Category Archives: Social Justice

A Conversation with Jimmy Carter

Posted on 25-January-2012 by

Jimmy Carter struggled as a President, but I’ve always admired him as a human being and as a  humanitarian.  The following Q&A is from Time magazine (30 Jan 2012): Should voters care about the faith of candidates? I think moral values … Continue reading →

Posted in Personalities, Religion, Social Justice | Leave a comment

Anarcho-Transhumanism

Posted on 24-January-2012 by

I’ve always considered myself a bit of a non-violent anarchist.  I’m extremely cynical about the value of organizations, particularly in an era when it’s easy to self-organize around specific tasks.  Most mature organizations seem to degenerate into self-preservation activities (including assimilation).  … Continue reading →

Posted in @n@rchy, mormonism, Organizational Dynamics, Religion, Social Justice, Technology, transhumanism, uganda | 2 Comments

“The Responsibility of (Mormon) Intellectuals,” A Review

Posted on 22-January-2012 by

James Faulconer, the Richard L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding at Brigham Young University, recently wrote the following on patheos.com: Whereas an intellectual is duty-bound to criticize those in political power as needed and to use his or her learning … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Organizational Dynamics, Religion, Social Justice | 6 Comments

Mitt Romney is no George Romney

Posted on 21-January-2012 by

The press and editorialists are continuing to pummel Mitt Romney.  Commenting on issues related to Romney’s federal taxes, Nobel-Prize-winning, liberal economist Paul Krugman writes: . . . Although  disclosure of tax returns is standard practice for political candidates, Romney has … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Personalities, Social Justice | 1 Comment

The Inequities with Tithing

Posted on 19-January-2012 by

According to Sam Brunson writing for Times and Seasons (18 Jan 2012): ABC broke the news:  Mitt Romney has donated millions of dollars worth of stock to the Mormon church. SEC filings disclose that a Bain partner donated $1.9 million of … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Religion, Social Justice | 7 Comments

The “Prosperity Gospel” and Mormonism

Posted on 02-January-2012 by

According to a recent article by Peggy Fletcher Stack in the SLTrib (1 Jan 2011): Through the ages, the idea that God materially rewards the righteous has appealed to certain kinds of Christians. Mormons are no exception. A Harper’s Magazine … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Religion, Social Justice | Leave a comment

Here’s to the Modern American Family

Posted on 20-December-2011 by

Last week, I went to visit my son and his family in Manassas VA; my grandson was being ordained a Deacon in the Aaron Priesthood (think of it as a Mormon Bar Mitzvah) and I wanted to be there.  After the … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, my family, Personalities, Religion, Social Justice | 1 Comment

The Mormon Concept of a Pre-existence

Posted on 06-December-2011 by

I recently wrote a blog entry for IEET about the intersection of transhumanism and Mormonism.  One paragraph dealt with the Mormon version of the pre-existence: Mormons, as part of their worldview (known as the ‘Plan of Salvation’), believe in a long … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Religion, Social Justice | 2 Comments

Please Do Away with Curses

Posted on 05-December-2011 by

The LDS Church has historically been plagued with alleged curses — the curse of Cain (or Ham), the curse of the Laminites, etc.  These racial (or racist) beliefs need to be seriously reconsidered.  The priesthood is now given to Afro-Americans, … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Religion, Social Justice | 3 Comments

Paying for Miracles

Posted on 04-December-2011 by

I’ve never been comfortable with the concept of connecting monetary contributions with miracles or blessings or inspiration.  This idea seems wrong for several reasons: bad things also happen to people who pay their tithing and make other monetary contributions the concept seems … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Religion, Social Justice | 2 Comments