Jenn Kamp Files Lawsuit Against John Dehlin

[dastardly stem]

Sometimes I'm a bit dim about catching on to new characters, but I think Lowrance and probably this new lonny guy are our old friend Atlantic Mike. I like that he can't get enough of us.

[Doctor Steuss]

And if anyone could explain to me why there is so much animosity directed towards jpatterson, that would be greatly appreciated. The majority of the time, he is spoken of in a condescending manner, and he is the target of many personal attacks.

For me, it was/is his shameless exploitation of a psychologically and emotionally vulnerable person to further his own personal agenda.

[dastardly stem]

Somebody just sent me this message that John Dehlin is putting out on his Facebook or whathaveyou.

https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/o ... wfbVCwZAUo

I realize it's likely mostly just me around here, but this just sounds ridiculous. "two types of detractors"? This sounds too much like the attempts by LDS Church leaders to label it's detractors, but...you know, let's consider more.

Occasionally but reliably over the years (and oddly usually around the holidays), a coordinated group of attackers will try to hurt our reputation on the Internet with lies and misinformation.

That sounds as if it was taken directly from the Church. The Church tells its members any complaint about the Church are lies and misinformation...so does John.

We used to feel the urgency to respond publicly to the smears. Trust is an important component to what we do — but such responses are usually unwise, since public responses then help to advertise the smears, which literally never stop. If we were to respond to every smear it would become a full time job, it would drain us of all our emotional energy, and we would never create anything meaningful.

This sounds very much like the Church too. The smears never stop. But, what makes me wonder is, hasn't John always responded to these attacks? I mean with gusto? Take this latest fiasco with Jenn Kamp? I think I've seen more response from John then I've seen from Jenn Kamp on her complaint. Granted I haven't followed it closely, despite my many comments in this thread. But when has John not responded?

In these scenarios, silence is brutal for us, because in every case the facts are vindicating,

Again, I know I"m close to alone in this appraisal, but to me the facts rarely vindicate John. While the facts do not give the impression the complainant is pristine, and is less than honest or problematic, I don't think I've seen a case wherein John comes out looking good. This too sounds very much like the LDS Church.

Sometimes this scenario makes us feel briefly discouraged and powerless, but we’re not powerless. There are at least four things we CAN do in response to constant smears:

We can refuse to give the misinformation oxygen or visibility on our platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, my blog).
We can block the smearing critics on social media, which we try to do regularly.
We can continue showing up – producing quality content that helps our viewers and listeners.
In the case of legal matters, we can hire an attorney, fight the false allegations with evidence/the truth, and release the evidence once attorneys give us the OK.

I'm pretty sure he just outline to the "T" how the Church deals with this as well. Try and coax its people to not give critical views any attention, or oxygen, as they say. Block and censure as much as possible. Try to focus on saving souls. Hire attorneys. Pay them well, because it usually pays off when you have critics.

As flawed humans, we always welcome sincere criticisms, especially regarding the podcast or our YouTube channels. We sincerely love, love, love constructive feedback intended to help us be more effective at our objectives.

If someone has concerns about the non-profit, and if they are donors or sincere prospective donors, they are welcome to email John (staff@openstoriesfoundation.org) or our amazing board (openstoriesboard@gmail.com). To date, John and Margi enjoy the full support of the Open Stories Foundation Board.

yes, the Church also likes questions and concerns, apparently. In my experience John has never been welcoming of sincere constructive feedback. I won't go into details, but that's the opposite of what I've found. That too may be why this resonates for me so much as a church-like plea.

Finally, if someone wants to use our platform to spread baseless misinformation or even lies about me or us, they are not welcome in our world. We will continue to avoid responding to the misinformation, to avoid giving the critics what they most crave: more attention. They will have to find a more constructive way to get attention. We suggest they consider finding a way to do good in the world.

yes...critics are bad and they only offer criticism because they want attention. Remember, they are jealous.

If you encounter damaging allegations on the Internet and consider yourself a friend to us and/or the podcast, please screen capture or audio/video record the comments and share with us, as we might be able to use the evidence as part of a defamation lawsuit.

um...getting your audience to what? help you in your lawsuits against critics? Does the Church go that far? Ahh...maybe...

We will respond when we can, but please remember, there’s no way to prove a baseless lie false. That’s why baseless lies are so effective.

Wait...what? "in every case the facts are vindicating". "Well the facts aren't vindicating if we can't really prove the accusations untrue." I mean...what?

In fact, that’s how many religions get their start — with baseless, yet undisprovable lies. That’s why we value evidence.

I'm pretty sure the Church would be saying the same things here.

I apologize if this is annoying to anyone here. But it caught my attention this morning and I wanted to comment. Please ignore if that suits you.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

*snip*

What would be the way you’d go about your business if you chose to be an ex-Mormon/NuMormon podcaster interviewing people in the Mormon sphere? In other words, what would you do differently from Open Stories Foundation and Dehlin in order to maintain your sense of integrity?

- Doc

[dastardly stem]

*snip*

What would be the way you’d go about your business if you chose to be an ex-Mormon/NuMormon podcaster interviewing people in the Mormon sphere? In other words, what would you do differently from Open Stories Foundation and Dehlin in order to maintain your sense of integrity?

- Doc

I daresay that'd take a good deal of planning and strategizing and I haven't even given it a thought. So I'm not really sure.

But, shooting from the hip, on your last question, I'm quite a different person and personality from John. I doubt I'd make it work. I don't have it in me. But if I did, I'd probably be less interested in playing the "faith crisis" angle. I'd be more interested, I'd think, in presenting the loss of faith as difference of opinions. I'm also one to shy away from any sort of acknowledgment. Can't stand praise and other such stuff. So I doubt I'd take that in stride. I'd probably be a bit grouchy about it, and tell people to stuff it. I really don't know what I'd do differently though. This feels distracting from my point. What you want from me?

[Lonny Flash]

*snip*

What would be the way you’d go about your business if you chose to be an ex-Mormon/NuMormon podcaster interviewing people in the Mormon sphere? In other words, what would you do differently from Open Stories Foundation and Dehlin in order to maintain your sense of integrity?

- Doc

Would you like to remake Inglourious Basterds but take iut these Mormon Nazis? Are you a Nazi or not?

[Kishkumen]

Would you like to remake Inglourious Basterds but take iut these Mormon Nazis? Are you a Nazi or not?

Weird.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Would you like to remake Inglourious Basterds but take iut these Mormon Nazis? Are you a Nazi or not?

Weird.

Binger’s drunk again.

- Doc

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

I really don't know what I'd do differently though. This feels distracting from my point. What you want from me?

Well, I read your post and it has a ‘two sides of the same coin’ feel to it. I just wanted to see if you had some notions where an ex-Mormon podcaster could avoid mirroring the cult in both behavior and tone.

- Doc

[dastardly stem]

I really don't know what I'd do differently though. This feels distracting from my point. What you want from me?

Well, I read your post and it has a ‘two sides of the same coin’ feel to it. I just wanted to see if you had some notions where an ex-Mormon pod caster could avoid mirroring the cult in both behavior and tone.

- Doc

Its a fair thought you have there. I figured my critical comments about his message spelled a few things out. But, if you're looking for more from me, I'm afraid I don't have it.