Why People Dislike Mormons

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_msnobody
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _msnobody »

I seriously can only think of one person who refers to him or herself as a Latter-day Saint who has kept any contact with me whatsoever. I have concluded that those LDS whom I have tried to befriend, are unable to reciprocate or perhaps understand unconditional friendship. This is something I have accepted, yet it still saddens me. I would still without reservation or condition, welcome friendship with these same acquaintances.

Likewise, it is interesting to hear what LDS have to say about non-LDS when they assume you're LDS and know no different.
"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19 ESV
_sethpayne
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _sethpayne »

Kevin Graham wrote:It's astronomically rare that Mormons are genuine friends with non-Mormons and in many cases, even with other Mormons. After all, too much (i.e., 'eternal life') is at stake, and believing Mormons are focussed on climbing up the LDS institution's version of Jacob's ladder to get into the Celestial Kingdom. When 'friendship' is extended to lapsed and to non Mormons, it's purposeful; i.e., it's to (re-)convert them. If they resist, Mormons on the ladder have no time for them. Mormon 'friendship' isn't, therefore, genuine. The equation of Mormon fellowshipping to Amway recruitment is apt.


Hi Kevin,

I really enjoy a lot of your posts but I have to express strong disagreement with this sentiment. While no longer a believer, I have to say that when I was a "TBM" the vast majority friends, and my absolute BEST friends were not Mormon. (In fact, I am marrying my best friend of 13 years in a few short weeks weeks and she is, and always has been a devout Buddhist) They were genuine friends when I was a TBM and they are genuine friends now. Mormonism never had anything to do with my friendships.

Do some members of the Church become pushy and obnoxious in making friendships in an effort to win converts? Are some Mormons "Barbie-like" and "fake?" Of course. I think you are painting with far too broad a brush - as is the author the article you quoted. The fact is strong believers in ANY religion can be overbearing etc... I've had Muslims, EVs, and even Catholics try to "convert" me.

Having said that, I am certainly in no position to understand your experience with Mormons but I am curious: when you were a TBM are you saying that you had no "genuine" friends who were not LDS?

Seth
_why me
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _why me »

Mormons are certainly different and this difference can certainly be misunderstood as it was in this case. Mormons can be a little innocent when dealing with the world. And they can cetainly be less cynical about life. And they certainly can have a bubbly innocence about them. And certainly this can create a feeling of phoniness among others.

But the fact is: I wish that we had more Mormon like people around. The world has become greedy, ungodly and uncaring. I miss the innocense and I miss the caring. And maybe the Mormon who wrote the article needs to understand the specialness of Mormons and their mostly godlike behavior and happiness.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.
Joseph Smith


We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…”
Joseph Smith
_why me
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _why me »

msnobody wrote:I have concluded that those LDS whom I have tried to befriend, are unable to reciprocate or perhaps understand unconditional friendship. This is something I have accepted, yet it still saddens me. I would still without reservation or condition, welcome friendship with these same acquaintances.



Of course, the LDS are rather busy.

And even though you have tried to befriend them, did you also try to deconvert them? I don't think that the fast majority of LDS are so shallow. For after all the LDS church is a world wide church and Mormons are in short supply in these cases, a Mormon would probably be rather lonely only being friends with himself or herself. For the vast majority non LDS friends are the norm.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.
Joseph Smith


We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…”
Joseph Smith
_malaise
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _malaise »

Kevin Graham wrote:Same thing with family. The church likes to present itself as pro-family, but in reality it is only pro-family if all members are LDS. My wife's bishop has suggested divorcing me for the simple fact that I no longer believe. Her salvation is at stake, after all.

That is very true, and it is one of the main reasons many people stay in the church even after they realize that Mormon doctrine is nonsense. It hurts to be rejected by your family just because you were honest with them.
I'm sorry, but all questions muse be submitted in writing.
_why me
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _why me »

malaise wrote:That is very true, and it is one of the main reasons many people stay in the church even after they realize that Mormon doctrine is nonsense. It hurts to be rejected by your family just because you were honest with them.


