In November 2020, Tara Setmayer, Senior Advisor for the Lincoln Project, publicly declared her exit from the Republican Party. Her decision was a dramatic statement on the state of the GOP, which she accused of abandoning its responsibilities and principles. Setmayer stated, “The Republican party has abdicated their responsibilities and made a mockery of their…
The Language of Christianity: Words That Shape Faith and Ministry
Christianity, at its core, is a faith defined by specific words and concepts that carry profound meaning and significance. These words not only shape our understanding of God and His plan for humanity but also serve as guiding principles for how we live and interact with others. In this post, we’ll explore some of these…
Stephen Covey: The LDS Church’s Unexpected Gift to the World
Giving credit where credit is due. Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” has become a staple in personal development and leadership training, universally praised for its timeless principles. Some claim that these principles are rooted in Covey’s Mormon faith, but a closer examination reveals a different story. While Covey’s religious upbringing undoubtedly influenced…
Writer of a 1981 Master’s thesis examines the fictional origins of Scientology
THE TRANSCENDENTAL ENGINEERS: THE FICTIONAL ORIGINS OF A MODERN RELIGION A Master’s Thesis by Hugh Alan Spencer, 1981 McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada This collegiate thesis by Hugh A.D. Spencer has been cited on very few occasions over the past several decades … BoingBoing and Scientology Books and Media were those sites that gave it more than mere…
Positive Thinking vs. Divine Grace: Why Joel Osteen’s Message Wouldn’t Fly in the First Century
If Joel Osteen lived during New Testament times. The core message of Joel Osteen’s “good news” is that God’s love can elevate you from mediocrity and small dreams. By believing in and obeying God, you can achieve big dreams, self-esteem, favor, health, wealth, influence, a better job, a positive self-image, and a life free from…
Jerald & Sandra Tanner: The Case Against Mormonism, Volume 3
Jerald & Sandra Tanner: The Case Against Mormonism, Volume 3 Scroll down for the PDF, “The Case Against Mormonism,” Volume 3. Volume 1 is available here. Volume 2 is available here. Sandra and Jerald Tanner, both raised as Latter-day Saints with deep roots in the Mormon community, embarked on a journey of faith and discovery…
Jerald & Sandra Tanner: The Case Against Mormonism, Volume 2
Jerald & Sandra Tanner: The Case Against Mormonism, Volume 2 Scroll down for the PDF, “The Case Against Mormonism,” Volume 2. Volume 1 is available here. Volume 3 is available here. Sandra and Jerald Tanner, both raised as Latter-day Saints with deep roots in the Mormon community, embarked on a journey of faith and discovery…
Jerald & Sandra Tanner: The Case Against Mormonism, Volume 1
Jerald & Sandra Tanner: The Case Against Mormonism, Volume 1 Scroll down for the PDF, “The Case Against Mormonism,” Volume 1. Volume 2 is available here. Volume 3 is available here. Sandra and Jerald Tanner, both raised as Latter-day Saints with deep roots in the Mormon community, embarked on a journey of faith and discovery…
Is Scientology a True Religion for the Twenty-First Century or Just Another Space Opera Cult?
THE MOVIE: Battlefield Earth To put it bluntly, Battlefield Earth stands out as a colossal failure in the sci-fi genre, “much like the Hindenburg disaster did for Zeppelin air travel.” While not explicitly a Scientology film, Battlefield Earth, based on L. Ron Hubbard’s sci-fi novel, was heavily influenced by the religion. Scientology leader David Miscavige…
“Mormonism Unvailed” by Eber Dudley Howe (1798-1885)
Front piece of Mormonism Unvailed. “Mormonism Unvailed” by Eber Dudley Howe (1798-1885) Wikipedia: Eber D. Howe Eber Dudley Howe (June 9, 1798 – November 10, 1885) was the founder and editor of the Painesville Telegraph, a newspaper that published in Painesville, Ohio, starting in 1822. Howe was the author of one of the first books…