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 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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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.

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.

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

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