DarkHelmet wrote:The blame obviously lies with the members who actually believed what they were being taught. They could have used their free agency and rejected these racist teachings. If they feel they were duped, too bad for them. They made their own bed.
I was puzzled as to why Simon is going on and on in this tread on unrelated subjects. What drew his attention, not the subject matter of which he is unconscious. Then I realized that this post is a parody of what he has said about the culpabilty of exmormons.
I was looking at this post at first taking it at face value. I grew up Mormon in the 60s and think it is possible to later forget some aspects of the situation which made it more difficult to see outside of the doctrine. There were just too many unreliable people speaking about cival rights, communists socialists Jews, and unitarian universalists, Not to mention negroes. For social direction we were supposed to follow the inspired leaders of the church who clearly warned about the dangers of civil rights leaders.
I may have had some questions about the policy but I doubt I was able to completely reject it untill I left the church. Perhaps becomeing older would have allowed more independence of thought.
I could repeat what has been suggested before that the doctrine that we were the special best spirits, born white, American and Mormon can be made more secure by pointing to groups born to inferior positions. It can also be said that believing the superior caste idea in any form creates a dark spot inside a person which does not allow some things to be seen and understood. Leaders who spread this particular darkness are shareing their own darkness with you.