Clearly Utah is not diverse enough yet, but it is, with this smoking backpack at Pine View High School, rapidly approaching an acceptable level of diversity.
“Student who left explosives had posted ISIS propaganda, police say,” by Pat Reavy, KSL, March 6, 2018 (thanks to Reed):
ST. GEORGE — St. George police continued Tuesday to investigate why a student allegedly left a backpack with explosive materials in a high school and has been posting ISIS propaganda.
The student, whose name and age were not released Tuesday, was arrested Monday after a backpack with explosives was found in the commons area of Pine View High School, the area where students eat lunch.
Alert students spotted the backpack was “smoking” and immediately contacted school administrators and the school resource officer, according to police.
“From that initial investigation, it was determined that a homemade explosive device was inside the backpack,” according to a prepared statement Tuesday from police. “After examining the device, bomb squad members indicted that if it had detonated, the device had the potential to cause significant injury or death.”
The school was evacuated while local and federal officials investigated. A male student who attends a class at Pine View was identified as the suspect.
“A warrant was served on the residence of that juvenile and items were located that were consistent with the materials used to build the device placed at Pine View. Based on our investigation we can confirm this was a failed attempt to detonate a homemade explosive at the school,” police wrote.
“It was also determined that the male had been researching information and expressing interest in ISIS and promoting the organization.”
Police believe the same teen is responsible for graffiti spray-painted on a wall at Hurricane High School that stated, “ISIS is comi–” and for replacing the high school’s flag with an ISIS flag in February….
According to the Washington County School District, the student was only taking one class at the high school because he was part of the Success Academy, a partnership with Dixie State University that allows students to enroll concurrently for high school and college classes. The program is typically for accelerated learning students, according to the district….
St. George police on Tuesday praised the students who immediately reported the backpack that had smoke coming from it, as well as the Washington County School District for previously practicing evacuations, leading to “a quick and seamless evacuation” of Pine View High on Monday.
Wellington says
On a specific (but related) matter because this article deals with Utah, where Mormons are more present as a percentage of the population than in any other state, it is my understanding that the Mormon faith actually and formally honors Mohammed as a legitimate prophet.
I know of no other Christian sect (and assuming here that the Mormons are Christian which I know some Christians dispute) that officially does so. Unofficially, of course, you have Christians aplenty (e.g., Pope Francis I) paying “homage” to Islam and its founder. But I am talking here about something in the formal theological blueprint of a religion, in this case, The Church of Latter-Day Saints, i.e., Mormons.
I would add here that I generally admire the Mormons, though not accepting their theology at all, because they very much tend to be patriotic Americans, hardly ever, if ever, asking for a handout from government, and, as an extremely important “bonus,” producing very, very, very few suicide bombers (somewhere in the “none” category). Indeed, whatever is wrong with the Mormons, nonetheless I think the world would be better off by far if every Muslim woke up tomorrow a devout Mormon.
Just sayin.’ And would welcome comments here.
Darryl Kerney says
One thing in common,
polygamy.
Indiana Tom says
Mormons and Muslims have more things in common than you will ever know.
StellaSaidSo says
Indeed. Including both ‘faiths’ being founded by a charlatan for his own selfish advantage.
Wellington says
“Mormons and Muslims have more things in common than you will ever know.”
Such as? After all, generalizations should come with examples. Without them, pretty much generalizations are useless.
Wellington says
Well, Stella, is it not possible to argue that every faith has been founded by a charlatan? Now, I am not asserting such per se, but if one, such as you, wants to go “the charlatan route,” then, I would argue, it is incumbent upon such a person to point out faiths not founded by charlatans and detail why they are not faiths founded by a charlatan (and/or a control freak).
More important, far more important, is that the world does not face the destruction of such things as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and equality under the law by Mormons. Contra, big time, from Muslims. And so, if it were up to you, and only up to you, to make certain that every Muslim in the world woke up tomorrow a devout Mormon, why in the hell wouldn’t you do so? I certainly would. I trust you get my overall thrust here.
Your turn.
