tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:19:46 +0000William LawchildoutcastbeerJoseph CampbellTruthSingingDublinRevelationMethodistdevelopmentProposition 8religious transitionsponsor a childMormon ChurchUnitarianDoctors without BordersMetaphorPolygamyTranslationGreek PsaltermotivationpracticeleavingMormonThe ExpositorAge of ReasonAngelsfamilyBiblepotluckMRMleuvenFaithQuestFathers and SonsMormonismfacebookresignationhome banking.GodsecularismChurch CourtChurch BarWorld VisionreasonPriesthood Commemoration CampoutDivorceCognitive biasA New EarthPrayerGrant H. Palmersummer campTranscendenceBasketballMontessoriRed CrossWorld ViewNietzcheChurchAunt MarilynFree SpeechUtahTolleBook of MormonArchaeologyMuslimsgay marriageMediaFrench Schoolsmall provincial townPearl of Great PriceExcommunicationSuicidefreethinkingDepressionSociologyReligious BankruptcydeceptionHeroesEvangelismJoseph SmithevolutionAge of AccountabilityPsychologyHumanismallowancecharitylesbianÜbermenschAbrahamAdopt a childBankruptcyMoneyCognitive DissonancePay it forwardpianoMormon OriginsReligionMormon ExpressionsSinAtheist blogrollColombiabaptismex-mormonFuneralMetaphorical GodmusicMormonsArtresignPovertysalt lake templelunchCommandmentsIntellectual DaylightOwlsAtheismChristBarEinsteinSylvia SessionsownershipDolphinsFollowBrigham YoungChristianitycoffeeHaitiFoxesJosephusmythsentitlementBeaversHoly SpirtIrelandhttp://www.fishtells.com/noreply@blogger.com (Brent)Blogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-178872007667558801Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:28:00 +00002012-01-03T20:32:05.309-08:00ownershiphome banking.allowanceentitlementWe hired 3 Associate Apprentices today at the newly founded First Fisher Bank.  We presented them all with job offers, along with their associated job responsibilities and financial responsibilities.  Shea was so giddy.  As we began to explain that she would begin to make a lot more money, she at first thought that it must be a trap, and resisted terribly. Finally I said, "I don't understand Sheahttp://www.fishtells.com/2012/01/first-fisher-bank-grand-opening.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-7416465764433067446Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:46:00 +00002011-11-15T19:46:55.423-08:00SingingMormon ExpressionsFriday night at 7:00 P.M., Mormon Expressions will be hosting Mormon Fight Songs for Dummies at the University of Utah Post Theater.  I volunteered to direct the sing-a-long portion at the invitation from Zilpha Larsen. In the lead up to rehearsals, Zilpha mentioned that they would be singing 'The Cave' by Mumford and Sons.  I took a listen, and realized I had no idea of the meaning of the lyricshttp://www.fishtells.com/2011/11/mormon-fight-songs-sing-long.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-4016789831349288950Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:23:00 +00002011-11-13T12:23:19.574-08:00DepressionReligionIn October, Colleen and I attended the conference for those dealing with leaving Mormonism. AKA: The Ex-Mormon Conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel in SLC. We stayed at the Hotel there, and enjoyed most of it. We attended Dr. Marlene Winell's presentation on 'Leaving the Fold'. At first, her message seemed somewhat drab. In other words, she didn't seem to connect really well with her http://www.fishtells.com/2011/11/leaving-fold.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-1249801642794052747Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:22:00 +00002011-02-24T21:44:27.343-08:00AngelsMetaphorical GodAunt MarilynGodFuneralEinsteinA few days ago, as I sat mourning the loss of aunt Marilyn, at her funeral, I reflected on god a bit more. This funeral was held at a Mormon chapel in Alpine Utah, close to my last home in Highland. Many folks from my family were there, and it was the first time I'd seen them since going to Belgium. The moment provided much time for introspection, which, I think should be the purpose of http://www.fishtells.com/2011/02/thought-about-god-and-humans-from-aunt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-271043243918189677Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:20:00 +00002010-08-09T15:29:54.180-07:00BeaversA New EarthTolleOwlsFoxesDolphinsMontessoriIt sounds a little bit like the animals on the Chinese calendar. By the way, I'm always so pleased to discover that I'm a rat. You don't need a calendar to tell you that. Or maybe, I'm talking about some strange horoscope? Give up?Today, after a half hour of Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana with dutch subtitles, we brought out Les Simpson, Totalement Dejantes. I bought it from the bookstore http://www.fishtells.com/2010/08/what-do-beavers-dolphins-owls-foxes-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-8569038095289659530Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:10:00 +00002010-07-11T12:58:17.359-07:00leuvenFrench Schoolsmall provincial townsecularismsalt lake templeAs some of you may know through the grapevine and personal acquaintance, I have moved my family to a small town in Belgium, called Leuven. We are making ourselves an experiment. Some of you may recall my post involving Dublin's Church Bar, some of you didn't quite like it, while others did. In order to test out the hypothesis, I just had to come and live in Europe to see if it is true.Turns http://www.fishtells.com/2010/07/first-impressions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-9079870609616118360Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:09:00 +00002010-01-19T11:14:37.540-08:00Dear Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes. I'm reading your blog as a mirror into my past today. It will get better. I love Imagine. Its now my theme song. I never