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Mormons who fear Mitt: Young people...leaving...a Romney presidency will only make things worse
Salon ^ | April 27, 2012 | Troy Williams

Posted on 04/28/2012 5:55:13 AM PDT by Colofornian

“I would not vote for him just because he is Mormon. I want to know what he is going to do for the people. I want to see the compassion.”

Gladys Knight is not voting for Mitt Romney. In a recent interview with BET the famed singer, herself a Mormon...

You see, last time a Republican was president, he became just about the least popular person in the world. So some Mormons are a little bit nervous that having one of their own in the White House could interfere with the church’s true mission of spreading the gospel — something with which it has already been having recent troubles.

“Mitt Romney is having a terrible impact on how we are perceived,” explained Brigham Young University law student Marshall Thompson, a former intern to Orrin Hatch, an Iraq vet and a faithful Mormon — the type of person, in other words, you’d expect to be part of Romney’s base. “I’m told he’s a very nice person in real life,” Thompson continues, “but he comes across as out-of-touch, materialistic and disingenuous.”

...Romney’s candidacy comes at a time when Mormonism itself is facing a similar crisis of likability.

Mormon leader Marlin Jensen has recently acknowledged that Latter-day Saints are leaving the fold in droves. The former church historian spoke frankly to...students at Utah State University, saying, “We’ve never had a period of — I’ll call it apostasy — like we’re having now.”

Church leaders never anticipated the Internet generation would access their history online. Joseph Smith used magic stones to see into the past. Today, young Mormons use Google. When they discover that their founding prophet wedded several teenage girls, it is often a traumatic revelation. Mormons experience a crisis of trust, if not outright betrayal, from their leaders.

(Excerpt) Read more at salon.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; Other Christian; Other non-Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: antimormonbigotry; internetgeneration; lds; mittromney; mormon; mormonbashing
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Note: Elipses in sub-head = Sub-head shortened to fit within character allowance

From the article: “I would not vote for him just because he is Mormon." [Unlike 90 pt whatever % of other Mormons, eh?]

From the article: “Mitt Romney is having a terrible impact on how we are perceived,” explained Brigham Young University law student Marshall Thompson, a former intern to Orrin Hatch, an Iraq vet and a faithful Mormon — the type of person, in other words, you’d expect to be part of Romney’s base. “I’m told he’s a very nice person in real life,” Thompson continues, “but he comes across as out-of-touch, materialistic and disingenuous.”

Disingenuous...sounds like the common Mormon missionary tactic of bait switching to me...presenting the Book of Mormon to potential proselytes...yet most mainstream Lds doctrine isn't found there!

Besides, if people want to understand how Mormonism's approach to the socio-political realm at the local level, people need to read these two articles (the first written by a Mormon; the second by an ex-Mormon):

* Mitt Romney mirrors his Mormon church [Lds writer says Romney flip-flops 'cause Lds church has/does]

* Who is Mitt Romney? [Ex-Lds author reveals why Mitt's wishy-washy culture waffles & flip-flops]

In the first linked article above, Mormon Neal Chandler highlights how in the 19th century...


* Mormons forced communism upon its people -- and then not (United Order)
* Adhered to theocracies under its first two "prophets" -- and then slowly drew back
* Said polygamy was a condition of the highest degree of glory -- and then not
* Encourage its Utah Territory voters to be Democrats -- and then told whole groups of people wholesale to "balance it out" as Republicans as statehood approached
* Excluded blacks -- and then late in the 20th century not

From the second article linked above: What makes Mitt the kind of person he is — ruthlessly opportunistic, dishonest, insincere, willing to say anything for advantage, lacking in conscience, preoccupied with appearance, etc., on the one hand, yet squeaky clean, family-oriented, disciplined, boring, and predictable, on the other? My new e-book, A Mormon Story, sheds light on the culture that produced Mitt Romney.

Good question. (It's one I've raised -- and answered numerous times on various FR threads)

The answer, says this ex-Mormon in the book referenced above is: (From the article): The book reveals a value system that ultimately has no absolutes, other than the need to conform to deep-seated, highly-controlling authoritarianism that pervades LDS culture. That culture emphasizes a Mormon tradition known as "eternal progression" — undoctrinal spiritual evolution in which even God is changing. It also emphasizes the notion that the latest words of governing church leaders trump the Word of God found in the scriptures (including LDS scripture).

IOW, EVERYTHING in Mormonism -- from its theology to its social practices -- is up for potential change at the whim of the Mormon god. Bottom-line: There is no bottom-line in Mormonism! There is no bedrock doctrine that cannot be replaced!

There isn't even an Ultimate god in Mormonism...Nobody knows who the gods are that were part of the council which appointed the god of this world -- a former man, say Mormons.

