Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, AKA TORTURE

This is the location of Evergreen, the Mormon church's "reparative therapy" headquarters.

"Reparative/conversion/reorientation therapy" is not only torture built on junk science, bigotry, homophobia and violence, it also beats into the victim the incorrect notion that there is something fundamentally flawed with who they are. Fuck the assholes who came up with this bullshit idea!

For YEARS BYU conducted "experiments" on young gay men to try to "cure" them of a non-existent illness. These men had electrodes placed on their genitals, and they were shown various pornographic images. If they became aroused "inappropriately" (measured by this device patented by Robert Card) they received electric shocks to their genitals. Some were given drugs that caused them to vomit if they became "inappropriately" aroused.

All these kids were trying to do was to become "good" Mormons so they could reach exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom. They wanted to be "normal." They wanted to fit into the rigid Mormon mold by which all members are confined. Why couldn't they be free? No Mormon in good standing is free, but these young people were not only alienated by fellow members, but they were also tortured in the name of God. Amen.

Affirmation discusses Evergreen and has several links to more in-depth articles and first-person accounts by people who have been involved in Evergreen as "patients" and as leaders.

Here are some videos (courtesy of antideity at YouTube) of interviews with gay men who underwent the torture "therapy" at BYU. Know that Evergreen is still in business, and the electroshock torture continued waaay past the 70s when the LDS church claims it halted the practice.

A Few Choice Words from Today's First Troll

Kold_Kadavr_flatliner decided to grace us (or as he writes "U.S.") with his presence! Welcome, Kold_Kadavr_flatliner!

He had a few things to say in the comments:

Kold_Kadavr_flatliner said...

God would LOVE to have you in the Great Beyond, but, alas, God also gave U.S. all free will: God knows the state of thy immortal soul. I don't. See my point? --- Now, lemme giveth unto thee some Good News: I hope you'll join me for a BIG-OL party celebrating our resurrection Upstairs on my drawbridge. God bless.

January 16, 2010 6:08 PM

Kold_Kadavr_flatliner said...

Correction: Jesus is THE Boss of U.S. whether you or anyone else disagrees, you'll still have to face Him. And that da fak, Jak -Stripes (with Bill Murray)

I had NO IDEA that Barack Obama is Jesus! All along I thought he was the Anti-Christ! Silly me!

But what really interested me is this snippet from his blog (I wouldn't go there unless you really want to take a trip to Racist Religious Homophobic CrazyTown. If you're prone to epileptic seizures, do not visit his other website. And in case one blog and webpage aren't enough to ensure his salvation, we've got this):

You cannot live a double-life, America; you cannot sit on the fence acting all hypocriticalNself-rightous because you voted for the first Negro, supporting Barack's abortionNhomosexual agenda and receiving Holy Communion.

Uh. Okay. Thanks for stopping by! Please come again! And consider changing your name to "Kold_Kadavr_flatearther." I'm here to help. God bless!

Prop 8 and The Mormon Church

California is one of many states that allows voters to write legislation and change the state constitution through the initiative or proposition process. Sounds like democracy in action, right? Wrong. Wealthy interest groups or individuals, often out of state (e.g. Ward Connerly's meddling in Michigan and Washington State), bankroll these initiatives and propositions: it's not like Joe Blow down the street usually has the time, inclination, money or know-how when it comes to putting propositions on the ballot. Big money and special interests are almost always at work.

The precursor to Proposition 8 was Proposition 22 enacted in 2000, and invalidated by the California Supreme Court as unconstitutional in May 2008. Prop 8 was introduced to change the state constitution so that GLBTQ Californians could no longer have marriage equality. Prop 8 passed in November 2008 and was upheld by the California Supreme Court on May 25, 2009, but all of California's same-sex couples who were wed before Prop 8 went into effect are still legally married.

There is currently a federal case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, before the US District Court. Pam's House Blend is providing spectacular coverage and analysis of the case as it unfolds.

The following letter was sent from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (that's them up there) to Church leaders in California to be read to all congregations on 29 June 2008 in preparation for the vote on Prop 8:

Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families

In March 2000 California voters overwhelmingly approved a state law providing that ‘Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.’ The California Supreme Court recently reversed this vote of the people. On November 4, 2008, Californians will vote on a proposed amendment to the California state constitution that will now restore the March 2000 definition of marriage approved by the voters. The Church’s teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage. A broad-based coalition of churches and other organizations placed the proposed amendment on the ballot. The Church will participate with this coalition in seeking its passage. Local Church leaders will provide information about how you may become involved in this important cause. We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage.

Mormons were more than happy to answer the call to arms. Although Mormons constitute roughly 2% of the Californian population, it's "estimated that Mormons made up 80 percent to 90 percent of the early volunteers who walked door-to-door in election precincts." Mormons didn't just give of their time, they gave money, too: "In the end, Protect Marriage estimates, as much as half of the nearly $40 million raised on behalf of the measure was contributed by Mormons." Utah led out-of-state contributions to ProtectMarriage.com.

Want to learn about some more Mormon meddling political asshattery? Then click here.

When in Doubt, Kick Them Out!

