(1) Mormon church loses UK tax fight at European Court
6 March 2014. The LDS church has just lost a court case at the European court of Human Rights relating to issues in context with loosing a "temple taxes" law suit in the UK. The LDS had appealed right up to to the House of Lords in 2008, but the appeal was dismissed.
Im my opinion this shows the LDS church as a rather litigious corporation. An 80% tax exemption was already secured prior to LDS legal proceedings. So the issue was whether the Preston temple is a public building and hence should be 100% tax exempt. The LDS appealed the verdict in 2008 and lost again. So they took the case to the European Court of Human Rights. Morally I can't see how how a temple is a charity any more than a court room is. But that was not even in dispute legally. Read the Independent. FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE !!!!! I regard the temple as a restricted religious building where entitled members only enter into an oath that enables them to become Gods. They also take an oath to pay tithes to the LDS church, which I presume the LDS use 99% in a self serving manner and less than 1% goes to charity for non members, such as third world projects. In my Christian church I put some money into the hat on Sundays and nobody knows how much. And I have plenty of money left to give to a real charity (running an African orphanage , clean water drilling, microbusiness, farms) which is not registered in Australia, hence I don't even claim tax credits. I know Christian book authors who give up to 90 % to the poor and needy ! |
The European Courts ruling may be of interest to readers that follow the newly filed case Phillips vs Monson in the UK. Many are are lead to believe it's just about Religion and matters of belief, such as the issue of evolution versus Adam and Eve. For example the Telegraph wrote this: "Head of Mormon church Thomas Monson summoned by British magistrates' court over Adam and Eve teaching"
(2) LDS Church sued for Fraud by Tom Phillips
Summons to President Monson issued by UK court for 14 March 2014
Please find information for campaign supporters @ Mormonthink (MT) & its facebook page. Details on legal proceedings in Mormon disclosures on David Twedes Oh Buggers post.
Introduction
Tom Phillips (UK) is suing the President of the Mormon church for Fraud. He alleges that the LDS churches misrepresentation of its true history yields unethical gains (tithing). Hence this court case is not an attack on faith. The commentator on BBC4 radio however recons the legal path is not a very helpful intervention. We recon that signing an electronic petition is the kinder alternative.
For reports on this legal case visit Mormonthink (MT) and Oh Buggers post (MD) - & click LIKE MT on facebook.
Tom Philips is targeting fraudulent Mormon truth claims. From a legal perspective the public may see this as a publicity stunt, distraction or questionable legal intervention. But for insiders there is more at stake than meets the eye. The strongest issues are fraud related to antique papyri, tithes and tax issues. Can the so called translation of the papyri be regarded as document fraud ?
The LDS church has a unique antique document with a translation called the "Book of Abraham" BoA that can be tested. And it has a unique way of pseudo voluntary tithing (mandatory?). The antique documents refer to secret temple oaths that cover tithing. Tithing payments in the UK that are executed by the tax office should be in the public interest. For this case to be closed early it needs to be transferred and pass two tests, one of them is whether criminal prosecution against this church is in the public interest. The allegations relating to beliefs in Adam and Eve are questionable, but I believe the first allegation (Book of Abraham) with tithing implications has the best chances and should be in the public interest, since it has a non-theological component with tax payer implications. But it does not enjoy much public attention. However the publicity gained may serve as a catalyst that emboldens more LDS members to take a stand for a truthful sustainable faith. It may well serve a lasting purpose in accelerating change, but if seen as too offensive it may have the opposite effect like Fawn Brodies book did. We have lost our faith in the LDS church ca 20 years ago based on paper based research. The internet was then in its infancy. 20 years later the internet is doing noticeable damage and is effecting more gradual changes. Stagnating membership and a reformation of the faith in the near future is a possibility, but a collapse of the LDS Church is very unlikely. The general willingness of leaders, scholars and members to defend their faith is extraordinary. Even the BoA is still regarded to hold up. Facsimily 2 talks about Djabty in the house of Benben on page 123 of the attached book. Not a problem for author Allen Fletcher.