StellaSaidSo says
Wellington, I did not, and do not, claim that ‘every faith has been founded by a charlatan’, but one could argue that most – if not all – have been exploited by persons motivated by considerations other than sincere belief. In the case of Joseph Smith, we have evidence that the fellow was a scoundrel. And anyone who has read the Koran knows that Mo’s ‘revelations’ invariably coincided with his personal inclinations (as the astute Aisha observed). The word ‘charlatan’ would seem appropriate in both cases.
I concur with Christopher Hitchens in that all religions are wrong in the same way all the time, but they are not all dangerous in the same way all the time. There is only one religion today which represents an existential threat to any and all who do not adhere to it. If I thot that there was any chance of an overnight conversion of all Muslims to Mormonism, I would place an order for a billion pairs of magic underpants immediately.
CRUSADER says
Well one long flight I picked up a Queer’an and read quite a bit of it, till it repeated itself.
Another flight I picked up a Book of Mormon, which I also began to read, till it not only repeated itself but seemed like it was lifting from the Bible, and added some fantasy and some fraternity hi-jinx.
I wasn’t impressed with either one. At least the LDS preps for emergency disaster and has a very wholesome countenance. Wouldn’t kick them out of the LifeBoat!
Not sure about how far I can go with local Mosque goers, knowing that deception/taqiyya is always at play with Muzzies.
Wonder if the playwrights of “Book of Mormon” theatrical farce will also put out a play about “Mudmammam” ?
Do you think???
R Russell says
Wellington.
Put ‘Mormonism and Islam’ in a search engine and yo.u will get all the information you need.
Indiana Tom says
Such as salvation by works, rituals, and laws, usurping the bible, polygamy, racism, slavery, absolute control, final seal of the prophet, Just to name a few.
Wellington says
Indiana Tom: Roman Catholicism has salvation by faith PLUS good works, has rituals, its own legal system (Canon Law) and many Protestants believe that Catholics have read the Bible wrong and thus usurped it (e.g., looking upon Matthew 16:19 as authorization for the institution of the papacy). So, is Catholicism like Mormonism and Islam?
As for polygamy and racism, they have been very officially disavowed by modern Mormonism, the former in the late nineteenth century and the latter back in the 1970’s I believe. Respecting absolute control, this could be said of many, many religions. And isn’t Jesus, effectively, the final seal on matters Christian? So, I respectfully reject your assertion that “Mormons and Muslims have more things in common than you will ever know.” Don’t think so. And here’s a major difference between Mormons and Muslims: The former do not want to use force to spread their faith and will not harm you if you make fun of them (I mean how many death threats did Broadway get from Mormons for putting on the play, “The Book of Mormon?), contra the latter big time. Reconsider.
Wellington says
Polygamy no more, at least officially, and this is why it took until 1896 for Utah to come in as a state.
CRUSADER says
I like how you reinforce the concept of supplying filler to bolster generalizations.
It’s what Spencer does in spades. Not sure why Academia can’t comprehend that about our esteemed scholar whom we cherish….but for some reason the Lefties wish would perish.
Indiana Tom says
Don’t bet on that as some Mormon sects still practice it.
Wellington says
Indiana Tom: Yes, some small number of Mormons still do but they are outcasts from modern mainstream Mormonism and unlike Muslims who practice polygamy and are not only not outcasts from their faith but actually encouraged by their faith to engage in polygamy to this very day. Huge difference.
When Islam very officially disavows polygamy, as Mormonism did well over a century ago, and only small groups of Muslims still practice polygamy, then your comparison would be apt. Isn’t now.
RLK says
Was the student a refugee? Can someone adept at twitter, facebook, etc., ask another student to identify the perpetrator? There is one student name listed here: http://www.wnd.com/2018/03/safety-aware-student-credited-with-preventing-bomb-at-school/
If this is a burmese refugee or other refugee, it should be made public. US citizens have every right to know if this was a refugee as well as what group re-settled him.
gravenimage says
Mainstream Mormonism has reformed long since.
Veronika N says
Yes, in regards to ‘polygamy ‘; you are right.
