It's interesting that an institution that portrays itself as a paragon of moral virtue, is also so insecure and thin skinned they need to sue people who criticize them. Wouldn't their supposed good works be enough to defend themselves with? Don't you find it a little ironic that a church would need a lawyer, not to defend itself against an accusation, but to attack a critic? Being booted out of the Mormon church would be like being booted out of prison.
Also, let's be honest, the LDS 'chuch' is a multilevel marketing corporation masquerading as a church. It's one of the wealthiest corporations in the world. Its religious hustle is just a sideline at this point.
"One of the wealthiest corporations in the world" Thanks to tax exemptions and special privileges given to religions in the past 75 years in the United States. The LDS church emphasizes taking full advantage of all government benefits. Hoarding millions of tax free dollars. It has more money the than their God.
Long past time to reconsider those tax exemptions, IMO. Especially when a lot of LDS holdings have NOTHING to do with their faith; they just use the loophole.
I remember when I was questioning the Mormon church, I told my uncle, who was fairly high up in his ward, that I was going to read the Bible and pray about what to do. He told me the only thing I needed to read was the Book of Mormon. I’ve since left ALL organized religion behind. I don’t need some white evangelical Christian nationalist to tell me what to believe or anything like that. I love your articles. They’re so informative.
I was raised in the catholic church and started having questions from a very young age. When I finally left, like you, I considered joining another church. For about 5 minutes. Because I realized that the problems I had with catholic doctrine were the same across all the others. Glad you were able to free yourself from the grasp of religion, Billie.
The xtian sect started by a con man with multiple wives (a number of them underage) and believed bigotry was godly. Where did they get the idea they were ever holy?
Sounds like the plaintiff's lawyer just handed you an out. Dehlin can change the name of his podcast to "Mormon.ish Stories" and the Mormon church's own lawyer has stated in public that this wouldn't be confused with the church.
My bride’s mail-in ballot is outside waiting for the letter carrier. Dems down the line and against the Moms 4 Liberty school board candidates (SB is non-partisan in Maryland - but we know who is who). I like to vote in person.
There is a silver ballot drop off box behind the Owosso City Hall building. That's where the ballot went when I got done voting and placed the ballot inside the special return envelope that was provided for the ballot.
My ballot is in the outgoing mail right now. I tossed a vote for a Green in some of the way down ballot races, but I mostly went for Democrats. El-Sayed for the win! I hope you voted for the incumbents on the state Supreme Court, those were the ones nominated by the Dems.
So are they admitting that most institutions are just businesses where brand should be protected above all else? Let’s take away their tax exempt status now and forever.
No patience left after the Cornell rapes. Nothing will ever change around this godforsaken place.
I think the christians (and their offshoots, like mormons) are the longest-lasting and most destructive con that's been run on humanity in the last two thousand years. And that's definitely saying something! Definitely should be taxed, as well as prosecuted for their crimes.
This suit is trying to claim ANY use of the word 'mormon' in any context could 'lead to confusion' on the part of LDS members. That's as ridiculous as saying any use of the word ''catholic' is an infringement on the catholic church and could lead to 'confusion.' The church doesn't own the word 'mormon' and, in fact, repudiated its use several years ago in favor of LDS.
Anyone who's ever been a church member, whether still active or removed from the rolls, is a mormon and has the right to tell his or her mormon story. NOBODY in the LDS fold is under any illusions about who John Dehlin is and what his podcast is all about. All the church is doing is advertising its weakness by going after Dehlin's podcast 26 years after it started. Because apparently Dehlin has been more successful in encouraging mormons to question and leave the cult than the church has been at keeping them.
They apparently want such exclusive access to the name of their own church that anyone using it would have to get permission from them first, regardless of the usage. The next thing you know, they'll want exclusive usage of the English language.
Somehow I don't think that second issue would go over very well.
Look up the legal story of the Mormon Church's Don Quixote jousting with the Uinta Brewing Company over their (delicious) Polygamy Porter. Apparently "Why have just one?" and "Take some home to the wives" struck a nerve or a chip on someone's shoulder...
