They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious Bigotry, alive and well today

Saundra Duffy

[Saundra Duffy]

They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious bigotry, alive and well today

May 4, 2007 - by Saundra Duffy-Hawkins

“I wouldn’t vote for a Mormon for dogcatcher, much less President of the United States!” There’s a lot of that kind of hateful rhetoric going around since Mitt Romney decided to throw his hat in the ring – as if Mormons are some kind of hideous evil monsters. The loudest anti-Mormon shouts, sad to say, are coming from America’s so-called “Christian right”. How can Mitt Romney hope to get a fair shake in this spiritually polluted atmosphere?

There was another man running for President who faced the same dilemma – John F. Kennedy – only he was the target of anti-CATHOLIC bigotry. In his 1960 speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, JFK said the following: “. . .I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end - where all men and all churches are treated as equal - where man has the same right to attend or not attend the church of his choice - where there is no Catholic vote, no anti-Catholic vote, no bloc voting of any kind - and where Catholics, Protestants and Jews, at both the lay and pastoral level, will refrain from those attitudes of disdain and division which have so often marred their words in the past, and promote instead the American ideal of brotherhood.” John F. Kennedy Library & Museum (Speeches, 1960). By the way, if you listen to the audio version of JFK’s speech, you will hear the hurt and frustration in his voice and the unfair treatment surely must have caused many a sleepless night.

Fast forward to 2007 where JFK might as well have been “whistlin’ Dixie”. The hostility toward Mormons today, in my opinion, is even worse than that suffered by JFK. Although it is said that JFK lost about a million votes to religious intolerance, Romney stands to lose even more if the anti-Mormon evangelicals hang together.

According to Media Matters for America - “. . . a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media” - FOX News is not reporting accurately on the level of evangelical hostility to the Romney run. Media Matters for America points out that among evangelical leaders rejecting Mormons: Shirley and James Dobson (National Day of Prayer and Focus on the Family, respectively), the Southern Baptist Convention (collectively), Pat Robertson (Christian Broadcasting Network), and Dr. D. James Kennedy (Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida). “Among many conservative evangelicals – who comprise a significant part of the Republican base – Mormonism is considered an un-Christian cult.” Media Matters for America (2007)

While stumping in Florida, a man in the audience stood up during the Q&A portion and said the following to Romney: “You, sir, you’re a pretender. You do not know the Lord. You’re a Mormon.” Media Matters for America (2007). This is the kind of un-American, disrespectful treatment Mitt Romney will apparently have to endure throughout the entire campaign – as if just being a Mormon is reason enough to open the floodgates for free flow of pent-up hatred and vindictiveness.

For the record, the Mormon bashers know full well that the official name of Romney’s church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” and the members should rightfully be called “members of the LDS Church” but the words “Mormon” and “Mormonism” have an aura of negativity so they prefer to use the “M” word as if it were dirty.

Less than five minutes cruising around the official LDS website (LDS.org) will show anyone who’s interested that the Church is a Christian organization, with Jesus Christ at the Head. There are no paid clergy – all are volunteers. Humanitarian aid is legendary. Members of the LDS Church believe in strong family values; they are patriotic, they are law-abiding upstanding citizens of their community. Many LDS young men right out of high school go on two-year missions – you know, the guys on bikes – and during their mission they don’t date, read newspapers, go to movies or watch TV; but rather they dedicate two years of their lives to serving others. Many women go on missions as well, and couples, only theirs is 18 months in length but the obligations are basically the same. Most members do not shop or go out to eat on Sundays – reminiscent of the good old days when shops and stores were closed in obedience to the Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”. If they can help it, LDS Church members do not work on Sundays, either, preferring to spend the day at church and with their families. Church members are encouraged to store up a year’s supply of food and water so they will be able to care for their families in the event of an emergency. The LDS Church believes in self-sufficiency and self-reliance but in the event of a financial hardship the Church distributes food and supplies through their welfare (Bishop’s Storehouse) program. Members of the LDS Church do not drink alcohol nor do they use illicit drugs; they do not drink coffee and tea. A Mormon in good standing, therefore, will not be found in a drunken stupor puking her guts out at 3 a.m. anywhere in the world. Furthermore, members of the church are encouraged to dress modestly, be polite and courteous. And members of the LDS Church are faithful tithe payers. Come on, people, what’s not to love?

