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
They are tested on appearance, interview knowledge, composure, personality....I’m not sure what else. My soldier has never talked much about it.
He was in South Carolina (I believe) to participate. They had a ball (gala) at which there were high ranking generals to announce the winners. I’ll look on the web and see if I can find anything and report back.
I think it is unnecessary to explain to you my statement meant that Jesus did not command us to wear special undergarments, refrain from drinking wine, coffee, or tea, perform rituals in an exclusive temple, etc. etc. What you say he has asked you to do is not what he has asked me to do, and my objection is to your implying that.
If you go out and murder someone, breaking the commandment that “Thou shalt not kill,” are you going to get to heaven just because you professed your faith in Jesus? Do you not, as a Christian, have to refrain from adultery if you are to keep the faith? Theft? Lying? Isn’t obeying these laws “works?”
That's a pretty good stretch there...obedience to the commandments doesn't qualify in my definition of "works". That's where you run into the idea of having to "work" to obtain salvation when it was a gift made to us by Jesus on the cross.
Color, would you agree to this?
As to my neighbors, I prefer them to live their own lives in their own way and allow me the same freedom.
This is what I found:
Twenty of the Army’s top warriors gathered to compete in the annual Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Competition. In the end only one NCO and one Soldier will walk away with the ultimate bragging rights.
Two warriors from each of the 10 different major Army commands represented nearly one million of their fellow enlisted warriors, when they converged. The six-day competition tested their skill and knowledge against not only themselves and each other but against Army standards as well.
This is one reason I was so highly offended when I was told I denigrate the members of the armed services.
I love it when you make my arguments for me. ;)
I'm still waiting for someone to tell me just what event with Romney caused audience booing. Where was it, what state, locality, venue? When? I would like to see a link.
So you are accusing me of being too grateful?
That’s a very strange thing to be offended over...
Yeah, you are too grateful for being better than everyone else. Try again.
Yep I agree.
One problem I had with Mormonism is the level you are judged by your performance (by your leaders) to obtain the “right” to certain blessings.
Only God is the judge, and only he knows someones intent and their heart.
Tanti, you asked about murder. Mankind may judge you of murder, but only God truly understands the nature of the “why” behind the act. Christ died to set us free of not only mankinds unrighteous judgement, but even the righteous judgement of God.
In God’s eyes we all sin - - every single one of us. Each single sin regardless of how small, makes us a sinner and God HATES ALL sin (even the little ones). But because of the atonement we are seen by God as perfect because the blood of Christ covers our sin....but only when we admit we sin, and put our faith only in the salvation He has offered.
When you place your rewards in your own hands because of your own works, you are effectively telling God that Christ’s atonement wasn’t good enough to save you. You slap away the gift and say, “I can do it myself.” Mormonism teaches that you cannot do it ALL yourself, but that Christ needed to die to help you out a little bit. (after all you can do)
Do you see why that is so extremely offensive to those of us who absolutely place our adoration in Him alone and see our works as dirty rags if we do them toward our own glory.
Christians are commanded to do two things only....Love God and Love our neighbor...in these two commands all the others commands are contained. When we love God and Love our neighbor, good deeds to our fellowman are a result of the Love.
You cannot do works to earn your glory and expect that God will view that the same as loving Him and doing kind deeds for HIS glory. There is a difference - - no matter how one spins it.
Is there a reading comprehension problem here? Did you not see the “does not make us better” part?
If you are looking to be offended, then there’s nothing I can do to prevent that.
“Mormonism teaches that you cannot do it ALL yourself, but that Christ needed to die to help you out a little bit.”
I cannot speak for others, but in my case, Christ needed to die to help me out a LOT.
The least I can do is show my gratitude by doing the best I can.
That is a far cry from “slapping away” the gift of the Atonement.
Not better, just more blessed.....LOL
Only a Mormon would fail to see the difference.
Were you guys told how chosen you were in the pre-existence because you were “valiant.” If that doesn’t instill false pride in a child, I don’t know what does.
I was sent to earth blonde, blue-eyed, to my especially god-fearing parents, born in the covenant and ‘blessed’ because I was ‘valiant’ in the pre-existence....I EARNED it....LOL
So, where was this speech? Who was the audience? The link doesn’t tell me anything except that Mitt may have been in a Utah high school gym. If he were at a rally in NYC it would be impressive.
Pounding head against the wall!! O B F U S C A T I O N!
You were more “valian” than I...I wasn’t BIC.
That’s good you are getting pretty close to trusting Him alone.
Perhaps one day Mormonism will give up the sacred covenants where you bind God with promises.
“God, if I promise to abstain from tea and coffee, and live a moral life, pay 10% of my income, and attend all my Church meetings, and perform all my Church callings and learn the sacred tokens and name, and have as many children as possible, and pray twice a day (and floss)......will you promise me exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom? Was that a Yes? O.K. then we have a deal....right, God? You are okay with that aren’t you God?”
To me, this kind of covenant is simply weird. When I found freedom through faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone. It was like I had been set free from prison.
I now do good works for others because I love God and I love them. If it earns me nothing other that shear joy and the glory of God it is more than enough!
[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.]
I will give a counter example. I helped start a Spanish language TV station with a Mormon general partner. He immediately began shoving Mormon Public Service Announcements on the air, though it was detrimental to the image of the station (in a catholic community) and cost us money. I just don’t care to take the similar chance of promoting a presidential candidate who believes the rest of us are not “True” Christians or Jews. That also puts Romney in the position of having to negate his religion in order to run for presidency - I would think less of him if he became a hypocrite and did so.
Get ready for ten years of this debate.
That is his eternal companion.
Do you show your husband all this stuff you malign his Church with?
...this would be as it says in the scripture unevenly yoked!
If you were neutural it would be a different situtation but it is obvious that is not the case and this constance harping and lashing out will only weaken the link more and also the fact that you broke the eternity vow which I bet he is not even aware that you two are no longer seal.
Just wondering....
My dear husband is my most prized possession and friend, and I heard the prophet speak so in others setting how dear his wife is to him it is you who seems to look for opening to nitpick.
If he makes it that long in 3 yrs he will be a 100 yrs old.
So, someone that couldn’t pay the tithes could collect food etc. BUT NOT be allowed to enter the temple, in essence, not be allowed to go to church?
No if they are keeping their covenants they can go to the temple!
So the money they would use for food they pay the tithe and they will recevie food(shop at) the Bishop storehouse.
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