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
If you’re a Reagan fan, remember Reagan changed his mind on social issues, also.
It’s a mark of maturity to be able to look honestly at issues in the light of evidence and change one’s mind.
I didn’t know his father invested in Bain Captial Imagine that...
Was not his father pass away before Bain Capital?
Lots of marriages are an apparent contradiction. Two folks who don't seemingly belong in the same household.
But despite the apparent conflict, many get along just fine...at least over the long haul. They often complement each other.
Faith "vs". works
Listen, I don't pit faith and works as enemies unless works undermines faith. And that's exactly how Paul framed it for the Galatians ("you foolish Galatians," he said...see verses below).
Let's face it, faith and works can not only be perfect friends, but are meant to be "married."
Now that doesn't mean they are "married" in that one group (evangelicals) stresses faith and another group (Mormons) stress works.
But think about it. Why would works mean anything at all for someone who never or rarely exhibited faith in Jesus Christ and a life beyond this world? So I know when LDS try to pit works against faith, they don't mean a "faithless works."
Likewise what's a faith & trust never embodied? Why would I entrust myself to another in marriage, for example, if "love in action" was never or rarely a part of that. So I know when some Evangelicals try to pit faith against works, they don't mean a "disabled faith."
So your proposal to "agree to disagree" makes no sense if all you're doing is calling one group or the other to surrender to the above straw men perspectives of the other. Nor would it have made sense for Paul to surrender to the flesh & law-focused Galatians. So what exactly did the Galatians embrace about works that sabotages faith?
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?...He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit...doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (Gal 3:3, 5-6)
In the case of these Galatians, they were actually allowing their flesh-based works to undermine their faith.
For Paul, what people group was the opposite of the Galatians? It was the Philippians:
(1) Whereas the Galatians started "in the Spirit" and were trying to finish in the flesh by obeying laws, look at what Paul promised to the Philippians: "...he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6)
So again. Who is "performing this work?" Mere men called Philippians? No!!! God!!! God is the performer THROUGH US! [Who gets the credit & glory? He does!]
(2) In an earlier post I cited Phil 2:12 needs to be rounded out with v. 13. They are not "contradictory." What? you think Paul is "full of contradictions" in the very same paragraph?
Phil 2:13: "For it is God which worketh in you..." Whose working in you? Your puny power? Your puffed-up obedience? Your prideful spiritual merit badges? Yet we know that if God works in us, we know we alone are never His only "targets."
So anybody truly experiencing His work IN our lives, will also experience His work THRU our lives. So that salvation is "worked out." The very meaning of "work out your own salvation" carries the same connotation as your fitness exercise. Because our bodies are fit and worthy to carry out exercise, we do so. (It's the ailing who can't work out)
But we'd never be fit had we never been GIVEN healthy bodies. Works are always a by-product of faith. Faith WORKS.
So stop trying to pit works against faith. Because the only time when works truly nullifies faith is when folks sabotage it to the degree that Paul calls them fools.
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Gal. 2:21)
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse...But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith..." (Gal. 3:10-12a)
I attended the same Presbyterian church for most of my life - lasted through many ministers - and not one ever said a word about LDS or any other religion for that matter. Never heard a word about LDS in other churches I was a guest at.
I will also say that having attended the local LDS church with my husband (who attended sporadically with his family growing up), I am underwhelmed by it. Too many attempts to control what I consider to be my private life. And I’m sick to death of the home teachers just popping in because they ‘happened to be in the area’ just as I’m trying to get Sunday dinner on the table. Shouldn’t they be with their own familes then? Sheesh. I’m also not impressed with *their* attempts to show me the error of my ways and that my church is no good because theirs is the Only True Church. I also not impressed with their dancing around certain subjects when I ask a question. They never fully answer anything. And yes, this is more than one HT too, over the years.
I’m not good LDS wife material, I’m afraid.
One of the things that make this assertion so hard to believe is that unlike the thousands of different Christian sects that teach different things, the LDS Church is very structured. In fact, some of these threads that have been turned into Anti Mormon banging posts have condemned us for it.
The structure is such that the same thing is taught all over the world, be it in Anaheim or Algiers. On a given Sunday, for example, if one congregation in California is learning of specifics about the atonement of Christ, that same lesson is being taught that dame day in a remote village meetinghouse in Africa.
The structure is there to protect the doctrines and practices of the church from being changed. Tithing receipts and practices are also highly structured, and are the exact same from ward to ward. Doing something outside of official sanctioned practices, especially in matters of sacred tithing stewardship's, can be grounds for excommunication.
So, here's a test whither or not I'm right about consistency... Today in Gospel Doctrine (Sunday School) the lesson was on Christ healing the blind man on the Sabbath, John 9. As this year we are studying the New Testament by course, I am asking if any of the other LDS posters out there had the same lesson, or one within a week or 2 of it?
Now you're confusing me. First you and Restornu emphasize "working out" our faith. But "working up" our faith is out of bounds?
If you'er not open to being convinced, then why do you ever bother to open Scripture or listen to a speaker? Why do you tune into the weatherman if he may not "convince" you, for example, about your opinion of the weather.
In other words, you're telling me that if Scripture is delivered to you in bite-sized portions from any hand other than one with "LDS" written on it, it's written off as being untrustworthy?
And then on the other side, I can never learn from talking to LDS about key issues as they cite Scripture?
Since Bush didn’t go to SMU, does this mean that if Romney wins, his library will be at BYU? ;-) I think he’d rather have it at Harvard.
You really should go to the Ford dealership if you want info on a Mustang. Picking up the literature on the Chevy Camaro won't tell you all the facts that the other car dealer has. If what you really want is a Camaro, then buy it, but the Mustang facts are at the dealer and out there with all the happy mustang drivers worldwide. OK, that's my parable for the night...
