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

“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):

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)

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.

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

You misread James as we’ve pointed out many times previously.

Any Christian worth his salt must read James exegesically with all the referrences to Grace in the Bible.

So obviously, works are a result of Grace and not the other way round like Mormons believe. We do good for God - - God does not do good because of our deeds.

Poor seven, you will continue to try to earn God’s Grace, and you will continue to offend Christ’s sacrifice.

How about answering the question? Ok, Maybe I should rephrase it.

Did God exist before you existed?

Did God create you or were you and God both "from everlasting"?

Which came first, you or God?

Do you agree with the following statement:

"God, the Eternal Father was once a mortal man who passed through a school of earth life similar to that through wich we are not passing. He became God - an exalted being - through obedience to the same eternal Gospel principles that we are given opportunity to obey today"

Is that statement heresy or orthodoxy?

Correction: Sorry, I was typing in my sleep. Corrections are underlined.:

Do you agree with the following statement:

"God, the Eternal Father was once a mortal man who passed through a school of earth life similar to that through which we are now passing. He became God - an exalted being - through obedience to the same eternal Gospel principles that we are given opportunity to obey today"

Is that statement heresy or orthodoxy?

The scriptures do not say “Thou shalt not have more than one pair of earrings, or thy seed shall be cursed for three generations. Wo, wo, wo unto him that tatooeth himself!”

President Hinckley in a talk several years ago did counsel the young women to only wear one pair of earrings (I think it was in a Young Women's conference address.) The lady missionaries can only wear one pair of earrings when they are serving a mission (of course, a pair of conservative earrings.) And in the last priesthood meeting, President Hinckley did advise against tattoos. Wise counsel, but we can still be members in good standing if we have tattoos and multiple holes in our ears. (Disclaimer: I am one of those with multiple piercings in my ears. It was the fad in the late eighties. But now I am allergic to almost any type of metal in my ears, so I don't wear any earrings. My mom says it is direct retribution. LOL.) I agree with your comments about appearance and also that our leaders do give us wise counsel, and let us govern ourselves.

Wanna explain the segment of the Frontline/American Experience PBS recently where they were talking about the typical LDS missionary 2-year experience? They basically said that just about every hour was "scheduled" out for them. [When you said "domineering, authoritative..." that part of that show is exactly what I thought of...]

That is because those young men and young women are serving the Lord on missions. There has to be a structure in place and rules to live by. And yes, it is a very strict environment. I can even give you the generic schedule they follow and the rules. The missionaries are there to consecrate their lives to the Lord for 2 years and convert people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I would use the word while on a mission they are being subject to a lot of authority. But it also teaches discipline and gives them the opportunity to focus on missionary work. And not only are their days regulated, they are told what is appropriate to wear and what is not. And the colors that are appropriate for suits, ties, and socks for the yount men, and suitable attire for the women. Oh and then there is the music (can pretty much only listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). No TV and no Internet (I'm not sure about email nowadays.) They can't leave the mission boundaries (except with special permission.) The missionaries do have one day a week (a preparation day) where they do laundry, grocery shop, etc. Many of them will get together to play basketball or soccer or whatever.

And when they come home from their missions, there is an adjustment period because they don't have that companion around for 24 hours and their days aren't structured for them. Hopefully the principles and discipline they had for those 2 years will create habits that will carry them throughout their lives, to order their lives, and make correct decisions on what to do with their time and talents.

I don’t know if lurkers are seeing what sevenbak is doing, but I sure do.
To me it is pretty evident.
A twisting in the wind, with every breeze that blows, trying to keep the right face forward.

It reminds me of the "hamster dance" especially since my post on the practice of not allowing "unworthies" to attend a temple wedding.

However, I haven't seen anyone disprove the point I made, that "unpaid tithe"="unworthy"="no salvation". Have you, Color, MHG?

As to my veracity, "Sticks and stones......"

“It was brass, and they came from Jerusalem. Check your bookmarks for better anti sources.”