Phillips legal action has also been covered in a 5 minute segment on BBC4 Radio's Sunday Religious News on 9 Feb 2014 at marker 19:57. A legal expert gave some comments. The dishonesty test is actually on whether Monson beliefs Smith is a prophet and the BoA is an inspired scriptural transposition or not. And Matters of Theology are frowned upon by the courts. The discussion was limited to the first allegation and legal proceedings are viewed as a distraction or at least not a very helpful intervention. bbc.co.uk/podcasts. The 5 major allegations have been summarized below. In Phillips views the damage in a legal sense is has a financial bearing as converts and members where allegedly knowingly mislead into accepting fraudulent claims. Interesting is that the LDS are induced in the temple to covenant paying tithes. It is indeed a questionable practice to solicit funding based on false advertising (using partial and misleading information) thereby gaining an unlimited life long financial pledge to an organisation / corporation under promise of rewards and threads of penalty.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE !!!!!
Webmasters Comments
I think the previously concealed true Mormon history and the current practice of defending the faith has created a double bind situation for highly committed long standing members of the LDS church. And that gave rise to this case, publications and petitions.
In the name of God, good faith and conscience some LDS members feel they have been . . .
(1) mislead about the LDS churches material truth claims (which also happens to have financial and spiritual consequences) and . . .
(2) lead to spiritually validate LDS counterfeit artifacts and fraudulent claims as established under (1). We where induced to rely on spiritual feelings (appeal to God and the Holy Ghost to reveal us the knowledge of all truth). Its like giving your friend a false bank note while claiming you know is genuine and had it verified by the bank. Then you hand it over and say check it out yourself. Without any expert skills you will look at it, hold it up to the light, see a watermark and say yes its genuine.
But some face what they perceive the inescapable truth that most of the Mormon claims and Mormon doctrines are false. In some recent instances this has been partially admitted by current top LDS leaders and documented on the LDS website. The devastation for a few thousand members was huge and this is not about material damages. Revisionism as well as the lack thereof reflects poorly on our God or better said on the image man has created and adopted. It has consequences for our belief and value systems that span from time into eternity. Some may come to conclude that the LDS Church portrays the Holy Ghost as the the one approving or at least tolerating the conduct of the current LDS leaders. This may including lies and deception stemming from the masonic roots. It does make me wonder what blasphemy against the Holy Ghost means. God can be seen as an accomplice in crime and as the approving authority charge of the only true church with Joseph Smith his prophet. Falsehoods are excused. Its part of being human and making mistakes. It never invalidates the mantle or makes Smith a false prophet. So the mantle remains for time and all eternity no matter what and the LDS churches position remains always the same. Joseph was God's prophet and this is Gods only true and living church on this planet. To think otherwise the prophets would have to repent of all false claims and excommunicate Smith or stand down and submit to re-election as the churches 15 apostolic leaders. I am not aware of any religion or major denomination besides Joseph Smiths LDS Church that has set a precedent for creating such a huge dilemma in fabricating and documenting its foundational claims and expose them to extensive verification and defense initiatives ever since.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE !!!!!
5 Core Issues (condensed from 7 to 5 by this author)
Top 3 Allegations (extracted)
“Information has been laid by Thomas Phillips” to “Thomas Spencer Monson” and before the magistrate, as such:
That between 3rd February 2008 and 31st December 2013 dishonestly and intending thereby to make a gain for himself or another or a loss or risk of loss to another made or caused to be made representations to xxx, which were and which you knew were or might be untrue or misleading and thereby induce the said xxx to pay an annual tithe to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, namely that . . .
(1) The Book of Abraham is a literal translation of Egyptian papyri by Joseph Smith.
(2) The Book of Mormon was translated from ancient gold plates by Joseph 'Smith is the most correct book on earth and is an ancient historical record.
(7) All humans alive today are descended from just two people who lived approximately 6,000 years ago
Contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006
FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE !!!!!