So there's not even any Ultimate Authority in Mormonism!

1 posted on 04/28/2012 5:55:25 AM PDT by Colofornian
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To: Colofornian

Consider the source of this article. Salon is about as insanely leftist as you can get without being actually communist.

Salon’s next headline article will probably be something like this:

“Famous biologist says that if Romney is elected, flowers will not bloom.”


2 posted on 04/28/2012 6:01:58 AM PDT by Leaning Right (Why am I carrying this lantern? you ask. I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: Colofornian

Oh, please, who does this author think he is fooling. Gladys Knight being a Mormon has nothing to do with why she will or will not vote for Mitt Romney. Gladys Knight being black has everything to do with why she most certainly will vote for Barack Obama. Put in terms that Mickey Cochran, Jessie Jackson and other black “leaders” could appreciate: “Racism is all right if your skin ain’t white.”


3 posted on 04/28/2012 6:03:43 AM PDT by hampdenkid
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To: Colofornian

I might agree with everything you said. . but there are heresies in many other religious sects. Most of the day to day followers are not even aware of some of these anomalies. Our focus in this year’s election is not to castigate Mormonism. We have to extricate this marxist antiamerican President from the White House. Mitt is nowhere near my first choice for President, but he is a hundred times better than the opposition. Incidentally I lived in Mormon towns for several years out West. They were uniformly conservative, family-oriented people that that were charitable and good neighbors.


4 posted on 04/28/2012 6:07:33 AM PDT by 2nd Amendment
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To: 2nd Amendment

And this people is why the Democrats selected Romney as Obamas opponent.


5 posted on 04/28/2012 6:12:14 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Solyent Pink is Sheeple!!!!)
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To: hampdenkid

I agree, and I thought the poster had really chopped up the article badly, then I found that bad hash was in the original.

But, I love Gladys Knight and I think it is interesting she’s a Mormon.

She doesn’t sound 100% decided (but, again, who can tell the writing is such a mess!), maybe Mitt can get her on board.


6 posted on 04/28/2012 6:20:23 AM PDT by jocon307
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To: EQAndyBuzz

I don’t know exactly where you are coming from. First of all, Romney has won his delegates in republican primaries and was always considered to be the favorite. He had a well-financed, well-organized campaign that the others could not compete with. (incidentally, I voted for Rick). If we conservatives hardliners refuse to vote for Romney, we are giving the marxist-in-chief another 4 years to destroy America. The result will be trillions in additional debt, turning our back on Israel, putting pro-abort, pro global pro-elastic clause Supreme Court Justices on the bench. Also the Rev. Wright wasn’t exactly a main stream evangelical.


7 posted on 04/28/2012 6:24:42 AM PDT by 2nd Amendment
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To: Colofornian

So now we are happy to promote Salon’s effort to demoralize Republicans, all because we hate Mormons that much? Got it.


8 posted on 04/28/2012 6:25:47 AM PDT by Raider Sam (They're on our left, right, front, and back. They aint gettin away this time!)
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To: Colofornian

By Gladys Knight’s comment, then Barack Obama should never be president because he would give a false impression of black people and would interfere with their “true mission.” Bogus.


9 posted on 04/28/2012 6:29:20 AM PDT by LS ("Castles Made of Sand, Fall in the Sea . . . Eventually (Hendrix))
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To: Colofornian
Gladys Knight is not voting for Mitt Romney.

Color me shocked.
10 posted on 04/28/2012 6:29:41 AM PDT by crosshairs (As long as there is evil, "Coexist" is impossible.)
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To: Colofornian

Face the facts, colofornian: all religions can get really nutty! Christians are no different.

Robert Tilton has been my hero. Oh, the prayer cloths, the commercials, the acting; he is a wonderful example of today’s Christian. But, he’s forgiven!

The Christians I know have this idea that they are forgiven, so they can sin all they want! What Ten Commandments? They are nothing more than suggestions to a good believer! If the believers kiss up to the Boss enough, especially by attacking what they see as false idols, they gain more brownie points!

Is that what you’re doing?

Before you reply with pings to your cadre of religious brownshirts, please understand one thing that’s hard for your cult to get through their heads: I am not defending the LDS people — I’m attacking your absence of logic. Your foundations are without proof. You are arguing that one concept is a sham while assuming that yours is not; but your beliefs are unproven as well.

There has always been a big problem when people attach their egos to their beliefs. It’s a reason why so many people think Republicans are religious nutcases. You vehemently argue things that can’t be proven. It hurts conservatism.

So, you have no *proof* that you’re right or they are wrong. Despite that, you continue with your bearing false witness? How can you do that? Hmmm...oh, I almost forgot: You’re forgiven!