This is not my experience at all. I know of many Mormons who left the LDS church and yet, their families still keep in touch with them. I don't see Mormons abandoning their children if they leave the faith. Just the opposite in fact. The LDS church has said over and over again, love those who left the church. Never have I heard a church leader encourage abandonment if a child or family member leaves the church.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.
Joseph Smith


We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…”
Joseph Smith
_malaise
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _malaise »

why me wrote:This is not my experience at all. I know of many Mormons who left the LDS church and yet, their families still keep in touch with them. I don't see Mormons abandoning their children if they leave the faith. Just the opposite in fact. The LDS church has said over and over again, love those who left the church. Never have I heard a church leader encourage abandonment if a child or family member leaves the church.

It's not fair to say that all Mormons abandon their family members once they leave te church, but a lot of them, and I do mean a lot, do just that. I am glad that you understand that their behavior is wrong and is exactly the sort of thing a true Christian (you can define that term however you want) wouldn't do.
I'm sorry, but all questions muse be submitted in writing.
_why me
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _why me »

Bond James Bond wrote:KG,


The average American adult watches R-rated movies and live R-rated lives. We tell dirty jokes, we drink beer, we bone our lovers, we watch football, and we don't want to go to Church except for one or two hours a week and never at night. Night church is for old people who are trying to get right before the end. We watch Bridesmaids and Horrible Bosses and every other gross out comedy that involves s*** piss and the word "f***!". We love the word "f***". We f*****g love it. And we definitely want to wear regular underwear. You want to sell Mormonism? Switch to regular underwear and you're 34.6% there. You want to sell Mormonism? Don't make getting into heaven require mandatory tithing. Most people are casual about their religion when you get down to it, they want to go to church and get a warm fuzzy and go watch football. They don't want another 401k payment, especially one that doesn't match and that they can't withdraw at 59 1/2. You want to sell Mormonism? You have to find a casual middle ground for people.
/rant?



Yea, you are absolutely right. Mormons should become more apart of the world. They should say curse words and talk like they are on the Jersey Shore or any other show that is now on TV. Yea, Mormons should be out there boning women and men after dowing some alcohol. And they should be more normal and catch genital herpes like 25% of the american population. If Mormons wish to convert more people, they need to get piss ass drunk, bone away, wake up with a hangover and view others as buttheads.

And yes, they should wear regular underwear. Heck, Mormon chicks should wear scanty underwear the kind that just covers the crack so when they meet a guy like me, I can enjoy the site when they take off their underpants. Yea, Bond, you are spot on.

Now of course, when we read Paul he is encouraging the early saints to be different from the pagans. What an idiot he was. He should have been encouraging the christians to be more pagan like.

Yea Bond, you are absolutely right. Those crazy Mormons who try not to be of the world but in the world.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.
Joseph Smith


We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…”
Joseph Smith
_why me
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _why me »

malaise wrote:It's not fair to say that all Mormons abandon their family members once they leave te church, but a lot of them, and I do mean a lot, do just that. I am glad that you understand that their behavior is wrong and is exactly the sort of thing a true Christian (you can define that term however you want) wouldn't do.


I have not seen this at all. Just the opposite in fact. And if I did know of any member who did do this, I would give them heck. I think that most Mormons are not this way: they love their family regardless of the status of their relatives and friends.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.
Joseph Smith


We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…”
Joseph Smith
_Everybody Wang Chung
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Re: Why People Dislike Mormons

Post by _Everybody Wang Chung »

Kevin,

Thank you sir for this excellent OP. I hope someday that this is preached from the pulpit at General Conference. Insincerity and pushiness are hallmarks of Utah Mormonism. Although, I have noticed that the farther away from "Zion" one moves, the less of a problem this becomes.

I loved this advice:

From the OP wrote:I'd like to see us focus less on converting others to our lifestyle, and simply live so that our lifestyle becomes more attractive to others. There is only one character trait you can demonstrate that other people will find irresistible, and that trait is kindness. "In the end," as the song goes, "Only kindness matters."

"I'm on paid sabbatical from BYU in exchange for my promise to use this time to finish two books."

Daniel C. Peterson, 2014
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