You are wrong!! The ball that led Lehi was made of steel!

[And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine steel. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.. . .

[16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.]

It says so right here in my Revised Standard Book of Mormon the ball was made of steel, which is the only true rendition of the story of how the Nephites in 750 BC built a ship in the fjords of Scandinavia and crossed the ocean to land in Acapulco.

A steel ball with two spindles in it is no less out of time than Nephi’s steel bow:

[18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.]

All the great bows through antiquity were compound and made of bone and wood, but Nephi had something no one in the whole region had, a pretty special people in 600BC.

“They are a motley crew of liberals (with some conservatives). They are armed with damaging information and have said in no uncertain terms that they will use it in order to stop Mitt.”

Do you think that motley crew of liberals will vote for any of the other Republican candidates should Romney not win the nomination?

My point is, the machine will attack whoever the candidate is. If they attack Romney on religion, though, I believe it will backfire; criticism about marriage infidelity won’t.

Do you think that motley crew of liberals will vote for any of the other Republican candidates should Romney not win the nomination?

My point is, the machine will attack whoever the candidate is. If they attack Romney on religion, though, I believe it will backfire; criticism about marriage infidelity won’t.

The liberals won't vote for any Republican, however the store of knowledge they make available will possibly be accessed by the democrat nominee. This information is backed extensively by historical and LDS church documents, and as such is difficult to refute.

I find it interesting that Mitt supporters depend so much on "backlash". That seems like a pretty slender thread to cling to.

Do you think that motley crew of liberals will vote for any of the other Republican candidates should Romney not win the nomination?

I certainly did not say those individuals would EVER vote for a republican candidate. What I said is they are determined to stop Mitt in his tracks, they have information, and they will use it. - - This isn't your normal string of Democratic operatives. This is a determined group of ex-cultists. We have never seen this dynamic play out in the field of Presidential contenders.

My point is, the machine will attack whoever the candidate is. If they attack Romney on religion, though, I believe it will backfire; criticism about marriage infidelity won’t.

Again you are failing to grasp the immensity on the onslaught against Mormonism. It comes from many different sides and many different political, social, and religious groups. This is not a machine in any sense of the word. This is like many, many little army ants, each taking away a chunk of the cookie, one bite at a time. There are plenty of ants coming from all directions. The dead cow they are eating is going to have a hard time defending itself.

The Republican "machine" will be divided, since there are many Christians that won't support Romney, and the Mormon "machine" hasn't been all that successful in the past in defending itself. You do realize that only 1.5% of the American public is claimed to be Mormon. Of those there are many more children than in the general population. Of those still left, up to 2/3 may be inactive. The Mormon "machine" even with its high priced PR firm isn't going to be enough. MHGinTN and greyfoxx39 have both made excellent posts regarding how a Romney nomination will split the party....that's why you see so much support of Romney by the likes of Chrissy Mathews.

But not panderers. I'm not convinced Mitt's 'conversion' is sincere, whereas Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson have both proven their sincerity of belief on the issues.

Excellent point, Goody. If one were to get away from the Mitt threads on FR and sample a good portion of the other political threads, one will see over and over the doubt expressed (without any religious connotation) of Mitt's sincerity.

The LDS machine tells you what you must teach on any given Sunday no matter what holiday it might be

Our church has a committee that selects and purchases the Sunday School materials. Therefore, we Sunday School teachers are being told what to teach. Heaven forbid! :::Sarc tag in case you need it:::

The LDS Church sets rules (guidelines) on how many earrings you may wear, how short your shorts can be, what you may eat or drink, and the exact language of prayer (ye olde english, of course).

So what? Lots of churches do that. Try attending an Independent Baptist church some time. (Can't wait to see if you call that a cult too.) If you don't like the rules the church has, don't attend and leave them to their 'rules'.

When you say Mormon, you ARE in fact stating where someones posistion probably lies.

Likely, but not always, as Mitt's previous position on abortion proves.

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