So what on earth is their beef, the anti-Mormon zealots? Why is there such disdain for the LDS Church and its members? In Hugh Hewitt’s book, “Mormon in the White House?” he states his thesis that the fierce anti-Mormon sentiment among main-stream Christians stems from one or two or all three of the following factors (in order of importance):

1) “It is just too weird.

2) “A Mormon president will supercharge Mormons’ missionary work.

3) “If there is a Mormon in the White House, Salt Lake City will call the shots, at least on the biggest issues.” Hewitt (2007, p. 221-227)

Hugh Hewitt has written an exquisite book about the Romney campaign and overcoming the “Mormon problem.” It’s a good read and I highly recommend it. Of the three problem points listed in the previous paragraph, Hewitt believes – unless some unforeseen blunder destroys his chances – none of the three is insurmountable for Mitt Romney. (Plus, he has the best hair.)

Well, I’m no Hugh Hewitt, not even close; he’s an icon on the conservative radio talk show circuit. Hewitt could talk circles around me (I’ve seen him in action in Sacramento); he’s brilliant; he’s well educated, well read, no doubt a genius, plus he’s kind of cute. I’m basically a “nobody” – an overweight grandma – but after having researched for this paper, I have come to a totally different conclusion as to why there is such in-your-face angst over Romney’s religion of choice: It’s all about money, power and control (in that order). I think they’re (the evangelical religious bigots, that is) scared half to death and are revving up their attacks, not to save souls, but to save their reputations (which if tarnished would lead to financial ruin).

As I said, all one must do is browse around the LDS official web site to see what the LDS Church believes and stands for. Any reasonable person would conclude that Mormons are not evil monsters at all. In fact, they are God fearing, Christ believing, Holy Ghost following people going about doing good. “You will know them by their fruit” and the LDS has plenty of fruit and they are willing to share.

Earlier, I stated that some high-powered ministries have publicly condemned Mormons: Shirley and James Dobson, the Southern Baptist Convention, Pat Robertson, and Dr. D. James Kennedy – just to name a few. There are hoards of others. Sunday after Sunday, preachers, evangelists, reverends and ministers from all Christian denominations pound the pulpit with anti-Mormon rhetoric. I heard the message loud clear when I was a Baptist and when I tiptoed through evangelical/Pentecostal territories. Was I ever miffed when I later learned for myself the Gospel truth about the LDS Church.

Just think about it, please. If Dr. D. James Kennedy, for example, who wrote the book, The Wolves Among Us, were to admit he’d been wrong in labeling the LDS Church a “cult” that leads unwary ignorant people astray (to hell), what would become of his multi-million-dollar ministry? Suffice it to say, there’s big money to be had by sale of books, tapes, CD’s, videos, and other anti-Mormon propaganda, not to mention speaking engagements and world-wide religious crusades. We’re talking trillions, all told. I realize the anti-Mormon aspect of these ministries is but a small portion of the business, but if the truth came out, that they had been using falsehoods about the LDS Church as a cash cow, their entire empires could tumble.

The ABC News program 20/20 aired on March 23, 2007, exposed the lavish lifestyles of some of the top evangelical preachers – million dollar mansions and personal jets. ABC News - 20/20 (2007) (Again, the LDS Church has no paid clergy.)

It’s nothing new. Severe harassment and persecution has been the lot of the LDS Church since it’s inception in 1820 when a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith saw visions and communed with heavenly beings. Rather than discuss the spiritual aspects of the LDS Church, however, let’s stick to facts of history. Taken from a college-level early American history textbook, Joseph Smith, upon experiencing the visions and visitations, believed “that God had work for me to do, and that my name should be for good and evil among all nations, kindreds and tongues.” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 292). The textbook continues, “They were met with hostility virtually everywhere they went . . . . As the movement gathered momentum, hundreds of people joined the church; entire congregations of churches of other faiths joined . . .” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 293)

During the dark time of American history when slavery was flourishing and when Native Americans were forced from their lands, the pioneers of the LDS Church also suffered at the hands of unscrupulous politicians, governmental leaders, and angry hate-filled mobs. “In the face of relentless persecution, Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, had led his flock to Illinois. There they had established the town of Nauvoo, which by the mid-1840’s had become the largest city in Illinois with over 15,000 people. . . In June 1844, a mob of non-Mormons broke into the jail where Smith was being held and killed both him and his brother. . .The Mormons abandoned Nauvoo in the spring of 1846 as anti-Mormons pounded the town with cannon, destroying the Great Temple. In a well-coordinated migration, 15,000 Mormons moved in stages to the Great Salt Lake.” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 334-335) Many walked all the way and many died along the way, including innocent babes.