11 posted on 04/28/2012 6:35:30 AM PDT by Loud Mime (Anybody but Obama. He's just getting warmed up.)
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To: Leaning Right

Dittos to your opinion of Salon, which may more correctly be called “Saloon” (emphasis on “loon”), considering the amount of logic and decorum they maintain. Except for the number of profanities expressed, they are of the same intellectual stripe as “Democratic Underground”.


12 posted on 04/28/2012 6:35:57 AM PDT by alloysteel (It is hard to get a man to understand, when his pay depends upon his not understanding something.)
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To: Raider Sam
So now we are happy to promote Salon’s effort to demoralize Republicans, all because we hate Mormons that much?

It's the Freeper Inquisition!

13 posted on 04/28/2012 6:40:35 AM PDT by Loud Mime (Anybody but Obama. He's just getting warmed up.)
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To: Colofornian

The Mormons have never been politically monolithic, and that may have even cost Joe Smith his life.

Back east, Joe was put on the hot seat by local politicians who demanded to know what political side the Mormons were on. One party plain didn’t like Mormons, but the other said it would not oppress them if the Mormons voted for them and they won. A real devil’s bargain.

So, in exchange for “tolerance” from one party, he promised the Mormon vote to them. But this was before the “Australian” (secret) ballot, and the actual vote was split.

So both parties had it in for the Mormons. Time to bug out.

In any event, this remains the great secret of Mormons, that despite their social conservatism, they just will not become politically monolithic. There is still a sizable block of liberal Mormons who consistently vote for people opposed to everything their religion stands for.


14 posted on 04/28/2012 6:44:10 AM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy ("God's light and God's life ooze over me like warm butter." -- Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson)
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To: Loud Mime

Not what I expected :)


15 posted on 04/28/2012 6:49:58 AM PDT by Raider Sam (They're on our left, right, front, and back. They aint gettin away this time!)
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To: Colofornian

Religious affiliation in the U.S. Affiliation % of U.S. population

Christian 78.4

Catholic 51.3

Evangelical Protestant 26.3

Mainline Protestant 18.1

Black church 6.9

Protestant 23.9

Mormon 1.7

Such a huge loss. /s


16 posted on 04/28/2012 6:51:43 AM PDT by ILS21R (John Locke: When the social contract is broken, the people must revolt.)
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To: Leaning Right; Loud Mime; alloysteel; hampdenkid; Raider Sam; 2nd Amendment; LS

Sadly, this particular post from Salon could easily be construed by those visiting FR to say as much if not more about the those buying into and posting this article, as it does about the source and its information.

Is this what we have come to on FR? Posts from Salon to make our points on a conservative forum. Really?

There was a time posts from Salon were not allowed for precisely this reason. Not to mention the appearance it casts on FR as a whole.

Clearly, this has much more to do with putting down the LDS faith and those who adhere to it than it does about anything dealing with conservative politics.

Sad...and since there is so much push back here, I can name about eight posters who will be along shortly and fill this thread with 300-400 posts to try and silence those who do not agree with it and question its sourse.

A sad day for FR, IMHO. Who’d a thunk it?

AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY
http://www.jeffhead.com/crossroads.htm


17 posted on 04/28/2012 6:51:58 AM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free, never has been, never will be (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: Colofornian

“Mitt Romney is having a terrible impact on how we are perceived,”

On the other hand there is Harry Reed. Oh, wait.


18 posted on 04/28/2012 7:04:10 AM PDT by Psalm 144 ("I'm not willing to light my hair on fire to try and get support. I am who I am." - Willard M Romney)
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To: Jeff Head

The sad part is it will just be unrelated giant pictures of people in dress shirts, random colorized Bible verses, and generally nothing that contributes to a healthy discussion.

It would be a lot easier to have a discussion, or even respect their cult, if they ever posted what they actually believed. But all I can gather from their posting is they dont like Mormons and they know how to copy and paste Bible verses and pictures.


19 posted on 04/28/2012 7:07:31 AM PDT by Raider Sam (They're on our left, right, front, and back. They aint gettin away this time!)
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To: 2nd Amendment
there are heresies in many other religious sects. Most of the day to day followers are not even aware of some of these anomalies. Our focus in this year’s election is not to castigate Mormonism. We have to extricate this marxist antiamerican President from the White House. Mitt is nowhere near my first choice for President, but he is a hundred times better than the opposition. Incidentally I lived in Mormon towns for several years out West. They were uniformly conservative, family-oriented people that that were charitable and good neighbors.

Yes. Yes. and Yes.

20 posted on 04/28/2012 7:07:54 AM PDT by GOP Poet
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