do you think a baptismal certificate should provide for an anti-Mormon?

Regards,

Pahoran

[structurecop]

Maybe we could be to Scientology what Satanism is to Christianity.

So no lie-detector tests to free us of our thetans (?)...

[Uncle Dale]

At least you can be their version of Leonard J. Arrington.

Wow!!! A former church historian who gets booted out of his office and into exile with

a small circle of loyalists --- who nevertheless regain the palace after his tragic death!

I get to be Prince Valiant's dad!!!

Uncle "or at least Princess Leia's wookie" Dale

[Tsuzuki]

So no lie-detector tests to free us of our thetans (?)...

Are you kidding? This is neurodiversity. You can have as many engrams and body thetans as you want.

[structurecop]

Are you kidding? This is neurodiversity. You can have as many engrams and body thetans as you want.

Count me in!

[The Nehor]

Are you kidding? This is neurodiversity. You can have as many engrams and body thetans as you want.

Awww, I thought you were going to declare war on the Thetans, ally with the reptilians, and send out mind-waves to conquer Alpha Centauri? I was getting excited.

[structurecop]

Awww, I thought you were going to declare war on the Thetans, ally with the reptilians, and send out mind-waves to conquer Alpha Centauri? I was getting excited.

I already declared war on the reptilians and the grays.

[Tsuzuki]

I'm neutral. I'll do business with the reptilians, but I won't take their orders.

[Warship]

Hi Pahoran,

Spying? The committee takes notice of material that is published; how is that "spying?"

From the O.P. â?¦

the secret "Strengthening Church Members Committee" was created to monitor doctrinally troublesome writings and beliefs.

â??Beliefsâ? is made distinct from published material and is what caught me eye. A private belief or idea that is not published is in a different sphere altogether. Imho, as long as a member is not breaking church rules there is no problemâ?¦a secret file on his ideas and beliefs should not be accumulated.

So people who leak confidential Church documents to its enemies are "sources," but Church leaders finding out what those enemies are up to are "spying."

This was not what I had in mind but rather was thinking about monitoring the beliefs and ideas of rule abiding members. But frankly, the fact the church has secret files and rituals is not ingratiating to me whatsoever. I believe the Temple leaders monitoring the beliefs and ideas of its members in Jesusâ?? day might have had something to do with his crucifixtion. Hyperbolized comparison yes, but relevant still.

And why, exactly, should the mere location of an enemy make any difference to the Church's mandate? What level of protection do you think a baptismal certificate should provide for an anti-Mormon?

Bc thatâ??s who JS was talking aboutâ?¦people without baptismal certificates. I cannot see how JS speaking of the churchâ??s external enemies, like mobs, has anything to do with monitoring the beliefs and ideas of itâ??s own members.

What level of protection should a baptismal certificate provide? Hopefully enough to be able to think as you please.

Shalom

[Tsuzuki]

Imho, as long as a member is not breaking church rules there is no problemâ?¦a secret file on his ideas and beliefs should not be accumulated.

On the contrary, I think that it is an excellent way to get some of my crazier ideas into the minds of those in authority. Legends speak of a book whose contents are so blasphemous that it has been known to drive anyone who reads it insane.

[Daniel Peterson]

Do you find this creepy as well?

No, unfortunately. Because I actually know something about the committee and have had some direct personal experience with it, I find it difficult to get the delicious goosebumps that this topic plainly generates for certain lucky critics. Knowledge inhibits fantasy.

[The Nehor]

On the contrary, I think that it is an excellent way to get some of my crazier ideas into the minds of those in authority. Legends speak of a book whose contents are so blasphemous that it has been known to drive anyone who reads it insane.

The Necronomicon or the Berenstein Bears Christmas???? Both are unspeakably evil.

[Warship]

On the contrary, I think that it is an excellent way to get some of my crazier ideas into the minds of those in authority. Legends speak of a book whose contents are so blasphemous that it has been known to drive anyone who reads it insane.

The Necronomicon or Martha Stewart's Good Things?

I know nothing sinister would come from the Strengthening Church Members Committee, its just the principle I guess.

Edit: Nehor totally beat me to the punch. That's what I get for playing with my adorable niece while trying to write a reply.

[cksalmon]

I know nothing sinister would come from the Strengthening Church Members Committee, its just the principle I guess.

What seemed creepy to me was that the reporting, if accurate, indicates a willingness on the part of SCMC to "receive complaints from church members about other members who have made statements that 'conceivably could do harm to the church.'"

Where would one draw the line here? Who draws it?

Best.

CKS

[Pahoran]

Hi Pahoran,

From the O.P. â?¦

the secret "Strengthening Church Members Committee" was created to monitor doctrinally troublesome writings and beliefs.

Well there's your problem, you see. You think shoddy journalism constitutes evidence about its target, whereas it merely constitutes evidence about those who produce it.

â??Beliefsâ? is made distinct from published material and is what caught me eye. A private belief or idea that is not published is in a different sphere altogether.

Yes, and how do you suppose the super-secret committee goes about monitoring them? Got your tinfoil helmet yet?

The committee keeps clippings of publications. That's what it does.

I believe the Temple leaders monitoring the beliefs and ideas of its members in Jesusâ?? day might have had something to do with his crucifixtion. Hyperbolized comparison yes, but relevant still.

Hyperbolized? That's an unusual spelling for "hysterical."

Bc thatâ??s who JS was talking aboutâ?¦people without baptismal certificates.

Really? You need to read more Church history. Just like today, the most virulent anti-Mormons were apostates, not all of whom got around to leaving the Church before they started their attacks.

Regards,

Pahoran