Webmasters comments
(7) Should be dropped. It has a Mormon distinctive, BUT it remains a general matters of faith issue for all major monotheistic religions. It could never be settled in court. It is a Judaeo Christian Problem with a Mormon twist, a Missouri based Garden of Eden in 4000 BC. Mostly affected by court proceedings are Christians however. In a post Darwinian era believing in the doctrine of physical death and resurrection must remain a religious freedom. So the Mormons will have a lot of allies in this court case if it proceeds to include Adam and Eve. I should mention that theological shifts in modern belief is much better handled in a democratic process that involves theologians, pew research and public opinion. The problems are well known and widely debated.
Please find information for campaign supporters @ Mormonthink (MT) & its facebook page. Details on legal proceedings in Mormon disclosures on David Twedes Oh Buggers post.
Introduction
Tom Phillips (UK) is suing the President of the Mormon church for Fraud. He alleges that the LDS churches misrepresentation of its true history yields unethical gains (tithing). Hence this court case is not an attack on faith. The commentator on BBC4 radio however recons the legal path is not a very helpful intervention. We recon that signing an electronic petition is the kinder alternative.
For reports on this legal case visit Mormonthink (MT) and Oh Buggers post (MD) - & click LIKE MT on facebook.
Tom Philips is targeting fraudulent Mormon truth claims. From a legal perspective the public may see this as a publicity stunt, distraction or questionable legal intervention. But for insiders there is more at stake than meets the eye. The strongest issues are fraud related to antique papyri, tithes and tax issues. Can the so called translation of the papyri be regarded as document fraud ?
The LDS church has a unique antique document with a translation called the "Book of Abraham" BoA that can be tested. And it has a unique way of pseudo voluntary tithing (mandatory?). The antique documents refer to secret temple oaths that cover tithing. Tithing payments in the UK that are executed by the tax office should be in the public interest. For this case to be closed early it needs to be transferred and pass two tests, one of them is whether criminal prosecution against this church is in the public interest. The allegations relating to beliefs in Adam and Eve are questionable, but I believe the first allegation (Book of Abraham) with tithing implications has the best chances and should be in the public interest, since it has a non-theological component with tax payer implications. But it does not enjoy much public attention. However the publicity gained may serve as a catalyst that emboldens more LDS members to take a stand for a truthful sustainable faith. It may well serve a lasting purpose in accelerating change, but if seen as too offensive it may have the opposite effect like Fawn Brodies book did. We have lost our faith in the LDS church ca 20 years ago based on paper based research. The internet was then in its infancy. 20 years later the internet is doing noticeable damage and is effecting more gradual changes. Stagnating membership and a reformation of the faith in the near future is a possibility, but a collapse of the LDS Church is very unlikely. The general willingness of leaders, scholars and members to defend their faith is extraordinary. Even the BoA is still regarded to hold up. Facsimily 2 talks about Djabty in the house of Benben on page 123 of the attached book. Not a problem for author Allen Fletcher.
Phillips legal action has also been covered in a 5 minute segment on BBC4 Radio's Sunday Religious News on 9 Feb 2014 at marker 19:57. A legal expert gave some comments. The dishonesty test is actually on whether Monson beliefs Smith is a prophet and the BoA is an inspired scriptural transposition or not. And Matters of Theology are frowned upon by the courts. The discussion was limited to the first allegation and legal proceedings are viewed as a distraction or at least not a very helpful intervention. bbc.co.uk/podcasts. The 5 major allegations have been summarized below. In Phillips views the damage in a legal sense is has a financial bearing as converts and members where allegedly knowingly mislead into accepting fraudulent claims. Interesting is that the LDS are induced in the temple to covenant paying tithes. It is indeed a questionable practice to solicit funding based on false advertising (using partial and misleading information) thereby gaining an unlimited life long financial pledge to an organisation / corporation under promise of rewards and threads of penalty.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE !!!!!
Webmasters Comments
I think the previously concealed true Mormon history and the current practice of defending the faith has created a double bind situation for highly committed long standing members of the LDS church. And that gave rise to this case, publications and petitions.
In the name of God, good faith and conscience some LDS members feel they have been . . .
(1) mislead about the LDS churches material truth claims (which also happens to have financial and spiritual consequences) and . . .
