Bigotry against Mormons apparently acceptable in Utah LDS (OPEN)

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | March 20, 2009

[greyfoxx39]

Here is the response of a Utahn commenting on a Salt Lake Tribune online blog concerning HBO's attempt in its series "Big Love" to increase its revenues by publicly insulting the religious sensitivity of a minority religion: "Anything that gets the LDS "church's magical Mormon underwear in a twist is all right with me!!"

I write for a regional newspaper in Iowa. During the last election campaign, I suggested that Mitt Romney lost the Iowa caucus to Mike Huckabee primarily due to anti-Mormon bigotry. A reader argued that my opinion had no credence because I was a lay leader in the LDS Church.

The writer was either suggesting that I knew exactly what I was talking about and was therefore credible, or that I shouldn't be believed because I was a Mormon, which implies that the writer was a bigot.

-SNIP-

It is obvious to an outsider that Utah, or at least Salt Lake City, has within itself a deeply held culture of bigotry. A bigotry so ingrained in the cultural norm that the readers posting comments to the newspaper's blogs, apparently believing they are freethinking and ironic, are saying things online that would never be allowed into print if written about other groups.

[elcid1970]

Anti-Mormon sentiment is often mindless, but it is a fact that Doctrine & Covenants, statements by Mormon General Authorities, and Joseph Smith himself who clearly impugned the Catholic Church and all Protestant denominations as being false religions purporting to be Christian.

“Great and Abominable Church” is the usual D&C term for the Church of Rome.

“Lewd Daughters” are the Protestant offshoots from Catholicism, in the LDS view.

And yes, the notions of sacred underwear, celestial sex, and star Kolob, are pure poppycock IMHO.

Nevertheless, Mormons don’t kill those who disagree with them, unlike ROPers. That’s a virtue of itself.

[reaganaut]

Mormons don’t kill those who disagree with them....

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....ANYMORE, that is.

[Stourme]

....ANYMORE, that is.

Never...

We can discuss "others" that have if you'd like....

[reaganaut]

Never????

Mormon war in MO....
Danites....
Mountain Meadows Massacre....
Blood Atonement.....

Ring any bells?

The sources and quotes have been posted over and over again on FR, I am not going to waste bandwidth. However, if someone

[elcid1970]

Now, now, oaths of blood atonement have been eliminated from the Temple Endowment ceremony since 1990.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre happened in 1857, for goodness sake.

Compared to Islam, that’s real progress.

[reaganaut]

That is progress, I agree. Islam has not changed much in that way in the last 1000 years. I responded to Stourme’s comment of “Never”.

I also know several people who were upset by the removal of the oaths in the 1990 changes. That surprised me.

[Tennessee Nana]

Mormons don’t kill those who disagree with them....

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....ANYMORE, that is.
_________________________________________

Mountain Meadows Massacre

Governor Boggs

etc

[svcw]

Its ironic really until just recently every ldser I meet bristled at being called a Christian. Yet, now they clamor for the title.

[reaganaut]

Its ironic really until just recently every ldser I meet bristled at being called a Christian. Yet, now they clamor for the title.

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I know, me too. Have you ever seen the way so many LDS actually CRINGE at the sight of a cross?

[greyfoxx39]

I'll never forget the first time a former friend saw me wear a cross...I though she would never shut up about it!

Well, it was the first time in months she had spoken to me since I left the mormon church....and the last.

[FastCoyote]

[Mormons seem a little strange maybe — but why the hate? ]

I don’t hate Mormons, but I have certainly been messed over many times by Mormons who in my opinion believe they “got their planet early”. In other words, Mormon beliefs lead to actions that harm non-Mormons. Blood atonement anyone?

[ExGeeEye]

Why do Mormons object to wearing a cross?

(Personally, I think an Empty Tomb would be a more apt symbol of my faith...but cumbersome as jewelry.)

[Elsie]

Mormons seem a little strange maybe -- but why the hate?

This reply is strange -- WHERE'S the hate?

[greyfoxx39]

Why do Mormons object to wearing a cross?

The early mormon church was rabidly anti-Christian and quotes by the leaders prove that. I think that recognition and use of the cross as a symbol would have been anathema to them.

The "official" explanation is: "Latter-day Saints do not use the symbol of the cross in their architecture or in their chapels. They, like the earliest Christians, are reluctant to display the cross because they view the "good news" of the gospel as Christ's resurrection more than his crucifixion."

Link

Mormons have come up with a substitute for cross jewelry: A small committee of women came up with the idea of the CTR rings in 1970. CTR, or Choose the Right, is the name of a Primary class for children. The purpose of the rings (or necklaces, etc.) is to help inspire those who wear them to make correct choices, consistent with the gospel values that they have been taught. Today, many Latter-day Saints (including adults) wear CTR jewelry. Unlike temple garments which should only be worn by endowed Latter-day Saints due to their religious meaning, CTR rings are a cultural item associated with the Church, and are therefore appropriately worn by anyone wishing to "Choose the Right".

They must consider wearing a cross is "Choosing the Wrong"

[reaganaut]

I had one LDS friend ask me “if Jesus was beheaded, would you wear a guillotine around your neck?”. Just snotty.

If that is how My Lord and Savior died for me then...YES.

[svcw]

Hence the empty cross.

[AppyPappy]

Mormons disagree with the way that Methodists practice Methodism therefore Mormons hate Methodists.

[svcw]

Oh, man my uncle the bishop for years made fun of me because I had a cross. He asked me is Jesus had had shoes thrown at Him would I wear a shoe around my neck. I said the same thing, if thats how He died to save me yes. I got a Barbie shoe and put it on a chain and when my uncle saw it, just rolled his eyes and he never mentioned it again.

[svcw]

You forgot: Presbyterian, Lutherans, Catholics, Evangelical, Assembly of God, Non Denominational, Nazarene, Baptists, EV Free....................................

[reaganaut]

The “official” explanation is: “Latter-day Saints do not use the symbol of the cross in their architecture or in their chapels. They, like the earliest Christians, are reluctant to display the cross because they view the “good news” of the gospel as Christ’s resurrection more than his crucifixion.”

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The LDS also believe that the Atonement of Christ took place in the Garden of Gethsemane not on the Cross. The point of the Cross was not the shedding of his righteous blood for sinners but the fact He HAD to die, in order to be resurrected, not to prove He was the Son of God, but so we could all be resurrected.

Mormon use of the term “salvation” refers to the resurrection of all people, not spending Eternity in the presence of God (LDS use the term “exaltation” for that).

I wear a Cross for very personal reasons, it is a constant reminder of Whose I am, and that it cost the precious blood of the innocent Son of God to purchase me. I wear a Cross to be reminded of what Jesus went through for me (and for you and for everyone else).

I wear an empty cross (not a crucifix) becuase Jesus is NOT STILL ON THE CROSS. HE IS RISEN!!