DiscussMormonism.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/magazine/06mormonism-t.html?em&ex=1199854800&en=fc2e77108757dcfe&ei=5087%0A

What sayest thou?

Nice article. Thanks for posting.

Though I do wonder what Mormon's he's referring to that want to get rid of the "man can become god" doctrine. That's the whole point of Mormonism, is it not?

Who Knows wrote:Nice article. Thanks for posting.

Though I do wonder what Mormon's he's referring to that want to get rid of the "man can become god" doctrine. That's the whole point of Mormonism, is it not?

I think he was referring to Gordon "I don't know that we teach it" Hinckley.

Other than my impression that he misunderstood the equal footing of the Bible as translated correctly with the Book of Mormon (the gideon Bible in the hotel room paragraph) I thought he did a great job and was obviously much better informed than most.

Excellent article overall, and he brings up some really good points about a developing faith that changes despite still clinging to exclusive 'truths'.

Mary

Good article!

I enjoyed the political commentary but chuckled at this (because it perfectly sums up my "HUH?" reactions that I have often):

Mormonism, it seems, is extreme in both respects: in its exaggerated normalcy and its exaggerated oddity. The marriage of these opposites leaves outsiders uncomfortable, wondering what Mormonism really is.

I find it interesting that so much focus is being put on Romney's religious affiliation. My fear is that if he loses the nomination that there will be cries of bigotry -- when the case is that we can never know for certain.

I posted in off-topic for Jason a poll where Romney was supported by over 60% of those surveyed in Utah. Huckabee was supported by 2%. Is this religious bigotry? I'm not making a case for it either way. I just found it interesting.

Great article Moksha!

Moniker wrote:Good article!

I enjoyed the political commentary but chuckled at this (because it perfectly sums up my "HUH?" reactions that I have often):

Mormonism, it seems, is extreme in both respects: in its exaggerated normalcy and its exaggerated oddity. The marriage of these opposites leaves outsiders uncomfortable, wondering what Mormonism really is.

I find it interesting that so much focus is being put on Romney's religious affiliation. My fear is that if he loses the nomination that there will be cries of bigotry -- when the case is that we can never know for certain.

I posted in off-topic for Jason a poll where Romney was supported by over 60% of those surveyed in Utah. Huckabee was supported by 2%. Is this religious bigotry? I'm not making a case for it either way. I just found it interesting.

Great article Moksha!

I was caught up with the potential "bigotry" thing when Huckabee suddenly pulled ahead in the polls (in conjunction with a few ads/articles [not necessarily put out by his campaign] that focused on Romney and/or Mormonism... for example: the Southern Baptism Press put out eleven articles on Mormonism in December). But then I realized that a Mormon is a presidential candidate, and he finished second in Iowa. How on earth can anyone possibly cry “bigotry” when such a thing happened?

I think that the fact he has come this far is a testament that “bigotry” isn’t quite as alive and well in America as many of us may think.

Doctor Steuss wrote:

Moniker wrote:Good article!

I enjoyed the political commentary but chuckled at this (because it perfectly sums up my "HUH?" reactions that I have often):

Mormonism, it seems, is extreme in both respects: in its exaggerated normalcy and its exaggerated oddity. The marriage of these opposites leaves outsiders uncomfortable, wondering what Mormonism really is.

I find it interesting that so much focus is being put on Romney's religious affiliation. My fear is that if he loses the nomination that there will be cries of bigotry -- when the case is that we can never know for certain.

I posted in off-topic for Jason a poll where Romney was supported by over 60% of those surveyed in Utah. Huckabee was supported by 2%. Is this religious bigotry? I'm not making a case for it either way. I just found it interesting.

Great article Moksha!

I was caught up with the potential "bigotry" thing when Huckabee suddenly pulled ahead in the polls (in conjunction with a few ads/articles [not necessarily put out by his campaign] that focused on Romney and/or Mormonism... for example: the Southern Baptism Press put out eleven articles on Mormonism in December). But then I realized that a Mormon is a presidential candidate, and he finished second in Iowa. How on earth can anyone possibly cry “bigotry” when such a thing happened?

I think that the fact he has come this far is a testament that “bigotry” isn’t quite as alive and well in America as many of us may think.

Steuss, I'm optimistic! What about Obama winning a primary at the same time our first Mormon candidate runs for President and a serious female contender is in the race?! I'm in an ecstatic tizzy at what this says about America! Pleases me so!

For the most part a pretty good and balanced article.

Mormonism’s political problem arises, in large part, from the disconcerting split between its public and private faces.

Bingo

Dr Steuss, Jason, Moksha, what did you think of the part in the article where the author talks about how difficult it is for Mormons to converse with non-mormons?

He also mentions the esoterica thing, I take it to mean that when a Mormon says 'anti-mormon' for instance, it means an entirely different thing to when a non-mormon, non affiliated with the church says it. One carries the baggage (only known to Mormons), the other doesn't. It's like the church has this kind of 'mormonspeak' that means there is always a (sometimes purposeful) double meaning going on...

Mary