"Midnight Mormons" Profanes Temple

[Sledge]

FFS, Sledge. Don't just make a blanket accusation. First, establish that they have done what you accuse them of doing, and then ask me whether I was aware of it. Don't come out of the gate half-cocked accusing me of not being consistent. You really just don't know. That is rhetorical BS.

I don't know! You're right. That is why I am asking. If you don't want to answer because you think I have some weird ulterior motive, I guess I'll have to live with that.

[Lem]

The way Mormons have handled people’s disagreement with the appropriateness of their baptism for the dead rite brings up an interesting point in this discussion. I tend to agree that mean-spirited mocking of people engaging in a rite is inappropriate, but many, many people have objected to the lds baptism for the dead for people of other religions as being intrusive and vastly inappropriate, and yet the general response from Mormons is some variation on ‘we believe it’s right, therefore we will continue’ or ‘it’s not a big deal if you don’t believe,’ or ‘we didn’t intend offense,’ or ‘you don’t have a right to object.’

Any one of those comments could be used to support the case in the opposite direction as well.

I have no problem with avoiding mockery and profanity with respect to the people who are exercising their religion, but it really needs to go both ways. I really don’t see that yet.

[Dr Moore]

Suppose a new Church of Jesus Christ, Exemplar were on the earth. This church holds a core tenet that all people must worship God and that one exemplary leader of worshipping God is the man named Jesus. Therefore, for those with Christian heritage, Jesus must be demoted from deity and becomes merely an exemplary mortal. This religion believes some Biblical passages are key to knowing "the way" to God, but denies literalism in other passages which appear to elevate Jesus to anything but an exemplary man.

To be sure of this, baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ, Exemplar signifies obedience to God and a clear statement of belief that Jesus shows the way, but is not to be worshipped or held up as divine. This is, of course, offensive to all Christians, but in any case, the CoJC,E quietly maintains its more-correct view.

As it turns out, the CoJC,E believes, per their revealed interpretation of the New Testament, in baptism for the dead. Accordingly, it aggregates large databases of dead people and performs baptisms for those people. These baptisms appear to be a sort of declaration that Jesus is not the Lord and Savior of the deceased, a gross violation to Christians, but such criticism is met with a hands-raised innocent defense that "we're doing no harm" and "they have the choice to accept this in the afterlife."

Now, how would Mormons react to knowing that their ancestors are also being baptized in a temple down the way, in such a way that demotes Jesus from Lord and Savior to something merely mortal? I imagine quite a few Mormons would be pissed and more than a few might be driven to anger even unto mockery.

[MG 2.0]

I have no problem with avoiding mockery and profanity with respect to the people who are exercising their religion, but it really needs to go both ways. I really don’t see that yet.

I don’t think you will see very many, if any, active/believing members of the LDS church use profanity and mockery to describe the religious rites/practices of others.

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

Now, how would Mormons react to knowing that their ancestors are also being baptized in a temple down the way, in such a way that demotes Jesus from Lord and Savior to something merely mortal? I imagine quite a few Mormons would be pissed and more than a few might be driven to anger even unto mockery.

I don’t think so. Not if they’re following the teachings of Jesus.

Regards,
MG

[Lem]

That’s the thing about beliefs. Many of those who objected to the lds church baptizing victims of the Holocaust into their religion considered it a profane mockery. Just because Mormons don’t think it’s a profane mockery is irrelevant. They are mocking and profaning others. The request that other’s rites be respected by Mormons is, so far, not a two way street.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

This post on Reddit dovetails nicely with this thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comme ... e_clothes/

Unpopular Opinion: Stop Flaunting Temple Clothes on TikTok

Every once in a while, I will tune in to ‘Midnight Mormons’ or other Church Apologetic YouTube videos. On one of the most recent videos by ‘Midnight Mormons,’ they talked a lot about the disrespect coming from the ExMormon community, most of which I highly disagree with but a few I will acknowledge. The issue that I share with them is the disrespect that some exmormons have when going in public spaces and filming themselves dancing around in Temple garments.

In short, regardless if you believe in Mormonism or not, it’s disrespectful to an entire demographic, poor taste in humor, and a despicable sell-out as a creator. Now, let me expand more on my thoughts if you care to listen.

