Click image to actually order a "Choose the Left" ring.

In the 1970s, Gay Mormons covertly co-opted the CTR ring and would wear them on their left pinkies as a way to identify each other. I'll never forget my first Psych 101 class at the U of U in 1979. I sat down in the huge auditorium and a hot blond guy sat next down next to me. Not only did he have a CTR ring on his left pinkie but his left pinkie fingernail was painted come-hither-and-fuck-me pink as well. I wasn't out of the closet yet (that was still six years away!) so I freaked out and bolted from my chair and sat elsewhere. He never sat near me again. Poor guy, I feel bad. I kept noticing guys around campus wearing them on their left pinkies and was shocked at how many Gay Mormons there were at the U!

Then in 1991 when a group of us radical MoMo Homos got together to form Queer Nation in Salt Lake, we adopted the CTR as part of our official apparel. Deseret Book or whoever makes the rings had just come out with a line of them with different colored shields. We all went and bought a whole slew of them with the pink shields and wore our CTR rings proudly when we protested Mormon homophobia at General Conference in 1991 and 1992. I love subversion! - 08/07/2005 - from Connell the Barbarian

This web site makes me want to produce porn for ex-Mormons. Now all I need is to get one of those CTR chastity belts and a bunch of temple garments. - 07/25/2005 - from BlackArt

An ExMormon Moment at a Kinko's in Orlando

I'm on the tail end of a business trip to Florida, looking forward to flying back to California tomorrow. On Sunday, I was attending a trade show in Orlando. I went into the Kinko's in the convention center to print a couple of documents. A salesman attending the same show came in, stood next to me, and asked if he could use the same printer and cable when I was finished. I noticed from his badge that he was based in Utah. I told him that he would have to ask the Kinko's staff because they had loaned the cable to me, and I was responsible for returning it to them.

The guy seemed a little miffed, and said, "Hey, I'm not going to steal it or anything." I told him that I believed him, but that I still was responsible to return the cable to the counter.

I thought I should try to lighten the strangely tense moment, so I asked him what part of Utah was his home. He told me that he was from Salt Lake City. I told him that I was originally from Southern Idaho, so I was quite familiar with Salt Lake City. He then looked down at my hand on the counter and asked, "Is that a CTR ring?"

I was surprised at the question, having forgotten that I was wearing a ring on my right hand, but I held it up and answered, "No, actually. If you look closely you'll see that this is a 'CTL' ring. It's kind of a joke."

He responded, "I don't get it." I said, "It stands for Choose the Left. It's a political statement."

He said, "Hey, that's cool. I was for Kerry all the way." He still looked a little bewildered, and was short on time. I didn't explain the other interpretations I've heard and used for the ring, such as Couldn't Take Lies or Chose to Leave.

I suppose it was a missed opportunity to make a bolder statement of unbelief, but I can't say I'm unsatisfied with the pace of my recovery. It's gone much faster than I thought it would. Every day, I find myself more comfortable in my apostate skin.

Of course, I never confirmed that he was a Mormon. If he is, perhaps his political leanings will help him find his way out someday. After all, I spent 38 years inside the church, arguing with other church members who told me that it wasn't possible to be a good Mormon and a Democrat. Now, I'm not sure they were wrong.

Funny thing about my Japanese CTR ring

It's only one character, which stands for; justice, righteousness, morality, honor.

Strange, isn't it? It almost says, "To thine own self, be true." I have a really nice caligraphy that I made of the character on my fridge, too.

I would still wear the ring if it wasn't in the shape of a CTR ring. I feel funny because the year I got it, we didn't have much $ so I just told my wife that's all I wanted for my b-day. I thought it would make a great story someday when I became a bishop or something. Look what I did! Look how faithful I am!

Sad thing is, they use the same character in Japanese and Chinese.

Tacky Copy Cat Rings & Merchandise

...having your loins girt about with a garmie wedgie
...having on the breastplate of righteous silicon implants
...and your ass shod with the Preparation H of the gosmell of truth
...above all, taking the shield of kevlar wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the ex-Mormons
...and take the Holy Grail of salvation
...and the swoosh of the Spirit, which is the Word of Gaud - Price: $439.99

Chastity Temptation Rectitude-ometer Manufactured behind the Zion Curtain by My Little Factory LDS Special Products, Ltd. - Packer Technologies Division. Comes with 10% refund if chastity is lost while wearer is attending Youth Conference, BYU, BYU-Hawaii or BYU-Idaho. Proven secure and effective when worn either under or over the garments. A male version is being evaluated by the LDS Correlation Department and The Strengthening the Members Committee.

Someone has to make a CTRL ring. After all, Control is what it's all about! - 04/08/2008 - Katmandu

Those who mock believers in GOD (no matter what the religion is), are mocking GOD himself. So evidently you don't believe in GOD. And if you do believe in GOD, pray to GOD, acknowledge GOD and mock him. Woooooooo to your soul, for you are following the devils path. - 04/01/2008 - anon

CTL--Church That Lies - 03/29/2008 - RUXMO

I have a CTL ring now I want a WTF ring to go with it! - 08/14/2007 - MISFIT

ur gay. and you know nothing about the LDS church. even though you claim you know ALL THE "history" behind it. - 09/30/2006 - get a life.

Sad, sad, sad... - 06/25/2006 - Submission from mr. anonymous

There is a new slogan out to tick off the holyer than thou folks who figure any right minded Mormon would only cheer for BYU.

"CHOOSE THE RED"

A Crimson and White T-Shirt with the familiar CTR shield but with the new slogan are available. These are seen quite a bit at U of U games. - 09/08/2005 - from Uof Uman

Maybe you could reverse the R and the T; for CRT Choose Religious Tolerance. Or how about BHB for Bring Hitler Back. HYG for Hitler Youth Grad. Don't forget MCCG; for Mormon Concentration Camp Gard. STF for Stoke Them Fires, because if you get your way you're going to have alot of bodies to burn. KAC Kill All Christians. KID for Kill Infidal Dogs. You guys have a lot to live up to. Hitler and his croonies killed 6 million. You guys better get started soon. You damned Nazi.

Yeah, Yeah I know the drill you won't post this one. Got to sensor that email. Maybe you guys can call this site The New Pravda. Hey thats another one TNP. - 05/01/2005 - anon

CTR- Choose the right- leave the church! - 03/30/2005 - anon

Being a long standing member of the Mormon community, albeit a non-practitioner in the religion, just mearly a observer, I have noticed a massive flux in the amount of elders in the organization wearing the "CTR" insignia. This some what baffles me because of the childish connotaion it represents. This is why I choose to believe the acronym stands for "controlled through religion". - 12/04/2004 - anon

When I lived in SouthEast Idaho, we always said that CTR meant "Cook the Rice." We all wanted ERR "Eat Rice Raw" rings. - 11/04/2004 - anon

Where's the link to the WTF rings? I want to support the World Trade Foundation... - 09/30/2004 - anon

CTL - Clitoral Tounge Lashing - 08/29/2004 - from Lornedawg Humplegg

I want a WTF ring!

In the Navy, WTF stood for "What The Fuck?" - 06/27/2004 - from The Mad Jesuit

Agreed. I would prefer a WTF ring to a CTL ring. - 06/23/2004 - from Jaiotu

CTL: Chose To Leave - 04/17/2004 - anon

I REALLY REALLY want the WTF ring. Now THAT I would wear with pride! - 02/28/2004 - from Baka Boy

Wow, this heaps more fun than Primary ever was. - 02/21/2004 - x-bandelero