(2) lead to spiritually validate LDS counterfeit artifacts and fraudulent claims as established under (1). We where induced to rely on spiritual feelings (appeal to God and the Holy Ghost to reveal us the knowledge of all truth). Its like giving your friend a false bank note while claiming you know is genuine and had it verified by the bank. Then you hand it over and say check it out yourself. Without any expert skills you will look at it, hold it up to the light, see a watermark and say yes its genuine.
But some face what they perceive the inescapable truth that most of the Mormon claims and Mormon doctrines are false. In some recent instances this has been partially admitted by current top LDS leaders and documented on the LDS website. The devastation for a few thousand members was huge and this is not about material damages. Revisionism as well as the lack thereof reflects poorly on our God or better said on the image man has created and adopted. It has consequences for our belief and value systems that span from time into eternity. Some may come to conclude that the LDS Church portrays the Holy Ghost as the the one approving or at least tolerating the conduct of the current LDS leaders. This may including lies and deception stemming from the masonic roots. It does make me wonder what blasphemy against the Holy Ghost means. God can be seen as an accomplice in crime and as the approving authority charge of the only true church with Joseph Smith his prophet. Falsehoods are excused. Its part of being human and making mistakes. It never invalidates the mantle or makes Smith a false prophet. So the mantle remains for time and all eternity no matter what and the LDS churches position remains always the same. Joseph was God's prophet and this is Gods only true and living church on this planet. To think otherwise the prophets would have to repent of all false claims and excommunicate Smith or stand down and submit to re-election as the churches 15 apostolic leaders. I am not aware of any religion or major denomination besides Joseph Smiths LDS Church that has set a precedent for creating such a huge dilemma in fabricating and documenting its foundational claims and expose them to extensive verification and defense initiatives ever since.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE !!!!!
5 Core Issues (condensed from 7 to 5 by this author)
- Egyptian Papiry – BoA History Fraud Jewish Religion (Egyptologists, Linguists)
- Golden Plates – BoM History Fraud Christian Origins (Archeology)
- American Indian Origins - History Fraud (DNA)
- Joseph Smith’s Martyrdom - History Fraud (Press report verified)
- Adam & Eve & The Garden of Eden 4000 BC in Missouri, USA - History Fraud (Archeology)
Top 3 Allegations (extracted)
“Information has been laid by Thomas Phillips” to “Thomas Spencer Monson” and before the magistrate, as such:
That between 3rd February 2008 and 31st December 2013 dishonestly and intending thereby to make a gain for himself or another or a loss or risk of loss to another made or caused to be made representations to xxx, which were and which you knew were or might be untrue or misleading and thereby induce the said xxx to pay an annual tithe to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, namely that . . .
(1) The Book of Abraham is a literal translation of Egyptian papyri by Joseph Smith.
(2) The Book of Mormon was translated from ancient gold plates by Joseph 'Smith is the most correct book on earth and is an ancient historical record.
(7) All humans alive today are descended from just two people who lived approximately 6,000 years ago
Contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006
FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE !!!!!
Webmasters comments
(7) Should be dropped. It has a Mormon distinctive, BUT it remains a general matters of faith issue for all major monotheistic religions. It could never be settled in court. It is a Judaeo Christian Problem with a Mormon twist, a Missouri based Garden of Eden in 4000 BC. Mostly affected by court proceedings are Christians however. In a post Darwinian era believing in the doctrine of physical death and resurrection must remain a religious freedom. So the Mormons will have a lot of allies in this court case if it proceeds to include Adam and Eve. I should mention that theological shifts in modern belief is much better handled in a democratic process that involves theologians, pew research and public opinion. The problems are well known and widely debated.
Honesty in Faith
In its attempt to figure out the mind of God, mankind's prophets have often resorted to second guessing. This is perfectly fine, but when doctrines are declared to be authentic authoritative divine revelation, then prophets and their truth must be subjected to some tests. This has created a big dilemma for the Mormon church due to its strong exposure to scientific testing and in response it has ushered in an era of doctrinal revisionism that severely undermines the claimed prophetic mantle and it has revealed a level of dishonesty employed in sanitizing the faith and exercising damage control. And here it hurts the people it tries to protect and the victims become perpetrators. More recently this dilemma has let higher ranking leaders to speak out. And there is hope. All leaders respond to public opinion one way or the other.
