Mormon church excommunicates popular podcaster
CNN:
The Mormon church has excommunicated a popular podcaster, saying his public dissents from the religion's core beliefs have led others away from the church.
John Dehlin, founder of the podcast "Mormon Stories," describes himself as an "unorthodox" Mormon whose church roots reach back five generations. Under Tuesday's penalty, however, Dehlin may not participate in church sacraments for at least one year. He has the right to appeal the decision.
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Tuesday's excommunication was announced in a letter to Dehlin from Brian King, the stake president, or local church leader, in North Logan, Utah.
King said that Dehlin was not excommunicated for criticizing the church, which he has openly admitted to, but for denying core Mormon doctrines. The church has concluded that Dehlin's views on the following amount to apostasy:
-- Questioning the nature of God and divinity of Christ;
-- Calling the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham, two central texts, fraudulent;
-- Teaching that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon church's official name, is not the "true church with power and authority from God."
Well, as long as there was a good reason.....