Joseph Smith at one time was tarred and feathered by a mob. No jury, no trial, no judge – and they had planned to castrate him, too. On October 27, 1838, the then governor of Missouri issued an “extermination order”: “The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary . . .” Far West History (n.d.) Please note that the order called for exterminating “Mormons” making no distinction between men, women and children, and indeed women and children were subject to the extermination order.

In an event known in LDS history as “the Haun’s Mill Massacre”, precipitated by the extermination order, 30 to 40 LDS families were surprised by some 200 to 250 militia. After the smoke cleared, seventeen LDS people lay dead including a ten-year-old boy. Thirteen LDS members were wounded including a woman and a seven-year-old boy. “A few Missourians returned the next day and took plunder.” LDS FAQ (n.d.) No Missouri militiamen were killed but three were wounded. Just a few years earlier, the LDS folk who died that day had been members of other churches - Congregational or Methodist or Baptist or Presbyterian.

In l976, Governor Bond of Missouri officially rescinded the extermination order and presented apologies for the “unfortunate developments” it caused. Quoting from Governor Bond’s Executive Order: “WHEREAS, Governor Boggs’ order clearly contravened the rights to life, liberty, property and religious freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution of the State of Missouri; and . . . Expressing on behalf of all Missourians our deep regret for the injustice and undue suffering rescind Executive Order Number 44 dated October 27, 1838, issued by Governor W. Boggs. . .” Far West History (n.d.) The individuals who harassed, abused, and even murdered Mormons in cold blood were never tried for their crimes.

I read Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and it really touched my heart. There he was, suffering for the Lord in jail, and these religious leaders with highfalutin titles on the outside wrote an open letter (“A Call for Unity”) in which they criticize King’s tactics and basically blame King for the racial turmoil of the time. Though you can tell King is upset and hurt by the attack – made worse because he’s stuck in jail and can’t confront the religious leaders face-to-face – his response is gentle genius. “I wish you had commended the Negro sit-inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer, and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation. One day the South will recognize its real heroes.” Barnet and Bedau (2005, p. 881)

King has a few choice words for the Church, too: “If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.” Barnet and Bedau (2005, p. 880)

King signs off with “Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood”.

There’s an eerie commonality between what JFK and MLK endured at the hands of the religious bigots of their day and what Mitt Romney is facing today. I hope and pray that Romney will be able to fend off these undeserved attacks from the religious hypocrites with the same grace, dignity and God-inspired resolve displayed by the other two.

A few popular bumper stickers read: “Honk if you love Jesus” and “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven” or “Jesus is my co-pilot”. Yet, apparently, these same bumper-sticker Christians are the ones waging war against Mitt Romney’s run for the Presidency solely on the basis of his chosen faith in a Church that bears the name of the Savior of the world.

References

ABC News - 20/20 (2007). Philanthropic donations come from your heart, but where do they end up? Ex-money manager says "enough!" to secretive Christian Ministry spending. Glenn Ruppel & John Stossel. United States: ABC News.

Ayers, E. L., Gould, L. L., Oshinsky, D. M., & Soderlund, J. R. (2004). American Passages - a history of the United States - Volume I: to 1877 (2nd ed.). Belmont, California: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Barnet, S., & Bedau, H. (2005). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Current Issues and Enduring Questions - a guide to critical thinking and argument, with readings (7th ed., pp. 867-882). Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Far West History. (n.d.). The Extermination Order and how it was rescinded. Retrieved April 28, 2007, from http://www.jwha.info/mmff/exorder.htm

Hewitt, H. (2007). A Mormon in the White House? 10 things every American should know about Mitt Romney. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing, Inc.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. (1960, September 12). Address of Senator John F. Kennedy to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from http://www.jfklibrary.org

Lds Faq. (n.d.). What was the Haun's Mill Massacre? Retrieved April 28-2007, 2004, from Brigham Young University Web Site: http://ldsfaq.byu.edu/view.asp?q=57

Media Matters for America. (2007). Fox News whitewashes evangelical hostility to Romney's faith. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from http://mediamatters.org/items/printable/200702280002

[George W. Bush]

My area was also heavily catholic, and I never heard of any KOC doings other than their charitable ones.

