Religious Groups Targeted by Ponzi Schemes

Show notes:

In the first segment, our panelists discuss a $500 million “Mormon Ponzi scheme” that targeted members of the LDS Church, shedding light on the vulnerability of Latter-day Saints to financial predation within their own community. Utah’s history of affinity fraud and the cultural values that heighten trust among Mormons come into focus.

In the second segment of the show, we explore the court case Brackeen v. Haaland, which centers on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The act, considered the “gold standard” of child welfare policy, aims to preserve Native American families by seeking placement of children within federally recognized tribes. However, the case raises questions about religious liberty as it involves a white couple’s desire to adopt a Navajo child, conflicting with ICWA’s provisions.

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About the Show:
Faith and Politics is a show dedicated to discussing issues surrounding the intersection of Church, State and politics and the examination of whether you are allowing your faith to shape your politics or your politics starting to shape your faith. What do you do when God and government come face to face?

Panelists:
Todd McFarland, Associate General Counsel General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Lawrence Parrish, Former Senior Counsel for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; André Wang, General Counsel and Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the North Pacific Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Vialo Weis, Jr., attorney and departmental director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty and Planned Giving for Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

About Us:
North American Division Public Affairs & Religious Liberty (PARL) is a ministry dedicated to proclaiming and defending the God-given gift of religious freedom which is integral to our identity as Seventh-day Adventist Christians. Learn more about PARL at www.religiousliberty.info.