They can dish it out, but they can't take it. Witness an atheist going door-to-door in Salt Lake City to give Mor(m)ons a dose of their own medicine in this oldie but goodie (door knocking skit starts at 2:37 in)
The whole proselytism thing has always struck me as the height of unnecessary intrusion, never mind impolite. As an atheist, I don't find it necessary to tell everyone about the benefits of skepticism and reason. If someone ASKS, they'll get a straight answer about what I do and don't believe and why. But that's IT.
They, on the other hand, can't keep their mouths shut on the topic, nor do they understand what a bad look that is. Not only do they not get it, they don't WANT to.
It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity but I used to ask Christians why they rejected Mayan/Greek/Norse/Incan gods. I always helpfully pointed out that I also did not accept the claims about their existence. Then I would helpfully point out how much we agreed upon. My point mostly went over their heads.
Wasn’t there a story at Friendly Atheist a few years back that was all about how The Church of Latter Day Saints doesn’t want people using Mormon, or LDS or any other shortening of their name? You would think that having that official stance they would be unable to fight trademark cases since their official name is The Church of Latter Day Saints and not Mormon. Because, if the church is officially releasing the information, podcast, or whatever, they wouldn’t put Mormon on it, it would spell out the full church name. Erasing any opportunity for confusion.
Anyway, the LDS church is a business sticking its grubby fingers into everyone’s affairs and hoarding money pretending to be charity, they also foster and excuse rapists and pedophiles, and are highly misogynistic.
It's interesting that an institution that portrays itself as a paragon of moral virtue, is also so insecure and thin skinned they need to sue people who criticize them. Wouldn't their supposed good works be enough to defend themselves with? Don't you find it a little ironic that a church would need a lawyer, not to defend itself against an accusation, but to attack a critic? Being booted out of the Mormon church would be like being booted out of prison.
Also, let's be honest, the LDS 'chuch' is a multilevel marketing corporation masquerading as a church. It's one of the wealthiest corporations in the world. Its religious hustle is just a sideline at this point.
That pretty much describes all churches.
Funny how that works, eh?
"One of the wealthiest corporations in the world" Thanks to tax exemptions and special privileges given to religions in the past 75 years in the United States. The LDS church emphasizes taking full advantage of all government benefits. Hoarding millions of tax free dollars. It has more money the than their God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLVUHknb-Is
Long past time to reconsider those tax exemptions, IMO. Especially when a lot of LDS holdings have NOTHING to do with their faith; they just use the loophole.
Agreed, sadly religions rule in the United States because of the loopholes. Politicians know how to play them, elections to win money to be made.
In God We Trust? 🤪
"So insecure and thin skinned they need to sue people who criticize them?"
Look no further than your president, Donald Trump.
"Dictator for a Day
Why can't it be this way?
I'll make my enemies pay."
Available on streaming including YouTube, Apple TV, Tubi and YouTube TV.
I remember when I was questioning the Mormon church, I told my uncle, who was fairly high up in his ward, that I was going to read the Bible and pray about what to do. He told me the only thing I needed to read was the Book of Mormon. I’ve since left ALL organized religion behind. I don’t need some white evangelical Christian nationalist to tell me what to believe or anything like that. I love your articles. They’re so informative.
I was raised in the catholic church and started having questions from a very young age. When I finally left, like you, I considered joining another church. For about 5 minutes. Because I realized that the problems I had with catholic doctrine were the same across all the others. Glad you were able to free yourself from the grasp of religion, Billie.
Trading old nonsense for new
Make new nonsense
But keep the old.
One is silver, and
The other’s gold
"Tarnish and denigrate the reputation of the Mormon Church?" You really want to go down that road, Mor(m)ons?
They did that to themselves.
An organization thought up by a con man in jail because he liked to bone girl-children? How could it go well?
The xtian sect started by a con man with multiple wives (a number of them underage) and believed bigotry was godly. Where did they get the idea they were ever holy?
