How Much Are LDS Apologists Paid?

[_Chap]

Let us not anticipate too much by way of Mopologist exposure on the basis of GoodK's statements. For a start, children do not generally have a systematic knowledge of their parents' finances.

Although I find DCP an uncongenial phenomenon - since he is the living counter-example to my cherished belief that a university education tends to produce people with a greater than average aptitude for the unfettered search for truth - I doubt whether he is stupid enough tell a flat lie about his salary.

If he and other Mopologists are seeing any of the folding green stuff, I should think that much of it comes to them by way of comfortable expenses paid for travel on speaking engagements to exotic locations, combined with what academics call 'per diems', that is, essentially, speaking fees.

BUT - the interesting thing would be to find out whether contributing an article for FAIR/FARMS attracts a fee. If that turned out to be the case, it would illuminate yet another difference between normal academic publication in peer-reviewed journals (for which no fee is paid) and the world of Mopology. We do know that it is not disputed that generous expenses were recently offered to 'LDS scholars' who were prepared to spend part of a summer at BYU churning out more apologetic pabulum. But does simply publishing with FAIR/FARMS attract a fee? That would be very interesting to know.

[_William Schryver]

Young University, as are all other professors and staff at the University (including those who are not Latter-day Saints). Thus, at best, I'm indirectly paid by the Mormon Church. This is less dramatic than your formulation, but it’s more accurate.

Second, no part of my salary -- absolutely none, not a dime -- comes from my apologetic undertakings.

I wonder if he considers FARMS an apologetic undertaking. I can forsee a battle over the semantics of this statement.

Yeah, I wondered the same thing. For example, when he uses the word "salary" is he referring only to what he's paid for his professorial activities at BYU? Is what he's paid by FARMS considered (at least in his own mind) to be something other than "salary"---e.g., does he consider it honorarium, or something like that?

I mean, you are certain that these guys are drawing checks specifically for apologetics, right?

GoodK is just like you, Scratchy. He doesn't know crap from Shinola.

Then again, that's never stopped you from turning a turd into a meal, has it?



Once again, classic Scratch. I only hope to one day be in a position to properly rebuke you in a manner much more effective than that attempted on McCraney.

[_GoodK]

Let us not anticipate too much by way of Mopologist exposure on the basis of GoodK's statements. For a start, children do not generally have a systematic knowledge of their parents' finances.

Although I find DCP an uncongenial phenomenon - since he is the living counter-example to my cherished belief that a university education tends to produce people with a greater than average aptitude for the unfettered search for truth - I doubt whether he is stupid enough tell a flat lie about his salary.

If he and other Mopologists are seeing any of the folding green stuff, I should think that much of it comes to them by way of comfortable expenses paid for travel on speaking engagements to exotic locations, combined with what academics call 'per diems', that is, essentially, speaking fees.

BUT - the interesting thing would be to find out whether contributing an article for FAIR/FARMS attracts a fee. If that turned out to be the case, it would illuminate yet another difference between normal academic publication in peer-reviewed journals (for which no fee is paid) and the world of Mopology. We do know that it is not disputed that generous expenses were recently offered to 'LDS scholars' who were prepared to spend part of a summer at BYU churning out more apologetic pabulum. But does simply publishing with FAIR/FARMS attract a fee? That would be very interesting to know.

I have no clue how much my parents make. But I have been exposed to FARMS since I was a teenager, and do have a pretty good idea what I am talking about.

It seems stupid to imply that you are writing and publishing books, which are sold to members, not given away, for nothing. Keep in mind, these books aren't even on the radar in the real world, so the pie, however it is cut, probably isn't too big for any one person.

[_William Schryver]

Chap:

Although I find DCP an uncongenial phenomenon - since he is the living counter-example to my cherished belief that a university education tends to produce people with a greater than average aptitude for the unfettered search for truth ...

That's right, Chap. The more educated the person, the less likely s/he is to fall for all that Mormon crap.

Unfortunately for your "cherished belief," it encounters exceptions everywhere, doesn't it? Not hardly just DCP, is it? Why, there are highly educated people all over the place who still somehow find Mormonism believable. How could that be? Maybe they didn't get the right kind of education, huh? Maybe you could set them straight.

[_Mister Scratch]

Let us not anticipate too much by way of Mopologist exposure on the basis of GoodK's statements. For a start, children do not generally have a systematic knowledge of their parents' finances.

Although I find DCP an uncongenial phenomenon - since he is the living counter-example to my cherished belief that a university education tends to produce people with a greater than average aptitude for the unfettered search for truth - I doubt whether he is stupid enough tell a flat lie about his salary.

Could be. But his blanket statement to Infymus certainly raises a number of questions. He seemed quite emphatic in his denial, and yet here we have an insider account claiming exactly the opposite. Again: it could just be a matter of semantics. Perhaps The Good Professor will turn up shortly in order to explain himself?

If he and other Mopologists are seeing any of the folding green stuff, I should think that much of it comes to them by way of comfortable expenses paid for travel on speaking engagements to exotic locations, combined with what academics call 'per diems', that is, essentially, speaking fees.

BUT - the interesting thing would be to find out whether contributing an article for FAIR/FARMS attracts a fee.

According to GoodK, authors of these articles---even, for heaven's sake, the rinky-dink book reviews!---are compensated financially.