Wow what ward are you in I never had that experience which my visiting teacher would at least call!:)
I think the Church would really frown upon that behavior because unless there is some kind of bonding, the most VT ever do is give the lesson for the month from the Ensign and ofter to help should one be over whelmed!
The VT I have had would always call in advance of when we could get togather and I must say I was not always been available so a phone was counted that the VT did make an effort!
I lived in Vegas during my High School years,many moons ago. And was also a Mormon back then.I was young and only interested in their youth programs that had to do with volleyball and softball. People for the most part were very nice but not being able to drink colas never really caught on with me. My dad being a drunk did come to one of my softball games and made me proud. He never smoked one time or drank that day. Only time I can ever remember him doing anything like that. I do remember being told that if I didn’t go to church I could not be on the softball team. I kept playing and they didn’t really know how to make somebody go to church. Faith and theology had nothing to do with my experience and over all it was nice.Loved Vegas and wish some day I could go back and visit.
Listening to the holy spirit is the smartest thing said on this thread so far.
She was a woman from Trinidad. Here is her story in a nutshell: As I only caught part of it, I asked my sister to give me what she could remember, here it is. It’s a remarkable testimony of Christ, enjoy!
She is from Trinidad, I think her name is Sister Cisinero or something close.
We don’t know who she is or who she might have been visiting with. I talked to her briefly after church and told her that her testimony was wonderful and that it was perfect timing for our Baptist friend who was here today. She had 2 or 3 girls with her. I’m assuming her daughters. She wasn’t hanging around
with anyone in particular.
She said that her mother was a Baptist preacher but I didn’t catch that
part.
When she first started speaking, I think just about everyone looked at the
Bishop to see what he would do. I think we were all thinking “Who is this?
What is going on? This is radical!” But as we listened to her testimony, I
don’t know that there was a dry eye in the building. I know I was crying. It think there were a lot of dropped jaws. She had such
an amazing testimony of Jesus Christ!
She said that in Trinidad she was part of the Baptist church. On occasion
she would feel the spirit but it wasn’t a constant feeling and she wanted
that feeling. Then she and her family moved to California and she couldn’t
find any churches there that gave her the spiritual feeling that she needed.
She desperately wanted to find the right church to help her teach her
children.
She started praying for God to help her find the right way and “Knock,
knock, knock” (this is on the podium) in the middle of her prayer there were
the missionaries at her door. She invited them in, fed them a meal and sent
them on their way. This happened another time and she couldn’t figure out
why these missionaries always interrupted her prayers. One time, she
actually went out on the street and looked up and down both ways to make
sure they weren’t anywhere around and went in to pray. But they knocked
again while she was praying. Finally after a move back to Trinidad and then
back again to California and the missionaries interrupting her prayers
numerous times over about 8 years, her husband invited the missionaries over to hear their message and basically the rest is history.
One night she had some kind of dream where she saw a map of the world, and felt like they were supposed to pack up and move to Utah, though she had no idea where it was or why she felt that way... and here they are. They got to meet the prophet up in Salt Lake City and her little girl got to give him a big hug.
Oh, and she said that after she decided to take the lessons and get baptized
all Hell broke loose and things got very, very hard. But it was another
testimony to them that this was God’s church and Satan was trying to keep
them from it.
After she finished bearing her testimony, I don’t know that anyone else
wanted to follow. It’s like it would have been anticlimactic. I know a lot
of people were going, “Wow!”
We feel like she was sent to testify to our friend who came today. Today was his third time going to church with us. His family is totally against him, and even though they don’t attend their own, they don’t want him going to “that cult”.
that is because Kerry was a Catholic in name only.
I think you missed the intent of my post. Next time you stay in a Marriott chain, look in the drawer by the bed. There is a green Gideon Bible and a Blue Book of Mormon in each room. The fact that there is also pay-for-porn in some of the bigger hotels so bothersome, and makes me sad. I think if JW Marriott had complete control, he would not have allowed that, but I can's speak for him so who knows for sure.
There are many pastors of many churches,my own included,that do not preach the Gospel they go through the motions. For me that is a clear sign of the beginning of the end times. How men of God,or women,can go along with abortion and push the agenda of the homosexuals in schools to young children. It is good to have these discussions because I believe we are going to really need each other down the road. I love my faith,Catholic,but my parish can be very elite and cold. I am sick a lot and have never had a member of my church visit. In some parishes they are close and there for one another.
Colorcountry said: His office of Stake President is higher than that of Priest in a Catholic Church or Pastor in a Protestant Church
Perhaps you should have left off "His office" By including that, you left the distinct impression that Romney is still a Stake President. If I misunderstood your intent, then I'm sorry.
For Marriott, the decision is both more costly and more complex. With 300,000 hotel rooms, such a move would cost Marriott in excess of $30 million. But Marriott may not be able to make the change, even if it wants to. Marriott franchises its hotels, and may not be able to legally remove the services because of its contractual obligations to those that paid to be part of the chain.
Sevenbak said:You seem to think that Mormons are the only ones who believe it's important to keep the commandments and do good works? The bible clearly teaches this time after time. It is through Christ only that we are saved, but he expects us to do our best to keep his commandments.
Actually if you read my quote I said you think it is important to do these things in order to earn exaltation. I am surprised at how slippery you are when it comes to changing the meaning of my posts.
Why do you think I am being slippery? Because I clarified your statement of what it means to be "exhalted?" To be a joint heir with Christ is something I strive toward trying my best to keep His commandments. When I fail, he picks me up and carries me. There is simply no subversion or "slippery" attempt here Color. Please don't go there.
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