A peculiar people (how?)

[_Jersey Girl]

Jason Bourne mentioned this in his post on another thread and of course, I've heard it many times prior.

Tell me, how are LDS a peculiar people?

Thanks,
Jersey Girl

(Please do not use this thread to take cheap shots at LDS.)

[_Moniker]

I'm interested to see the responses to this. I had severe culture shock after being introduced to some LDS on these boards, so, I'd be interested in how they may view themselves.

[_John Larsen]

Maybe a better way to ask the question is, which people aren't peculiar?

[_Coca Cola]

We are supposed to be "in" the world, but not "of" the world. (As opposed to the FLDS who are not allowed to "in" or "of" any world but their own.)

We're peculiar because we don't smoke, drink, have sex before marriage, dress modestly, have no tattoos or multiple piercings, we look clean, we don't swear, etc.

We're probably awfully peculiar because we believe in a gold Bible....

[_The Nehor]

I'm interested to see the responses to this. I had severe culture shock after being introduced to some LDS on these boards, so, I'd be interested in how they may view themselves.

I would use this culture shock as evidence of our peculiarity.

[_Gazelam]

Ill say this.

When I tell the guys at work that I have never tasted alcohol, they look at me sideways and say "What? are you serious?"

I have had it happen on numerous occasions that they apologize to me for cussing around me, or they stop themselves in a mid sentance cuss and use some other word.

Lately they will stop in a story where it gets a bit racy and they say "Mike, ear muffs...." ( As in the boy from the movie Old School)

Take what you will from those observations and experiences.

[_Moniker]

I'm interested to see the responses to this. I had severe culture shock after being introduced to some LDS on these boards, so, I'd be interested in how they may view themselves.

I would use this culture shock as evidence of our peculiarity.

Well, how do you consider yourself peculiar? Or outside of the world in some sort?

[_moksha]

We know that hot drinks jazz was a bit bogus but we stick with the prohibition against tea and coffee anyway. Is that not peculiar enough? If you doubt that as sufficiently peculiar, look to how free speech and thought are handled at BYU.

That said, viva the marching to the beat of different drummers.

[_The Nehor]

I'm interested to see the responses to this. I had severe culture shock after being introduced to some LDS on these boards, so, I'd be interested in how they may view themselves.

I would use this culture shock as evidence of our peculiarity.

Well, how do you consider yourself peculiar? Or outside of the world in some sort?

You mean because I'm LDS or just because of the personality you've seen here? :)

[_Inconceivable]

What a Mormon really means to say is this:

"people treat us Mormons differently because we are righteous and they are less so."

It ties into the persecution complex as well:

"Righteousness is so foreign to the rest of the human race that not only are we peculiar, but it is our lot in life to be persecuted for it - Just as Jesus was."

These are not quotes by any particular Mormon, but it was how I perceived "peculiarity" as a Mormon.

"Peculiar" is also a word used to explain to the general membership what outsiders misconstrue as the truth.

Mormons are taught that the Truth is "peculiar" to the world.

But peculiar is what it is - it is an oddity (suits and ties on bikes, no tea but lots of creamy chocolate and obesity, funny costumes in secret rituals, asking God to bless junk food refreshments, Mormon adultery - polygamy, condescending attitudes to outsiders, overabundant use of medication in the state of Utah, confusing the definition of "know" with "I wish" or "I hope" etc)


Righteousness (charity, honesty, integrity & morality) is not "peculiar" or an oddity - although Mormons are taught to think it is.