Mercury wrote:It is my observation that those in certain social classes within Mormonism stay in the social class they were born into. Not only that they stay in said social class but there is, in the lower and middle class Mormon mindset a "peasant" attitude of reverence for the upper classes, reinforced by said upper classes being predominate in leadership roles.
It seemed as if being well-to-do was a qualification for a perceived higher spirituality and interaction between the classes was discouraged. Case in point, I and a handfull of colleagues were starting a business. We needed a lawyer to draw up papers for incorporation. When I inquired with my grandparents for the contact information for someone in their old ward who was in that field by name, I was told that that is not how this is done and to find someone else more "on our level". Several other incidents like this were experienced by myself throughout my life.
Does/did anyone else see this attitude?
Mercury,
Your “observation” can be applied much more universally to religious organizations. The larger they are, the greater the divisions within the group. “Prominent leadership roles” are coveted in any larger group organization. There is competition for those
roles. So even at “the top” there is competition.
It appears that those who have thus far given you an unqualified “no” to your question are unable or unwilling to articulate their
thinking. “Level” is almost always important. I can think of no organization of any size in which “level” of individuals is not considered and given conscious or unconscious regard.
Where a hierarchy exists, there are “levels” in that hierarchy. Someone is at the top. Meetings are held. Certain people are “invited” to the meetings and others are not invited.
The only aspect of your observation which I would challenge you to consider is that
the principle which you observe is far wider than
Mormonism. It’s much more universal.
My agreement is with your observation. I suspect in a longer post, you could further detail and evidence to support your observation.
Those who merely say “no” to your affirmative observation fail to offer any refutation. While your examples were limited, I feel confident you could offer additional ones.
JAK