I came across this on FB today. A guy who I worked with as a missionary (he was my DL) who is now ex-mo posted a link to this. He's also a vet, fought in Iraq, and he was especially peeved that the church is comparing this to actual warfare.

Anyway, thought I'd share. More whacked out propaganda from TSCC.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/01/byu-idaho-warns-its-students-against-masturbation-in-earnest-war-themed-video/

"Comments have been disabled on the video’s YouTube page, but reviews elsewhere describe it as “awkward and creepy,” and “bizarre.”"

Ya, I'd say so!

holy shit, I laughed so hard. I shared it with some of my friends. Many quotable scenes will provide hours of entertainment. I especially love the intensely homoerotic "come-hither bro" look at the end. For being so homophobic, they sure do know how to do gay love scenes.

notnewatthisanymore Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I especially love
> the intensely homoerotic "come-hither bro" look at
> the end. For being so homophobic, they sure do
> know how to do gay love scenes.

My thoughts exactly. A bromance or Brokeback Mountain?

99% of men masturbate. The "Great War" is lost, and never even really started.

The other 1% are either liars or double amputees.

See also:

http://exmormon.org/phorum/read.php?2,1154479

and

http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/02/01/spiritually-wounded-on-the-battlefield-of-the-great-war/

And I agree with your friend--it is a slap in the face to those who serve in the armed forces that they are using this theme.

Interesting how the article about the video talks about "excessive" masturbation. When I was 15 that would have been a great relief before going to the Bish for a personal priesthood interview. I doubt TSCC actually condones some small amount of masturbation. Would've been nice to interpret my own amount of non-excessive self abuse.

one of my nevermo FB friends posted it yesterday--I don't get why so many people see this as a warning against masturbation or even why they think it's about masturbation.

It's about tattling!

They're encouraging college students, most of whom are adults, to tattle on other adults for a variety of things that cause people to stop going to church. I think they picked pornography as an example because most Mormons think that's pretty serious, and I suppose masturbation is implied, but they don't use the word.

I'm mystified as to why people are focusing on something that isn't even mentioned, when the point of the video--i.e., the tattling--is so much more explicit and obvious.

Did I miss something, or do most folks just not have a problem with adults being told to fink on each other for stupid things?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2014 03:33PM by munchybotaz.

You mean the parts that totally sounded like nazi germany style spy on your neighbor for the benefit of the war kind of speak?

I did some google research and it appears this film was made by a student at BYU-I. Now it all makes sense. I have spent uncounted hours with high school age drama and film kids, and this film fits right in with the overly sentimental, childish theme of many high school productions. (either that or they are completely obscure and impossible to follow)

I remember watching an anti-abortion play by some Catholic High School girls that was similar in tone. Cue the soaring violins.

As far as the tattling is concerned, that is also part of a childish mind set.

Christians are told to encourage one another and point out sin in order to offer help with overcoming it. There is nothing about running to the authorities on the person.

The sin in this case being pornography, not masturbation. A sin is anything that interferes with your relationship with God, and if you watch porn and feel really bad about it, you relationship with God suffers. That's how I look at it anyway.

and why should it interfere with one's relationship with God, more than any other hobby that takes a significant portion of time and resources--say, riding Harleys?

Full disclosure, I'm pretty sure we're just a bunch of animals on a rock in space and there's no god, but I'll assume for a minute that whatever god you seem to believe in really does exist.

I'm not well versed in the Bible, either, or religions other than Mormonism, so I'm really wondering and not trying to entrap you or anything. What's the particular problem with pornography?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2014 07:40PM by munchybotaz.

The Christian view of sexuality is that it is something that is private and - yes - sacred, between two people. Christians believe that all life comes from God, so the sex act, i.e. lovemaking, is the only act where we unite not only with one another, but are being allowed to take part in God's own creation.

Christianity DOES recognize (yes, really) that sex is good and normal. Where that differs from secular society is that it also teaches that, again, sex is something that unites two people in the most intimate way possible. Therefore, to use it casually is against God's intention and purpose of the unitive aspect of the act itself.

Pornography is seen as voyeurism; sex is supposed to be private and watching the intimacy of other's lovemaking is invading on their intimacy. The fact that pornography is acted and the actors do not consider the act sacred makes no difference. Their being willing to perform sex acts for all the world to see (their sin) does not allow an excuse for the observer to sin, also.


I realize that many do not consider Christianity's view (on anything) to be valid; this is just an explanation of the teachings. (Please keep in mind I'm not a pro at apologetics, go easy on me, here.)

Good question. Like gambling, drinking, and sleeping around, too much porn can separate you from your loved ones, make you sneaky, and make you feel bad about yourself if you feel you are letting anyone down.

"Sins" can be very individual. What makes you feel bad may or may not make me feel bad. I know a young man who felt that porn was taking over his life. I guess you can spend quite a bunch of money on it, and while you are watching it you aren't playing with your kids (I hope!)

Part of it is that you have been taught to believe certain things are sins, but part of it is understanding the feelings of disappointment within your self when you don't live up to a standard you have set for yourself.

I think non-believers can get what I mean about letting yourself down, not letting God down and stuff.

God created the beautiful form and function that is the human body.

God created the intense, almost religious desires and feelings associated with sex, and all things thereto.

Therefore, watching porn draws me to god. Ergo, watching beautiful human beings (from god) expressing their divine sexuality (also from god) causes me to be closer to god.



(Or maybe it draws me to FSM, and all his touchy noodly appendages. Still trying to sort that one out.)

Das Leben der Mormon

Woah woah woah. Who the hell looks at porn with their door open?? He deserved that awkward talk and shoulder pat with his roommate if you ask me...

But frankly, tattling on your friend for fapping will most likely give him more reason to leave the church than the actual fapping will...Because that is super invasive and creepy as hell.

I have roommates. Yes I know they masturbate, but not because I press my ear to their door every night to see if they are 'staying righteous', but because they are human beings. It's safe enough to assume and it's not a problem. Ever. Ugh...

Turning guys in to the bishop for beating their bishop. Good gawd. Yep, mighty creepy...and an insult to real wounded warriors. Nope, not a cult...no, sir.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2014 03:52PM by stillburned.

I think that except for a number of really perverted bishops, the church could care a less about pornography. These days, pornography is just a code word for don't look at "anti" sites like exmormon.org or google on the internet. The images in this video will remain longer than the words. This young man (I pity him having his face out there at BYU-I) could just as easily be checking out a postmo site and it would be the same as being wounded on the battlefield. They are asking students to narc on any roommate using their computers inappropriately! Sounds like a PBS special I just saw on North Korea. Looks like this BYU-I president stepped right into Bednar's creepy shoes!

I found it interesting that Kim Clark, in the scene where the friend is torn between whether to go out and get his comrade or not, says "The enemy whispers 'Don't get involved'", the person pulling on his shirt to keep him in the trench is not an enemy solder but one of his fellow troops. There has got to be an unintended hidden meaning there. Like maybe the church members are our real enemies. Ignore if this doesn't make sense...it's been a long day!

FARK picked it up. It was one of their most popular threads last night. A couple of TBMs tried to defend the church, whining that Mormonism was only trying to teach people to control their urges. They got torn to ribbons.

I've seen a bunch of other sites pick it up as well, but FARK was the biggest. This little video has turned into a PR nightmare for the cult.