Catholic Church Sex Scandal News Hurting Sam's Campaign?

[BriansThoughtMirror]

I read this today:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/08/14/st ... ldren.html

I gotta say, that is incredibly horrible. And that's just PA. I think this news story will:
a) Make Sam's collection of stories seem less horrible by comparison (though there are some truly horrible stories in there that won't look any tamer), and
b) Generally draw attention away from his Hunger Strike and other efforts.

You know, if I was the divine intervention believing sort, I'd say that God was either protecting the church by bringing this news out, or Satan was trying to keep peoples' eyes off of genuine criticisms of the church, haha... But, I'm not. I think it's an unfortunate coincidence. Even for me, it changed my perspective. I mean, is there anything as systematically bad as this inside Mormonism?

Of course it could also be simply a matter of there being waaaaaaay more Catholics than Mormons. If there were similar numbers of abuse per member, you still see way fewer total instances of abuse within Mormonism, even if the chances of any individual being an abuser are the same.

I don't want to downplay the sorts of abuses Sam has described, of course. I was actually writing a blog post about that very topic when this news came out... We'll see if I finish it.

[Red Ryder]

Honestly I think after tonight, Sam is hurting his own campaign with the weird Jesus feet washing thing. I support the cause and the man but damn this just looks really weird and strange.

To most people Mormonism looks weird and crazy. This really cements that public image. Mormon "street preacher" washing feet?? It's just too weird like the guy carrying a cross down the sidewalk with a wheel on it.

[BriansThoughtMirror]

Dang, you're right, that does look weird. Insider symbology, I guess. Was that from Facebook or something? I hadn't seen it. I think it's possible that Mormonism really is weird, haha...

[MoPag]

Honestly I think after tonight, Sam is hurting his own campaign with the weird Jesus feet washing thing. I support the cause and the man but damn this just looks really weird and strange.

To most people Mormonism looks weird and crazy. This really cements that public image. Mormon "street preacher" washing feet?? It's just too weird like the guy carrying a cross down the sidewalk with a wheel on it.

I'm so glad you said this. I love Sam. The hunger strike thing made me uneasy at first, but then I was like okay, it is helping him get media attention so that's good. Now I just don't know how to feel. I'm worried about him.

[2bizE]

I see the Mormon church in a similar situation as the Catholic Church in about 15 years. The leaders are trying to bury the problems, they don’t acknowledge there is a problem. All I’ve heard them say is that they are the Gold Standard for preventing child abuse. Right/s

[StarbucksMom]

RR, that is really out there. He even looks kinf of crazed. I think he may have snapped. I would too without food.

As far as the OP, I am not sure the Catholic scandal will really hurt Sam's cause. I think if anything, it's kind of like the "me too" movement in that people will be more tuned into stories of child abuse in religion because of it.

[wtfluff]

Honestly I think after tonight, Sam is hurting his own campaign with the weird Jesus feet washing thing. I support the cause and the man but damn this just looks really weird and strange.

To most people Mormonism looks weird and crazy. This really cements that public image. Mormon "street preacher" washing feet?? It's just too weird like the guy carrying a cross down the sidewalk with a wheel on it.

Weird? Probably.

Here's something pretty weird too: Watching Sam do that last night was pretty dang emotional for me. It might be kind of weird / out-there, but when you think about the "christian" symbolism in what he did, it is a bit mind-blowing. (Also, the symbolism as related to mormonism, which many of us know goes beyond the christian symbolism. )

I kind of doubt it will "hurt" his campaign either. Any attention he brings to the issue that open's peoples eyes to creepy bishop's interviews is good, whether people think what he's doing is weird or not.

[Hagoth]

I think Sam is making a difference for a few members in the gray zone, but there is a lot of incentive for the faithful Mormon to write him off as a nutjob, simply because anyone with an opinion about making changes in the church who isn't a prophet or apostle is, by their definition, a nutjob. But if the president of the church combines two quorums or renames a program? That's revelation!

Can you imagine Russell Nelson washing anyone's feet outside of a second anointing ceremony?