The local KOC here isn't just charitable. They're pretty exclusive and it extends to business deals. I worked in a local union shop for a number of years, heavily Catholic. A couple of times, I was actually asked how I got the job since I wasn't Catholic. Well, it was because I had computer skills rare in the area and the local management was sick of having computer problems. Without those skills, I know I would never have gotten that job. I don't know if they're still so exclusionary but one notices a certain tendency toward this among local Catholic educators too.

You know, things like this vary from place to place and change over time.

In many places in the South, if you aren't a Mason, you'd better forget starting a small business, especially a wholesaling operation. Or becoming a salesperson, no matter how good your product.

I don't think any of you have established that Mormons have any greater propensity toward favoritism than many other groups we might name.

[JRochelle]

“Costly” is the key word there.

It is possible. La Quinta (sp?) has done it.

[DelphiUser]

Which interpretation do you think the clinton/media crime machine will chose?

They are going to lie about whoever the R nominee is, so that really does not matter. This is why many good men who would do great things for their country will not run. They do not want the mud bath for themselves, and their family that the left puts out as a matter of course.

[colorcountry]

Look Delphi, whether you want to believe it or not, Mormonism is a big chink in Romney’s armor.

Republicans must look at this reality when determining if they want him for their nominee. Pretending it doesn’t exist is asking for disaster.

IF (and that’s a big if) Romney gains our party’s nomination, how are we going to combat this very big problem. Calling Dems “bigot” isn’t going to work. Demanding that all ideas be given the same level of respect isn’t going to work. Denying the reality of Mormonism’s past with blatent, scriptural racial discrimination, polygamy, blood atonement, massacre or even the practice of secrecy isn’t going to work.

Now how do you intend to combat Romney’s Mormon problem? By sticking your head in the sand?

[xzins]

Can I assume that the Gideons are wasting their time placing bibles in hotels and in the hands of soldiers....that no one can be saved by reading the words of salvation contained therein?

Can it be true that the church one attends or does not attend prior to Jesus confronting them matters more that Jesus’ own words?

[greyfoxx39]

They are going to lie about whoever the R nominee is, so that really does not matter.

LOL, then why did you bother to reply to my earlier post, No. 800?

[greyfoxx39]

Point taken.

[MHGinTN]

The Marriott family controls the chain. Spin is getting deep in here ... the Marriotts put the filth in because they saw huge profit potential. To spin it otherwise is ‘bold lying for the faith’ and gross hypocrisy. We will see if the mod decides to now ban me for stating the truth the way some have recently been banned for not sitting down and shutting up so the Mormonism Apologists can spread their message unopposed.

[colorcountry]

They won’t ban you for that. Will they?

[MHGinTN]

We’ll see. The Apologists have an inside line somehow.

[DelphiUser]

Look Delphi, whether you want to believe it or not, Mormonism is a big chink in Romney’s armor.

First, I am a Fred Thompson supporter. So don’t try to paint me with the “Mormons For Mitt” Brush. Second, there are a lot of chinks in Mitt’s armor, mostly his record, and recent (to me) conversion on important conservative values. Religion should not be, and is not his biggest problem. (not saying he does not have problems, are we clear?)

IF (and that’s a big if) Romney gains our party’s nomination, how are we going to combat this very big problem.

Well, for starters, our own party needs to unite behind whoever wins the nomination. So CC if (and I agree it’s a big if) Mitt gets the nod are you prepared to bury the hatchet until after the election? Are you prepared to become a "Mitt minion"? I am going to support whoever the R candidate is. I do not think we can afford another Clinton presidency. What are you willing to do?

Calling Dems “bigot” isn’t going to work. Demanding that all ideas be given the same level of respect isn’t going to work. Denying the reality of Mormonism’s past with blatent, scriptural racial discrimination, polygamy, blood atonement, massacre or even the practice of secrecy isn’t going to work.

