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

Saundra Duffy

[George W. Bush]

Utah is a whole lot more conservative that Colorado these days. Mormons vote 90% Republican. If that’s not keeping Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming red, I don’t know what is.

I was a little flabbergasted over that "geography = political destiny" notion. Is it in the water or just a proximity to rugged mountain terrain?

[tantiboh]

“The primary objection we more orthodox Christians have to Mormonism is that it is process-based. It is about what you do to appease God. Instead, we follow the Bible when it says that we can do nothing to achieve our own salvation but that it is given by God Himself.”

This is, indeed, a difference between our faiths, though not quite in the way you frame it.

Many Evangelicals believe that we are saved by faith alone.

The LDS Church teaches that you must engage in faith AND repentance. “Faith without Works is dead, being alone.” In other words, if you say you follow Jesus, you’d better act like it.

Since religion should be designed to make people into better people, this point of view makes perfect sense to me.

[greyfoxx39]

There is a mighty strange confluence of events, all involving Mormons in this. I'm not suggesting anything sinister here. But I do think the Mormon vote and the public reputation of Mormons in general are in extraordinary focus right now. I don't think it's just a coincidence.

What is your read on this, GWB? I believe that the media is trying to both, split the conservative base, and also neutralize Romney. I'm open to suggestion.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I wouldn’t worry. I doubt that he’s going to push a national blue law or require everyone to tithe to the LDS church (or even support something such as the Federal Marriage Amendment or the Human Life Amendment). And I suspect most Mormons, Romney included, regard polygamy as laughable nowadays. He also apparently could be quite liberal while governing Massachusetts (Mormons are quite conservative in their personal lives). I suspected he pretty much separated his Mormon oath from his gubernatorial duties. Why would it suddenly be different in the White House?

Cue spooky music...

[George W. Bush]

Advocating a little censorship there, GWB?

I'm advocating that Mormon-bashing belongs in the Smoky Backroom along with all the other theology stuff. I'll continue to do so.

You are concerned about "anti-mormon" stuff here, just wait. If Romney gets the nomination, the hounds of hell (meaning the Clinton machine) will be set loose on him through the mainstream media and the Republicans will go down in flames, White House, House and Senate.

You really think the GOP or the country at large are so bigoted? I don't. I'm pretty anti-Mormon theologically but I'm not prejudiced politically. The most influential Southern Baptist on political matters, Richard Land, isn't either. And like any ornery Baptist, it's not because of Land's position that I think this. I found out his take on it after I had already decided. That guy who tried to Mormon-bash Romney down in the South a while back clearly repelled all the other Baptists and evangelical types in the room. Romney handled it quite gracefully. Clearly, he knew he'd face some of that kind of bashing. The ugliness of it and Romney's cool handling of it were pretty impressive.

It's time for the GOP to mainstream its Mormon allies. We need their votes. They're politically reliable. If they field a strong candidate that adheres to the full party platform, then that will be good enough. Good grief, we Baptists produced a Carter, two Clintons and a Gore and we are still considered good Republicans.

[greyfoxx39]

Well, there is that old unilateral power thingy, Executive Orders....more scary music.

[DelphiUser]

SD:I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
NNN:Those are empty words as they are have meanings poured into them that are anti-Biblical and anti-Christian.

DS:I believe Heavenly Father hears my prayers and we always pray “In the Name of Jesus Christ”.
NNN:"In the name of Jesus Christ" is not a magic formula, and the Mormon heavenly father is but deceiving spirit, an exalted man who became a god, and is not the God of the Bible and historic Christian faith, but is a false god.

Amaxing, now you claim to know the thoughts of aonther persons heart.

SD can say "All the right things" and you know she is lying!

Wow! What an intellect.

[tantiboh]

“You assume that Lord Jesus is only linked to folks by the institutional umbrella they have a membership in.”

This is untrue. Christians all over the world have a real relationship with Christ. One of the stronger spiritual experiences I’ve had was while listening to an Evangelist pray - he had real faith. Faith is a universal principle, and God responds to it regardless of our denomination.

“The temple recommend may not really have ANYTHING to do w/evaluating a person on his relationship to Jesus.”

This is incorrect. One of the questions asked of us in the temple recommend interview is whether we have a testimony of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. If we cannot answer yes, then we cannot have the recommend until we can.