If that turned out to be the case, it would illuminate yet another difference between normal academic publication in peer-reviewed journals (for which no fee is paid) and the world of Mopology. We do know that it is not disputed that generous expenses were recently offered to 'LDS scholars' who were prepared to spend part of a summer at BYU churning out more apologetic pabulum. But does simply publishing with FAIR/FARMS attract a fee? That would be very interesting to know.

I'm equally interested in learning:
---whether or not the peer reviewers are paid. (My guess? Yes, they are.)
---who signs the FARMS checks (e.g., is it a GA?)
---how much money DCP is getting paid to do this stuff
---How much $$$ they receive from ancillary stuff such as book sales (ala Paul Dunn)
---Etc., etc., etc.

[_Mister Scratch]

GoodK is just like you, Scratchy. He doesn't know s*** from Shinola.

Then again, that's never stopped you from turning a turd into a meal, has it?



Once again, classic Scratch. I only hope to one day be in a position to properly rebuke you in a manner much more effective than that attempted on McCraney.

Oh, do you actually know something then, Will? How much are the apologists paid? Inquiring minds want to know!

[_Mister Scratch]

I have no clue how much my parents make. But I have been exposed to FARMS since I was a teenager, and do have a pretty good idea what I am talking about.

It seems stupid to imply that you are writing and publishing books, which are sold to members, not given away, for nothing. Keep in mind, these books aren't even on the radar in the real world, so the pie, however it is cut, probably isn't too big for any one person.

Yes, this certainly casts a wholly new light on all those posts from Bill Hamblin and DCP, where they are trumpeting their new books. I guess they've got to squeeze in the promotional spots where they can, eh?

by the way, GoodK: you've been adducing mainly the money which would have been earned from book sales.... Do you know whether LDS apologists are paid for any other activities? I.e., is DCP just paid, flat out, to be Mopologist Numero Uno? Or is he being paid primarily for his writings in books and in the FARMS Review?

[_GoodK]

Chap:

Although I find DCP an uncongenial phenomenon - since he is the living counter-example to my cherished belief that a university education tends to produce people with a greater than average aptitude for the unfettered search for truth ...

That's right, Chap. The more educated the person, the less likely s/he is to fall for all that Mormon crap.

Unfortunately for your "cherished belief," it encounters exceptions everywhere, doesn't it? Not hardly just DCP, is it? Why, there are highly educated people all over the place who still somehow find Mormonism believable. How could that be? Maybe they didn't get the right kind of education, huh? Maybe you could set them straight.

Certainly there are smarter people than DCP, to rest your faith on.

I mean, Francis Collins, Mr. Human Genome, claims to believe in Jesus Christ and was convinced of the trinity while on a nature hike.

What a flimsy argument for Mormonism... "Smart people believe in it!"

[_Chap]

Young University, as are all other professors and staff at the University (including those who are not Latter-day Saints). Thus, at best, I'm indirectly paid by the Mormon Church. This is less dramatic than your formulation, but it’s more accurate.

Second, no part of my salary -- absolutely none, not a dime -- comes from my apologetic undertakings.

I wonder if he considers FARMS an apologetic undertaking. I can forsee a battle over the semantics of this statement.

Yeah, I wondered the same thing. For example, when he uses the word "salary" is he referring only to what he's paid for his professorial activities at BYU? Is what he's paid by FARMS considered (at least in his own mind) to be something other than "salary"---e.g., does he consider it honorarium, or something like that?

I mean, you are certain that these guys are drawing checks specifically for apologetics, right?

GoodK is just like you, Scratchy. He doesn't know s*** from Shinola.

Then again, that's never stopped you from turning a turd into a meal, has it?



Once again, classic Scratch. I only hope to one day be in a position to properly rebuke you in a manner much more effective than that attempted on McCraney.

It appears to be accepted that a member of GoodK's family is an LDS apologist of some note, so on that basis it is likely that he/she is not entirely without reason for his/her allegations that money has changed hands in relation to apologetic activity.

Since it appears to have been denied on previous occasions that such apologists receive any compensation for their efforts, and given that Scratch already has considerable (and not perhaps wholly unjustified) doubts about the moral status of some LDS apologists, his frankly expressed strong interest in the matter seems reasonable and proportionate. Of course the whole thing may still turn out to be a red herring.

Meanwhile, your post seems to have no content at all, apart from being an impotent and ineffectual attempt to vent your spleen somehow. Of course to most normal people the concluding power fantasy in your post is just a little sad. LDS males really are excited about what they will do when they get to be gods, aren't they? What a silly idea it is.

[_GoodK]

by the way, GoodK: you've been adducing mainly the money which would have been earned from book sales.... Do you know whether LDS apologists are paid for any other activities? I.e., is DCP just paid, flat out, to be Mopologist Numero Uno? Or is he being paid primarily for his writings in books and in the FARMS Review?

Ya, I'm not sure exactly. I'll try and find out, could take some time considering the recent events that have taken place.

About other activities, I really doubt anyone gets paid for FAIR stuff. Does FAIR see any cash in anyway?

The cool thing about my dad, even if he comes across as a blowhard sometimes, is he doesn't deny stuff like that. He would tell me flat out if he was being paid to do something for the church. He would also tell me if he knew how much FARMS contributors get paid, so I'll ask him if he knows any specifics.