I don’t think Brandon is saying that the things listed in that link don’t exist, only that this idea of the LDS church being very police-state like is inaccurate. When I read your posts, I get the image of big-brother-esque reporting and punishment. And it isn’t like that. Well, maybe except at BYU, but that is a whole different and creepy world. One which Brandon and I, as former students of Texas A&M, aren’t well versed in.

Typical members just don’t have to deal with this except under situations where they bring their problems to their congregational leader/bishop. So my and Brandon’s experience does not in any way jive with your understanding of it. That’s all. Not to say unnecessarily overreaches never happen, but the high irregular instances that you read about are drowned out in the multitude of interactions that are the norm. I’m pretty sure that is why he is mocking your term “LDS Discipline”.