John Dehlin is thinking about bringing Mormon Stories back

[Topper]

I don't know about your podcast player, but mine has a 'play' button, and a 'stop/pause' button.

My car only has a radio and a CD player, so I am sure you are ridiculing me, because I don't have any of those gadgets for my car.

[Green Monstah]

I liked STown well enough until church became a focus.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Not to get off topic, but every time I see this thread I think of this picture.




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Alll those staged photos, secret recordings, press releases, etc were both weird and funny at the time. Looking back, I suppose it makes sense when you consider that this is a business for JD.

[kccougar]

I'll just chime in here and say I thought Dehlin was lame back when some of the rest of you were tripping all over yourselves welcoming him to the forum.

[Moliere]

I'll just chime in here and say I thought Dehlin was lame back when some of the rest of you were tripping all over yourselves welcoming him to the forum.

Did you also pull over to the side of the road and cry when blacks got the PH?

The issue with the OSF is that it's been billed as a social movement. One that is trying to get the church to be more open and JD has masked his business venture as such. That's why Rosebud and many others (who are less crazy than RB) get so pissed when they find out that the Board really has no power and their voices aren't really heard. JD ultimately has all the power similar to a CEO/Chairman. The rest of the structure is setup simply for JD to consult with for guidance and somewhat to make it appear like it's an organization that gives a rats ass about the donors.

But when push comes to shove, JD pays his personal bills with the OSF donations so he won't relinquish control. It's a business masquerading as a social movement.

Mormon Stories was actually pretty good in its early days, especially when JD wasn't doing the interviewing. The podcast on Correlation is still one of my favorites. But the format, goal and tone changed dramatically once JD started to do it full time and relied on donations.


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[kccougar]

Did you also pull over to the side of the road and cry when blacks got the PH?

If I had been old enough to drive, I'm sure I would have.

[Goatnapper'96]

Did you also pull over to the side of the road and cry when blacks got the PH?

The issue with the OSF is that it's been billed as a social movement. One that is trying to get the church to be more open and JD has masked his business venture as such. That's why Rosebud and many others (who are less crazy than RB) get so pissed when they find out that the Board really has no power and their voices aren't really heard. JD ultimately has all the power similar to a CEO/Chairman. The rest of the structure is setup simply for JD to consult with for guidance and somewhat to make it appear like it's an organization that gives a rats ass about the donors.

But when push comes to shove, JD pays his personal bills with the OSF donations so he won't relinquish control. It's a business masquerading as a social movement.

Mormon Stories was actually pretty good in its early days, especially when JD wasn't doing the interviewing. The podcast on Correlation is still one of my favorites. But the format, goal and tone changed dramatically once JD started to do it full time and relied on donations.


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It has always seemed to me that a central aspect to Christ's message to the world is that you can find joy, peace, contentment and happiness regardless of what your circumstances are (opium of the masses) because true joy comes from being at one with God and serving your fellow man because you love God and them. These social movements seem focussed upon giving people power and control, often clothed is some pious bullshit (my editorial criticism) about various old world structures limiting opportunities of various protected/chosen classes to participate . Easy to say for me they will say because I am a white dude in charge (and unlike Rosebud I don't think I have been raped yet (sorry Creekster)), but at their core that is what I find the problem to be. The justice of the movement or cause, in the eyes of God IMO, is likely secondary to the motivation of the participants.

[Green Monstah]

. It's a business masquerading as a social movement.

That's a pretty broad brush to paint with. Regardless, I find it amusing that both sides are firing the same accusations at each other.

[Moliere]

That's a pretty broad brush to paint with. Regardless, I find it amusing that both sides are firing the same accusations at each other.

I don't think it's a broad brush. I'm only talking about the OSF and I'm not applying that to other exmo or postmo movements. I think JD is sincere in his efforts, but when revenues are made a goal, decisions are made it that regard.

JD gives people enough say to make them feel like they are part of the group and have significant influence on the direction. However, in reality they have very little if any influence. One easy example of this is when JD just put his wife on a podcast. Seems like an incredibly nepotistic thing to do. There's no openness about the hiring process or the related compensation.

One thing I truly admire about the LDS church is that bishops really have no stake in the collecting of tithing. Sure, they are bound by the handbook to only give recommends and certain callings to full tithe payers, but a bishop does not even indirectly benefit from how much tithing his ward pays. It's a stark contrast to JD's world where he benefits directly from money paid to his organization and the $200/hour rate he charges for coaching people on spiritual transitions.

I'll say it again. Once money is no longer just collected to sustain a hobby, but instead sustains a lifestyle, the goal of the movement changes.


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[Green Monstah]

I don't think it's a broad brush. I'm only talking about the OSF and I'm not applying that to other exmo or postmo movements. I think JD is sincere in his efforts, but when revenues are made a goal, decisions are made it that regard.

JD gives people enough say to make them feel like they are part of the group and have significant influence on the direction. However, in reality they have very little if any influence. One easy example of this is when JD just put his wife on a podcast. Seems like an incredibly nepotistic thing to do. There's no openness about the hiring process or the related compensation.

One thing I truly admire about the LDS church is that bishops really have no stake in the collecting of tithing. Sure, they are bound by the handbook to only give recommends and certain callings to full tithe payers, but a bishop does not even indirectly benefit from how much tithing his ward pays. It's a stark contrast to JD's world where he benefits directly from money paid to his organization and the $200/hour rate he charges for coaching people on spiritual transitions.

I'll say it again. Once money is no longer just collected to sustain a hobby, but instead sustains a lifestyle, the goal of the movement changes.


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So, which is it? Is it a business masquerading (which infers deceit and fraud) as a socially beneficial instrument or merely a realignment of the movement's goals. Ethically speaking there's a big difference between the two positions. Also, most successful NPOs have full-time employees who make a salary. Does it necessarily alter the goals of the "movement"? I'd argue no, even though it can.

[Moliere]

I think it's deceitful (not fraudulent). This the reason for mass defections from OSF board a number of years ago and the dust up being encountered now.


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[Applejack]

My car only has a radio and a CD player, so I am sure you are ridiculing me, because I don't have any of those gadgets for my car.

You need to get a fancy, stand-alone podcast player!

[BigFatMeanie]

Are you serious? Have you never listened to a podcast before?

I will confess to having never listened to a podcast before, either Dehlin or anybody else.

[SeattleUte]

My car only has a radio and a CD player, so I am sure you are ridiculing me, because I don't have any of those gadgets for my car.

Do you have a smart phone. Bluetooth in your car?

[Applejack]

Do you have a smart phone. Bluetooth in your car?

Don't listen to the eggheads like SU, Topper. What you want is your very own, stand-alone podcast player. They are very cheap ($19.99 or so) and do the job. Plus, you can download up to twenty podcasts at once (more than anyone needs in a lifetime). You can probably get one at your nearest Radio Shack.