That is what they said about Kennedy…

Now how do you intend to combat Romney’s Mormon problem?

I don’t, I will however combat both the idea that religion should be a test for any candidate, and I will also combat the misinformation campaign that has been going on for years on this very forum about me and my religion.

By sticking your head in the sand?

I never stick my head in the sand, the sand gets in my nostrils and makes me claustrophobic /humor

I think there are VALID points that will take Mitt out and put Fred Thompson in the republican Presidential slot, can we talk about the winning arguments against Mitt now, or are we going to spend all the time up until the election talking a bout a non-starter, his religion.

CC can you imagine how frustrating it is for me to have to be on these threads defending Mormonism, when I would much rather be looking into the serious issues with Mitts conservative credentials? Every Mitt thread becomes a “Faith Fest” with mud slinging on both sides and we NEVER seem to get to substantive issues about Mitt that I would like to see aired. IMHO all those attacking Mitts faith are doing him a favor because by loudly attacking him on illegitimate issues he skates on the ones that should take him down legitimately. Please, can we have even one thread where Mitt is discussed, and not Mormonism? I think that would meet your goal of no Mormons in the white house far faster than these attacks on Mormonism as a political weakness threads.

Hey, can all the Antis like call a meeting and decide that one thread can be an attack Mitt for being a liberal thread and no one bring up religion? Even just as an experiment? CC you know who most of the serious antis’ are (I know you don’t exactly have club Grin, but you see them on the threads, and they will know who you are) You could start a thread and SPECIFICALLY ask that no one bring up religion. It would be credible coming from you. If I started such a thread, I would quickly be painted as a shill (even though that would be inaccurate). If you can I will be very happy to spend my time on a thread like that instead of here. /Vent!

[Colofornian]

Like my fellow LDS Freepers, I don’t go around bashing others’ religion.

So you repent on behalf of Mormons for putting the following into Scripture?

"...the Personage who addressed me said that ALL their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were ALL corrupt..." PoGP, Joseph Smith - History, v. 19

You don't think this statement is true? ALL my creeds are NOT an abomination, per your view? The professors of my faith are NOT corrupt?

[DelphiUser]

I thought I had... I’ll look for it, can you hold?

[colorcountry]

Well delphi, many of the thread titles about Romney specifically state they are about Mormonism....like this one for example.

I see plenty of other Romney threads where Mormonism isn’t the topic. They don’t get much action.

I’ll take Fred or I’ll take Hunter. But honestly Delphi, I can’t vote for Mitt. I just can’t. I am a very small vocal part of FR - I realize that, but knowing what I know, I cannot and will not vote for him under any circumstances. But then again I have only one vote. It isn’t all that important what I decide to do with it is it?

[DelphiUser]

We will see if the mod decides to now ban me for stating the truth the way some have recently been banned for not sitting down and shutting up so the Mormonism Apologists can spread their message unopposed.

Ban him!

Ban him!

Ban him!

Ban him!

Ban him!

Ban him!

Actually, I like MHGinTN, so this Mormon votes for a stay of execution (grin)

Hey, MHGinTN, got any more popcorn?

[MEGoody]

That doesn't give you pause?

Nope. Christians dedicate (or should dedicate) all they have, all they are, to the service of the God who saved them. As a Christian, I've done that, so why should it scare me that a Mormon makes a similar pledge.

Mitt hasn't done any weird thing politically so far as I can tell a result of his Mormonism, so no reason to think he suddenly would start doing so if he were elected President.

this particular oath just might cause a voter or three to hesitate pulling the handle for Mitt.

That's up to them. I tend to think that is a stupid reason not to vote for him. Like I said before, his 'flip flops' are reason enough for me.

[DelphiUser]

But then again I have only one vote. It isn’t all that important what I decide to do with it is it?

I think you carry more weight than you think. As for the other Mitt threads getting any action, that’s because everyone is over here.

[colorcountry]

:-D

[MEGoody]

She posted the requisite Mormon Temple oath Mitt took and it contradicts the Oath of office

How so, specifically. (Lets see if YOU can answer the question.)

[MHGinTN]

Try pricking some other direction. You aren’t going to goad me today.