Some GLBTQ Mormons wish to stay in the church, and Affirmation is a group of activist GLBTQ Mormons (some still active in the church, some who have left due to excommunication or of their own volition) who believe:

in the worth of every soul regardless of their sexual or gender orientation. We rejoice in life. We reject the tyranny that would have us believe that who we are—gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender—is evil or wrong. We affirm that we are all children of loving Heavenly Parents; that our sexual orientation and identity are not an accident, but rather a special gift from God. Our lives and our relationships can be compatible with the Gospel and are a special part of God’s creation.

Despite their efforts, most GLBTQ Mormons are excommunicated if they come out to church authorities and continue their "gay ways." Gamofites, a group of gay Mormon fathers, faced excommunication, and their accounts of church harassment and excommunication were the subject of a Nightline Special, "Gay Mormons Face Excommunication."

These men recount their attempts to abstain from all but church-sanctioned hetero sex, they married and had children, some underwent "reparative therapy torture," to try and fix something that doesn't need fixing, but what they really want and need is to be accepted as the people they are. They're hoping and praying the church will change, but the likelihood of that happening is slim to none in a church that doesn't even recognize the existence of bisexual or transgender members. Gotta be a temple-worthy, tithe-paying breeder to get into the Celestial Kingdom. Sorry!

What Do Head Honcho Mormons Say about GLBTQIA Members?

Spencer W. Kimball (dead LDS Prophet, Seer and Revelator) promised that if you masturbate, you'll evolve into a homosexual:

Prophets anciently and today condemn masturbation. It induces feelings of guilt and shame. It is detrimental to spirituality. It indicates slavery to the flesh, not that mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life. Our modern prophet has indicated that no young man should be called on a mission who is not free from this practice. What is more, it too often leads to grievous sin, even to that sin against nature, homosexuality. For, done in private, it evolves often into mutual masturbation-practiced with another person of the same sex and thence into total homosexuality....

The Miracle of Forgiveness, 1969, pp. 77-79, 81-82.


More Spencer (kick out the gays):

Let it therefore be clearly stated that the seriousness of the sin of homosexuality is equal to or greater than that of fornication or adultery; and that the Lord’s Church will as readily take action to disfellowship or excommunicate the unrepentant practicing homosexual as it will the unrepentant fornicator or adulterer

The Miracle of Forgiveness, 1969, pp. 81–82; italics in original.


And yet more Spencer -- here he recommends the death penalty for homosexuality:

I do not find in the Bible the modern terms "petting" nor "homosexuality," yet I found numerous scriptures which forbade such acts under by whatever names they might be called. I could not find the term "homosexuality," but I did find numerous places where the Lord condemned such a practice with such vigor that even the death penalty was assessed.

"Love Versus Lust," BYU Devotional Speech, January 5, 1965


Guess who! Spencer warns that homosexuals are looking for converts:

Homosexuality is an ugly sin, but because of its prevalence, the need to warn the uninitiated, and the desire to help those who may already be involved with it, it must be brought into the open.

Can't get enough Spencer? Here civilization is going down the shitter because of homosexuality:

This heinous homosexual sin is of the ages. Many cities and civilizations have gone out of existence because of it.7

Boyd Packer (President of those 12 Quorum guys) on gay bashing -- it's encouraged because those gays are asking for it:

After patient encouragement he finally blurted out, "I hit my companion."

"Oh, is that all," I said in great relief.

"But I floored him," he said.

After learning a little more, my response was "Well, thanks. Somebody had to do it, and it wouldn't be well for a General Authority to solve the problem that way."

I am not recommending that course to you, but I am not omitting it. You must protect yourself.

There is a falsehood that some are born with an attraction to their own kind, with nothing they can do about it. They are just "that way" and can only yield to those desires. That is a malicious and destructive lie. While it is a convincing idea to some, it is of the devil. No one is locked into that kind of life. From our premortal life we were directed into a physical body. There is no mismatching of bodies and spirits. Boys are to become men—masculine, manly men—ultimately to become husbands and fathers. No one is predestined to a perverted use of these powers.

"To Young Men Only," General Conference Priesthood Session, October 2, 1976.



Elder Richard G. Scott (one of those 12 Quorum guys) -- extramarital sex will turn you into a homosexual:

However, those intimate acts are forbidden by the Lord outside the enduring commitment of marriage because they undermine His purposes. 7 Within the sacred covenant of marriage, such relationships are according to His plan. When experienced any other way, they are against His will. They cause serious emotional and spiritual harm. Even though participants do not realize that is happening now, they will later.

Sexual immorality creates a barrier to the influence of the Holy Spirit with all its uplifting, enlightening, and empowering capabilities. It causes powerful physical and emotional stimulation. In time that creates an unquenchable appetite that drives the offender to ever more serious sin. It engenders selfishness and can produce aggressive acts such as brutality, abortion, sexual abuse, and violent crime. Such stimulation can lead to acts of homosexuality, and they are evil and absolutely wrong. 8

Kaye T. Hanson (I have no idea who she is) defines "sex perversion":

The Lord specifically forbids certain behaviors, including all sexual relations before marriage, petting, sex perversion (such as homosexuality, rape, and incest), masturbation, or preoccupation with sex in thought, speech, or action”

(FSOY, 14–15)

Asshats.

