Have things changed?

[Calm]

I am confident, almost to the point of certainty, that they monitor Dialogue and Sunstone.

For more info see this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strengthening_Church_Members_Committee

Are you seriously using a wikipedia article as a definitive source?

[ed2276]

Join a social club. You don't need a church. Maybe facebook would do.

I could use another neighbor for farmville. Only 13 more and I can upgrade the size of my farm!

[dblagent007]

Are you seriously using a wikipedia article as a definitive source?

I'm not sure about "definitive," but reliable, yes. Please point out those portions that you feel are incorrect.

By the way, did you read the Dialogue article I linked to? It seems to back up the main points cited in the Wikipedia entry.

[Calm]

I'm not sure about "definitive," but reliable, yes. Please point out those portions that you feel are incorrect.

Have you looked at the dates of all the references? Is there any reason to believe that even if this was an accurate portrayal of something going on in the early 1990's that over 15 years later, such claims would still be accurate?

[dblagent007]

Have you looked at the dates of all the references? Is there any reason to believe that even if this is an accurate portrayal of something going on in the early 1990's that over 15 years later, such claims would still be accurate?

I haven't seen any evidence that it has been shut down. Do you know of any evidence?

The Church feels that the SCMC is mandated by scripture so it seems unlikely to be shut down. Also, the Church seems to be expanding its monitoring activities (it monitors 6,500 anti-Mormon websites) rather than curtailing them.

Perhaps DCP can shed some light on this. He has had some interaction with the SCMC (met with a member at the request of the SCMC).

[rockslider]

Have you looked at the dates of all the references? Is there any reason to believe that even if this was an accurate portrayal of something going on in the early 1990's that over 15 years later, such claims would still be accurate?

In this day and age, I cannot image that the Church is not greatly interested in the web activity. Of course the wigs are busy with more important duties, but I'd bet some or your hard earned tithing dollars go to some average Joes in the ivory tower (or some sub-contractors) to analyze things.

[Daniel Peterson]

I am confident, almost to the point of certainty, that they monitor Dialogue and Sunstone.

As in, Somebody reads a pair of published magazines?

How shocking! Disturbingly sinister!

Fairly sends shivers up yer spine, it do!

Beyond creepy, says I.

[dblagent007]

As in, Somebody reads a pair of published magazines?

How shocking! Disturbingly sinister!

Fairly sends shivers up yer spine, it do!

Beyond creepy, says I.

Did I suggest that it was shocking, disturbingly sinister, and creepy that they read magazines. Uh, no.

The shocking, creepy, and disturbingly sinister part is when they forward problematic articles to the author's local priesthood leaders for further action. Sends shivers up my spine - and I bet MM is thinking about it too as he contemplates publishing his BoA paper.

[Daniel Peterson]

Did I suggest that it was shocking, disturbingly sinister, and creepy that they read magazines. Uh, no.

The shocking, creepy, and disturbingly sinister part is when they forward problematic articles to the author's local priesthood leaders for further action. Sends shivers up my spine - and I bet MM is thinking about it too as he contemplates publishing his BoA paper.

Doesn't bother me a bit.

A published article in a publicly available journal or magazine is . . . well, public. There is no presumption that it will be kept secret. And having a kind of clipping service that sends copies of publicly available published materials to busy bishops who may not subscribe to Sunstone or Dialogue but who have a pastoral need to know if Brother Jones is attacking the Brethren or if Sister Smith is arguing against fundamental doctrines of the Church seems to me perfectly reasonable.

[mfbukowski]

Is this what snared David Wright?

"Snared"?

More like he started shooting across their bow and then sent up a flare that said "Come get me if you can!"

[Deborah]

We as members who are active on the interenet have been asked to correct the falsehoods we find. So any "monitoring" is to teach correct principles to defeat all the falsehoods out there.

I just think if someone is interested in staying in the church he will understand that teaching against the doctrine and basic premises of the church is not conducive to being a member in good standing. It's one thing to say in my studies I've discovered this..... It's quite another to then take that information and refute the very foundations of one's faith. For one thing the scholars could be wrong and if one wishes to overturn his faith on the premise they aren't then that is his choice; but why would he then expect the very church he criticizes to embrace his scholarship at the expense of faith?

[William Schryver]

The whole SCMC is beyond creepy.

Yeah, but the uniforms and quarterly rallies are really cool. And I love the new banner style we approved at the last meeting. It reflects the flames so much better than the last one.

[William Schryver]

Did I suggest that it was shocking, disturbingly sinister, and creepy that they read magazines. Uh, no.

The shocking, creepy, and disturbingly sinister part is when they forward problematic articles to the author's local priesthood leaders for further action. Sends shivers up my spine - and I bet MM is thinking about it too as he contemplates publishing his BoA paper.

