Dehlin's In The News? What?

[stemelbow]

I know, we've had enough of these threads. But I read this and have some thoughts questions, hopefully addressing things a bit differently:

http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2146441-155/mormon-facing-excommunication-makes-his-living?fullpage=1

"For every donor who withdrew, four or five others have been added". The excommunication threat "has really motivated a lot of people to increase their support"

I'm not too into this nefarious Dehlin thing, but could this be why he's been so eager to reach out about this whole process? Will donations increase because people like the idea of his work getting people out of the Church? Kinda like the counter-cult movement?

[KevinG]

No "Kinda like" about it.  He's feathering his nest for the post-Mormon ministry gig.  And besides graduate school and running a non-profit is expensive when you are trying to raise a family.

[toon]

I know, we've had enough of these threads. But I read this and have some thoughts questions, hopefully addressing things a bit differently:

http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2146441-155/mormon-facing-excommunication-makes-his-living?fullpage=1

I'm not too into this nefarious Dehlin thing, but could this be why he's been so eager to reach out about this whole process? Will donations increase because people like the idea of his work getting people out of the Church? Kinda like the counter-cult movement?

 

Doesn't this assume it's true that donations have increased. 

 

And even it so, what are the long term prospects.

 

As much as I want to be sympathetic,he does seem to have a bit of a drama queen in him.  (Yes, I know the term may not be PC, and apoligies in advance.)

[stemelbow]

No "Kinda like" about it.  He's feathering his nest for the post-Mormon ministry gig.  And besides graduate school and running a non-profit is expensive when you are trying to raise a family.

Well donations have soared and continue to soar he'll be rich in no time. I find it pretty interesting that donations soared when the news of excommunication was out.

[stemelbow]

Doesn't this assume it's true that donations have increased.

Isn't that what he said? Donations have increased substantially since the news of excommunication has come out.

And even it so, what are the long term prospects.

yeah..who knows how it will be going forward.

[toon]

Isn't that what he said? Donations have increased substantially since the news of excommunication has come out.

 

 

Yes, I understand what he said.  ANd it assumes he's telling the truth.  I've found him to be a bit of a blowhard (is that an appropiate term for these boards).

[KevinG]

Some messes of pottage are nice than others.

[why me]

Any money that he receives he will need to be careful what he does with the money. The tax authorities will be interested in this money. Of course, if I put myself in john's shoes, my head may be becoming a balloon because of my seeming importance. I would also be most likely having a huge ego. I wonder what his brother Joel thinks of it all. Joel is an active member of the church and also chief information officer for the church.

 

I just hope it will all be over on sunday and we can all move on to more interesting things.

[Avatar4321]

I hope it's not over Sunday. I hope Sunday is the beginning of him eventually repenting

[Brian 2.0]

Well donations have soared and continue to soar he'll be rich in no time.

 

I don't know the financials myself, but "rich" isn't a word that gets used in the podcasting business world ever... with the exception of maybe Adam Corolla.  I doubt he'll be making much more than a "living stipend" that other organizations I know of often pay their leaders.

[Calm]

I know, we've had enough of these threads. But I read this and have some thoughts questions, hopefully addressing things a bit differently:

http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2146441-155/mormon-facing-excommunication-makes-his-living?fullpage=1

I'm not too into this nefarious Dehlin thing, but could this be why he's been so eager to reach out about this whole process? Will donations increase because people like the idea of his work getting people out of the Church? Kinda like the counter-cult movement?

Oops…posted this on another thread…no time to change now

[Calm]

I don't know the financials myself, but "rich" isn't a word that gets used in the podcasting business world ever... with the exception of maybe Adam Corolla.  I doubt he'll be making much more than a "living stipend" that other organizations I know of often pay their leaders.

He was making 90,000 out of which he paid taxes and insurance in 2013, that was before contributions were rising if I understand the article correctly.

[stemelbow]

He was making 90,000 out of which he paid taxes and insurance in 2013, that was before contributions were rising if I understand the article correctly.

That's why I said rich. If donations have soared, meaning some huge increase, even implying 4 or 5 times as much, then it seems fairly applicable. At least that's how this poor man sees it.

[juliann]

I am trying to come up with an example of any dissenter ever exert overt influence after excommunication. Is there anyone? It seems to me that one needs an implied imprimatur from the church, i.e., membership, to maintain let alone grow. Even organizations, like RFM. They also had their day. Do they still hold the exMormon conferences?

 

Maybe Dehlin has built an infrastructure that differs from those before him, but it still would be dependent on a steady supply of new supporters. That is what the real battle is over. FM gets enough emails to know that Dehlin's initial lure for many is that he is seen as a Mormon in good standing. He so needs that...it isn't nevermos who are going to be swelling his ranks. And most exmos just wander off and have happy lives. So he also has to work to keep what he currently has...many of whom are supporting his ability to bring others to their side.

 

I have no doubt that there is a great swell of support right now. But this is also Dehlin's last hurrah if it ends as he predicts.  I think this is far more interesting as a grand sociological experiment rather than anything else.

[ERayR]

That's why I said rich. If donations have soared, meaning some huge increase, even implying 4 or 5 times as much, then it seems fairly applicable. At least that's how this poor man sees it.

 

But at what price comes such success?

[cinepro]

I am trying to come up with an example of any dissenter ever exert overt influence after excommunication. Is there anyone? It seems to me that one needs an implied imprimatur from the church, i.e., membership, to maintain let alone grow. Even organizations, like RFM. They also had their day. Do they still hold the exMormon conferences?

 

Maybe Dehlin has built an infrastructure that differs from those before him, but it still would be dependent on a steady supply of new supporters. That is what the real battle is over. FM gets enough emails to know that Dehlin's initial lure for many is that he is seen as a Mormon in good standing. He so needs that...it isn't nevermos who are going to be swelling his ranks. And most exmos just wander off and have happy lives. So he also has to work to keep what he currently has...many of whom are supporting his ability to bring others to their side.

