New Church Ad Campaign

[rockslider]

After reading this whole thread, the only comment I'd like to echo is.... White socks, Frankenstein???? Dude....

Oh yeah, and I thought Maready's video and photos were just fine and LOVED that he said we aren't robots! Some of us have been singing "

" ever since Michael McLean penned that song.

So you found his professional site and saw the parital nudes? If so, should I take this as a vote of non-foobar?

[Daniel Peterson]

I am going to simplify this as much as I can.

Thanks. I, at least, am frightfully stupid.

I don't believe that LDS Church leaders would approve of any LDS female posing like the semi-nude models which are pictured on Josh Maready's website.

That may perhaps be true.

And, of course, such posing is problematic.

But I still like Klimt and Bernini, and I approve of their work.

So there are three possibilities:

1. Those who produced Maready's video did not know that he had semi-nude pictures on his website.

2. Those who produced Maready's video knew that he had semi-nude pictures on his website.

3. The semi-nude pictures were added after the video was produced.

If case 1 is true, the producers were lazy. I found his website in less than one minute.

If case 2 is true, I doubt the producers informed LDS leaders about the pictures.

If case 3 is true, then Josh Maready is misrepresenting the LDS Church.

In any case I think one of two things will happen: Josh Maready's ad will be discontinued OR the semi-nude photos will be deleted from his website.

And critics like yourself are hoping to keep making a fuss about this nonsense until such critic's-soul-gratifying action is taken.

But not, I hope, on the thread that I launched.

This is not a thread about the limits of art for Mormons. Start your own. Stay off of mine.

[zerinus]

I am going to simplify this as much as I can.

I don't believe that LDS Church leaders would approve of any LDS female posing like the semi-nude models which are pictured on Josh Maready's website.

So there are three possibilities:

1. Those who produced Maready's video did not know that he had semi-nude pictures on his website.

2. Those who produced Maready's video knew that he had semi-nude pictures on his website.

3. The semi-nude pictures were added after the video was produced.

If case 1 is true, the producers were lazy. I found his website in less than one minute.

If case 2 is true, I doubt the producers informed LDS leaders about the pictures.

If case 3 is true, then Josh Maready is misrepresenting the LDS Church.

In any case I think one of two things will happen: Josh Maready's ad will be discontinued OR the semi-nude photos will be deleted from his website.

Many years ago there was guy in our ward who took an interest in art, and would periodically draw pictures of female bodies posing for him in the nude. The local Church leaders were aware of his activities, and did not approve of it; but there wasn't a lot that they could do about it, because as far as I know there is no law in the Church specifically prohibiting such an activity. It is many years now since I have moved away from that ward, and I don't know what happened to that guy in the end. But it raises an interesting question: where do you draw the line between art and pornography? Nudity (of male and female) is represented in Medieval and especially Renaissance art. Bare-breasted Mary feeding the Christ child is a common theme. Michaelangelo painted one of his most famous paintings of the naked Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A couple of interesting websites I found on the history of the nude in Western art can be seen here and here.

[mercyngrace]

So you found his professional site and saw the parital nudes? If so, should I take this as a vote of non-foobar?

I think his stuff of mormon.org is great.

Regarding his professional website, I think in all likelihoood, someone didn't do their homework. But we've got members working in shops that sell alcohol, tobacco, etc. Other owning hotels that carry inappropriate PPV channels. The reality is we live in the world and some of his jobs, maybe even his best paying ones, are his calling card. I don't like it... but there it is.

[bluebell]

I am going to simplify this as much as I can.

I don't believe that LDS Church leaders would approve of any LDS female posing like the semi-nude models which are pictured on Josh Maready's website.

So there are three possibilities:

1. Those who produced Maready's video did not know that he had semi-nude pictures on his website.

2. Those who produced Maready's video knew that he had semi-nude pictures on his website.

3. The semi-nude pictures were added after the video was produced.

If case 1 is true, the producers were lazy. I found his website in less than one minute.

If case 2 is true, I doubt the producers informed LDS leaders about the pictures.

If case 3 is true, then Josh Maready is misrepresenting the LDS Church.

