Mormons as victims

The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 3/24/2009 | Paul Wilson

[Alex Murphy]

Having grown up Mormon in Colorado, I recognize that Mormons are "marginalized" in some places, as Dennis Clayson argues in "Bigotry against Mormons apparently acceptable in Utah," (Opinion, March 21). As a teenager, I regularly had to explain myself to people who had no idea what a Mormon was. However, one would be hard pressed to imagine that Mormons are marginalized in Utah.

So although Clayson makes an important point (that some people say stupid and hurtful things about Mormons), he ignores the chief context of the issue: the reality of power in Utah. In Utah, Mormons dominate both politics and culture. Some Mormon parents refuse to allow their children to play with non-Mormon kids. And while Mormon-elected officials regularly say horribly offensive things about homosexuals, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members spend thousands of dollars to prevent gays and lesbians from exercising their right to marry.

It seems to me that there is enough bigotry to go around, and at least in Utah, the "Mormon as victim" stance seems a little silly.

[Alex Murphy]

...one would be hard pressed to imagine that Mormons are marginalized in Utah...

This is a letter to the editor, in response to the article Bigotry against Mormons apparently acceptable in Utah

[dirtboy]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members spend thousands of dollars to prevent gays and lesbians from exercising their right to marry.

Not exactly the best argument to make on a conservative forum about Mormon 'bigotry'.

[SENTINEL]

Apostle Orson Hyde: “I discover that some of the Eastern papers represent me as a great blasphemer, because I said, in my lecture on Marriage, at our last Conference, that JESUS CHRIST WAS MARRIED at Cana of Galilee, THAT MARY, MARTHA, AND OTHERS WERE HIS WIVES, AND THAT HE BEGAT CHILDREN. All I have to say in reply to that charge [that Jesus was married and had children] is this --- they worship a Savior that is too pure and holy to fulfil the commands of his Father. I worship one that is just pure and holy enough "to fulfil all righteousness;" not only the righteous law of baptism, but the still more righteous and important law "to multiply and replenish the earth." Startle not at this ! for even the Father himself honored that law by coming down to Mary, without a natural body, and begetting a son; and if Jesus begat children, he only "did that which he had seen his father do." (Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, page 210; brackets mine)

Given their very well documented history of both "marriage" and "Christianity", I think they should refrain from speaking out on either issue, lest they destroy the conservative causes entirely.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

This might be correct.

You should try being Catholic however if you think it society is biased against Mormons.

[Broker]

LDS + Mormons = Cult.

[Jess Kitting]

I think they should refrain from speaking out on either issue, lest they destroy the conservative causes entirely.

Yeah, that will do it. Put a gag order on all Mormon speech. How dare they exercise their first amendment rights in supporting conservative causes?

Mormons have no right to speak out against homosexual marriage, given their background.

Mormon hypocrites were scaring good conservatives away from the voting booths. "True" conservatives should be ashamed to be seen alongside Mormons, even when they agree on the issues. It's a surprise Proposition 8 even passed in California, given the heavy Mormon involvement. Didn't they know they were undermining a conservative cause?

Stay out of politics, Mormons, "lest you destroy the conservative cause entirely!"

[jimt]

Thank you, oh great authority.

[Old Mountain man]

Thank God I’m an American with the rights and obligations of an American Citizen.

No thanks to you.

I will speak out on any issue that strikes my fancy and if you don’t like it, perhaps you should find a country more to your liking.

[colorcountry]

Guess who has never been invited to a Utah Freeper get-together?

Yep, I am an apostate, and I am not wanted.

[SENTINEL]

I didn't say anything about a gag order...Just more of a personal honor thing. If they had any, they would back away from this issue and apologize to Christians for heaping Joe Smith and Brigham Young baggage onto us in the middle of a culture war.

...And actually, OMM, I think a combat tour in the Corps does entitle me to a "thanks" for your 1st amendment rights. Ain't it great ?... :)

“This law of MONOGAMY, or the MONOGAMIC SYSTEM, laid the foundation for prostitution and the evils and diseases of the most revolting nature and character under which modern Christendom groans,...” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, page 195)

[aMorePerfectUnion]

ƃuıɥɔʇɐʍ puɐ ƃuılıǝɔ ǝɥʇ uo ƃuıpıɥ ɹǝʞɹɐɯǝɔɐld ʎʇılıqısıʌuı ɟo ʞɐolɔ ɐɾuıu

~~~> x

[Osage Orange]

I will speak out on any issue that strikes my fancy

Maybe you should threaten to sue them...As that IS the American way....!!

LOL!!

[Old Mountain man]

What are you trying to stir up?

Even more important, why?

[PorterTheNewRockwell]

LDS - Murphy = The Truth

[Alex Murphy]

To: Murphy
LDS - Murphy = The Truth

Which Murphy are you trying to post to? Oh, and welcome to FR, newbie! IB4TZ?

[Colofornian]

Are you “related” to the poster of #13?

[svcw]

Huh? Are you trying to say Murphy is speaking truth because they have removed lds?