Anti-anti-Mormon Rant

 I am definitely torn.  At the risk of looking like an anti-anti-Mormon, I want to gloat over an incident that has happened in Utah.  I probably talk about these kind of things too much but I need to get it off my chest.  John Dehlin and “Mormon Stories” podcast are finally getting their comeuppance.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has finally had enough of this guy and his attacks.  They are suing for trademarks and copyright infringement.  They tried to work it out with John but as usual, this ex-mo thinks the Church is unreasonable.  In an article by Tad Walch in the Deseret News he said:

The two sides attempted mediation, which began in February. That process ended in March. Dehlin agreed to some changes but refused to make others, according to the lawsuit.

“The church’s demands were just too unreasonable and we walked away,” he said in a statement then.

What a surprise John.  I still maintain that if the Church said, “You know, we’re done.  We’re disbanding the Church.  It will be no more.”  If that happened, John would be screwed.  He’d have to start attacking Catholics or Baptists or something else.  He’d be out of business.  I think the Salt Lake Tribune would survive, but John would be in trouble.

John has maintained many times that he is not anti-Mormon.  Of this I beg to differ. He is extremely anti-Mormon and in my opinion an enemy of the Church.  John is a hack that if he wasn’t anti-Mormon, he’d be out of a job.  He’d have to take that fine education he has and actually do some work.  Not that it isn’t work coming up with the crap he peddles.

When John was excommunicated, he maintained that he was still a Mormon.  I’m not sure he would maintain that now.  I do feel bad for him, he would not let go of his conviction that what he was doing is right.  My view is that his conviction was and is more important than his membership.  I have a hard time understanding this.  I feel I would give up quite a lot for my membership.  I feel his conviction in his testimony was weaker than his conviction that he was spreading the truth.  That’s why I feel sorry for him.  You would also think that he would come to his senses and do whatever it took to receive his membership and blessings back again.  The lure of money and his stubborn “conviction” outweighed his desire for salvation.  Or his testimony of salvation was weak.  I’m not trying to be critical because I think he’s become a bitter snake and has been wooed by the world.  He would not agree with me, but everyone has their opinion.

I know my opinion of those leaving the Church and fighting against it.  Jeremy Rennels, Sam Young, Kate Kelly, John Delin and many others are much more concerned about their “causes” than their own salvation.  That’s ok, they can do that.  But when you demonize the Church and try to tear it down, and drive people from it, that’s when you become an enemy.  I know what many members will say, “Love them back in.”  They have to be willing.  These type of enemies fight against and have animosity for the Church.  I will call them out for what they are, Zarahemna’s, enemies of the Church.  If you are fighting against, want to harm the Church physically, or in any other way, you will have to fight me.  I will stand up for the Church and not back down.  If you only want to tear down, then you are not welcome in the Church.  If you are still a member and are causing havoc in the Church, then begone with you!  Get out and good riddance.  If ever you feel bad about what you are doing and want to change and come back, welcome!  But don’t be surprised if those like me keep a close eye on you.

I don't mention the evangelical Christians and their rhetoric because that is a whole other enemy of the Church.  Mark Driscoll spews more crap than a waste system in a slaughterhouse.  Frankly Mark is just a hack who got kicked out of Seattle and moved to Arizona to peddle more baloney.  But these enemies are a whole other post. Mark tries to be a tough guy, but I don't buy it.  If confronted with a real tough guy, he wouldn't survive.  But like I said, that's my opinion and fodder for another post.

So McConkie Brothers, game on!  Sue the crap out of John Dehlin, this enemy who needs to leave the Church alone but can’t make a living any other way.  He thinks he knows the Church but his years he claims being a “member in good standing” I question.  What kind of devotion made you abandon what I’m sure you proclaimed as true many times in your life.  Sarcastically speaking, I guess you were just brainwashed.  How can anyone take you at your word now when you broke your word concerning your covenants?  You can’t be trusted, John. 

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see him abandon his “causes” and return to the truth.  But I think he’s convinced he’s right.  How he can believe that when he was so “wrong” about his upbringing in the Church.  But now he’s got it right.  Yea, right!

We’ll see how this lawsuit ends.  In the mean time, the ex mos may continue to reap the whirlwind.

Semper Paratus

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Terrorism: Suicide Bombers Profile

From 2015 Post.  Some things never change!