They are preppers too (so in that sense they are NOT like Muslims).
Some of us consider them a “cult.”…. we think that Smith was a nutcase (a complete joke).
gravenimage says
Wellington, there were indeed some very disturbing things about Mormonism early on. Joseph Smith said, “I will be a second Mohammad”, and Mormoms practiced polygamy (and often pedophilia), and apostates were murdered who tried to leave.
Of course, mainstream Mormonism has been a reformed and civilized faith for over a century now–but there are still, as you know, some disturbing splinter groups that still practice polygamy and pedophilia.
Wellington says
Your comment, gravenimage, reminds me of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s, “A Study in Scarlet,” which introduced the reading public to Mr. Sherlock Holmes and which functions as a devastating comment on the Mormons (and in particular on Brigham Young). I have long thought that it would be deuce difficult to be a devout Mormon and at the same time a devoted follower of Doyle’s creation of the best known fictional detective of all time.
CRUSADER says
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Well, in Britain, Mormons were perceived as being murderers, kidnappers and enslavers.
Hmmm…. Sounds like another “religion” we oft discuss…..
What say you, chaps?
Wellington says
I did not claim, Stella, that you claimed that every faith has been founded by a charlatan. I merely posed the possibility that such is the case. Off hand, while I wouldn’t go the full route of asserting that every faith was founded by a charlatan, I would be inclined to assert that every faith has been founded on extraordinary claims without the concomitant (and necessary) extraordinary evidence (Biblical claims being no exception) to back up such claims. After all, if a religion could be proven to be correct, then what would be the point of faith?
And again I see we are closer than may appear at first glance. I prefer that we are. Hope you do too.
larry says
And so…..if this life is a test of one’s faith, as Mormons claim, what would be the point of having proof of an afterlife? People who have the faith seem like happier people, in my opinion. What have you got to lose having faith? If Christians are right, and keeping the faith gets you into paradise, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Wellington says
larry: I never had any religious faith to lose. My mind doesn’t work in such a way that I accept matters on religious faith. Besides, though Jesus is an infinitely preferable character to Mohammed, I still do not like the way Jesus in the New Testament does not allow for rational objection to his claims and effectively demands that one believe or else (e.g., Mark 16:16). I don’t appreciate threats along the lines that I must believe or I’m a goner in the next world, which world I think highly likely a fiction in any case. As Marlene Dietrich said, “When you’re dead, you’re dead. That’s it.”
Of course, what makes Islam so menacing, contra Christianity and many other faiths, is that its believers are instructed to use force in this world to spread their religion and also to treat all non-believers in this world as pure second-citizens or even worse. This is one of the two main reasons why I wish every Muslim would wake up tomorrow a devout Christian. The other main reason is that Christianity and Judaism are the two religions that place the greatest emphasis on the dignity and worth of the individual and thus work optimally with democratic tenets. Hence, I can embrace the Judeo-Christian ethic without embracing any theological component of these two religions, any such component requiring faith, which as I already indicated I do not have (and do not want to have). I favor philosophy and science which rely upon reason alone (philosophy) or reason plus tested observational methods (science). A la Luther at Worms in 1521, here I stand I can do no other.
WESTPAC Spy says
Wellington, you amuse me.
“…I never had any religious faith to lose. My mind doesn’t work in such a way that I accept matters on religious faith… ”
Sooo impressive. Ladies and gentlemen, pay tribute to the self-described cool, detached pure intellect. Humanity 2.0 has rendered us all obsolete.
I hate to burst your bubble but your mind works the same way as the iron age Jews who were inspired to write the Bible. You are not special.
Wellington says
WESTPAC: I never claimed to be special. All I did was convey how my mind works as well as a few reflections on religious matters (hopefully you will at least agree with me about my reasons for wishing every Muslim to wake up tomorrow a committed Christian).
Some of the most impressive people I know are very religious. Indeed, the single most impressive person I have ever known is quite a devout Christian.
Criticize my assessments if you will. Disagree with me as much as you want. But don’t claim I made a claim I never made, i.e., that I think myself special.
