Mormons have been hit a lot by people here who say they are not what they say they are, and denigrate their religions and customs. FR is a part of my life but if they were ripping Judaism as much here as they did Mormonism, I’d not feel comfortable here either. Freedom of religion. But freedom to comment on it too. Within the framework of us all being on the same team.
With that said, it is atrocious for these people to attempt to hurt FR, even if they felt put upon here.
What I try to do is to counteract IN WORDS when I see people verging on the offensive. Fellow FReepers, I suggest you do the same, even if it’s not YOUR affiliation that’s being insulted. Just step in and ask if they’d want their beliefs/race attacked in this way.
For example, I see on some of the mocking Obama threads some racist jokes. I am personally offended by them. There is a googolplex of humor opportunities in the Obama presidency that don’t involve traditional racist cracks. Of course one can and should mock political correctness and hypocrisy about race (see Rush Limbaugh and Magic Negro)! But leave out the crude 1940s style racial references, please. What a horrible thing for black conservatives to see; don’t they get enough racism from liberals??
I think Mormonism is deeply flawed, but I have seen mean-spirited comments against Mormons. On the other hand, there were a few people here claiming to be Mormons who were very vocal in their support of that group in Texas that, depending on your viewpoint, got into trouble or was persecuted over alleged child abuse. I wonder if it is people who are affiliated or sympathetic to that group? And I think most Mormons have nothing to do with that group.
I will just point out that most of the people who bring up Mormon religous customs are former Mormons themselves.
I have no problem with that.
After all, there can’t be disagreement if there aren’t two sides.
What I mean by that is if one side would quit discussing the subject, it would end.
Both sides like the flaming threads. Both sides.
Well said.