“LDS belief is eternal life for everybody in the world except apostates & the real evil folks.”

This is not true. Please do some research before you assert incorrect information. I will be happy to explain LDS beliefs to you if you want to listen.

[greyfoxx39]

I’d be happy to see these threads in the Smoky Backroom or the Religion forum...I’m not the one that thinks it’s clever to post them time and again in the news forum. I guess some people think the exposure gains them an advantage...I personally don’t see it.

[tantiboh]

“I am surprised they even allow you to read the Greek, since you aren’t allowed to read the Bible in modern day English, but your point is taken.”

Allowed? Why wouldn’t we be “allowed?” The LDS Church does not control what information we choose to access. It provides general resources, such as the LDS edition of the KJV of the Bible, which is heavily cross-referenced with the rest of the LDS canon; but this is for the good of the many. Those of us who have a desire are perfectly “allowed” to read what we want.

Take a look at FARMS and FAIR, for example. They bring in all sorts of outside resources into their research.

[greyfoxx39]

DU, you’re wasting your time..your fondest wish has come true, NNN has been banned, I’m sure you’re very happy to know. Seems someone hit the abuse button on him or something.

[colorcountry]

You’re still bashing someone who is banned? Can’t you let it go?

You can leave FreeRepublic, but you can’t leave it alone? LOL

[colorcountry]

FARMS and FAIR are not official sites, or haven’t you been notified?

[tantiboh]

“One thing that disturbs me about Mormonism is the tendency to think they are better than the rest of us.”

That bothers me, too, CC. It seems to be particularly widespread among Utah Mormons. Such people are not followers of Christ.

Get out to, well, just about anywhere else, and you’ll have an entirely different experience with Mormons.

[restornu]

and just what are you doing CC?:)

Is it pot & kettle time....

LOL

[George W. Bush]

What is your read on this, GWB? I believe that the media is trying to both, split the conservative base, and also neutralize Romney. I'm open to suggestion.

Well, I've said most of what an ordinary conservative activist can observe. Clearly, Romney cuts quite a figure on the stage. He's Harvard MBA and JD, self-made billionaire (or close enough), Olympics-rescuer, saved those clueless libs from their own spending habits in MA, a wholesome family man. And he does have good hair. Along with square shoulders, chiseled features, a strong voice, and kind of a charming Boy Scout innocence. He showed he was capable of humor and a down-to-earth sensibility (his answer to Chrissy's question on the Roman bishops). Look at our candidate roll. Who on that stage can come closest, in totality, to Reagan and with the potential for crossover appeal for a Reagan-sized landslide, large enough to bring us back to the majority in one or both house of Congress?

Rumor has it in political circles that Romney is the candidate the Clinton camp most dreads running against. And I think that is probably true. I think they would love to run against Giuliani and they wouldn't be worried to take on McStain.

The Dims would love to lure a significant fraction of our Mormon voters away from us or at least force us to defend our historic claim to the allegiance of that voting bloc.

Salt Lake had better expect attacks via the libmedia arm of the Dim party. I expect there will be some exploration of the origin of phrases like "phonier than a three-dollar bill" and "talking through your hat". I won't list any others. Also, they'll be looking for Masonry tie-ins. There may be escalating attacks on the Scouts in the familiar pattern.

[restornu]

That ok some things need to be tidy up!:)

[George W. Bush]

This is, indeed, a difference between our faiths, though not quite in the way you frame it. Many Evangelicals believe that we are saved by faith alone. The LDS Church teaches that you must engage in faith AND repentance. “Faith without Works is dead, being alone.” In other words, if you say you follow Jesus, you’d better act like it.

You folks would be a little closer to the Roman Catholics, I think. Or at least it would please Baptist debaters to force you into that corner. LOL.

This really is Smoky Backroom stuff.

[restornu]

DU, you’re wasting your time..your fondest wish has come true, NNN has been banned, I’m sure you’re very happy to know.

Seems someone hit the abuse button on him or something.

***

I would say 504 had a hand in this don’t you agree!:)

Wonder who did could have brought attention to this by flaging the Mod than a spree of deleted post 508,
512,520,524?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1828301/posts?page=504#504

[restornu]

BTW has anyone try far infraded cooking?:)