What is West Ridge Academy in Logan, Utah? A summer camp? A detention center? A boot camp? A Mormon indoctrination center for "wayward" kids? With the articles and "commercials" floating around you'd probably say, "a bit of all of these - but leave out the summer camp." And how does the (now) infamous Utah state senator Chris Buttars fit in? How much abuse did he approve of?

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The Commercials for West Ridge Academy in Logan, Utah have touching testimonies from parents who relate how their families were being torn apart by their kids who were "out of control" into drugs" "emotionally troubled."

Go to You Tube here and here. The one where we hear a choir in the back of a slideshow is particularly heart-grabbing. So, is it all just bulls**t? When you sign on to YouTube, notice the video entitled "Trapped in a Mormon Gulag". It has only had about 1200 views. Now notice something else: the commercials have even less views. Why? Is it just some sort of salacious factor?

Trapped in A Mormon Gulag was brought to the public's "attention" more than five weeks ago. Haven't heard of it? Why not? Something is not right. Not right at all. The testimonies of some of the "boys" were vastly different than those of the commercials' parents. One of the most telling discrepancies of this whole scandal of abuse is that the Mormon Church denies proselytizing on the grounds of the "Academy" (aka as The Utah Boys Ranch). This is ridiculous: if the only "chapel" is Mormon and there are three Mormon missionaries residing on site, would you call it secular? To ANY degree? According to the piece in Pam's House BlendIt is a Mormon-funded and staffed facility, and religious indoctrination is a fundamental aspect of the school.

There was sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, suicide, staff corruption, and escape. A major Utah political figure, Senator Chris Buttars,, was the executive director Senator Buttars. Check out yesterday's post (below). Now think of Jesse Helms running a Gitmo for wayward teens. Well, maybe not quite a Gitmo, since the kids were able to run away or were returned to their parents (with a somewhat changed "attitude"). Or if you're in a more compassionate mode, think of Fred Phelps running it.

No matter which way you view it, West Ridge Academy is PUNISHMENT dealt out under the guise of "tough love." James Dobson might like it, but most of America won't like it if the truth comes out.

Just a thought.

Authors Website: http://sacredcowsmakethebesthamburgers.blogspot.com

Authors Bio:
Rev. Dan Vojir is has been writing/blogging on religion and politics for the better part of ten years. A former radio talk show host (Strictly Books ?" Talk America Radio Network) and book publisher, Dan has connected with some of the most interesting people of our time: Steve Allen, William F. Buckley, Alan Ginsburg, Armisted Maupin, Anne Rice, Grace Slick, Bishop John Shelby Spong, Patricia Nell Warren, and Betty White.

He is also an ordained minister in the ULC and has studied extensively on the subject of the Bible and homosexuality. Additional articles can be read on his blog, The Devil and Dan Vojir.

Future goals and activities: a new ministry focusing on reaching personal spiritual levels without the outside influence of proselytism or evangelism called The Church of the Inner Preacher. This ministry will be included in a new website The Devil and Dan Vojir.

Vojir's main goal: to root out hypocrisy in religion and politics. "If only one person is saved from being killed or bashed by inane bigotry, then I'll have accomplished what I was put on earth to do: To Live and Help Live."
http://sacredcowsmakethebesthamburgers.blogspot.com