Good to know that I amuse you though, but next time don’t sugarcoat things as you have. Just give it to me straight and tell me what you really think about me. I can take it. Have a nice tomorrow.
gravenimage says
WESTPAC Spy, why are you sneering at staunch Anti-Jihadist Wellington?
CRUSADER says
Pascal’s Wager is an argument in philosophy presented by the seventeenth-century French philosopher, mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal (1623–62).
It posits that humans bet with their lives that God either exists or does not.
Pascal argues that a rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.), whereas they stand to receive infinite gains (as represented by eternity in Heaven) and avoid infinite losses (eternity in Hell).
CRUSADER says
Wellington, sir, what of Pascal’s Wager?
Wellington says
I formed an opinion of Pascal’s Wager a long time ago, CRUSADER. It goes like this: It has no guts. It’s hedging one’s bets in a timid kind of way and that’s why decades ago I rejected it. Gotta’ take a stand on what your gut tells you and my gut tells me God is a legend, however I am not an atheist because though I think Pascal’s idea that God is a good bet is wrong and that God is actually a bad bet, some bad bets do pay off at times. So, if God really does exist, I hope this cosmic entity does not mind my thinking in this life that He doesn’t. Were I God, frankly I wouldn’t mind if someone like Wellington thought I didn’t exist. Oh, I might have a divine laugh at Wellington’s expense. Probably would have. But I wouldn’t punish the guy just because he took a stand that turned out wrong about ultimate reality.
Maybe some day I’ll find out about all this. Yeah, maybe some day. Hope you and yours are doing well, CRUSADER. Take care.
Westman says
It’s a matter of ignorance. The LDS First Presidency made a statement about God inspiring all religions somewhere back in the 1978. You can find it on their at website lds.org
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2002/06/a-latter-day-saint-perspective-on-muhammad?lang=eng
“Latter-day Saint appreciation of Muhammad’s role in history can also be found in the 1978 First Presidency statement regarding God’s love for all mankind. This declaration specifically mentions Muhammad as one of “the great religious leaders of the world” who received “a portion of God’s light” and affirms that “moral truths were given to [these leaders] by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.”
Unfortunately, founder Joseph Smith set the stage:
“As early as 1855, at a time when Christian literature generally ridiculed Muhammad, Elders George A. Smith (1817–75) and Parley P. Pratt (1807–57) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered lengthy sermons demonstrating an accurate and balanced understanding of Islamic history and speaking highly of Muhammad’s leadership. Elder Smith observed that Muhammad was “descended from Abraham and was no doubt raised up by God on purpose” to preach against idolatry. He sympathized with the plight of Muslims, who, like Latter-day Saints, found it difficult “to get an honest history” written about them. Speaking next, Elder Pratt went on to express his admiration for Muhammad’s teachings, asserting that “upon the whole, … [Muslims] have better morals and better institutions than many Christian nations.”
In the Mormon church, anything from Smith is Gospel, can’t even be questioned by the current First Presidency, and, therefore, can’t be changed when time and reality find it dubious. Apologetics are the only answer. The most common is that they are tolerant of all religions, when in fact they are quite ignorant of Islam’s doctrinal hate of unbelievers and its intent to rule by politics and force.
They are currently being “Christian” by helping to relocate “refugees” in the USA and Utah. They mean well but don’t understand fundamental Islam and its ramifications.
Of course, reality will strike when the EU Muslims figure out that the Mormon church is a steadfast supporter of Zionism and Israel. Most likely, their churches will be vandalized.
Wellington says
Seconded, Westman. Ignorance, after all, is one of the principal motivators of future history. Avarice, the quest for power, overall stupidity and lust are “first-rate” competitors as well.
Lydia Church says
Good information!
Thank you.
As a Christian evangelist who does outreach to both mormons and muslims, this will come in handy for the salvation of many!
Blessings.