Bigotry AND bigamy!
“Oh course it’s bigamy. It’s big of me. It’s big of her. It’s big of all three of us.”
Groucho.
Say the secret woyd, the duck comes down and gives you a hundred dollahs!
They reran that in the late 70s when I was a kid. My mom told us how much $100 bought at the time and we were very impressed.
They created it out of thin air.
The Mormon brand is worth billions. Can't let a little thing like the truth get in the way of the money.
𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠 “𝐵𝑎𝑑 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑛,” 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, “𝑂ℎ, 𝐼 𝑏𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 𝑎𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ.”
If i see the words "Bad Mormon", I think of an LDS member acting the way his church demands.
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 “𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑛.𝑖𝑠ℎ,” 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, “𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒.” 𝑁𝑜.
Sounds like the plaintiff's lawyer just handed you an out. Dehlin can change the name of his podcast to "Mormon.ish Stories" and the Mormon church's own lawyer has stated in public that this wouldn't be confused with the church.
I wouldn't put too much stock in the notion that the church won't go after 'Mormon.ish' either. Dehlin is the beta test.
O/T: Yesterday, I got my mail-in ballot and voted Democrat straight up and down. Voted for El-Sayed, too (I'm from Michigan).
My bride’s mail-in ballot is outside waiting for the letter carrier. Dems down the line and against the Moms 4 Liberty school board candidates (SB is non-partisan in Maryland - but we know who is who). I like to vote in person.
There is a silver ballot drop off box behind the Owosso City Hall building. That's where the ballot went when I got done voting and placed the ballot inside the special return envelope that was provided for the ballot.
My closest ballot box is always in front of the branch library which is next to the cheaper supermarket. Democracy, literacy, AND food!
I first read that as my mail in bride. 😆
Was she popping the bubble wrap inside the box?
How many box tops did you have to send in?
I'll be voting in person. I don't trust Cheetolini not to fück around with the mail, even though he's under court order not to.
As I've likely said before, I'm old fashioned. I'll vote in person on November 3rd, and it'll be an all-BLUE ballot!
They let you choose the color of your ballot in OH?
Quite the contrary. My votes define the color of the ballot!
My ballot is in the outgoing mail right now. I tossed a vote for a Green in some of the way down ballot races, but I mostly went for Democrats. El-Sayed for the win! I hope you voted for the incumbents on the state Supreme Court, those were the ones nominated by the Dems.
I voted for all Democrats on the ballot. Even for the ones running for the state supreme court.
Will their magic underwear save the day? Stay tuned!
So are they admitting that most institutions are just businesses where brand should be protected above all else? Let’s take away their tax exempt status now and forever.
No patience left after the Cornell rapes. Nothing will ever change around this godforsaken place.
Let’s face it: The entire xtian faith is a for-profit business disguised as a non-profit entity. It should be taxed to hell and back.
I think the christians (and their offshoots, like mormons) are the longest-lasting and most destructive con that's been run on humanity in the last two thousand years. And that's definitely saying something! Definitely should be taxed, as well as prosecuted for their crimes.
Also, why can’t we as a society scrutinize religious institutions the same way as Cornell? The rot all begins there anyway.
🔥 🔥
Further Thought: If "Mormon Stories" is unacceptable to the powers-that-be, how about: "Stories of Joseph Smith's Dumbass Followers?"
Think that'll go over? 😁
There could even be a theme song with lyrics like the following
genius.com/South-park-joseph-smith-was-called-a-prophet-lyrics
Dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb!
And here we see the Mormon Church carrying on the fine Christian tradition of attaching rocket boosters to the goalposts...
They don't like it when they are scored against!
Funny, because they're scoring own-goals all the bloody time.
This suit is trying to claim ANY use of the word 'mormon' in any context could 'lead to confusion' on the part of LDS members. That's as ridiculous as saying any use of the word ''catholic' is an infringement on the catholic church and could lead to 'confusion.' The church doesn't own the word 'mormon' and, in fact, repudiated its use several years ago in favor of LDS.
