An Ugly Attack on Mormons

article.nationalreview.com ^ | December 3, 2008 | Jonah Goldberg

[Publius804]

An Ugly Attack on Mormons

The easiest targets for an organized campaign against religious freedom of conscience.

By Jonah Goldberg

Did you catch the political ad in which two Jews ring the doorbell of a nice working-class family? They barge in and rifle through the wife’s purse and then the man’s wallet for any cash. Cackling, they smash the daughter’s piggy bank and pinch every penny. “We need it for the Wall Street bailout!” they exclaim.

No? Maybe you saw the one with the two swarthy Muslims who knock on the door of a nice Jewish family and then blow themselves up?

No? Well, then surely you saw the TV ad in which two smarmy Mormon missionaries knock on the door of an attractive lesbian couple. “Hi, we’re from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!” says the blond one with a toothy smile. “We’re here to take away your rights.” The Mormon zealots yank the couple’s wedding rings from their fingers and then tear up their marriage license.

As the thugs leave, one says to the other, “That was too easy.” His smirking comrade replies, “Yeah, what should we ban next?” The voice-over implores viewers: “Say no to a church taking over your government.”

Obviously, the first two ads are fictional because no one would dare run such anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim attacks.

The third ad, however, was real. It was broadcast throughout California on Election Day as part of the effort to rally opposition to Proposition 8, the initiative that successfully repealed the right to same-sex marriage in the state.

What was the reaction to the ad? Widespread condemnation? Scorn? Rebuke? Tepid criticism?

Nope.

The Los Angeles Times, a principled opponent of Proposition 8, ran an editorial lamenting that the “hard-hitting commercial” was too little, too late.

[svcw]

First, tell me one time that Limbaugh begged people to vote MR?
I did not support MR because of his policies which were backed up by how he governed.
MR was until he declared for the presidency pro-choice.
When JM won the primary who else was there to support, accept a third party candidate.
I did not vote JM I voted for Gov Palin.
I get soooo tired of being accuse of the lds bashing thing...it is old old old.
MR governed as a liberal and tried to change his political past when he decided to run for president.

[Elsie]

You don’t need Greek metaphysics to understand the divinity of Christ, but you do need Greek metaphysics to comprehend three in one and one in three.

I sure don't!

COMPREHENDING ONE God that has TWO physical bodies: now THAT takes some doing!!

[svcw]

Oh come on. Do you really believe that ldsers are the only ones fighting the homosexual agenda?

[Elsie]

I saw one of those ads on youtube, and they were WAY over the top and inapropriate.

Have you read any of the MORMON scripture?

[svcw]

Not really because they say after we die we get a second chance to believe.

[Elsie]

From the perspective of a Mormon, there is no difference between the hate displayed here (by some) on FR and the hate that comes from the pro-Prop. 8 protesters in the streets.

Oh, PLEASE!!

Point to some HATE that we can see!

[gundog]

Yeah, they’re built on high ground. Basements surrounded with dirt, narrow windows at the top...defensible communities...”cities” may have been overstating it...

[Elsie]

The people who should be ashamed are those who allow the hate to continue unchallenged.

I'm always up for a good challenge!

[Old Mountain man]

ROFLOL!

[greyfoxx39]

Catholics & Baptists (& Methodists, Presbyerians, Lutherans, Bible churches, generic evangelical Churches, along with 99% of churches who call themselves “Christian”) all profess belief in One God who created all that is, existing from all eternity in 3 Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

LDS/Mormonism does not. In the opinion of traditional theologians from all the previously mentioned groups, the LDS does not hold to this or other essential doctrines ALL Christians have for 2000 years.

In the opinion of your founder Joseph Smith, all (Chiristian) churches were “an abomination” hence, I do not know why you wish for the recognition of us abominable Christians. Be happy, be Mormon—and I won’t discriminate against you—but please don’t claim the mantle “Christian.”

Disagreeing, even strongly with another’s beliefs is NOT “bashing” except under a liberal, PC understanding of pluralistic relativism.

I saw the ad in question, and it truly was abominable, as it was a lie, and truly “bashed” (with lies) a small minority religion. That doesn’t mean Christians shouldn’t speak the truth—in love—to defend the good news of the biblical Jesus Christ.

 That is an excellent comment. Thank you.

[Elsie]

 

But some on Freerepublic are the staunch, dig in the heals, defend with all their might what they have been taught.

 

 

You are SO right!!!

 

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Professor Robert Millet        teaching at the Mission Prep Club in 2004  http://newsnet.byu.edu/video/18773/  <-- Complete and uneditted

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Timeline...    Subject...

 

0:59            "Anti-Mormons..."

1:16            "ATTACK the faith you have..."

2:02           "We really aren't obligated to answer everyone's questions..."

3:57           "You already know MORE about God and Christ and the plan of salvation than any who would ATTACK you."

[Elsie]

What makes you think it takes a division to pull off a pogrom?

Did I say that?

[ishabibble]

Very well stated.

[colorcountry]

Good afternoon Old Man. Did someone threaten or persecute you on FR?

[broncobilly]

Try imagining God the Father speaking from Heaven, Christ in the river Jordan being baptised, and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove. The Bible seems to be going out of the way to describe three different entities. But if you want to call that one, at least allow others to see it differently without condemning them and calling them non-Christian.

[Elsie]

Coming onto a thread to do it is crass and less than Christian.

So; Ugly Mormons used in a title is NOT sufficiant cause for ANY comments on MORMONism?

[Elsie]

The “Evanglization” got totally out of hand.

The "We are the only ones who stopped the queers" is getting way out of hand as well.

[Myrddin]

Yeah, they’re built on high ground. Basements surrounded with dirt, narrow windows at the top...defensible communities...”cities” may have been overstating it...

When I moved to Pocatello from San Diego, I wanted a real basement. Houses in Pocatello are built that way. Houses in Boise are built like San Diego. Single story on slabs, wood framing and stucco exteriors. I had enough of that style growing up in San Diego. I'm sure the basement qualifies as "defensible". My window wells are barely suitable "foxholes". They don't meet the "egress" requirement for a fully equipped firefighter to jump into the well and access the basement. Absent that qualification, the 1300 sq feet in the basement can't legally host a bedroom. C'est la vie!

The Kurds thought basements were safe shelter from Saddam's military. That worked right up to the point where he employed heavier than air toxic gas to kill everyone huddled in the basements. Chemical Ali is still above room temperature.

[Elsie]

I am not an LDS/Mormon, I am a non-denominational Christian.

Iff'n you ain't a SLC based believer in the BoM and some of the Bible and the D&C's and the Living Prophet®, then you AIN'T a 'real' MORMON and do NOT try to pass yerself OFF as one!

--MormonDude(Them other sects have left the Mother Church!)

[Elsie]

Brother, our task is to SPREAD the good news of the biblical Jesus Christ. That is what we should be doing.

Almost...

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NIV Matthew 28:18-20
 18.  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
 19.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in  the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
 20.  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."