really got it when I was a kid... But now its lyrics tunnel deep into my soul and resonate 'every fiber of my being'.Its awesome that you still have your husband and kids. I find that to be somewhat true for me too. It makes me wonder http://www.fishtells.com/2010/01/it-will-get-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-3203087246154562071Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:54:00 +00002010-01-18T09:57:06.674-08:00HaitiRed CrosscharityDoctors without BordersHumanismOK, OK, I know that only believers are supposed to be charitable, and I've tried to resist the temptation to give in to my humanity. As much as I have struggled to resist the temptation, I could no longer resist. I have donated to the international Red Cross and Doctors without borders.Won't you take a minute to help the Red Cross or Doctors without borders too?Follow the link on this page, or http://www.fishtells.com/2010/01/giving-aid-to-haiti.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-245689403892559026Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:37:00 +00002010-01-12T12:56:24.977-08:00mythsJoseph CampbellmusicHeroesArtMediaFrom my understanding and interpretation of the great mythologist Joseph Campbell, with the death of the ritual to thrust the young human into society, this soul never gains part into the tribe. Our ancestors created myths to transcend the mundane, but to also spirit its members into the group of the societal whole.Joseph Campbell - The First Storytellers (3 of 6)R-CANE-1 | MySpace VideoMormons http://www.fishtells.com/2010/01/missing-modern-myths.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-5363219612231342487Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:23:00 +00002010-01-11T16:28:27.553-08:00PrayerJoseph CampbellTranscendenceIntellectual DaylightMetaphorGodGod is a metaphor for that which transcends all levels of intellectual thought. It's as simple as that.-- Joseph CampbellAfter leaving Mormonism, much of my struggle has been to organize enough of my beliefs to understand what it is that I'm listening to in my inner communications with myself.Mr. Campbell's metaphor referring to God as that metaphor for that which transcends all levels of http://www.fishtells.com/2010/01/god-metaphor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-7973776063954354834Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:42:00 +00002009-12-18T15:45:37.484-08:00When I first began questioning the church, and making thoughtful decisions about leaving, I had so many people talk to me about the spirit. The Mormon church places great emphasis on the reliability of the Spiritual witness to the veracity of everything related to it. The Church asks members to accept the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith's Visions, etc, etc on Spiritual Witnesses.I love this entry http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/god-of-endorphins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-7904248294668275957Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:24:00 +00002009-12-18T11:29:39.312-08:00After my wonderful experience at Spanky's following my 7 year old daughter's driver's ed course, I fell in love with Spanky's. So did she. Their environment was comfortable, clean and friendly, and their food tastes great.I was really sad though that for her birthday, they were unexpectedly closed. I visited yesterday in hopes for delicious lunch. Again they were closed. Called today too. http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/spanky-closed-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-5047657818342719274Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:34:00 +00002009-12-16T12:35:36.410-08:00Can you think of a better way to promote the CALM community than to play the night away with friends and help pay for advertising to help so many more of us in the community who might feel there is nowhere else to go?in reference to: Facebook | CALM Casino Night (view on Google Sidewiki)http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/calm-casino-night.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-6106951725863629530Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:17:00 +00002009-12-15T20:57:38.958-08:00Mormon ChurchresignationresignleavingMany of you may recall my post from May: resign Today, my confirmation letter arrived. I'm not sure why it took so long, but I did go through quite a while waiting. Finally, two weeks ago, my family and I crafted a letter together. We all signed it and sent it in via certified mail. Two weeks later, I received this notice from Gregory W. Dodge, Manager, Member and Statistical Records:Brent http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/resignation-complete.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-5431810217866547743Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:29:00 +00002009-12-15T16:30:37.658-08:00My friend Mike just sent me this brilliant look at the Sumerians and their probable confusion at the Judeo Christian God running through the creation of the world while they were on it.It makes me wonder so much. I get so many bewildered stares and sorrowful looks from those close to me when they discover that I think that God probably doesn't exist.They think it is so sad. Many of them argue http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/if-god-didn-create-us.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-5631528178356664065Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:32:00 +00002009-12-15T07:57:49.330-08:00SinreasonAge of AccountabilityAtheismbaptismAge of ReasonToday is the birthday of my only daughter Shea. Eight years ago, she came into this world, smiling and bringing me all sorts of joy and interesting experiences nearly everyday.In coordination with her birthday, I ran across this quote recently from one of my unmet friends on Facebook named Donald Pulsipher. http://www.facebook.com/donald.pulsipher?ref=nf.If religious instruction were not http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/re-age-of-reason.