I was just walking out of my Comparative Politics class today, when I heard two people talking behind me. They were talking about politics; one was a girl and one was a guy. The girl was talking about Obama and how great he was and the guy was somewhat downtrodden because he liked Romney, and he had just dropped out (to my chagrin also...). When the girl heard this she said, "Well good, no way we let a Mormon in the White House." The guy was confused and asked what she meant by that. She responded, "Well I mean he's a different f---ing religion...". When I heard this I turned around and just looked at her and shook my head, I think I also unconsciously gave her the stink-eye (I'm kicking myself because I wish I had said something, but really I liked what the guy was saying and I wanted to hear what was said next). When the male speaker hear this he was slightly taken aback and playing the devil's advocate he said, "well if you think being a Mormon is controversial, what about being the first black person running?" Apparently this was a stunning rhetorical question to the girl and she immediately responded, "How can you say that? You're so racist!"
Oh the double standards we live by... I was dumbfounded, I could not believe she would have the audacity to accuse him of being racist when she herself was being the prejudicial bigot. I mean he never said it was bad for Obama to run, he just was just trying to say it was also, like with Romney and Clinton, a first. I was at a loss for words, I just kept shaking my head. They must have known I was doing so because of her comments. How come it is okay to denounce religion and hate someone for their beliefs, but when someone even mentions skin color (with not an ounce of negative connotation) there is a huge uproar?
The world around us is so ignorant to what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes and what they are. I remember hearing a story told, after Katrina hit in New Orleans a news reporter was interviewing a man who had lost his home and almost everything he owned; he said it has been very difficult but he was so greatful for the help he was getting from volunteers. The news reporter asked what groups the volunteers were from and he said there were two: those from "the Mormons' Church and those from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". I always smile when I hear that but really it is so true. People really have no idea when it comes to the Church, they do not know the Church has over 13 million members, that they have active Missions in 162 countries, that the Book of Mormon has been translated into 105 different languages. This is a global Church, a global Christian Church, not a cult or anything of that nature, it is a legitimate church, loved by millions.
This might be news to the world, but guess what? The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) ARE CHRISTIAN. What?!?! Mormons are Christian, how?!?! I know, I know, it's a shocker, but they believe in the Christ of the Bible. In my opinion "Mormons'" practices and beliefs align most with the early Church, right after Christ's death and resurrection, than do other 'traditional' churches.
It's so sad to think that in today's world, where we pride ourselves on equality and fairness, people can still be so prejudicial to others' beliefs. I am going to quote something and its not scripture, it's from a little thing written a couple hundred years ago called the Bill of Rights, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". I know, I know that's talking about Congress, but I think it's meant just as much to Congress as it is to the individual, we should be accepting of all people not matter race, creed, or religion; none of us should ever "prohibit the free exercise" of religion.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Oh the Double Standards We Live By...
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7 comments:
That's a great story. Sad, but illustrative of the state of our society.
What's better, though, is that things are only going to improve for the Church. As time passes, the Church will emerge as a mighty force in the world for good. Even mightier than it now is!
And there will be less bigots as the world becomes immersed in the knowledge of the Gospel.
I couldn't agree more. I just we could educate these people, instead of them gobbling up all the misinformation that is out there.
That's what you're doing right now with your blog. I've had some great experiences with my own. In fact, one person started reading it about a year ago and attacked the Church as un-Christian. Within a few weeks, he included us among Christian churches.
Keep up the good work.
I find it interesting that you mention the Constitution. Truly a remarkable document, and it never ceases to amaze me how little Americans know about what's in it.
Article VI is another personal favorite of mine, and I think it applies to all citizens in the same way your interpretation of the first amendment applies to everyone, not just Congress.
Good luck getting other people to see it that way though, right? LOL.
Interesting blog. Keep it up;)
Beliefs are changeable and normative, race is not. That is why people treat the concepts differently. Calling people bigots because they don't like what your church stands for (as they understand it) is inaccurate. It is also unpersuasive.
Given how often LDS disagree with other's beliefs, I think it is also either disingeous and/or hypocritical for people who don't like your faith to be "bigots" when y'all are actively trying to persuade other people to change their own beliefs. Are you not then "bigots" as well? At least against the "church of the devil?" This isn't intended as a slam, but I've seen this as a repeated response to anti-Mormonism and I don't think it's logically consistent. Perhaps you could explain why your opposition are bigots and y'all are not?
I was not saying anyone who disagreed with my beliefs was a bigot, that, in fact, is the definition of what a bigot is. Now I will always treat any sharing of beliefs, ideals, practices, etc. with the utmost respect.
I am not arguing that culture (ie religion, practices, language) and race (what or where one is born into or his or her origin) are the same, not at all, but both can be prejudiced against no?
I believe our definitions (or at least connotations) of the word 'bigot' differ. According to The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition a bigot is, "One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ." Now I must say I am strongly partial to my beliefs and ideals and I believe most other Latter-day Saints are as well, but the difference between bigotry and a strong conviction (as stated above) is being "intolerant of those who differ." As I said before you will most likely have differing opinions than me,even if you are a Latter-day Saint, but I-like all LDS Missionaries you will talk to-will respect you and will gladly compare our beliefs, with no sense of intolerance or hostility.
What I do call bigotry is a person of either camp allowing their views to fully control them to the extent of hysteria and false accusation. The girl I reference in my anecdote was practicing the complete antithesis of equality and fairness. I assure you if it was he that was saying the same of Senator Obama's race I would have taken the same actions and felt the same disgust as I did with her.
I will not argue either that I disagree with ideals, just as others disagree with mine, it is human nature. The reason I call her a bigot and I do not call myself a bigot is because I do not hate or pass judgment on someone solely based on their beliefs. How come, without any prior knowledge of the person, one is able to pass such judgment on him solely based on stereotypes of his belief system? I was astonished by the audacity and hypocrisy of her statements, not so much the beliefs themselves.
The "church of the devil" is no Christian church here on earth, at least that is what I believe. I look at it a bit more figuratively as in "the devil's church" is simply those things that tempt and persuade people to do bad, to break commandments, and to dwindle in their faith. It's not a single institution necessarily (at least by earthly standards) but are the 'actions' controlled by Satan to cause people to stray from righteousness.
Lastly I never have accused all critics as being bigots, those who participate in clear-headed and logically driven debate are more than welcome and are indeed no such bigots; they are open to discussing both sides of an argument. Unfortunately, I too often find (especially online) those who say things out of contempt and hate of the Church and not out of logic to either better understand the 'truth' of the Church or to help me and others understand the 'truth' of the Church. Also I cannot speak for every Latter-day Saint, some may very well be bigots (just like you and I they're human) but as a whole I know the Church is proud of its willingness to talk and to create understanding rather than attacking others.
I hope this adequately addresses the points you made in your comment.
i find it it interesting, how te hcurch is criticized as a cult, yet Mormons are always eager to defend its honor. But here is an example of why people may think that way."As time passes, the Church will emerge as a mighty force in the world for good. Even mightier than it now is!"
hmm ive never heard of people talking about a church holding power?? power over what? people's minds? See i am all for freedom of religion, I have no problem with people being mormon to each its own right? But where do you come off telling me I am wrong, and forcing people to be mormon. Apparently the church stands for power and its ultimate goal is might and controlling the world. Just my opinion.
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