DiscussMormonism.com

New Pew Survey found here http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Mormo ... mmary.aspx

(Full downloadable reports here: http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Mormo ... erica.aspx )

Question: How important is each of these for being a good Mormon?

Believing Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ- Essential = 80% Important but not essential = 13% Not too/not at all important = 6%

Working to help the poor- Essential = 73% Important but not essential = 24% Not too/not at all important = 3%

Regular Family Home Evenings- Essential = 51% Important but not essential = 45% Not too/not at all important = 4%

Not drinking coffee and tea- Essential = 49% Important but not essential = 32% Not too/not at all important = 17%

Not watching R-rated movies- Essential = 32% Important but not essential = 47% Not too/not at all important = 19%

Reminds me of an old joke:

What's the difference between a good Mormon and a bad Mormon?

The temperature of their caffeine.

Never mind. I misread the OP. Not the first time I've done that.

My TBM wife likes tea. She will argue about the negative benefits of coffee (which I drink) but somehow tea never enters the picture. I think the tea is good for her so I avoid mentioning the obvious conflict.

mms wrote:New Pew Survey found here http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Mormo ... mmary.aspx

(Full downloadable reports here: http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Mormo ... erica.aspx )

Question: How important is each of these for being a good Mormon?

Believing Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ- Essential = 80% Important but not essential = 13% Not too/not at all important = 6%

Working to help the poor- Essential = 73% Important but not essential = 24% Not too/not at all important = 3%

Regular Family Home Evenings- Essential = 51% Important but not essential = 45% Not too/not at all important = 4%

Not drinking coffee and tea- Essential = 49% Important but not essential = 32% Not too/not at all important = 17%

Not watching R-rated movies- Essential = 32% Important but not essential = 47% Not too/not at all important = 19%

These are very interesting results. I would have to question the method of gathering these stats. Only 80% think that Believing Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ is essential to being a good Mormon? That is a question on the TR interview. I would expect 100% of Mormons to say that is essential. That's the entire foundation of the church.

When they interviewed Mormons, did they internview "good" Mormons, or just people who claim to be Mormon?

Another good WoW joke.

If you are going fishing and are taking a Mormon why do you need to ensure to take 2?

Answer:
If you take just one he will drink all your beer.

Check out the full report--it's 125 pages--info about the sample is on pages 69-71.

http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Mormo ... erica.aspx

Some interesting notes...more men (13%) than women (8%) think women should have the priesthood; 54% think drinking alcohol is a "moral" issue (weird); 65% of the sample had current temple recs (gives some insight into the sample).

My guess: 95% of TR holders think a good Mormon would not drink coffee. 85% of TR holders think the same about tea

zeezrom wrote:My guess: 95% of TR holders think a good Mormon would not drink coffee. 85% of TR holders think the same about tea

I'm guessing that the interviews were among self-identified Mormons, quite a few of whom are probably not active members and do not hold temple recommends. I think you're right about what most active members believe.

95% of internet apologists believe a good Mormon would not be a democrat.