Why are people so against the Mormons?

Iapetus · Post by **Iapetus** » February 8th, 2017, 1:53 pm

Reply to Lark_Truth:

Yes, it's all about perception.

Dolphin42 · Post by **Dolphin42** » February 8th, 2017, 4:15 pm

I'm not against the Mormons. I think they're lovely.

-0+ · Post by **-0+** » February 8th, 2017, 10:30 pm

Iapetus wrote: Yes, it's all about perception.

Is it really all about perception or does judgement come into play as well?

Iapetus · Post by **Iapetus** » February 9th, 2017, 5:38 am

Reply to -0+:

Is it really all about perception or does judgement come into play as well?

Yes, of course. Judgement based on perception.

Lark_Truth · Post by **Lark_Truth** » February 9th, 2017, 10:15 am

And judgement comes from what knowledge, whether true or not, that the user has and decides to act on. If they hear something that they think is evil applied to Mormons, then they will likely judge against any who are Mormons. The same could be said for why people are against any religion.

Eduk · Post by **Eduk** » February 9th, 2017, 10:30 am

If they hear something that they think is evil applied to Mormons, then they will likely judge against any who are Mormons.

Not all humans would come to this conclusion. Although I guess a depressingly large number would.

Lark_Truth · Post by **Lark_Truth** » February 10th, 2017, 10:29 am

You are probably right there, Eduk. Not everyone would come to such a conclusion, but a depressingly large number would, which is kind of scary.

Big thanks to everyone who has posted. I only wrote this topic a few weeks ago and already there are four pages! Shocking!

Post by **Aristocles** » February 24th, 2017, 2:47 am

Lark_Truth wrote:You are probably right there, Eduk. Not everyone would come to such a conclusion, but a depressingly large number would, which is kind of scary.

Big thanks to everyone who has posted. I only wrote this topic a few weeks ago and already there are four pages! Shocking!

You can see there is a need for clarity about modern perceptions of Mormonism/Mormons. Although we tend to be against anything for which we cannot identify personally, it does tend to strike curiosity, even disdain (bigoty, etc), before a higher form of appreciation.

From my perspective, I see people against Mormonism in particular, because it can be an aggressive form of intrusion. It can be used to remind us of our susceptibility to psychological control. The proselytism can bring discomfort directly to your home. I see the reference to mormon.org as a form of proselytism, but I do plan to look at it regardless.

Mormons tend to be highly American: excellent at marketing, motivation, small group identity/teamwork, etc. As such, the most distinct members are commonly successful business people. My impression is Mormons are a significant asset to the economy of the United States. This brings enemies no matter what you represent. You tend to have fewer enemies the more you identify with those that know of you.

Lark/Eduk. After perceptions are addressed, maybe you could present particular Mormon things to this thread so they can be further clarified. I am particularly interested in the mixed signals the LDS church gives me. I am encouraged to talk, visit, etc., but I can only talk so much, see so much... Is there really an Elohim alien portal in the temple?

Lark_Truth · Post by **Lark_Truth** » February 24th, 2017, 10:51 am

You do strike some excellent points, Aristocles. People do seem to be against that which they can not correlate to. Though in the case with the LDS church, it may be because of certain misunderstandings that people outside of the church have. For instance, polygamy (one man having multiple wives) was once a part of the doctrine of the LDS church - albeit not a very common (or popular during the early days of its institution in the Mormon religion) practice - and was ended in 1889 after a United States Supreme Court order. Despite this, the rumor that Mormons practice polygamy (even at a young age) is still quite popular and not very many people outside of the Church even realize that polygamy is no longer a thing. (Really, I think that it was just a test for the early saints of the church to see just how willing they were to follow God's commandments.) Once one understands that there is not a lot of weird things in the Mormon Church, then one begins to appreciate the uniqueness and high values of the Mormons.
Proselyting does kind of seem like marketing doesn't it. But its purpose isn't just to bring people into the LDS church, it's for the missionaries to learn and grow in the gospel and for them to feel the happiness that comes with doing God's will.
An Elohim alien portal in the temple? Ha ha ha! No. I'd have to say that that rumor goes right up with the one that says Mormons have horns. Ha ha ha!
You can only talk and see so much, after that, you need to think it out (maybe pray about it if you are really wanting to know) and then decide for yourself what you think is the truth and if you want to commit to it. Looking at Mormon.org is a great idea, Aristocles, and I fully encourage you to try it out, if not because you think that it would be a really great idea to join the LDS church, but to at least learn about the Mormons and see that they aren't what all of the rumors depict at all.
Good luck!

Eduk · Post by **Eduk** » February 25th, 2017, 4:46 am

Aristocles not sure why you are asking me?

Post by **Aristocles** » February 25th, 2017, 6:50 am

Sorry Eduk; I was trying to channel Dark Matter, & your name was typed.

Lark: I know polygamy can be a hot topic, but I suspect many here do not see that as a true Mormonism. Yes, that polygamy portrayal and minority aspect of historical and isolated current Grand Canyon communities are not to be overlooked... I think there is more to it however, but again, the disdain can be applied to many groups and individuals that differ from the one harboring ill will.

Eduk · Post by **Eduk** » February 25th, 2017, 8:40 am

Aristocles

Spraticus · Post by **Spraticus** » February 28th, 2017, 4:30 pm

Where I come from most people are not against the Mormons, they are just regarded as misguided silly people who believe an obviously made-up religion.

Post by **Aristocles** » February 28th, 2017, 8:24 pm

Spraticus wrote:Where I come from most people are not against the Mormons, they are just regarded as misguided silly people who believe an obviously made-up religion.

Aside from a semantical diversion of "against" not equating to misguided silliness of that which is obviously false, this view appears to beg the question: what organized group is not misguided, silly & false?

Lark_Truth · Post by **Lark_Truth** » February 28th, 2017, 8:30 pm

Spraticus wrote:Where I come from most people are not against the Mormons, they are just regarded as misguided silly people who believe an obviously made-up religion.

Good point.
Problem: Lack of knowledge
Solution: Learn and research from Mormons themselves. No Bible bashing!
How is that?

Aristocles wrote:Aside from a semantical diversion of "against" not equating to misguided silliness of that which is obviously false, this view appears to beg the question: what organized group is not misguided, silly & false?

I would say the Mormons, but that would be a biased opinion as I am a Mormon, so I advise research (not just on Mormon.org) to see if there is any such organization.