First, the source of the names. As you know the Jewish community has gone through great effort the last 7 decades attempting to establish the identities of the dead. Because entire villages we destroyed, and 70% or so of Europes Jews murdered, others gone after the war, many identities will never be known. Only in the last 2 years has the Red Cross agreed to allow access to their records. Every time this happens a few octagenarian family members reunite. Considering the errort put into this task which will never be completed, I think it's understandable that when data is compiled and released for the benefit of survivors, individuals at the LDS latch onto them and baptise everyone. I doubt I'd like my efforts used that way.
Second, and more important, the Mormon Church agrees completely that Jews should not be baptised unless they're ancestors. Period. IMO the discussion of whether it's proper or the Jews should be happy ends there. It's not the Mormon position. The LDS should do a better job of monitoring miscreants, and it's certainly legitimate for the Jewish community to raise the issue. But the issue is individual Mormons not following Church policy.
It's a shame a big component of this election we be debasing religion in America, whether Mitt and the LDS, or the Catholic Church over abortion and contraception via Santorum or Newt.
It’s a shame a big component of this election we be debasing religion in America,
The sad part is that so-called conservatives can be just as bad about it as liberals.
The Mormon Church is notorious for misrepresenting their policies, doctrines, practices, history, etc. They refer to this practice as Lying for the Lord and consider it their sacred duty if the falsehood upholds their faith and the truth hurts. Proxy baptism is a classic example of an embarrassment where misstatements are legion.
Your notion that the practice of dead-dunking the ancestors of persons of the Jewish faith (and other people who find the practice repulsive) is due solely to a few rogue Mormons is incorrect and, quite frankly, extremely naive.
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