In this gripping interview, hosts John Dehlin, Radio Free Mormon, Kolby Reddish, and Rebecca Bibliotheca delve into a landmark court opinion that has sent shockwaves through the religious community. From the very first moment, the hosts dissect the heart of the matter: a $1.6 billion lawsuit revolving around tithing and alleged deceit. They unpack the ruling illuminating how religious institutions can be held accountable for fraud outside of the protections of free speech. With a compelling mix of analysis, declarations, and analogies, this interview resonates as a thought-provoking exposé of faith, deception, and accountability. As the interview concludes, listeners are left pondering the implications of the court’s decision and the perception of a religious entity under scrutiny.
View the 41 page court opinion on James Huntsman case.
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Show Notes:
- 41 page court opinion on James Huntsman case
- President Monson “Let’s Go Shopping!”
- David Nielsen report
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This episode reminds me of a meeting we had several months ago with our Merrill Lynch broker, who is also LDS. He pitched a scheme to us that we could donate a large number of our stock holdings to the church as a way to pay tithing, so that we would not need to pay tithing in the future. Of course, this would amount to a hefty sum on our part.
Hearing this episode reminds me of this scheme, and I’m so glad that we didn’t go ahead with this donation!!
YOU ARE CERTAINLY ANTI LDS
Please point out anything in the episode that was not true and I’m certain the hosts will be happy to post a correction. Truth matters and can stand scrutiny.
Connie: How can a rational person listen to these people and call them anti LDS? Anti fraud perhaps. Yes, I will go with that. Calling out perpetrators of misleading information and fraud is a good thing not a bad thing. If it happens to be done by the LDS church well that is church leaders fault. Perhaps the church leaders should be more Christ like. Just a thought.
Man, I really hope huntsman is successful. I pray every day that some door opens for me to get some of my tithing back that I contributed to this church of almost 20 years. If a class action lawsuit begins, I’ll be the first one to sign up. Even if I get excommunicated.
Disclaimer: I’m no longer TBM and am out of the church. My wife and I had a dispute over me spending money on modifying my Harley-Davidson motorcycle — which was going to be expensive. She said that there wasn’t any money in our household budget for the project. I assured her that no money for the project would come out of our budget. I explained that the funds would come from earnings from a mutual fund account and, in addition, that none of the principal from the account would touched. Promise made and kept.
Now, let’s look at what Gordon B Hinkley actually said at the April 2003 General Conference . . .
“We feel we have a compelling responsibility to protect the environment of the Salt Lake Temple… The property needs very extensive and expensive renovation. We have felt it imperative to do something to revitalize this are. But I wish to give the entire Church the assurance that tithing funds have not and will not be used to acquire this property. Nor will they be used in developing it for commercial purposes. Funds for this have come and will come from those commercial entities owned by the Church. These resources, together with the earnings of invested reserve funds, will accommodate this program.”
The two last two sentences are clear and unambiguous: funds will come from “commercial entities” and “earnings of invested reserve funds.” No reasonable person could make the argument that his statement was fraudulent.
I, too, gave a lot of tithes to church, although nothing like the amount Huntsman gave. I gave it freely and willingly. Do I wish I could have it back? Yes! But, alas, I don’t any legal basis for getting it back.
I’m not an attorney, but I believe the “full” ninth circuit panel will over turn the three judge panel’s decision. If that doesn’t happen, I believe that the Supreme Court will call up the case and overturn the ninth circuit — which has the distinction of being the most overturned circuit court in the United States.
My last comment wasn’t posted. Did RFM and John find my remarks that Hinckley’s statement was “clear and unambiguous” and that the “Ninth Circuit is the most overturned by the Supreme Court” too triggering for their echo chamber listeners? I don’t expect OSF to be “fair and balanced,” to barrow from Fox News, but I guess I was expecting it not to be so one sided. Sometimes speech has to be offensive to be truly free. But, then, OSF doesn’t have to guarantee free speech to me or anyone — OSF is protected by the First Amendment to censor anyone it chooses.
Hello Frank, some comments are caught by the spam filter and have to be manually approved.
Excellent coverage but disgusted with Radio Free Mormon’s patriarchal behaviour toward Rebecca B’s contribution – all under the guise of Ha, Ha, joking around. I find this outdated and unacceptable – author of In Polygamy’s Shadow, From A Mormon Childhood to A Life of Choice