Tony says
You state you are a missionary to mormons,, I had them come to my door until I asked them a simple question,,
“The ad on tv states that the book of mormons is another gospel, now how do you justify that with Galatians 1-8
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
they could not answer and now avoid my house,, prayerfully some of them may start thinking about that and understand the true gospel
LeftisruiningCanada says
Surprising that they wouldn’t start going on about theirs being the ‘restored’ gospel, and that the NT is corrupted or ‘wrongly translated’, which is an important line of defense for the usual missionary.
But yes, well done, you never know what sticks in a person’s mind and how the Lord may use it to trouble and lead them.
LeftisruiningCanada says
And let’s all keep in mind the fact that J Smith taught the most polytheistic belief system that can possibly be conceived.
The “Law of eternal regression” means an unlimited number of ‘Gods’ receding into the eternal past. And they aren’t little ‘G’ gods either.
This alone sets the CoJCoLDS far outside of Christian bounds, which, because of my experience with many kind souls who are LDS, brings me nothing but sorrow.
Westman says
I understand what you’re saying. However, from an Agnostic point of view, the fact there are billions of “goldilocks” planets in the universe makes the Mormon “eternal progression” ideas more consistent to the facts than standard Christianity. The Mormons have a family purpose for the universe. Standard Christianity has a purpose for one planet and little information about life after the judgement. There isn’t even a consistent belief among Christian sects that the “Rapture” exists.
However, to an Agnostic, it doesn’t really matter.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Not “billions” of them – an infinite number, with no point of beginning for time and space, and the same infinite quantity of Gods.
Anyway, it’s only consistent to the facts from one point of view. From a Christian point of view, the incredible vastness of the known universe is a perfect testament to the one true God’s nature expressed:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.” Psalm 19
“There isn’t even a consistent belief among Christian sects that the “Rapture” exists.”
Even amongst Christians, this area is of secondary importance. Differing opinions about the exact sequence or nature of events are side issues. Christians from the beginning have had the same general belief – that Christ will return and set things in order as He sees fit. It’s in all the old confessions, extra Biblical epistles etc.
Carolyne says
the Mormons believe that after death a Mormon man becomes a God, just like the God he worships and as do all Christians. He will have his own earth and his own universe. He won’t just sit on a “Woven chair” and drink from a fountain named “Beelzebub” (or whatever) but he will be the big guy. All those wives will be merged into one woman and sit on a throne with him, although a bit lower, I suspect.
Much of the religion is based on a mummy case which Joseph Smith bought from a traveling carnival and he translated the writings on the case which were, as he said, in “New Egyptian.” The so-called translations are the basis of much of Mormonism. Egyptologists who have seen the mummy case say the inscriptions are routine funerary inscription s found on mummy cases.
However, I do admire much of the Mormon practice, i.e. their close family relations, their helping each other, and the charity work they do (Excepting the settlement of Muslims.) They have a rather bloody history, having dressed as American Indians and attacking a wagon train passing through Utah territory, killing every man. woman and child in the wagon train.
Their “Magic underwear” is kind of ridiculous, but whatever.
CRUSADER says
Astonishing the connections of Mormonism and Mohammadism
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/08/a-latter-day-saint-perspective-on-muhammad?lang=eng
There is also this story of a Mohammadan turned Mormon:
http://www.ldsliving.com/My-Name-Used-to-Be-Muhammad-One-Man-s-Journey-from-Muslim-to-Mormon/s/73825
Westman says
The Mormon church means well in its interactions with Islam. However, that tolerance and positive attitude is based on the glad-handing and friendliness of Muslim leaders.
No high-level Mormon leader has ever met a fundamentalist Muslim. The same same can be said of most Christian churches. The Jews have not been fooled.
The Mormon church is young and has never been a participant in a war based on religion. WWI & WWII were mainly Christians on both sides, in a secular war. The coming hostilities in Europe are going to cause a re-evaluation of Islam for Mormons.
CRUSADER says
Some Jews are fooled….and have been fooled.
That makes up a large part of the liberal Jews.
David Horowitz would point that out for sure!
As would Bibi Netanyahu….
CRUSADER says
Ottomans in WW1 weren’t Christians.
Russians in WW2 were atheists.