[Red Ryder]

I've thought about this a little more in depth and hopefully can convey my thoughts.

It's weird TO ME because it's symbolic of something Jesus would do. As a Mormon, I never focused on Jesus, but rather on the Church. Now that I've separate Jesus from Mormonism, it reflects my lack of love for Jesus. So internally I see a disheveled man who hasn't eaten in 20 days with a Tupperware square and 2 gallons of water and a few towels surrounded by home made signs portraying a message.

This isn't too far off from a homeless person surrounded by their shopping cart and a few gallons of water. Again, this is the mental image and connection my brain made just looking at the picture. I didn't actually watch the event. However I've read many comments that stated it was done very well and invoked an emotional response. (See Fluffy, your heart isn't all blackened stone!)

In regards to the intent of the OP, I think Sam should pivot and jump aboard the "If it's happening to Catholics, It's also happening to Mormons" train and use it as a springboard and evidence platform that religious based sexual abuse is a universal problem. Bind the two together and start fighting against all religions.

Then resume eating and continue the fight by building a national coalition fighting against all religions. This pivot will then extend the life of Sam's grassroots efforts rather than die out leaving only the legacy of a lunatic in a swimsuit washing feet on a Salt Lake City sidewalk.

TLDR; go bigger than Mormonism.

Or maybe he just needed a better outfit and an altar boy feet washing assistant?

[EternityIsNow]

RR, that is really out there. He even looks kinf of crazed. I think he may have snapped. I would too without food.

As far as the OP, I am not sure the Catholic scandal will really hurt Sam's cause. I think if anything, it's kind of like the "me too" movement in that people will be more tuned into stories of child abuse in religion because of it.

Totally agree with this. We need a rational-looking movement here, someone dressed like an attorney, or a GA, oh wait, they dress the same, hmm..

The Catholic grand jury case is mind boggling in its scope, and possibly this will become a world-wide scandal for them... as the victims finally feel safe to speak up. Hard to see where this will go, but not good for Catholic leadership. The cover-ups are the major problem for church leaders.

To me this looks like divine synchronicity. The general attention will cause outsiders to connect 'Bishop/Priest' and 'Child Sexual Abuse'. Which is as it should be until these churches both become transparent, honest with their members about the risks of abuse, and completely change all policies that put children and adults at risk. Catholics need to end celibacy rules and Mormons need to stop the continual dialogue about how bad the human sex drive is (porn obsession by the church, etc). Not to mention implementing Sam's points (no one-on-one interviews and no sexual discussions of any kind with children by clergy), plus background checks and professional oversight and training of all ministers in the church.

These churches have created an abuse culture and that needs to stop. Whatever it takes.

You could not pay me enough to take a calling as a Mormon Bishop today.

[SincereInquirer]

Can you imagine Russell Nelson washing anyone's feet outside of a second anointing ceremony?

Hmmm. Can you imagine Russell Nelson washing anyone's feet in a second anointing ceremony?

[MoPag]

In regards to the intent of the OP, I think Sam should pivot and jump aboard the "If it's happening to Catholics, It's also happening to Mormons" train and use it as a springboard and evidence platform that religious based sexual abuse is a universal problem. Bind the two together and start fighting against all religions.

Then resume eating and continue the fight by building a national coalition fighting against all religions. This pivot will then extend the life of Sam's grassroots efforts rather than die out leaving only the legacy of a lunatic in a swimsuit washing feet on a Salt Lake City sidewalk.

Yes ^^ this!!

To me this looks like divine synchronicity. The general attention will cause outsiders to connect 'Bishop/Priest' and 'Child Sexual Abuse'. Which is as it should be until these churches both become transparent, honest with their members about the risks of abuse, and completely change all policies that put children and adults at risk. Catholics need to end celibacy rules and Mormons need to stop the continual dialogue about how bad the human sex drive is (porn obsession by the church, etc). Not to mention implementing Sam's points (no one-on-one interviews and no sexual discussions of any kind with children by clergy), plus background checks and professional oversight and training of all ministers in the church.

These churches have created an abuse culture and that needs to stop. Whatever it takes.

I really hope this happens.