A short introduction, I left the church more than a year ago and have experienced pain and grief just like most of you. I am also a full-time YouTuber/TV personality here in Taiwan. Therefore I tend to be a little bit more critical of social media content online; that’s why I decided to take time to open up and share my thoughts about this issue.

During and after my faith crisis, all I wanted from others, especially my TBM family, was respect and understanding. Often in this community, we critique TSCC for not respecting its members for withholding critical information away from them, improperly using their tithes, and much more. We all understand how sacred the Temple clothing is believing Members of the Church, so wouldn’t it be hypocritical to be disrespecting them while screaming out for their respect? I understand the history of the Temple and its wrong upbringing. I understand the pain and disgust many of us have towards the Church, but when was it acceptable to be disrespectful back?

I live abroad and am surrounded by many different kinds of religions. The best thing I’ve learned to build a better relationship with others and a stronger community is respecting and loving all people and beliefs. There are many religions that I disagree with, especially Mormonism now, but that doesn’t give me an excuse to take what matters most to them and disgrace it. As much as I love to fight back against the Goliath and point out its inconsistencies and wrongs, there is a correct way and a wrong way in doing so.

As exmormons, we advocate for truth and transparency, that’s what we want others, especially members of the LDS church, to know. Sadly, however, many LDS members have a negative annotation towards the ExMormon community due to doctrinal teachings and a select few members of this community that paint us as some barbaric angry, bitter group. If we want them to have sympathy for us, if we want them to realize the pain and grief we are in, if we genuinely want them to know our frustration, that’s okay; but hurting them back is never the answer.

As a creator with a decent-sized following, I know a few things about content creation, clickbait subjects, and how to spot a creator who is selling out. Mocking other people is the easiest yet most despicable and talentless form of comedy. It’s time to do better. If showing disrespect for other people brings in views and subscriptions, then good for you. After an accumulation of over one-million followed and millions and millions of views I have learned that fame, popularity, and booming analytics don’t matter, but self-dignity and a positive impact on society does. If you rely on bashing another religion and others as your way to bring in views, then you’re nothing better than a treasure digger because that’s precisely what you’re doing.

I want to emphasize once again, I’m just as frustrated and angered with the church as most of you are. I think it’s important to be critical and hold the leaders of the church accountable, as well as to advocate for transparency and truth. What I don’t like is hurting others by disrespectfully mocking their faith and using what matters most to them as a form of crude and senseless comedy. I get it, it’s funny at first thought, but to some people, it’s very hurtful. In the end, aren’t we all supposed to come together and build a stronger community? If we want a change from them, it’s time some of us show it first.

Thanks for listening to my rant. I’m sure many of you may disagree with me. I’d love to hear some of your arguments and criticism. I’m grateful for this community and owe so much to it. I have just heard from many people the disgust of some of this communities actions and also think these people should be checked and called out appropriately.

Also in the same subreddit is this guy twerking in temple clothes:

https://www.reddit.com/user/Beautifuleyes411

Don’t click on his profile if you don’t want to see the profane. I’m not sure how I feel about disrespecting the temple - I consider the LDS church a cult so I don’t mind people shining the light on their practices, but I can’t help feel dirty watching people dressed in temple garb doing various things and then posting it online. I know when NNN was planning to film a porno in a temple people who lost their collective minds over it were right to do so, but I’m just not sure where the line is at for me.

- Doc

[consiglieri]

I have no problem with avoiding mockery and profanity with respect to the people who are exercising their religion, but it really needs to go both ways. I really don’t see that yet.

I don’t think you will see very many, if any, active/believing members of the LDS church use profanity and mockery to describe the religious rites/practices of others.

Regards,
MG

“Their creeds are an abomination and the professors thereof are all corrupt”?

[consiglieri]

For the record, I find people roller skating in temple clothes to be intentionally trying to disrespect the religious practices of others.

I roundly condemn it.

But would fight to the death to protect their right to do it.

[The Stig]

I don’t think you will see very many, if any, active/believing members of the LDS church use profanity and mockery to describe the religious rites/practices of others.

Regards,
MG

“Their creeds are an abomination and the professors thereof are all corrupt”?

MG has a superficial understanding of his faith (at best). If he's encouraged to actually dig below that shiny veneer, his head might explode.