 In 1989 I went to a course on terrorism.  At the time it was not a mandatory class but 3 years later it was mandatory for being deployed.  When I asked a friend I know who is in the Air Force serving in very close to the same jobs and involvement that I did in the military, he sent me this handout he received in the same course that I took in 1989.  I=m sure the course content has changed a great deal since >89.

 

Perhaps because of this country=s lack of direct experience with suicide bombings, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a statement claiming there is Ano specific profile for those who have engaged in suicide/homicide bombings.@

In contrast, Israel, which has experienced over 300 such bombings since 1993, with 242 of them occurring since 2000, has developed some guidelines and profiles that highlight the general characteristics of a suicide bomber.  These include:

32% have at least a high school education and more than 25% have some college background. 

Suicide bombers participate in months of indoctrination training. When ready for the mission, they are in a Ahypnotic state@ believing that the mission will open heaven=s gates. 

A majority of suicide/homicide bombers are unmarried. Some have spouses and children. 

Most are male between 17B23 years of age; however, women, children and older men have been recruited for suicide bombing missions. 

The first known suicide bombing by a woman (January 2002) was carried out by Wafa Idris, a 27-year-old divorcee who volunteered as a paramedic. More recently, Reem Raiyshi, a 22-year-old mother of two, perpetrated an attack at a border crossing between Israel and the Gaza strip. The media have reported recent attacks by Chechen rebels, whose suicide bombings have mostly been carried out by women. It is generally believed that the Chechen women were not acting on religious fanaticism, but rather avenging the deaths of friends or relatives in the conflict with Russia.

Approximately a quarter of suicide bombers are between 24B48 years old. There are also reports of attacks carried out by children and by older individuals, although exact numbers are uncertain.

 

General Demeanor

Certain behavioral characteristics of a suicide bomber have been identified. These include:

The appearance of being nervous. They may seem preoccupied or have a blank stare. 

Focused intent and vigilance. Such an acute focus may result in no response to verbal or other contact. 

An awkward attempt to blend in. Behavior will seem odd or overtly out of place. 

Avoidance behaviors toward authority. If security is present, suicide bomber tries to be inconspicuous. 

May be praying fervently to him/herself. This gives the appearance of talking or whispering to someone. Keep in mind that many people talk to themselves, thus this behavior in and of itself has little meaning. Further, either of these behaviors could be confused with speaking on a cell phone headset. 

Behavior may be consistent with that of a person without any future. For example, giving away things of value, buying a one-way ticket, or being unconcerned about receiving change for a purchase. In addition: 

Profuse sweating that is out of synch with weather conditions. 

Walking deliberately toward a specific object or target, often pushing their way through a crowd or around barriers. May show a high degree of focus or intent, especially if the target is in sight. 

Lack of mobility of the lower torso may cause upper body stiffness. This is due to the bomb device that is strapped to the body. The increased use of backpacks may reduce or eliminate this element. 

In order to disguise the appearance, a beard may have been recently shaved or the hair cut short. There is a noticeable difference in the skin color of the recently shaved area. 

To smell better when going to paradise, the suicide bomber may use herbal- or floral-scented water. 

General Appearance

As the event draws near, the suicide bomber needs to prepare to deliver the device. There are certain clues in appearance, such as clothing, that could foretell of an impending attack. The suspect might be purchasing, wearing or carrying such items as:

Clothing that does not match the weather. For example, wearing a heavy coat on a warm day. 

Clothing that is excessively loose, giving the appearance that the head is out of proportion with the body. The loose clothing is used to conceal explosives worn close to the body. 

The suicide bomber may carry a backpack, bag, briefcase or luggage. 

The detonating switch is often held in a clenched fist. Backup devices might also be used, including a timer, pager, cellular phone or booby-trap switch. An accomplice or supervisor can remotely detonate the bomb if the attacker is detained or killed, or if the attack is otherwise aborted. 

The appearance of excessive weight. Many bombs will be packed with shrapnel such as ball bearings, nuts, bolts, screws, nails or other small metal objects that are dispersed into the crowd upon detonation. These comprise the bomber=s primary Akill@ mechanism.

 

 

I share this for your education.  I seem to constantly talk about situational awareness, but it is so important in the world we live in. Be aware. 

 

Semper Paratus

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