From an entry on his Facebook page, July 7th, 2016:

"It is common today to hide one’s identity when writing hateful, vitriolic, bigoted communications anonymously online.

Any use of the Internet to bully, destroy a reputation, or place a person in a bad light is reprehensible. What we are seeing in society is that when people wear the mask of anonymity, they are more likely to engage in this kind of conduct, which is so destructive of civil discourse. It also violates the basic principles the Savior taught.

The righteous need not wear masks to hide their identity. I encourage you to continue to seek to become who you should be—a disciple of Jesus Christ in thought and in action. Set goals to apply Christlike attributes to your lives and pray for help in developing them. As you do, you will allow yourself to be an influence for good wherever you are."

Since Elder Cook is obviously aware of the online exmo community, let's let him know our feelings about his remarks. Have at it, friends.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2016 07:15PM by summer.

Quentin,
I'm not a "hater." I'm a rational, honest person who finds your church's lies, myths, and fantasies both ridiculous and disgusting. And I know, I was raised in 'em.

If you do bother to read this, contact me (you can get my e-mail address from the admins; admins, I give you permission to give my e-mail address to Quentin). I'll be happy to meet in person and let you know why you're a lying asshat. Give up being a lying asshat promoting ignorance, intolerance, stupidity, and ridiculous proven-false fantasies, and you'll be well on your way to being an "influence for good," rather than the lying asshat you are now.

Sincerely,
ifi

Sounds like a challenge to me.

Who can be the most vitriolic regarding the mormon church?

What a fun exercise!

Well my real name is... Monty Python

I live in... The USA

I drive a... POS

And I think TSCC is just plain bullshit!

And if I want to post anonymously I will, damn it.

-Not my real name Dennis

You're 37 and it doesn't mean you're old.

Okay. Using my real name, I'd like to say that I do hate you, Mr. Cook. You extort ignorant and superstitious people for money. You take a chunk of a family's wealth and make false promises to them. You are a thief in a business suit, Mr. Cook. I hate you.


Don Bagley, former member by birth.

Mormonism is false, and demonstrably so. We are not haters or bigots for pointing that out. *You* are haters and bigots for denying children of gay couples (in your doctrine) essential, saving ordinances unless they denounce their parents' lifestyle. There are gay Mormons, despite what your friend Bednar may say. Besides, what if a golden investigator had gay parents? What would you do then?

Nor are we haters or bigots for pointing out that Joe Smith and Brigham Young promulgated (and practised themselves) practices which are excommunicable in the Church today. Yet they are still revered!

The only reason we hide our identities (some of us) is that you and your predecessors have set up an evil cult whose adherents will ostracise us for not believing the unbelievable, for not deluding ourselves. Fuck you lot for this evil cult, for honouring the memory of scoundrels, and for promulgating bigotry and lies!

byuatheist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The only reason we hide our identities (some of
> us) is that you and your predecessors have set up
> an evil cult whose adherents will ostracise us for
> not believing the unbelievable, for not deluding
> ourselves.

Exactly the point. I wish to avoid confrontations with my TBM Utah relatives and pain in the ass Mormon neighbors. My friends know my true identify. I have nothing to hide from those who support me, only from those who would cause me pain and grief.

And BTW, I resigned my membership in the 1990,s and have nothing to fear from TSCC.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2016 01:27PM by Templar.

It's a classic ad hominem attack on Elder Cook's part and, thus, a logical fallacy.

I could be anyone--LeBron James, Lady Gaga, Joe Biden, Heather Locklear--no matter. It's my ideas that matter. Elder Cook would accomplish more by successfully rebutting his opponents' ideas rather than attacking their characteristics. Conversely, he may be showing us that he is incapable of rebutting the arguments of Mormonism's opponents because all he has left is the ad hominem attack.

(Note: If I'm Heather Locklear I"m feeling myself up right about now...)

Did you know she is a Nephite?

Yup, she is a Lumbee.

Does it count that Jacob is my Mormon name? Given to me at the temple by some guy who just finished fondling my balls?

Like others, my email is quite easy to find. Quinny is free to send me a note any time. I'll even sit down and talk to him about why wearing an asshat can be murder on the neck and shoulders.

Uh . . . correct me if I'm wrong but didn't GOD HIMSELF aid the
anonymity of Joseph Smith and crew when they published
revelations in the D&C using names other than their own?