Changing the church in court ?
Tom Phillips has started proceedings against President Monson. 7 allegations have been made covering the Book of Abraham (#1) as well as the creation story (#6,7). I am in two minds about this. I believe #1 may have a good chance to proceed in court. But proceedings with #6,7 is in my opinion not in the public interest (it could affect all monotheistic religions and should remain a matter of belief and freedom of religion). The BoA with millions in print however should not be on the market in my opinion, unless it gets re-edited and re-printed as fiction. Litigation has proven effective in changing doctrine and practice as we know. See link for an article about litigation during President Kimball's era. I quite liked him and do believe he cared. It is very believable that he had sleepless nights. It seems that we have had 2 precedents of "forced revelations". With that I mean that the respective prophets where compelled to wrestle in prayer with a dilemma that they did not cause. Its actually quite sad, but if nothing is done a lot more people will get hurt in coming years. The most watched critical video has nowreached 1.3 million view
Please read this petition Open Letter to President Monson , a call to more openness ! We invite all Truth lovers that have friends of familiy members in the Mormon faith (LDS) to sign this appeal to truthfulness regardless of their persuations as Mormons, Xmormons, Postmormons, Christians, Agnostics or Atheists.
For more info check out Why Mormons Question, read MOL letter and Dehlin LDS on essays and press article about Fraud case & Open Letter. Then compare with the LDS church’s recent history essays on First Vision Accounts, Race and the Priesthood, Plural Marriage and Families in Utah, Book of Mormon Translation, Book of Mormon and DNA Studies. Also of interest are pew forum stats including details.
The future of Mormonism
For sure it will survive, but what will it look like in 2100 ? We value the honest pursuit of truth which lead us to a painful disambiguation of our Mormon beliefs. We belief that Morphonism is the survival strategy of a belief system that is man made and fundamentally flawed. Current leaders have inherited the Mormon dilemma and are playing a delicate game to defend the indefensible with a sanitized version of beliefs designed to prevent major bleeding. Ultimately a Mormon Reformation will replace the current Mormythology and honesty will prevail. The survival of LDS faith requires the dismantling Josephs mantle and lead the church of Joseph Smith, King of the LDS back to Jesus Christ, just as the RLDS church did to a large degree from its inception in 1860/1872 until it renamed itself CoC in 2001.
About the Webmaster
The webmaster of this site is a Mormon turned Christian. I was raised a Lutheran in Germany where I converted to Mormon age 22. I know live in Australia and have set up xmormon.net, xmoblog and mormontruth on facebook cover content on Mormonism, the LDS church, RLDS/CoC church, FLDS church and 21st century Christianity. Walter is a 360 degree convert from Christianity (my story) to Mormonism and back. Technically I am a Mormon Member of Record (LDS), while in Spirit I am a Christian that has renounced all extra biblical Mormon doctrines. Maybe my voice counts a bit more in LDS circles by removing the stigma of anti or bitter. I am a proponent of reforms. Continued on Page Mormonism 2014.
Phillips vs Monson
The Problem with Mormonism are its historical Proof Documents, which have been declared to be divine scripture to underpin a claim to exclusive divine representation. Every man is free to belief as he wishes, that is the privilege of Religion. But when tangible historical artifacts are falsely employed by a sales force of 80 000 to induce people to change their faith allegiance and bind themselves under oath to pay tithes to a proselyting organisation, then the game changes to unethical in the least and possibly fraudulent in a legal sense. This scenario is currently getting tested in the UK by Tom Phillips in a private legal challenge to President Thomas Monson, the President of the LDS church and custodian of its doctrine and practice.
In its attempt to figure out the mind of God, mankind's prophets have often resorted to second guessing. This is perfectly fine, but when doctrines are declared to be authentic authoritative divine revelation, then prophets and their truth must be subjected to some tests. This has created a big dilemma for the Mormon church due to its strong exposure to scientific testing and in response it has ushered in an era of doctrinal revisionism that severely undermines the claimed prophetic mantle and it has revealed a level of dishonesty employed in sanitizing the faith and exercising damage control. And here it hurts the people it tries to protect and the victims become perpetrators. More recently this dilemma has let higher ranking leaders to speak out. And there is hope. All leaders respond to public opinion one way or the other.
