Posted on 05/04/2007 5:46:36 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy
They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious bigotry, alive and well today
May 4, 2007 - by Saundra Duffy-Hawkins
“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):
1) “It is just too weird.
2) “A Mormon president will supercharge Mormons’ missionary work.
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)
King signs off with “Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood”.
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.
References
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
“Then I must have been misinformed by members who told of taking income and tax statements to the tithing settlement, right?”
Yes. Either that or there was a rogue bishop. Tithing is an honor-based system. They take your word for it.
[raises hand] :-)
“Waht about the PMs I get. They are even more vicious....”
What about them? My embarrassment still stands. Tell the senders to grow up and remember who they claim to represent. Or engage them in a respectful, rational dialogue, refusing to be insulted or baited. That’s what I’ve done with our worst detractors here, and it drives ‘em NUTS! :-)
And there’s the rub, seven. You Mormons believe Jesus and God the Father are two separate individuals, with God the greater and Jesus the created being lesser. Christians believe that in parying to the Father in Heaven we are indeed also addressing our Lord and Savior because He is the Word made flseh, uncreated from everlasting because He IS very God manifest in the flesh. If I whisper to My Lord and Savior in private, I am addressing THE God of the Universe in His flesh manifestation, not some brother of lucifer created by God The Father Almighty.
>The point is, he chooses not to inject his theology into his public life.<
Do you mean that a sincere person can compartmentalize himself (As Bill Clinton was known to do)? All persons are the sum of his theology and his all inclusive life experience. If he/she takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, and the laws of the nation, that oath must be met. Other than that, he/she must listen to that small still voice within in order to be a sincere person. And in order to make a good decision on whose cause to join, we must listen carefully to the candidate.
An amazing comparison since the rituals in your Temple are so similar to those in Masonic rituals.
I agree with you, but let me draw this comparison.
Bush is a Methodist. Has he done anything in his public life to help the Methodist denomination? I don’t think so. He doesn’t inject Methodism into his public life, though he does pray for guidance in his actions.
That’s the kind of attitude I think Romney takes. It’s irrational to hear the word “Mormon” and automatically think that he’ll be any different than a “Methodist” with regards to his public life.
Some, unfortunately, hear the M-word and cringe; they jump to just those conclusions because of their perceptions of the LDS Church. My thesis is that this kind of assumption is morally wrong.
Yes. Utah Mormons are legendary. I have not had first hand experience, since I have never lived there, but have heard some of the stories. Wouldn’t it be something like take the most overzealous member in any other area and multiply it by three?
“How can Islam achieve that potential if we aren’t willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the genuinely earnest, good ones?”
Ummm, it’s called 911, and it’s called the basic writings of the Quran.
How can a religion EVER be good if at it’s root it calls for the enslavement and killing of kafir?
If a religion called for peace (except perhaps when attacked), and some of it’s followers twisted it into a religion of war, then there would be hope.
But Islam is first and foremost a war religion, so you are caught in circular logic if you believe a religion of war can be twisted into a religion of peace without backsliding.
You still haven’t shown why calling me a bigot is any different than me calling you a moron. Especially since you are yourself bigoted against people who believe as I do.
Well, to be fair, some of the best people I knew on my mission were from Utah. There are some of the cream of the crop there. My mission president and my favorite companion are both Utahans.
There does, also, tend to be a lot more cliqueishness (is that a word?), speaking generally. Also, many more Mormons there tend to be active in the Church because it’s the “popular” and “socially acceptable” thing to do, not because they are spiritual followers of Christ. This kind is very destructive to the image of the LDS Church, and we often hear General Conference talks specifically chastising such people.
But I should get off this soapbox before I get too worked up.
Those are probably the ones I have heard about.
“You still haven’t shown why calling me a bigot is any different than me calling you a moron.”
I never called you a bigot. I described what bigotry is; you have decided to apply the definition to yourself.
“Especially since you are yourself bigoted against people who believe as I do.”
As you are fond of saying, just because I don’t agree with you doesn’t mean I’m a bigot. Let’s be consistent, please.
“How can a religion EVER be good if at it’s root it calls for the enslavement and killing of kafir?”
I can ask the same question: how can a religion ever be good if it engages in burning at the stake, crusades, and torture in the name of God?
Yet these very acts let to the Reformation and Enlightenment. And it happened from within.
