The JMS 140: Scaring Mormons, and Preaching The Kindle
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, Reciprocal Affection, The Josh Mormann Show
I just got of the train after having been chatted up by a Missionary from LA. I think I scared him, and his companion (he showed up eventually). I don’t think they knew what hit them.
I am now part of the new religion of the The Amazon.com Kindle. It isn’t an electronic book reader that weighs about 10 oz; it’s an electronic bookstore that weighs about 10 oz.
Videos on the Kindle
* Kindle Video Demonstration
* Kindle Intro Video
* Jeff Bezos on Charlie Rose Discussing the the Kindle
* Kindle Drop Test Video
Music Played:
* Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode
* Deep Dark Truthful Mirror
The JMS 109: ‘Sfun T’smo M’wanna
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, The Josh Mormann Show
Starting off with a mashup by DJ Lobsterdust I start into a rant about preachers that prey on religious fanatics, which in turn leads me to mormonism of course, and the popular youth speakers of my favorite cult. I talk about John Bytheway, and Lex de Azevedo.
Check out this list of LDS Non Fiction at DeseretBook.com a materials distribution channel owned by the Church. The Church owns this stuff, and is making a killing. Mormons need to stop falling for the “it’s sold at cost, the church isn’t trying to make any money” crap. The church underpays all of its employees, segregates positions into male and female roles, and then has a high-profit center for LDS celebrities including General Authorities, musicians, and public speakers. It’s so obvious that it has become basically invisible, to [and therefore defended adamantly by] the naive membership at large.
Music Played
* It’s Fun to Smoke Dust (Queen vs. Satan) by DJ Lobsterdust
* Obsession by Animotion
The JMS 088: Putting the Hate on Wacky Packer
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, The Josh Mormann Show
Well I get back into some Ex-Mormon stuff tonight, and I rant about how much of an Ass Hole Elder Boyd K Packer is. It’s only now that I wish I hadn’t, and not because I dropped a multiplicity of F-bombs tonight, but because I’m now realizing as I add his name to the web in yet another location, I’m just adding to his ego inflation problem. He probably masturbates to Google results about himself, and I’m probably just helping him get off, which is the last thing I’d intentionally be involved in.
Sorry to be so crass, but I woke up with a nagging itch I needed to scratch. Now that I’ve been vocal about my personal gripes about the bastard, I guess I can move on, and leave the man alone. And I probably won’t improve his Google ratings much at all, and I won’t have to worry about the possibility of inadvertently doing him some kind of sick personal favor.
Music Played:
* Grease by Frankie Valli
* Burning Down the House by The Cardigans and Tom Jones
* Accentuate the Positive by Bing Crosby
The JMS 073: Luke Skywalker vs Joseph Smith
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, The Josh Mormann Show
I got some more postmormonism for you tonight, and drug experiences to discuss. Thanks for the question Drew!
Books Mentioned:
* 2012 by Daniel Pinchbeck
Concepts Mentioned:
* Synesthesia
* The Force
* The Priesthood
Movie Clips:
* Dune
Music Played:
* Cold Brains by Beck
* Hollywood Freaks by Beck
The JMS 059: A Big Yawn (for all of us)
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, The Josh Mormann Show
I had a long day at work. It was one of those evaporatory (sic) days. The whole day completely disappeared as I was cleaning up the typesetting our most recent copy of the “short-form” catalog.
I do want to begin working out all the MANY kinks associated with recording live interviews and chats with people via the internet, so I need to bang off with a quicky tonight so that I can do some research before I go to bed.
NOTE: I have a bizarre non sequitur when thanking everyone from helping me with my attempts to record internet conversations this weekend, and I jump immediately into talking about other podcasts, but my reason for doing so is unexplained… I’m explaining now: I meant to thank everyone for helping me, and then cover the cool interviews I’ve been hearing on other podcasts, and explain that I hope to get things sorted out soon, to be able to do the same sorts of things.
Music Played:
* Alaska by Halou
* Asleep by The Smiths
Mormon News:
* Beloved President Hinckely Passed (despite my much explained feelings toward the church, I will miss president Hinckley, he was one one of the redeeming aspects of the organization, a kind and friendly example of what people should be like.
The JMS 008: Holy Spirit, Holy Shroom
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, The Josh Mormann Show
I decide to cover some of my journey out of the church. I cover my experience with Fee Fi Fo, by the Cranberries, and My eventual experience with Mushrooms.
Sites Mentioned:
* The Pharmacratic Inquisition
* The Alan Watts Website
Music Mentioned:
* Fee Fi Fo by the Cranberries
* Blue by Revolve
The JMS 002: Public Apology to Mormons
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism
I play some illegal music, recommend the purchase of it, then babbles about my good day at work, and then make a scathing public “apology” for leaving the “mormon” church.
Music Played:
* Lovely Head by Goldfrapp
The JMS 001: Don’t Fire Your Receptionist
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, Hope for the Future, Reciprocal Affection, The Josh Mormann Show
I rave about Tiki Bar TV, and rant about an old ex-friend’s terrible business sense.