Changing the church in court ?
Tom Phillips has started proceedings against President Monson. 7 allegations have been made covering the Book of Abraham (#1) as well as the creation story (#6,7). I am in two minds about this. I believe #1 may have a good chance to proceed in court. But proceedings with #6,7 is in my opinion not in the public interest (it could affect all monotheistic religions and should remain a matter of belief and freedom of religion). The BoA with millions in print however should not be on the market in my opinion, unless it gets re-edited and re-printed as fiction. Litigation has proven effective in changing doctrine and practice as we know. See link for an article about litigation during President Kimball's era. I quite liked him and do believe he cared. It is very believable that he had sleepless nights. It seems that we have had 2 precedents of "forced revelations". With that I mean that the respective prophets where compelled to wrestle in prayer with a dilemma that they did not cause. Its actually quite sad, but if nothing is done a lot more people will get hurt in coming years. The most watched critical video has nowreached 1.3 million view
Please read this petition Open Letter to President Monson , a call to more openness ! We invite all Truth lovers that have friends of familiy members in the Mormon faith (LDS) to sign this appeal to truthfulness regardless of their persuations as Mormons, Xmormons, Postmormons, Christians, Agnostics or Atheists.
- Step 1 LIKE Mormon Truth on Facebook - click here
- Step 2 SIGN the petition at MormonOpenLetter.com - click here - Current Signature count ca 2500
- Step 3 Join the discussion about the court case - Click here
For more info check out Why Mormons Question, read MOL letter and Dehlin LDS on essays and press article about Fraud case & Open Letter. Then compare with the LDS church’s recent history essays on First Vision Accounts, Race and the Priesthood, Plural Marriage and Families in Utah, Book of Mormon Translation, Book of Mormon and DNA Studies. Also of interest are pew forum stats including details.
The future of Mormonism
For sure it will survive, but what will it look like in 2100 ? We value the honest pursuit of truth which lead us to a painful disambiguation of our Mormon beliefs. We belief that Morphonism is the survival strategy of a belief system that is man made and fundamentally flawed. Current leaders have inherited the Mormon dilemma and are playing a delicate game to defend the indefensible with a sanitized version of beliefs designed to prevent major bleeding. Ultimately a Mormon Reformation will replace the current Mormythology and honesty will prevail. The survival of LDS faith requires the dismantling Josephs mantle and lead the church of Joseph Smith, King of the LDS back to Jesus Christ, just as the RLDS church did to a large degree from its inception in 1860/1872 until it renamed itself CoC in 2001.
About the Webmaster
The webmaster of this site is a Mormon turned Christian. I was raised a Lutheran in Germany where I converted to Mormon age 22. I know live in Australia and have set up xmormon.net, xmoblog and mormontruth on facebook cover content on Mormonism, the LDS church, RLDS/CoC church, FLDS church and 21st century Christianity. Walter is a 360 degree convert from Christianity (my story) to Mormonism and back. Technically I am a Mormon Member of Record (LDS), while in Spirit I am a Christian that has renounced all extra biblical Mormon doctrines. Maybe my voice counts a bit more in LDS circles by removing the stigma of anti or bitter. I am a proponent of reforms. Continued on Page Mormonism 2014.
Phillips vs Monson
The Problem with Mormonism are its historical Proof Documents, which have been declared to be divine scripture to underpin a claim to exclusive divine representation. Every man is free to belief as he wishes, that is the privilege of Religion. But when tangible historical artifacts are falsely employed by a sales force of 80 000 to induce people to change their faith allegiance and bind themselves under oath to pay tithes to a proselyting organisation, then the game changes to unethical in the least and possibly fraudulent in a legal sense. This scenario is currently getting tested in the UK by Tom Phillips in a private legal challenge to President Thomas Monson, the President of the LDS church and custodian of its doctrine and practice.