What we have here, Mr. Cook, is typical action of a minority
which is strongly disliked by a majority. Just like Joseph
Smith, back when he was part of a minority, hid his identity
behind fake names (Baurak Ale, Enoch, Gazelam) along with his
associates, Oliver Cowdery (Olihah), John Whitmer (Horah),
Sydney Rigdon (Pelagoram), and many others, we, as a reviled
minority, spreading unpopular truth, are continuing that tradition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_code_names_in_the_Doctrine_and_Covenants



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2016 08:07PM by baura.

Well the code words are new to me. just followed the link. Wouldn't that fall under the category of secret combinations?

Yes I have a D & C from the 50's and 60's. Yes they use code names up until that time. Interesting fact of the day.

Quentin Cook, the shady lawyer, complaining about destroying reputations? LOL.

"It is common today to hide one's identity when writing duplicitous, deceitful, half-assed apologetic church essays anonymously online.

"Any use of the Internet to criticize a General Authority, mention the Second Anointing, or tell the truth about Joseph Smith is reprehensible. What we are seeing in society is that when people wear the mask of anonymity, they are more likely to engage in this kind of conduct, which is so destructive of our tithing income stream. It also violates the basic principle of blind obedience, which we have repeatedly taught.

"The righteous need not wear masks to hide their identity unless they work for the church. I encourage you to continue to seek to become who you should be — a wholly submissive tool of the church in thought and in action. Set goals to apply passively compliant attributes to your lives and pray for help in developing them. As you do, you will allow yourself to be an influence for conformity wherever you are."

There you go, Q-Tip. Fixed it. You're welcome.

Studies are showing that it's not anonymity that that makes a person more likely to behave in this manner'. In fact anonymity has very little to do with it. 'Trolls' are trolls in real life as well (generally). They are people who enjoy the pain and discomfort of others.

Cook is making the mistake (or not a mistake) of assuming that anyone who disagrees/dislikes/calls out/points out fallacies is some how a 'troll'.. Oh the evil Internet.

This argument is so childlike it's embarrassing he used his real name.

summer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> From an entry on his Facebook page, July 7th,
> 2016:
>
> "It is common today to hide one’s identity when
> writing hateful, vitriolic, bigoted communications
> anonymously online.
>
> Any use of the Internet to bully, destroy a
> reputation, or place a person in a bad light is
> reprehensible. What we are seeing in society is
> that when people wear the mask of anonymity, they
> are more likely to engage in this kind of conduct,
> which is so destructive of civil discourse. It
> also violates the basic principles the Savior
> taught.
>
> The righteous need not wear masks to hide their
> identity. I encourage you to continue to seek to
> become who you should be—a disciple of Jesus
> Christ in thought and in action. Set goals to
> apply Christlike attributes to your lives and pray
> for help in developing them. As you do, you will
> allow yourself to be an influence for good
> wherever you are."

Is he talking about his essays? Sounds to me like he is. Is he promoting them?

Quentin Cook......hmmmmm , the name sounds vaguely familiar, not sure if he was that former city official from San Francisco or the pirate who raided the Islands of Polynesia.
My memory not being so great I asked my still tbm-mormon neighbor and he thought Cook was on the episode of the " Love Boat " where Peter Marshal did unspeakable experiments on the Lander sisters !
I guess I am now forced to google his name !

The church posts anonymous unsigned, unattributed essays on its website.

The church hates various people like gays, feminists, intellectuals, apostates, Socialists, and Democrats.

Does this mean the church is an anonymous online hater?

Q-tip (lol) doesn't want to know who we really are. He couldn't care less who we are.

He just wants us to go away.

I'll go away, when he tells the truth. Fat chance of THAT happening.

From what I've skimmed here, I am glad I have no idea who this asshat is. I left in 1992. Was he a "name" then? I didn't pay attention to these douchebags even when I was tbm.

"Brother" Cook was always somewhat of a pious jerk even back in the day in our ward in San Mateo, California. He rubbed shoulders only with the wealthier members, served alcohol only because he HAD to because he was an "important" lawyer and HAD to have it in his home don't you know. Also, he never did have the sincerity or intelligence of his doctor brother who was TBM but a fine man or so it seemed to me. I did not like how he would refer to his brother's son in a demeaning manner. He was arrogant and intolerant even of those of his own blood. Condescending and insecure come to mind.

You say, Quentin that "The righteous need not wear masks to hide their identity." Why then is this action done by LDS.org leaders over and over? Are you declaring that these leaders are not righteous? Plus, is it the right thing to ask others to do what you yourself are not doing? Seems like the Jesus Christ you mentioned who should be followed had something to say about calling out the mote in your brother's eye before you had fixed the one in your own eye.