Japanese in WW2 were Shintoists in general, and certainly were Emperor worshippers.
LeftisruiningCanada says
“Parley P. Pratt ”
I always liked that name
Screeminmeeme says
The LDS Church cannot be Christian because it denies many of the fundamental tenets of the faith as taught in the Bible, including the identity of Christ, who they say was the ‘spirit brother’ of Lucifer. Mormonism is polytheistic and teaches that faithful members of the church will become ‘gods’ themselves who will produce ‘spirit’ offspring.
Emilie Green says
“St. George police continued Tuesday to investigate why a student allegedly left a backpack with explosive materials in a high school and has been posting ISIS propaganda.”
It could be because he’s a Muslim who understands the clear instructions found in Big Mo’s Qur’an. But lets not jump to any conclusions just yet; after all, the police have evidence that must be hidden.
Strangerinastrangeland says
It may take years to figure this out.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Yes, ascertaining motive may well be impossible.
mummymovie says
Given the secrecy and adeptness with which the “refugee” resettlement industry sprinkles third word muslim migrants around rural areas in the US as well as urban areas, the teen is most likely a MENA/NAFRI transplant, rather than some disturbed teen who listens to too much Insane Clown Posse.
But we will never know thanks to the predictable and inevitable whitewashing of his identity by authorities.
Carolyne says
I note they are carefully avoiding the student’s name. Could it be Mohammed or a variation thereof?
Indiana Tom says
“ISIS is comi–” Seems like ISIS is here.
Indiana Tom says
Kilroy was here?
Arthur says
I guess the “writing was on the wall.”
LeftisruiningCanada says
Very true. Thankfully this invader’s attack failed.
The main invasion is still underway however.
gravenimage says
Utah: Muslim student leaves explosive backpack at high school, posts Islamic State propaganda
……………………..
What a good little Muslim–he wanted to murder his schoolfellows.
God, I hate Islam.
Mccode says
Another canker from the plague that is Cult of Mohammed.
brane pilot says
When feel-good PC magical thinking of ‘Islam is Peace’ trumps the bloody reality of Islamic historical conquests and Jihadism, confronting people with reality and expecting anything to change is a fool’s errand.
But good luck anyway. I have no better idea.
Jack Holan says
Robert, they’re always focused on the Why! They are then helped by the FBI, CAIR, Mayors and do golfers from afar. The PD never find the correct WHY since all avenue to it are disproved by their “HELP”!
Here is a novel idea for law enforcement concerning these type of cases. Forget the “WHY” till the very end. Investigate The Who , What, Where, When and How. Keep your work theories and collected facts close to heart just make yourselves collectors of info from your partners I promise after all this the WHY will fall into place without the FBI or CAIR.
Also regarding why I must TELL all of You four your own betterment there is a Commentary in Talmud to the effect that if aMan comes to your house to kill you, kill him FIRST! it’s quite plain clear and common sense an instinct of survival that we are born with. We don’t need todo adissertation on Anti-Christianity/Semitism. The Man is there to kill you it doesn’t matter why,, male/Female or age. We can reflect afterwards
CRUSADER says
If things had gone down, HOW would the tragic incident play out in the Press?
Anything remotely close to Parkland HS, in Florida?
Would bans on something or someone be played out?
Cheer Bear Girl says
Why wasn’t this miscreant and his family deported?
Jack Holan says
It would be hard to believe that his family had no clue he was storing explosive material in the house and assembling bombs. If this “Student” is so smart to go to both College and High School on the Ublics Dime he’s old enough to go to prison as an adult in an adult prison and punishment. I would say the same if he were a fellow Jew or Brother Christian
Xero_G says
The “student’s” name has not been released, but the media broadcast the name of the Florida school shooter almost immediately. I’m guessing his name will not end up something like Gregory or Steven, but more likely something like, “Muhammad Abdul Hussain”.
FYI says
“isis is comi…”
Comi ..cally inefficient?
Comi…ted to baad spelign?
Comi..ing to a horrible end?
Horseman says
People who would perpetrate a crime like this don’t deserve anonymity.