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

Maybe I’m nuts (a very distinct possibility) but last time I checked the Scriptures, God seems to be saying that he is the only One who knows who will end up where. I’m sure some Mormons and some Baptists are sure they are headed for glory but there’s a Scripture that says, “The first shall be last and the last, first” and don’t forget this one (I can’t quote it exactly), “In that day many will say Lord, Lord and the Lord will say ‘Depart from me, I never knew you.” (Ouch.) Anyhoo, my point is that no one knows for sure because we have little pea brains.

I remember reading in the New Testament about how the Disciples wanted Jesus to rain fire down on a bunch of people and Jesus rebuked them.

I also remember the Disciples wanting Jesus to kick the behinds of some folks who were preaching about Jesus but were not His disciples and Jesus said to leave them alone. Know what I mean?

Seems like Jesus gave us plenty of advice about how to treat one another - not that I am the great example. Ha!

One day Jesus was talking to his disciples. He told them: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."-John 14

I did not rain fire and brimstone down upon your head, Saundra. I leave the final judgement to God. I will pray that you will be with Him.

“God does not recognize other faiths. The notion is RIDICULOUS. If He did recognize other faiths, He would NOT be God.”

I never said that, did I? But He does recognize good people, regardless of their faith.

“ALL of the world’s GOOD attributes start with God the Father. HE is goodness. All the rest is darkness.”

Agreed. And I think there is a lot of good in Islam, for example. If there is, then it has to have come from God.

There is no good in Islam. It is a cult that deceives its followers into converting or killing those who reject Allah, a false god. ANY false god is NOT doing the work of God the Father.

By definition Muslims belong to a religion of darkness in which the goodness of the Lord will never be shown the light of day. These Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet. That is a LIE.

For you to accept that lie and shrug it off is puzzling. You are so adamant about defending what you believe to be the truth. And in this instance, you accept the lie that the Muslims believe... you pass it over and say, “well, they’re nice people.” Nice has nothing to do with the truth of the Lord.

“There is no good in Islam.”

There, we must part ways. I have known several Muslims, and they have all been good people. There are murderous thugs that sully their entire faith, that is true; but fundamentally, Muslims generally want the same things that Christians do: a chance to live in peace and lead their own lives.

“For you to accept that lie and shrug it off is puzzling. “

I do not shrug it off. If a Muslim were to listen to the message of Christ, I would be delighted.

But I choose to exercise -tolerance- for those not of my faith. I believe that such tolerance is part of the example that Christ gave to us.

I didn’t say I hate Muslims. I know a charming Muslim man in my neighborhood. We are on very friendly terms.

We don’t discuss religion, however. And I have no illusions about his faith.

My point is about FAITHFUL MUSLIMS that strictly follow the teachings of the Koran.

Knowing that they believe my faith is false, I tend to remind myself that their faith is WRONG.

Christ tells us to love one another. He didn’t say we shouldn’t love our neighbors, no matter what their faith is.

And tantiboh... I remember discussing my dear aunt with you. I still love the woman deeply. But I firmly hold to the tenets of my faith when it comes to the reality that she did not receive salvation when in her death she was an adherent to the Buddhist faith.

Please allow me to intrude into this exchange. I consider Fast Coyote to be a friend. This post might be misunderstood; it is not aimed to offend either of you, tantiboh.

The post to which I refer was: “Romney will always be viewed as a Trojan Horse.” Fast Coyote
By you and those who agree with you, yes. By those who are willing to judge him based on his political qualifications, no. tantiboh

Perhaps we conservatives may find a source for agreement if we focus upon this point, that Romney's religion isn't likely to direct his decision making process even as much as his resprect for the Constitution and our laws. Here's why: even in all of the contention we've had over Mormonism, we have retained the notion that we each have a right to our religious beliefs and freedom to worship in our own way so long as it doesn't harm others; THAT is what Mitt Romney represents and his life shows it, he shares the same fundamental political values that we can support or reject, but his religious perspective is not the issue of the election.

To be sure, the DNC will seek to make his religious beliefs the source of enough negatives to suppress a satisfactory percentsage of votes to insure a DNC victory. But if we conservatives, cemented by our conservative values though divided in our religious beliefs, can cease discussing the religious issues on public forums, the effort to divide us will fail in the long run. To cease, we must stop proselytizing and responding to same.

NOW, do either of you really believe we (and I include myself in the pact) can or will do that? And if we cannot, how will media twisting and contentious comments like Al Sharpton's effect conservatives in their hearts? THAT is why I believe a Romney nomination to run against the Democrat nominee is a loser, NOT because of the religion he believes which I find antithetical. My point is, unless Mitt and Mormon Apologists make it clear that they will refrain from seeking to use his candidacy as a way to woo more to Mormonism, the negatives potential holds the source of our conservative defeat in '08.