I will give evidence of the church masking their identity by focusing on two out of many examples. Why does the Mormon declared prophet hide his identity behind church media spokesmen over and over and over again, letting the spokesmen deliver the messages the church wants released to the public? Seems to me like a prophet delivering a message brings a warmth, caring, and substantiation that a spokesman cannot.

And why, after declaring that they had a desire to clarify and be more open about church history in essays that were forthcoming, did the First Presidency choose to not sign these essays once they were released? This signing of information is something that has been a tradition in the Mormon church to announce that the message is sponsored, backed, and verified by the leaders. This not-signing carries a heavy message that the essays were not verified and backed by the leaders, making a HUGE loop hole possible for the leaders to back out when convenient.

I would like to say that I am glad that you used the Internet to communicate. I do look forward to hearing a response to my message to you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2016 03:44AM by presleynfactsrock.

At least we don't hide behind "freedom of religion" to hate gays and blacks and threaten people unless they pay money.

Who decided to excommunicate the September Six?

Who leaked word of Michael Quinn's sexual orientation when he was excommunicated, suggesting that that was the real reason for the discipline?

Who ordered John Dehlin's excommunication?

Who ordered Kate Kelly's?

Who decided that the church would support Proposition 22 fifteen years ago? Who decided not to comment on Stuart Matis's death on the steps of the Los Altos Stake Center? Who instructed the Stake President to have Stuart's brains cleaned away before the worshipers arrived?

Who decided that the church would back Proposition 8? Who oversaw the phone banks, the fund-raising effort, the lobbying in California?

Who decided that the children of gay couples are unworthy of baptism unless they disavow their parents?

Who chose to keep the November policy in place despite the increased number of deaths of young LGBT kids?

Who feels personal responsibility for those deaths? Who, if anyone, is conscientious enough to leave the Quorum of the Twelve in order to show sympathy for the dead and to demand reform?

You don't need the internet to hide. The decrepit old men in Salt Lake City are masters at cowering behind group photos even as they deny their own atrocities. What offends their gangrenous souls is that commoners can now do more or less what they do.

Only we commoners don't have a multi-billion dollar corporate machine, a massive law firm, and countless public relations officers to make our point. We can only use our words, our experiences, our pain. Why should we critics feel an obligation to surrender our anonymity, such as it is, when the church won't do the same?

I'd be angry at Quentin Cook if I thought he wrote that hypocritical screed. But I really doubt he gives a Flying duck. Cook is too important to deal with commoners: I'll bet some underling in the PR department wrote that anonymously and then posted it in Cook's name. The apostle will never seek out, nor hear, anything we say. His job is to speak down to us, not to listen.

I'm not posting anonymously.

This is my real name.

I'm happy to post my honest and forthright views on his silly religion as me.

I think there is less anonymity here than people think.

Some percentage of you guys post with your real names. Then there are others who post openly information that can come from only a few sources. These can be uncovered easily, and I suspect the SMC has investigated at least the more annoying of those people. There are also people here who publish a lot of things on other topics and events. If the SMC wanted to know who they were, it would be easy enough to run a computer program that could find virtually identical writing styles in the public domain.

My guess is that the church knows who 5-10% of us are and has the resources to figure out 10-20%. If we reach critical mass in terms of a threat to their power, they'll spend a little money and uncover a lot of real identities. The church has the wherewithal to identify a lot of us.

Most people who post here frequently are probably reconciled to the possibility of discovery.

That's a very good point. Over the past couple of years, I have posted much regarding by past involvement in Mormonism including when and where I served my mission, when I attended BYU and my major course of study, church positions held, and when I became inactive and when I officially resigned.

Someone with full access to church records could easily identify who I am and likely has done so. Of course, I am no longer a member of the church so no further action could be taken against me.

Many other posters have posted similar "identifiers".

Quentin Cook prefers anonymous lovers.

Oh like the righteous would never hide behind masks like when they JS ordered the destruction of the press for having the gall to print the truth.

If the fossils had any sort of heavenly power then they would destroy the internet because it has delivered greater truth and knowledge than anything else; especially some goon named Moroni.

Meanwhile, the brethren hide behind layers of lower level managers. Questions are rejected. Communication is one way.

Awww Quentin.....can't take a bit of critisim? Too fucking bad!! Cowboy the fuck up and take it like a man!! And I ain't anonymous!!

Ron Burr

Lethbridge, Alberta

exposing his fraud makes you a hater.

When I was in grade school there was a girl who used to go around slugging the boys and then saying, "Haha you can't hit me back because I'm a girl."

Apparently this girl grew up to be Quentin Cook.