A REPLY TO ERASTUS

            Thanks for the comment Erastus.  As it pertains to respect, how can you respect a leadership that arrogantly engages in a “pattern of criminal activity?”  How can you respect a belief (Section 132) that is inherently coercive towards women?

            I believe in repentance. But the criminal conduct of the AUB leadership back in 1990 cannot be dismissed as a mere mistake. What they did was clearly premeditated.  They had ample opportunities to make things right but their pride would not let them do it.  The only way that repentance can now be accomplished is for them to start negotiations to make things right. Unfortunately for them, because of their stubbornness the court is punishing them where it hurts most and that is in the pocket book. 

            The AUB members who have a huge investment in AUB will do as you suggest, let God take care of it, and will continue to be loyal followers.  Part of the fundamentalist mythology is that the leaders are assumed to have been picked by God whether they are honest, stupid, brilliant or crooked.  If the people believe they [the AUB priesthood] have the “sacred keys” to the salvation of the people, they are stuck with them.

            In this country our Constitution allows citizens to worship as they see fit as long as their religion does not harm or interfere with the beliefs of others.  I don’t care who AUB appoints as their leader and I don’t care what kind of authority he claims, nor do I care if individuals believe his claims and give him money.  But when a religious group uses God as justification for scamming others, it becomes everybody’s duty to expose them.

            Why do you suppose Mormon fundamentalists hate apostates so much?  It’s because they generally have information that the leadership does not want the general public to know.

            There are so many improbably, irrational and absurd beliefs and corrupt conduct involved in Mormon fundamentalism that a great portion of those who abdicate in disgust become atheists and skeptics. AUB is one of the more liberal polygamist groups and probably has the highest turnover rate. People come and go like a revolving door --  because of the elitism, inequality [double standards] and corruption [deception]. The prophet and his priesthood cronies are only responsible to God, and they define God.  It’s a foolproof system if you believe in them.  Thank goodness we have a judicial system that can hold the “unaccountable,” accountable whether they like it or not.