If we alienate the “good” Muslims, then this fight is lost. Our only hope at defeating the destructive ideologies that have twisted Islam is to embrace, support, and nurture those Muslims who call for moderation.
At the core, Muslims are just like Christians - they are human beings, and most of them just want to live a peaceful, happy life.
LOL
Curious
***** The plaques that are replaced there at regular intervals, commemorating the event, are vandalized by Mormons who do not want the rest of us to know what they say.
I’ve been there too, on a trip through Utah. I don’t remember any vandalism but then they may have just recently replaced the plaque.
But are you sure it was “Mormons” that did the vandalism? Was there a newspaper article or some interview were someone confessed to the vandalism?
So should I blame the Mormons or the local “don’t want you to believe this marker” crowd for most of the vandalism I’ve seen at various historical markers around the country?
I don’t know who did the vandalism but I’d be hesitant to finger someone or some group without some physical evidence.
But if there is evidence regarding who did the vandalism, then your statement was accurate. Stating the evidence up front helps avoid knee jerk reactions by a group that might find offense in your phraseology.
As for me I believe I understand what you meant.
Walk with God
“You still haven’t shown why calling me a bigot is any different than me calling you a moron.”
[I never called you a bigot. I described what bigotry is; you have decided to apply the definition to yourself.]
Oh come now, at least be honest. You believe in your bigoted heart that I am a bigot. At least be honest enough to say it out loud instead of doing an imitation of Shirley Temple dancing around the subject. The only reason you are implying I’m a bigot instead of saying it is so you can score debating points.
“Especially since you are yourself bigoted against people who believe as I do.”
[As you are fond of saying, just because I don’t agree with you doesn’t mean I’m a bigot. Let’s be consistent, please.]
I’ve merely pointed out the absurdity of your position - i.e. that you first paint me as a bigot without realizing that makes you a bigot as well. The inconsistency first started in the bizarre microcosm YOU created - you are clearly bigoted against people whose religion says they should defend themselves against War Religions that kill innocent children for sport. Don’t kill the messenger for using your own logic to show you are a bigot of first order.
“How can a religion EVER be good if at it’s root it calls for the enslavement and killing of kafir?”
[I can ask the same question: how can a religion ever be good if it engages in burning at the stake, crusades, and torture in the name of God?]
Because Christ called for turning the other cheek - he never called for murdering the innocent. Not so Mohammed, who was himself a murderous sand pirate. Unjust killings are considered heretical in Christianity - for Islam that IS the religion. Islam MEANS to submit - or else!
“Yet these very acts let to the Reformation and Enlightenment. And it happened from within.”
Proving my point. A similar Reformation has not occured in Islam and there is no evidence of any movement in that direction.
“If we alienate the “good” Muslims, then this fight is lost. Our only hope at defeating the destructive ideologies that have twisted Islam is to embrace, support, and nurture those Muslims who call for moderation.”
Fine, go to a Muslim restaurant and order a shish kabab. But giving credence to a murderous religion by voting for a “token” Islamic president isn’t in the cards.
“At the core, Muslims are just like Christians - they are human beings, and most of them just want to live a peaceful, happy life.”
So, give up your own son’s and daughters to live with them if they are so great. But count me and mine out of your delusion.
Wow, what an accomplishment for him! You must be so proud!
Indeed. I’m curious, what’s involved in the competition?
Tantiboh, it is going to be difficult for people to avoid describing mormonism as not Christian due to the declaration of Joseph Smith that all the other religions are an abomination and the deliberate method of the mormon church considering itself the "one true church". If it is the "one" why is there the desire to be of the "many"?
I have never used the word cult on the board. It is, in my opinion, not necessary in debating the merits.
You know what? We’re rapidly devolving into the same kind of arguments that we’ve all been trying to avoid. I’m not going to do that again.
You’re welcome to your viewpoints. I think I’ll keep mine. Let’s agree to leave it at that.
The dichotomy is this. Those who would call us non-Christian define the term “Christian” as “one who follows the centuries-old orthodox beliefs and traditions of the Christian faith.”
I prefer to define the term “Christian” as “one who follows Christ.”
It appears to me that you feel threatened by our confidence in our beliefs. For your own sanity, I suggest you move beyond that, because it’s not going to change.
I do appreciate your emphasis on debating the merits.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.