In any case I think one of two things will happen: Josh Maready's ad will be discontinued OR the semi-nude photos will be deleted from his website.

My current stake president is a farmer (the previous one was as well) and he (and the previous one) gew barely which they sold to coors, which was then made into beer.

What is your thinking about a situation where the church leadership KNOWS that one of their members (a leader infact) is doing something that creates product they would not approve of any member using?

Which of your three possibilities fit (honestly asking)?

Also, am i looking at the wrong site because the one i checked out (with the skateboard ramp and all that) had absolutely no racy photos. I'm guessing i'm missing something.

[Daniel Peterson]

Many years ago there was guy in our ward who took an interest in art, and would periodically draw pictures of female bodies posing for him in the nude. The local Church leaders were aware of his activities, and did not approve of it; but there wasn't a lot that they could do about it, because as far as I know there is no law in the Church specifically prohibiting such an activity. It is many years now since I have moved away from that ward, and I don't know what happened to that guy in the end. But it raises an interesting question: where do you draw the line between art and pornography? Nudity (of male and female) is represented in Medieval and especially Renaissance art. Bare-breasted Mary feeding the Christ child is a common theme. Michaelangelo painted one of his most famous paintings of the naked Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A couple of interesting websites I found on the history of the nude in Western art can be seen here and here.

Interesting topic though this is, it isn't the topic of this thread, and I'm asking the board's administrators to intervene.

[Daniel Peterson]

I think we need to step back here for a

[Thinking]

Start your own. Stay off of mine.

You opened the door by posting the link. If you didn't want any possibility of an opposing view, you should have posted in the Social Hall. I have stayed away from the other photographer who shall remain nameless and limited my posts to Josh Maready and his website.

[cinepro]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mormon.org for introducing me to the photographic works of Josh Maready.

Holy schnikes.

[cinepro]

Word.

Photograph copyright 2010, josh maready photography

[neworder]

You opened the door by posting the link. If you didn't want any possibility of an opposing view, you should have posted in the Social Hall. I have stayed away from the other photographer who shall remain nameless and limited my posts to Josh Maready and his website.

Agreed. I think any links posted by the OP or content on the linked site (in this case Mormon.org) site should be able to be discussed in this thread since it does have to do with the new Church ad campaign.

I never looked up Josh Maready on the internet but I noticed while he was skating he choose not to wear certain religious clothing that most committed Mormons wear.

I really like the Josh Maready video and it gives me hope that the Church is moving in a different direction where they are less judgmental and more accepting of people on different levels. He talked about how he works with the youth in the Church and I am glad to see "Normal People" like Josh be role models to the rising generation.

Thumbs up to the Church for putting Josh Maready on the site and thanks to Dan to linking to it.

[neworder]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mormon.org for introducing me to the photographic works of Josh Maready.

Holy schnikes.

Maybe he can take the photos for your new theater systems brochure. Mormons helping Mormons.

[Daniel Peterson]

You opened the door by posting the link.

By posting a link to the Church's website and inviting comment about a Church ad campaign, I invited comments about the nature of art?

If you didn't want any possibility of an opposing view, you should have posted in the Social Hall.

I wanted views on the Church's ad campaign, not your speculations about the moral limits on professional photography for Mormons.

DanGB gets it. He posted on the subject. If you're unable to do so, why don't you post elsewhere, on the subject of your preference?

DanGB posted what might be considered an opposing view on the subject. (I disagree with him, to a considerable extent.) But what he posted is quite okay with me. It's on topic.

I have stayed away from the other photographer who shall remain nameless and limited my posts to Josh Maready and his website.

I posted no link to Josh Maready's website, and this thread isn't about Josh Maready's website.

That doesn't seem to me too subtle a principle for you to grasp. Why can't you take your urge to discuss Josh Maready's website elsewhere? I have no objection to your raising these issues on your own thread. Is that too much to ask? Why would you decline to do so? Are you deliberately seeking to hijack this thread?

[mercyngrace]

Did anyone leave feedback on the website about Maready's professional website? or ask if the website administrators are checking into the members who are profiled?

