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

The LDS Church has the Mormon Tabernacle Choir aka “America’s Choir”. I guess some people think America’s Choir is doing the devil’s bidding. See how ridiculous that is? Huh?

I don't see the connection between the Mormon Tabernacle choir and getting a clarification on exactly what it is that Mormons believe.

There is the remote possibility that what Mormons believe is, in fact, the truth. But getting a Mormon to express what it is that they do believe is sometimes a difficult and frustrating process.

Apparently Mormons like to pretend that they are just another Christian sect. But as Delphi so aptly pointed out, Mormons believe that the entire Christian Church went into apostasy back in the first or second century. They also believe that Mormonism is the true restored Church. If that were true, then Mormonism would be Christian and all other Churches would be false and only Mormons would be Christians.

When I was a Mormon, I believed that. I didn't try to pretend that I was a Christian "just like my Protestant and Catholic friends." No, I believed that they were preaching a false religion, that their churches were of the devil and that only Mormons were in possession of the truth.

That doesn't sell well these days. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a public relations prop, just as are all those commercials that claim that the Mormon Church is all family oriented and that the book of Mormon is just "another testament of Christ".

The truth is, and I would be amazed if you admitted it, that Mormonism teaches that it, and it alone, is the restoration of the First Century Church and that all other churches are false and that all other churches are "doing the devil's bidding."

Now can you admit that you believe that the LDS Church is the "One True Church" to the exclusion of all others and that all other churches are FALSE?

Let's get some clarity here.

You believe that, don't you? I think it is still in the Manual.

You weren’t suppose to notice that post.

Actually I think I am worse off because of it. God gave me a gift I have failed to utilize properly. It is like a singer who refuses to sing and only hums....It’s like a man with strength, who becomes a couch potato.

Great, so I score well on tests.....what have I done with it? I’d be great on a trivia show - so what?

And BTW I agree with FastCoyote. He was only responding to an attack upon him that he was “looney.” He wasn’t bragging, only defending himself....there is a difference to those of us who have ears to hear. ,-)

You weren’t suppose to notice that post.

Actually, I have been following that particular discussion, since (ahem) I have a higher that average score myself.;)

The name-calling seems to have racheted up lately, which I find ironic, since the original poster on this thread states with disdain that "as if just being a Mormon is reason enough to open the floodgates for free flow of pent-up hatred and vindictiveness." And " I think they’re (the evangelical religious bigots, that is) scared half to death'. It's enlightening to go back occasionally and read that post.

I might reply that just questioning the doctrines and practices of mormonism "is reason enough to open the floodgates for free flow of pent-up hatred and vindictiveness."

I have faith though, that the lurkers reading these posts will wonder why name-calling is necessary if your message is being presented adequately.

Okay, let me put it this way and see if it makes sense to you:

Let’s say that I tell you I am a Mormon, but I don’t believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I don’t believe that the BOM is the word of God, and I don’t believe in celestial marriage. Am I a Mormon? How do you know?

Now let’s say that there are 3 million people who believe they are Mormons, just like I do, but they don’t believe in Joseph Smith, the BOM, or celestial marriage. And let’s say we all meet together regularly, but we don’t call it a ward, we call it a wigwam. And we go door-to-door telling people we are Mormons and asking them to become Mormons too.

How would the LDS feel about these people? Would they be recognized as true Mormons? How would you feel about these people calling themselves Mormons? Would you not seek to differentiate yourself and true Mormons from them? Would you not feel a bit insulted that they are misrepresenting your religion’s name and your religion’s beliefs?

Yes only God will be the final judge as to who gets into heaven and who doesn’t, who are true believers and who aren’t. But the Bible warns us to be wary of false teachers and false prophets. That must mean there are false teachers and false prophets out there wanting to deceive us. We are to use discernment and use the Bible to help us know what is true and what is not true.

So we as Christians certainly do have a right to discern and to proclaim what teachings are in line with Christianity and what teachings are non-Christian.

If for example someone says they believe in, worship, and follow Jesus Christ, but they believe he came to Earth in a space ship, and believe that salvation is earned through good singing, are they a Christian? No. Saying that they believe in, worship, and follow Jesus does not in and of itself make someone a Christian. A Christian acknowledges and accepts all of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, as defined by Christians.

I hope that makes sense. Everything I say, I say with respect and compassion, and also with conviction. I really do feel sorry that so many people in this world are deceived by false or errant teaching.

I will try to address some of your points. If the Christian religion or the Mormon religion, or any other religion, does not have doctrines that define what the fundamental beliefs of that religion are, then that religion is meanlingless. Would you agree?

If we as Christians say that our doctrines and fundamental beliefs do not define Christianity, and that pretty much anyone with beliefs and doctrines that differ from ours (to a small or large extent) can call themselves Christians, then isn’t the name Christian meaningless? Would the same not be true of Mormonism or any religion?

I do not mean to judge your heart, or the heart of any Mormon. I am quite sure that a majority of Mormons believe that they are Christians and are very sincere. But I have to tell you that it is as plain as the sky is blue that the beliefs or Mormonism do not agree with the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. I really do say that with regret and humility. But I think you can see how it would be easy for you to identify a religion that does not line up with the doctrines of the LDS, so I’m sure you can see where I and other Christians are coming from.

You are right, membership in a religion does not lead to salvation.

Yes, the Bible makes it clear that false teachings are dangerous:

2 Peter 2:1—But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Matthew 24:24—For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

1 John 4:1—Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

I won’t stoop so low as to make fun of your writing. I was hoping to have a civil discussion. And the only reason I posted on this thread is because I saw people who believe doctrines that are not in line with Christian doctrines calling themselves Christians. I am sure you would feel the same way about Mormons who believe doctrines that are not in line with true LDS doctrine.

No I am not the arbitor of absolute truth. But if I did not believe 100% that Christianity is true, I would not be a Christian. All I am saying is there is a difference between what Christians believe and what Mormons believe. I am not telling you not to be a Mormon. If you believe Mormonism is true, then good for you.

You are right, if Christianity is not true, it is false.

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