Yeah. "Breaking from the state" is one step removed from "breaking from the country", and last I knew that was called treason. But I guess norms and laws and basic decency do not matter anymore.

Fantastic to see stabby the war hawk on a Christian flag. Jesus would have approved. But I don’t mind having the god squad around while they wait for the rapture...the useful idiot part of them acts just like us. The only difference is they can’t admit it to themselves. The “spit in your face” thing that does it is the enforcement of their values system. If they would knock that off, it would be all good.

@Drabaverna I think its supposed to be a broken sword, and unchained shackle, indicating no need to fight and freedom. It's ironic because they enslave themselves in false believes and want to form a new state somewhat violently.

@Sticks48 I am sure the nuts who thought of this have not thought it through...idiots

@thinktwice I still like the concept.

@Sticks48 oh sure...let them die out and implode...that would be great...

@thinktwice Exactly.

Perhaps, but Utah seems to have a different take on its statehood, etc, according to the LDS Church as far a I know from my experiences with them.

@Triphid Here’s an LA Times on that subject. Does it sound right?

[google.com]

@WilliamFleming Yes, despite the USUAL protestations of the LDS 'Officials' the LDS Church literally runs the state of Utah with a fist of, not Iron, but solid titanium just as it does with its members.
For example, A) ANY member found to spending money in ANY business other than one owned by a Church Member on a Sunday can expect to called to account in front of the entire Congregation and will most likely be ostracized for a period of NOT less than 1 calendar month ( all family members included here btw),
B) NO family with children may hold a picnic or attend a sporting event, etc, on ANY Sunday for ANY reason what-so-ever, punishment same as for A),
C) ALL Church Members MUST Fast from Sunrise to Sunset each and every Sunday, the only exceptions/ exemptions are for the pregnant women, babies and toddlers under 5 years of age and those whom have direct Medical Prescriptions from recognized Doctors/Specialists,
D) ALL tithe envelopes handed out the previous Sunday MUST be returned and filled the following Sunday, failure to do so WILL result in an Enquiry conducted by the Church Council of Elders at THEIR convenience, NOT yours,
E) ANY Church Member rostered by an Employer to work on a Sunday MUST ask permission of the Elders and SHOW a copy of the said roster BEFORE working on that Sunday PLUS contribute 10% of the wage/salary earned on that Sunday to the Church as well as the .normal tithes expected each week, failure to do so = ostracism for a period not less than 1 month for the ENTIRE family,
F) considering that here in Australia our electoral system, etc, is different to the U.S.A., LDS church Members ARE PRESCRIBED by the Council of Elders PRECISELY Who or What Political Party they CAN vote for and no-one may deviate from that prescription,
G) Couples, either of the same sex or one of each sex, sharing a house/flat, etc, are NOT permitted to sit near each other in Church Services,
H) Everyone attending services MUST be seated according their 'ranking' in the Church, NO deviations permitted,
I) EVERY Member, without exception, MUST invite the Missionary Elders to their home/flat at least once per month for a meal, bible discussion and prayers, NO exceptions allowed,
J) discussion/debate relating to political matters/Government matters CAN ONLY be held among the Council of Elders and the Missionary Elders, NOT amongst the General Membership.
There are literally HUNDREDS more of these LDS 'articles' that I could add here, but I think you'll get the gist from what I've already posted in this reply/comment.

@Triphid Holy smokes!! I had no idea it was like that.congratulations on your escape. Are they hounding you to come back?

@WilliamFleming I actually pretended to be a tentative member solely for the purpose of researching the LDS and other Churches for my ThD ( Doctorate in Theology and Comparative Modern Religions) I never actually became a full (fool, if you get my drift here) member but the lure of having someone with a Masters in Theology in the congregation got their hearts all a flutter and they thought that I would be an idea candidate for membership at a later time as it convenience me and my studies.

@Triphid The Mormon Church appears, in my opinion, to have been founded on lies. How any rational person can be taken in by the account of Joseph Smith is beyond me.

I hate authoritarianism in any form.

@WilliamFleming I'm a former lifelong member of the LDS church born and raised in Utah and currently living here now. Triphid is full of shit. It's oppressive and there are horrible stories but nothing like what he's saying.

@WilliamFleming It IS totalitarian by its very nature despite the protestations of UpsideDownAgain.
Perhaps, imo, she is still somewhat 'blinded' by here LDS up-bringing still, if that be so then she has my sincere sympathies and condolences.

@UpsideDownAgain Maybe his experiences were in Australia. Maybe it’s worse there.

There’s a small LDS group right here where I live and I can’t imagine that people around here would tolerate such things.

@WilliamFleming There's a possibility that he stumbled on a branch off from the LDS church but I doubt mainstream members would be that extreme without intervention from the main church. They pride themselves on the church being the same worldwide and they send leaders out to help the different congregations stay within the guidelines of the church. I've lived in four different countries across the world and the LDS church was basically the same in each of them. There is sexual misbehavior covered up and ecclesiastical abuse like many other churches but on the surface, the LDS church isn't too far from what is normally socially acceptable. About the most extreme thing they do publicly is refrain from alcohol and coffee.

@UpsideDownAgain Thanks for your input. I’m relieved.