Just wondering if this is a purely academic discussion or whether someone is offended enough to address their concerns with those empowered to resolve them.

MnG

[rockslider]

Did anyone leave feedback on the website about Maready's professional website? or ask if the website administrators are checking into the members who are profiled?

Just wondering if this is a purely academic discussion or whether someone is offended enough to address their concerns with those empowered to resolve them.

MnG

I'm actually more interested in the knowledge/intent/purpose of the ad campaign in this regard. Is the church really leaning towards a hipper and more tolerant outlook on others socially acceptable standards?

Also to be considered is a long standing critic's complaint of non-disclosure. This might be a form of it, i.e. one finds Josh pretty hip, but once actually converted and in a home ward, finds that things just are not that hip, what then?

[bluebell]

I'm actually more interested in the knowledge/intent/purpose of the ad campaign in this regard. Is the church really leaning towards a hipper and more tolerant outlook on others socially acceptable standards?

Also to be considered is a long standing critic's complaint of non-disclosure. This might be a form of it, i.e. one finds Josh pretty hip, but once actually converted and in a home ward, finds that things just are not that hip, what then?

If you honestly and sincerely had a witness from the Spirit that the LDS church was true, would a lack of 'hipness' in your ward cause you to complain about non-disclosure?

[rockslider]

If you honestly and sincerely had a witness from the Spirit that the LDS church was true, would a lack of 'hipness' in your ward cause you to complain about non-disclosure?

Finding myself facing displinary action might put a clinker in the fire.

[Daniel Peterson]

Finding myself facing displinary action might put a clinker in the fire.

Over-hipness is, of course, one of the few sins for which the GHI expressly commands excommunication. Priesthood leaders have quite a bit of wiggle room in most areas, but not in this one.

[bluebell]

Finding myself facing displinary action might put a clinker in the fire.

This doesn't actually answer my question though. Would you, if you were seriously converted to the gospel, complain about non-disclosure if you found out you were in an 'unhip' ward?

You stated that it could be a worry for those who were converted to do such a thing, i'm wondering if you really believe that would be an issue for someone who was converted.

[Nathair/|\]

Over-hipness is, of course, one of the few sins for which the GHI expressly commands excommunication. Priesthood leaders have quite a bit of wiggle room in most areas, but not in this one.

Well then, I guess I have nothing to worry about. I'm about the furthest thing from hip, closer to freakishly weird. (How many "normal" people wear a kilt in the US on a daily basis?)

More to the point of the thread, while I haven't successfully seen any of the commercials, I do get related ads on my Facebook and I really like them. They show the Saints as real people with real interests.

Yours under the appreciative oaks,

Nathair /|\

[Bsix]

In my first post on this thread, I predicted that the members of the Church are not generally going to see Bro. Maready as objectionable...and that the critics/skeptics of the Church will attempt to make an issue of some of his professional work. It seems that I was correct.

Six

[Chronos]

The direction of this thread is towards a shutdown. Keep it clean and on the topic of the ad campaigns, not one specific person's choices.

~Chronos

[cinepro]

As for the ad campaign itself, I'm reminded of the ad-campaign for Windows 7, where normal people explained how they loved Windows 7.

I'm a PC, and Windows 7 was my idea...

"I'm Cinepro. I'm a Mormon, and Official Declaration 2 was my idea..."

It would be more awesome if the Church riffed on the

:

"Hello, I'm a Mormon..."

"And I'm a Catholic..."

[cinepro]

A certain other group has already denounced it as a corporate advertising sham to promote the product of Mormonism. But I would assume that group isn't the audience, but those who are genuinely open to learning more.

Personally I like the advertisements myself. It shows how diverse the members are.

JMS

I agree.

But then again, I look to Benetton ads to teach me about the state of race relations in the world.

[Hamba Tuhan]

i have worn a blue shirt, kakis, black belt, WHITE SOCKS, BROWN SHOES, to my ward for since I moved in.

Why is everyone focussing on the white socks??? Dude, you NEVER wear a black belt and brown shoes together.... <sigh>