Yours is an interesting perspective. I’ll have to put some thought to it.

“My point is, unless Mitt and Mormon Apologists make it clear that they will refrain from seeking to use his candidacy as a way to woo more to Mormonism...”

I, for one, indeed make it clear. I will testify of what I know to be true when my faith is attacked - whether such an attack is instigated by a discussion of Romney or not. But I have no desire to use Romney as a tool to further my own agenda; frankly, it wouldn’t do any good, because belief in the LDS Church is a reaction to the voice of the Holy Spirit, not slick marketing and packaging, and certainly not some kind of executive branch mascot.

“But if we conservatives, cemented by our conservative values though divided in our religious beliefs...”

Has that not always been the case? Conservatives are wide and varied in their creeds.

“To cease, we must stop proselytizing and responding to same.”

I agree (and I think our theological opponents are quite vigorously engaged in proselytizing, just as we are); though I think that some period of storming will be necessary as part of the group dynamics. I don’t think that period is over yet.

“NOW, do either of you really believe we (and I include myself in the pact) can or will do that?”

I do. I think Mormons need to grow a thicker skin and some more charity; and I think that our conservative theological opponents need to work on their tolerance and look for some common ground. But I’m optimistic that we really can act like adults and work together.

Still, it’s a long way from the primaries. The whole discussion may well be academic.

It’s interesting that you bring up Sharpton’s comments regarding Romney. What, if you don’t mind my asking, was your gut reaction when you heard him make that statement?

I believe Al Sharpton is included in the inner circle of DNC planning and strategies. He was so smug in his bigoted comment, so sure that there is no reason to fear a Romney candidacy that it makes me believe the strategy and the means to make it real have already been discussed and agreed upon in the dark halls of democrat scheming.

If Romney gets the nomination, I will be faced with how to respond to the negatives which will come from stealthy sources and be protected in the media. You tell me, tantiboh, how do I respond to an assertion that Mormonism doesn't believe in the same God I believe in ... when I agree, how to I deflect such an assertion in honesty? I can refuse to respond, but as a fringe source of op-eds, I have to find ways to blunt such divisive assertions without compromising my beliefs. How do you suggest this be done?

It’s a tough question. I suppose you have to ask yourself if you think that Romney will take the political positions most likely to advance your values - societal, moral, and religious.

I believe that we’ve been presented with a false choice: either we choose someone who will advocate the values of orthodox Christianity, or we choose a Mormon.

I submit to you that either kind of candidate will govern in such a way that your Christian values will be upheld.

Would you take lessons on theology from Mitt Romney? I suspect not. But I think his religious beliefs would tend to cause him to act in such a way that would build up this country’s core goodness.

That’s a goal, I think, that we can all agree on. You can support his actions and policies without supporting the beliefs that move him to advance them.

“He was so smug in his bigoted comment, so sure that there is no reason to fear a Romney candidacy...”

It’s interesting to me that even you, who have vociferously opposed Mormonism, and, I suspect, will continue to do so, reacted negatively and viscerally to Sharpton’s statement. It’s anecdotal evidence, to be sure; but evidence nonetheless of the explosive fire the Democrats handle here.

And there is one thing I think we can agree on: they do not understand the religious conservative. Mark my words, that ignorance will lead to their mishandling the situation.

I grew up as one of six children. We fought and argued constantly. I thought my sisters were completely off-base, incomprehensible, and irrational.

But if any one of us were threatened by an outsider, we would close ranks so fast it would make one’s heart stop. For all our infighting, we were in it together. I could call my sister stupid all I wanted; but if you did it, I was as likely as not to flatten you.

This kind of behavior is ingrained in all of us. I predict that Christians - speaking in generalities - will similarly close ranks if the opposition tries the religion angle. Therefore, I only hope they are stupid enough to do so.

Once again, though, odds are good that this is all academic.

This is a very positive suggestion of how to respond to the baiting that will surely come from the dnc gooons:
"I believe that we’ve been presented with a false choice: either we choose someone who will advocate the values of orthodox Christianity, or we choose a Mormon."

And the follow on leg in the syllogism is even better:
"Would you take lessons on theology from Mitt Romney? I suspect not. But I think his ~~religious beliefs~~ conservative values would tend to cause him to act in such a way that would build up this country’s core goodness. ... That’s a goal, I think, that we can all agree on."

Tant, now we're getting somehwere.

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