There is already a bulging folder, right between Coody and Cooley, and we maintain nearly constant contact with our regional agent in Pleasanton in order to remain apprised of any pertinent developments. You wouldn't believe where he was seen last weekend! We even have a source at his favorite 7-11. It seems he prefers brown paper over plastic when it comes to certain purchases ...

`

[wenglund]

As for the SCMC, I remain anonymous for a reason.

With the creepy level of paranoia you've demonstrated on this thread, I am surprised you haven't registered a complaint with the department of Homeland Security. Or, have you?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[dblagent007]

Yeah, but the uniforms and quarterly rallies are really cool. And I love the new banner style we approved at the last meeting. It reflects the flames so much better than the last one.

Just remember Schryver, "JOHN MAY LIVES!" You and your superiors should also heed this wise counsel: "the more you tighten your grip...the more [members] will slip through your fingers."

[mfbukowski]

Yeah, but the uniforms and quarterly rallies are really cool. And I love the new banner style we approved at the last meeting. It reflects the flames so much better than the last one.

You only have to go quarterly?

[William Schryver]

Just remember Schryver, "JOHN MAY LIVES!" You and your superiors should also heed this wise counsel: "the more you tighten your grip...the more [members] will slip through your fingers."

!

From what I've seen, your fifth column of straw won't survive the first "huff and puff." But your delusions of significance and ultimate success are, nevertheless, a source of considerable entertainment.

[dblagent007]

!

From what I've seen, your fifth column of straw won't survive the first "huff and puff." But your delusions of significance and ultimate success are, nevertheless, a source of considerable entertainment.

Like a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, the fifth column will roll forth to fill the whole earth.

[selek]

With the creepy level of paranoia you've demonstrated on this thread, I am surprised you haven't registered a complaint with the department of Homeland Security. Or, have you?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

According to his mailman, the DoHS responded to the complaint with a form letter explaining that- due to budget cuts- the authorized version of the tin foil hats will now contain 7% lead by volume.

[William Schryver]

Like a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, the fifth column will roll forth to fill the whole earth.

I just hope that, during the millennium, they legalize whatever it is you've been smoking. That's one "stone" I'd like to sample at least once.

[Mortal Man]

Okay, I've done some more research and it turns out that the seeds for the SCMC were planted back in the early 1950s when Ezra Taft Benson became close friends with Joseph McCarthy:

Agriculture Secretary Benson had written to Eisenhower on January 4 claiming that "as a result of the Ladejinsky case, and following on the heels of the McCarthy hearings, the whole security program is under attack"

http://www.eisenhowe...uments/1238.cfm

McCarthy and Benson were

However, with the end of the Cold War, the massive intelligence-gathering bureaucracy had to find a new mission. So President Benson reorganized his assets into the SCMC, redirecting them toward ecclesiastical espionage.

I believe we have barely scratched the surface of the SCMC's activities. If we fail to organize an effective counterintelligence operation, I fear they will pick us off one by one.

Now that Dan has confessed to spying for the SCMC, we must answer the following questions:

1) Who are his contacts?

2) Can he be turned into a double agent for our side or is his cover blown?

3) What other SCMC assets have been compromised?

Despite Will's posturing, we can safely assume that his application to the SCMC was rejected, otherwise I'd be gone by now.

As newly appointed head of the MADB Un-Mormon Activities Committee, I'm appointing dblagent007 as my 1st Lieutenant due to his experience in the field.

The rest of you fan out to the other boards, find out what they know and report back here. We must assume that the mods are on to us and will close this thread any second. When that happens, we'll reconvene in another thread under the code words: "Do what is wright."

Remember gentlemen, freedom is purchased by the blood of martyrs. Let's make our grandchildren proud.

[Daniel Peterson]

I believe we have barely scratched the surface of the SCMC's activities.

Oooooh! Cool!

I just love this stuff!

Now that Dan has confessed to spying for the SCMC

But I haven't yet admitted the multiple assassinations I've performed. That will come only under torture.

[Vance]

According to his mailman, the DoHS responded to the complaint with a form letter explaining that- due to budget cuts- the authorized version of the tin foil hats will now contain 7% lead by volume.

Will that change their effectiveness?

[Mortal Man]

But I haven't yet admitted the multiple assassinations I've performed. That will come only under torture.

Which raises another question. Do we know anyone who's gone missing recently?

Has anyone seen Paul Osborne lately?

[David Bokovoy]

Which raises another question. Do we know anyone who's gone missing recently?

Has anyone seen Paul Osborne lately?

Dan, remember the legal ramifications. Best not to say a word.

Can't we all just get along? Personally, I'm a bit tired of this thread and need to write up some ideas on Nephi's asherah that I've been thinking about as of late. Daniel Peterson should be pleased.