Heaven, Mormon Style

Hokay. Mormon theology is ubercomplicated. You've got Kolob, Kokaubeam, Moon Quakers and Three Nephites (immortal dudes who find lost car keys and such), Adam-God, varied versions of The First Vision, the Garden of Eden is in Missouri, I mean, it's a lot to keep straight and digest. So, we're just going to deal with Mormon Heaven.

There are three levels to Mormon Heaven: The Celestial Kingdom, The Terestrial Kingdom and The Telestial Kingdom. The Celestial Kingdom (CK), is where you wanna go, because that's where you get to be a god of your own very planet with many wives (if you're a dude), where you'll have a perfect human body and have sex all the goddamned time. I mean, like forever.

You have to have forever sex because you'll be creating spirit children who will then populate your own planet, separate from the one you're living on, and the people on your planet will then have sex to give physical bodies to your spirit children. Got it? Good.

So the whole point behind Mormonism is to get past Go and have your own planet with your own harem so you can have sex with your flesh-and-blood body and have your wives pump out those spirit kiddos.

In order to get to the CK, you must be temple married on Earth and a worthy member of the church. To be a worthy member of the church you must pay 10% of your gross income (some say net, but most members pays on their gross as added insurance -- unemployment and government assistance are subject to tithing), you can't masturbate, you have to wear your garments, do temple work, and probably a lot of other things I haven't mentioned. But above and beyond all, you have to be a temple-wed hetero breeder.

Don't want to get hetero married? Kiss godhood goodbye. Don't want to have children? Kiss godhood goodbye. Not tithing properly or doing temple work? Kiss godhood goodbye.

No pressure, just conform and all will be well.

Welcome to GLBTQIA Day: Celebrating Nearly 180 Years of Mormon Homophobia, Bigotry and Violence!

But first, your morning dose of Boop (I scratched him, then he scratched me, but I'm the only one bleeding):



Thanks for joining us for our second weekly installment detailing 180 years of Mormon asshattery and dumbfuckery! Last week on "Lamanite" Day, we established that Mormonism is fundamentally based on racism. (We only addressed the racist tenets held about Native Americans and Pacific Islanders -- we will be addressing racism directed at Africans and people of African descent in the near future.)

In addition to being fundamentally based on racism, Mormonism is also fundamentally based on sex. Now, there's nothing new about a religion telling you whom you may fuck and in what position said fucking must occur, and many religions tell you that God doesn't like you very much if you're not a 0 on the Kinsey scale. But Mormonism takes sex to a whole 'nuther level that could possibly only be matched by those wacky Raëlians. Joseph Smith, Jr. liked sex. A lot. I mean, he liked sex so much that he was married to at least 30 women at the same time, and some of them were already married to other living dudes.

Now I'm not going to fault Old Horny Joe for enjoying sexual encounters with multiple sex partners -- that's the one thing we have in common. What I am going to call him out on is basing exaltation on being a temple-married breeder, and on Misogyny Day, we'll talk about how Smith married underage girls -- two of them 14 years old.

But today we'll be discussing a wide range of topics w/r/t Mormonism and GLBTQIA (although Mormonism really only recognizes gays and lesbians) members and the GLBTQIA community outside of Mormonism -- I guess Mormons have to take their bullshit ideas of love and marriage on the road and impose them on the rest of the world.

As a straight nevermo, I don't have any personal experience to draw from, but I get by with a lot of help from my friends. Today I will be joined by three guest bloggers, all ex-Mormons with first-hand experience of Mormon ashattery and dumbfuckery when it comes to sexual preference, gender expression and gender identity.

We'll be publishing a post at least every half hour; personal story posts will be published every fifteen minutes.

Expect:

1. Some background on LDS doctrine w/r/t the three levels of heaven and why GLBTQ folks who do not consummate hetero temple marriages will not get into the highest level of heaven;

2. Notable quotes about GLBTQ folks from church leaders;

3. A discussion about the excommunication of GLBTQ members;

4. A comparison of the process of acceptance of sexual identity and the process of leaving Mormonism written by an exMormon marriage and family therapist;

5. The despicable history of Evergreen, past and present, including BYU aversion torture;

6. An overview of Mormons and Prop 8 meddling;

7. Stories of church-induced suicide and violence;

8. To learn about how the church pressures members to marry someone of the opposite sex even if a member is out to the local church authorities; and

9. Personal stories posted by GLBTQ exmormons

We've got a lot of ground to cover, and our posts won't be exhaustive, but we will provide you with the ability to continue your study of this fucked up bullshit if you so choose. Connell O'Donovan has crafted a well-researched and comprehensive book, "The Abominable and Detestable Crime Against Nature": A Revised History of Homosexuality & Mormonism, 1840-1980, revised in 2004. We can't come close to providing you with the depth and breadth of information and analysis Connell O'Donovan provides, and I encourage you to read further at his site.

So, thank you for joining us, we hope you learn something useful, and please feel free to comment, correct, challenge and vent. The anonymous commenting option is open, and comments are not moderated.