Mike Norton Teases 2nd Anointing video

[Tator]

The 2nd Anointing is similar to the Catholics Indulgences. You can buy anything in this world with money. But no worries it is all fake.

[The Stig]

The dude is an ass. Filming the rituals of believers for the sole purpose of mocking them is the act of a juvenile mind with no compassion for the innocent people involved.

[sock puppet]

The dude is an ass. Filming the rituals of believers for the sole purpose of mocking them is the act of a juvenile mind with no compassion for the innocent people involved.

If the sole purpose is to mock them, then I agree. But it could have the purpose of shining a light, both for the unsuspecting believers as to whom LDS efforts to keep the 2d anointing secret has succeeded and those that may now be investigating or might hereafter investigate the church. As mentioned above in this thread, the 2d anointing creates another class of Mormons, those that can pretty much do anything and yet have their 'golden ticket to Hollywood' (oops, I mean, to the Celestial Kingdom). This undercuts some of Mormonisms other claims of God taking more of an egalitarian approach with his children.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

It would be disgusting.

I'm having all types of challenges with my moral compass... I blame Mormonism, but that's a different issue.

I'm not entirely sure how I would feel about leaked footage of the 2nd anointing. I'm usually quite relaxed and tolerant regarding respecting and honouring sacred religious aspects. I'm not a big fan of NNNs covertly filmed endowments, although I found Big Love's portrayal refreshing.

Of all the relics of Mormonism that still annoy me, it's the concept of a 2nd anointing. I can't completely put my finger on why this really really annoys me. I think it's got a lot to do with knowing some of the most dedicated, selfless, Christian members that I met were those who will never be given this opportunity (and the reverse, some of those who received it are some of the most cynical, ...). I find this two-tier Mormonism to be disgusting. Many members still don't believe that the 2nd anointing even exists.

I'd like the concept of a 2nd anointing to have a higher profile among pew sitting Mormonism, not sure that NNN releasing a video is the way that it should happen though...

What a great post.

- Doc

[The Stig]

The dude is an ass. Filming the rituals of believers for the sole purpose of mocking them is the act of a juvenile mind with no compassion for the innocent people involved.

If the sole purpose is to mock them, then I agree. But it could have the purpose of shining a light, both for the unsuspecting believers as to whom LDS efforts to keep the 2d anointing secret has succeeded and those that may now be investigating or might hereafter investigate the church. As mentioned above in this thread, the 2d anointing creates another class of Mormons, those that can pretty much do anything and yet have their 'golden ticket to Hollywood' (oops, I mean, to the Celestial Kingdom). This undercuts some of Mormonisms other claims of God taking more of an egalitarian approach with his children.

Look at his history. He absolutely mocks the people in the videos and then he hides behind the "just bringing secret things into the light" idea because that part is hard to argue with. Of course making secret things known is admirable in this context, but how he goes about it is harmful and only further feeds the false narrative of the ugly, angry, exmo.

[drumdude]

I'd argue the Second Anointing is strikingly similar to Scientology's higher secret levels. The secrecy, hiding it from the members. The pay-to-get-saved scam. And the nepotism, allowing only the elite well connected Mormons to obtain it.

It should therefore be exposed for exactly the same reasons.

I do agree that Mike Norton's methods and tone are exactly the opposite of how it should be done, though.

[Dr. Shades]

I'd like the concept of a 2nd anointing to have a higher profile among pew sitting Mormonism, not sure that NNN releasing a video is the way that it should happen though...

I have some bad news for you: NNN releasing the video is the ONLY way it can possibly happen.

Are you willing to pay that price to bring about the effect you desire?

[Moksha]

Will Noah actually eat the turd, even if he believes the turd is embued with magical attention-getting properties? Wait... he's taking a bite. I guess that will have to be a rhetorical question.

[pistolero]

I'd like the concept of a 2nd anointing to have a higher profile among pew sitting Mormonism, not sure that NNN releasing a video is the way that it should happen though...

I have some bad news for you: NNN releasing the video is the ONLY way it can possibly happen.

Are you willing to pay that price to bring about the effect you desire?

I honestly don't know.

I'm having all types of challenges with my moral compass... I blame Mormonism, but that's a different issue.

Which is why I'm concerned by my moral compass.

[Kishkumen]

Lots of great points, pistolero. I resonate with your point of view. The second anointing is, in my view, mishandled. The LDS Church has messed up its stewardship of the temple pretty badly. It would take a lot of effort that I can’t see the Church investing or knowing how to handle in order to fix the situation. That said, for me the existence of the tradition is fascinating. I think it could be a positive experience for some people, and not knowing about it is probably not a devastating loss in practice for many others.

But, I can’t disagree with you in your criticisms. It is very much a two-tier system of elites and plebes that requires a certain financial dedication and wherewithal as de facto qualifications. I am not saying it is impossible for the truly poor to get the second anointing, but I would bet that the actual statistics would show relatively few very poor or rank and file members getting their second anointing.