 

I have no doubt that there is a great swell of support right now. But this is also Dehlin's last hurrah if it ends as he predicts.  I think this is far more interesting as a grand sociological experiment rather than anything else.

 

This is my impression as well.  If he is excommunicated, that will totally marginalize him with LDS members.  There's no way in heck an LDS with a sincere faith crisis is going to go to an ex'd Mormon therapist for help.  Hopefully he can find success in helping others (it seems he is setting himself up to specialize in counseling LGBT Mormons?), but his role as a counselor for LDS who are struggling to keep the faith will probably quickly come to an end.

 

But who knows?  These are uncharted waters, and anything could happen.

[Kenngo1969]

... And most exmos just wander off and have happy lives. ...

With the exception of posting regularly at Shady Acres , you mean?

 

(I admit, I'm not sure how representative the population of Shady Acres is of ex-Mormondom at large ...)

[cinepro]

With the exception of posting regularly at Shady Acres , you mean?

 

(I admit, I'm not sure how representative the population of Shady Acres is of ex-Mormondom at large ...)

 

It makes about as much sense to say that "Shady Acres" is representative of ex-Mormons as it would be to say that this board is representative of current-Mormons.  You're talking about an infinitesimal sampling.

[why me]

With the exception of posting regularly at Shady Acres , you mean?

 

(I admit, I'm not sure how representative the population of Shady Acres is of ex-Mormondom at large ...)

Over on the other board, John is receiving a lot of critic. He is not much respected at all. In fact, there are some posters who know much about him from personal experience and they are showing him no mercy. John has burnt many bridges with his flip flops and quite a few people seem hurt by him. I think that if john is exed, he will fade out rather quickly. There are many posters on the boards that just dont like him and these are exmembers etc. It would be wonderful if just one in the know on that board would detail their information about john like they did there.

 

I think that it will be difficult for him to recover from an excommunication and also from capitalizing on it with his business.

Edited February 6, 2015 by why me

[stemelbow]

I am trying to come up with an example of any dissenter ever exert overt influence after excommunication. Is there anyone? It seems to me that one needs an implied imprimatur from the church, i.e., membership, to maintain let alone grow. Even organizations, like RFM. They also had their day. Do they still hold the exMormon conferences?

 

Maybe Dehlin has built an infrastructure that differs from those before him, but it still would be dependent on a steady supply of new supporters. That is what the real battle is over. FM gets enough emails to know that Dehlin's initial lure for many is that he is seen as a Mormon in good standing. He so needs that...it isn't nevermos who are going to be swelling his ranks. And most exmos just wander off and have happy lives. So he also has to work to keep what he currently has...many of whom are supporting his ability to bring others to their side.

 

I have no doubt that there is a great swell of support right now. But this is also Dehlin's last hurrah if it ends as he predicts.  I think this is far more interesting as a grand sociological experiment rather than anything else.

I guess we'll see. I didn't really know anyone saw him as just another member in good standing. It seems most who support him and go to him are feeling marginalized or have already left. There will always be a steady stream of such people. Many of such people feel mistreated to some extent and want support. I don't see this all so easily going away when/if he loses membership.

[stemelbow]

It makes about as much sense to say that "Shady Acres" is representative of ex-Mormons as it would be to say that this board is representative of current-Mormons.  You're talking about an infinitesimal sampling.

You kidding me? There are no other people who leave the faith then those that post on that board.

[stemelbow]

This is my impression as well.  If he is excommunicated, that will totally marginalize him with LDS members.  There's no way in heck an LDS with a sincere faith crisis is going to go to an ex'd Mormon therapist for help.  Hopefully he can find success in helping others (it seems he is setting himself up to specialize in counseling LGBT Mormons?), but his role as a counselor for LDS who are struggling to keep the faith will probably quickly come to an end.

 

But who knows?  These are uncharted waters, and anything could happen.

Makes ya wonder. If he made 90,000 last year, who donated? Mostly LDS in faith crises? LDS who have essentially left belief behind? Or ex-LDS? I'd wager LDS in faith crises aren't donated so much. They are just learning, getting their feet wet, as they say. I wouldn't be surprised that most donations come from those LDS who no longer believe and ex-LDS anyway.

[KevinG]

But Ex-LDS have that extra 10% laying around just looking for a good cause.  This could be more lucrative than we know.

 

Perhaps there could be some profit in pretending to be disenfranchised or uncorrelated, collecting donations, then guiding ex-mos to the Gospel with stealth missionary moments?

 

 

P.S. I fully expect this comment to show up on the board of Shades (rhymes with Ballentine) as an example of how batcrap crazy we TBMs really are.  Sarcasm impairment is a thing you know.

Edited February 6, 2015 by KevinG

[Robert F. Smith]

He was making 90,000 out of which he paid taxes and insurance in 2013, that was before contributions were rising if I understand the article correctly.

Does this mean that he is making more money now than any of the Brethren?

[Buckeye]

That's why I said rich. If donations have soared, meaning some huge increase, even implying 4 or 5 times as much, then it seems fairly applicable. At least that's how this poor man sees it.

 

Putting aside subjective definitions of "rich," the actual quote does not suggest that Dehlin is making 4 to 5 times $90,000 (or $360,000-$450,000), but rather 4 to 5 times whatever amount donors have canceled since news of his disciplinary council surfaced. So we can't do a real calculation because we don't know how much has been canceled. If the amount canceled is $10,000, then Dehlin is currently making $120,000-$130,000. If it's $20,000 canceled, then he's making $150,000-$170,000. And so forth.