The Endless Benefits of Blind Faith
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, Me
In a world lit by my tiny flashlight of reason, and the occasional insight Iâve gathered by the imbibing of various plant life, I have discovered what many residents of this world have known for a few centuries now, and perhaps knew [in some parts of the world] before the conquests of the great megalomaniacs, that we as humans know nothing of this universe in which we find our selves.
The Universe in many ways is merely the infinite vacuum of information, the void of endless nothing (modestly sprinkled with matter), the star-salted blackness left for us to observe in the wake of the Big Bang. Philosophers stare at it, scientists pry at it, and theologians and mystics apply human characteristics to it, while world powers and politicians pretend to ally with it, to in turn rule or enslave with it. The lack of knowledge is astounding, and it has been, for the history of the species, the ultimate playground.
The universal lack of Knowledge is so profound that even a manufactured idea, when skillfully applied can turn a mere dreamer into a powerful leader. In fact, these invented ideals, tend to be more power promoting than actual truth, or even valuable information. Power tends to come from, and be protected by maintaining a monopoly on ultimate knowledge. Rulers of old, and religions of now, have maintained control over their subjects by professing to know the will of God, and then, in turn, passing âHis willâ upon the masses they intend to rule. Having a monopoly on the opinion of God has remained a powerful means of influence even to this day. Though the majority behaviors are no longer dictated by leaders speaking on behalf of this God character, tithes and other donations continue to be collected in enormous quantities, and the world governments still profess to know whatâs best for their people.
New science seems to erase old science on an annual basis, each new PHD marks some thinkerâs attempt to expose another particle of truth. The seeming change of existing understanding however is merely the refining of extrapolated ideas or guesses.
We knew the sun would rise in the east, and set in the west, that was the first understanding of natural science, and the extrapolated interpretation of how it did so was that the sun traveled around the earth. We still know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, but with new information we know that the earth rotates and the sun stays stationary relative to it. Effective scientific learning doesnât erase truth, it only refines our guesses, but the rate at which science lights our path is mournfully slow. It cannot yet compete with the speed of theologians. The majority of the worldâs population accepts some form of appallingly outdated mythical explanation for the hows and whys of the Universe, and many endeavor tirelessly to meet the demands of the Universeâs ruling class, the unnamed, or the Big G.
Until Science can catch up with Theology, we will continue to live beneath the popes and preachers, governments and policies, schools and teachers, ceaselessly operating under the notion that those above us know more than we do, when the greater truth is that we are all little more than blind. All the lines are yet imaginary and power remains relative and unevenly distributed.
If the majority of science would change itâs focus from the reverse-engineering of science fiction dreams, and return to the big questions, we may one day stop plugging into devices that merely preoccupy our minds with fictional entertainment, and instead travel the universe immortal, communing with other enlightened souls discovering instead of devouring through development.
Moving On
Posted by Josh | Filed under Ex Mormonism, Hope for the Future
I had the preceding article partially written for months in preparation to be posted on an older yet far more complete site of mine, but decided to move it for fear of shocking the larger number of relatively close family and friends. The commentary is still a work in progress, however I believe it states the balance of my mood for religion these days.
I feel, for the most part, religion is just theological government, that in the age of reason, has been replaced. Even though now politically/governmentally redundant it continues on memetically by fear of the unknown.
Religion has always been the scepter by which larger political powers would govern their people. By securing or otherwise establishing a High-Priesthood, or an âin-roadâ with God(s), Kings could rule and govern with greatly reduced policing. With fears of a lesser Here After experience, subjects of a an earthly kingdom/empire, would also police themselves as subjects of God.
Jesus was a revolutionary, and followers of his belief system were considered heretics, and traitors, and political demonstrators. He believed in higher personal laws, but often scoffed at the laws of the land. Early Christians were not what we think of today when we consider Christians. They were more like hippies seeking political reform. Eventually Jesus was made into Krishna-like Deity, and made into the Son of God we know of today but for purely political purposes.
Constantine never converted to Christianity, he converted Christianity itself into something more politically useful. Killing Christians for treason, and heresy gets old after a while, especially when they keep popping up. Unfortunately for any ruling entity, the general public can become obsessed with the idea of freedom if they can be convinced they donât have it in the first place. Thus making revolutions difficult to squelch. Killing their revolutionaries only fans the flames after a while. Christ was little more than a peaceful freedom fighter, but he was a popular one. Eventually it became necessary to adopt his name and modify Christâs story a bit, to suit the needs of Constantine and maintain the roman empire. Eventually making Christâs name along with newly re-purposed pagan symbolism the sign by which peopleâs freedoms were removed once and for all. Ultimately the Vatican and the catholic church are living artifacts of ancient Rome, they are merely the bloody stain left by the late Roman empire.
The general message of Jesus, âgovern yourself, be free, but be nice about it,â has been modified to make Jesus a God that died for our inefficiencies. A brilliant political move generating an eternal indebtedness of the general population to a man made all powerful by rewritten legacy. A hand puppet God made for and by Roman rule. Christianity, a mere puppet show to subdue and control the masses.
Speaking for God, until recently has been the ultimate method of the powerful, and megalomaniacal. Ironically, the poster-child for this sort of government has been a man that had tried to bring this sort of thing to a close two thousand years ago.