Anyone who's ever been a church member, whether still active or removed from the rolls, is a mormon and has the right to tell his or her mormon story. NOBODY in the LDS fold is under any illusions about who John Dehlin is and what his podcast is all about. All the church is doing is advertising its weakness by going after Dehlin's podcast 26 years after it started. Because apparently Dehlin has been more successful in encouraging mormons to question and leave the cult than the church has been at keeping them.
I think the "confusion" on the part of members they are most trying to avoid is questioning the faith and the leadership.
The only confusion I would expect is whether to sue them or kick them in some convenient bodily organ.
Decisions, decisions...
Why not both?
You make a point! 😁👌
They apparently want such exclusive access to the name of their own church that anyone using it would have to get permission from them first, regardless of the usage. The next thing you know, they'll want exclusive usage of the English language.
Somehow I don't think that second issue would go over very well.
And don't forget about 'reformed Egyptian'! They totally own that shit!
They can HAVE it! 😝
Thank you, they repudiated it because of (if I remember correctly) all the polygamist branches prefer to use it.
Yup, exactly. They can't now claim any use of 'mormon' does them harm. Ridiculous.
Look up the legal story of the Mormon Church's Don Quixote jousting with the Uinta Brewing Company over their (delicious) Polygamy Porter. Apparently "Why have just one?" and "Take some home to the wives" struck a nerve or a chip on someone's shoulder...
Just looked up "Polygamy Porter." Stuff sounds delicious! Would that it were available here in Ohio! 😋
I’ve gotten some Uinta beers in MD. The porter is hit or miss. Because lord knows 85% of shelf space is reserved for IPAs. Grr.
I have about as much use for IPAs as a snake has for shoes.
IPAs. 🤢
FWIW, the brewery is Wasatch, not Uinta.
Be that as it may, I’ve had Uinta beers and liked them. I’ve also had the Polygamy Porter and liked that.
I was thinking about that beer earlier today. It is delicious. Did not know that there was a legal story.
They can dish it out, but they can't take it. Witness an atheist going door-to-door in Salt Lake City to give Mor(m)ons a dose of their own medicine in this oldie but goodie (door knocking skit starts at 2:37 in)
youtu.be/U58wgn-9Y3c
The whole proselytism thing has always struck me as the height of unnecessary intrusion, never mind impolite. As an atheist, I don't find it necessary to tell everyone about the benefits of skepticism and reason. If someone ASKS, they'll get a straight answer about what I do and don't believe and why. But that's IT.
They, on the other hand, can't keep their mouths shut on the topic, nor do they understand what a bad look that is. Not only do they not get it, they don't WANT to.
They are “commanded” to bother other people.
And I command myself to counter and debunk their BS. Sorry-not-sorry.
It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity but I used to ask Christians why they rejected Mayan/Greek/Norse/Incan gods. I always helpfully pointed out that I also did not accept the claims about their existence. Then I would helpfully point out how much we agreed upon. My point mostly went over their heads.
I don't think he's the only one. I don't think he is the only Australian for that matter. :) Larrikins all.
Wasn’t there a story at Friendly Atheist a few years back that was all about how The Church of Latter Day Saints doesn’t want people using Mormon, or LDS or any other shortening of their name? You would think that having that official stance they would be unable to fight trademark cases since their official name is The Church of Latter Day Saints and not Mormon. Because, if the church is officially releasing the information, podcast, or whatever, they wouldn’t put Mormon on it, it would spell out the full church name. Erasing any opportunity for confusion.
Anyway, the LDS church is a business sticking its grubby fingers into everyone’s affairs and hoarding money pretending to be charity, they also foster and excuse rapists and pedophiles, and are highly misogynistic.
Do you suppose that if we dropped the second "m" out of "Mormon" that would make it okay? 😁
(Edited, obviously!)
Momon? Or did you want to drop the second m?
MERDE! This is what I get for skipping my coffee this morning!