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-6457307969333395345Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:22:00 +00002009-12-10T23:22:06.177-08:00Some of you may have read earlier in my blog http://www.fishtells.com/2008/04/lure.html concerning the investments that went sour for me. Well, this is where my money ended up finally. Misused and abused by Mr. Rick Koerber. I'm glad he is being indicted and prevented from scamming even more people.in reference to: Rick Koerber pleads not guilty to new criminal charges (view on Google Sidewiki)http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/ponzi-scheme-that-stole-my-house-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-5710170584600801208Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:21:00 +00002009-12-03T09:21:59.501-08:00If you haven't explored it yet, Craig Criddle's theory on the Book of Mormon Authorship bears investigation. This compilation is the clearest I've seen so far.in reference to: 2009 Craig Criddle Video Clips (view on Google Sidewiki)http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/book-of-mormon-authorship.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-3693820011146817175Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:01:00 +00002009-12-03T08:01:18.023-08:00I think I like this Side Wiki. Now, if it would only let me highlight stuff for context, etc, I would love that.in reference to: Google Sidewiki (view on Google Sidewiki)http://www.fishtells.com/2009/12/seems-pretty-cool.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-168122477729027063Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:23:00 +00002009-10-28T00:30:41.421-07:00FaithHumanismThe enemy of Humanism is not Faith. The enemy of Humanism is hate, is fear, is ignorance...Faith in God is believing in something absolutely without proof of it whatsoever. Faith in Humanity means believing in something absolutely with a huge amount of proof to the contrary. We are the True Believers...Joss Whedon --- The Harvard Humanism Chaplaincy.http://www.fishtells.com/2009/10/humanist-faith-vs-religious-faith.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-237001436858629795Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:02:00 +00002009-09-09T20:38:38.845-07:00freethinkingsummer campPriesthood Commemoration CampoutFathers and SonsQuestI recently came upon a very interesting idea here. A summer camp for free thinkers. What a concept. I'm constantly asking myself, "Should I go to 'Priesthood Commemoration Campout' with the ward next weekend? Or as it used to be called, Fathers and Sons outing? I love going out the camp ground, to nature, and I love seeing Logan and Hayden playing with all of the neighborhood kids, but I http://www.fishtells.com/2009/09/free-thinkers-fathers-and-sons-camp-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-3286917787333345888Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:51:00 +00002009-09-09T13:11:39.650-07:00Lately, I've had several people ask me what the CALM meeting is like. Let me give you the details here.Who:Dennis Borg and I co-chair the CALM meetings.When & WhereWe alternate hosting the meeting at our homes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. E.g. the next CALM meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:00 at Dennis' home in Orem. The following meeting will be at my home Wednesday, Oct. 7 http://www.fishtells.com/2009/09/what-to-expect-at-utah-county-calm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-399360018699916549Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:42:00 +00002009-07-10T21:58:23.960-07:00"Zoinks!" says Shaggy, "Like, let's get out of here Skooob!" after hearing about another ghost of the swamp. They were scared. Swamp ghosts are creepy, even when you've encountered a hundred like it before that all turned out to be hoaxes. (Junior Skeptic, The Skooby edition: Vol. 15 No 1 pp 82)'We're all vulnerable to our hopes and fears. Emotions can mislead anyone, which is why we must http://www.fishtells.com/2009/07/skooby-doo-and-holy-ghost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-3482860738604135107Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:49:00 +00002009-07-01T10:11:28.368-07:00BasketballBarreligious transitionIrelandUtahMormonDublinChurch BarChurchWith today's news of the passing of state liquor laws, I was immediately reminded of Ireland. OK, so I've only visited twice, both times were for business. While there, our company had a gathering at a local bar called the Church bar. In fact, it was a local bar that had originally been St. Mary's Church more than a couple centuries ago. As more Dubliner's began to leave the church behind, inhttp://www.fishtells.com/2009/07/irelands-religious-transition-compared.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245422248199406569.post-3461627089791127385Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:31:00 +00002009-06-23T09:52:33.427-07:00Proposition 8MormonslesbianSuicidegay marriageYesterday, Peter Danzig invited me to join the Facebook group LDSApology. I have been trying to sit on the fence on this issue for quite a while, while I learned more. I've spoken with members of this unfortunate group of humans, each time I've encountered the tremendous troubles that they have had, both personally and with legalities. While their legal inequities are certainly great, and http://www.fishtells.com/2009/06/marriage-in-our-human-society.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brent)0