Steve Benson

A man known for taking shots at anyone who's vulnerable gets a chance to speak his mind to our Affirmation group. Steve Benson, is a featured speaker at the Affirmation National conference on Friday, Sept. 6th - Sunday, Sept. 8th at the Alexis Park Resort in Las Vegas.

Benson says:
"I was ostensibly an ideal Mormon-- going to church, paying my tithing and doing my duty. In the eyes of my family and ecclesiastical leaders, I was a golden boy. Everything I was encouraged to touch (or, for that matter, to avoid) was designed to turn me into a better Mormon. And eventually into a god.

Through the years, I served in many church capacities, from Boy Scout leader and Sunday School teacher to bishop's executive secretary and church high councilman. I devoted myself to being a scripture-reading, special underwear-wearing, church-attending, hymn-singing, prayer-offering, faith-promoting, tithe-paying member of the flock. I was on track to eternal Mormon stardom, reserved especially for faithful men in a church run by men."

After he and his wife chose to leave the church, Steve said, "The ashes of my faith have prepared the ground for the planting of seeds that have produced new forms of truth, morality and meaning on my own terms." Benson will share his cutting wit and demonstrate his unique drawing style during the conference.

Benson's one-frame drawings have been a regular cause of morning upset or delight in Arizona for 18 years. His work is also well recognized, nationwide. His cartoons are distributed in 130 newspapers and have appeared in Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, on CNN, ABC's Nightline and PBS's MacNeil-Lehrer Report.

Steve Benson says:
"As a newspaper editorial cartoonist, I have worked for several years in the world of journalism, where lying, hypocrisy, intolerance, bigotry, self-righteousness, abuse of power, corruption and downright stupidity are regularly exposed and reported. Sadly, those doing the deeds often wrap themselves in the vestments of the church. The honest newsperson's response to such shenanigans has always been to press forward with the questions; to continue to challenge, probe and identify the wrong-doers; to inform the public; and to call for reform."

Steve Benson, is syndicated by United Features. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1993 and has been a finalist four other years. He's also earned several Arizona Press Club and Best of the West awards. He has written four books: "Fencin' With Benson," "Evanly Days," "Back at the Barb-B-Que" and "Where Do You Draw the Line?" He is a 1973 graduate of the Art Instruction Schools in Minneapolis and a cum laude Bachelor of Arts recipient in political science from Brigham Young University.

Steve Benson's participation is part of many special programs during this year's Affirmation National conference, Sept. 6th - Sept. 8th, 2002.