Is Mormonism's Poor Image Due to Public Misunderstanding?

[_Jason Bourne]

Actually much of it is due to the way Mormons poorly interact with non Mormons. The us or them, in the world but not of it, every member a missionary creating annoying behavior and friendship for the sake of conversion only and so on all create a bad image.

I disagree.

You are simply wrong. The Church's survey's bear this out. Ask a non LDS friend or co worker. Really ask them to be honest with you about it.

Most of the negative stuff one hears is straight from the antiMormon playbook.

Not really.

I would agree that the reason it's there is because we have not assimilated oursevles with them ecumenically.

One can be a good neighbor and citizen just for the sake of being such without an agenda of being a member missionary or "bringing the Church out of obscurity" as Elder Ballard tells the public affairs committee to do and not have to be ecumenical.

But that is the way it has to be.

And thus you demonstrate why so many think LDSers are weird and view them unfavorably. You are the poster boy.

[_jon]

What negative stuff do people hear from anti-Mormons that isn't actually true?

Much of what they hear is Yellow Journalistic. Out of context or non correlating conclusions. Glass-looker or magic underwear for example. Some outright lies such as God having sex with Mary being doctrine, or that we are racist or sexist, or that we worship Joseph Smith, etc.

But bcspace, these points are true.
Joseph Smith was a glass looker who used the same stone to translate the Book of Mormon. Fact.
Mormons wear specified sacred underwear that provides protection. Fact.
Prophets have taught that Mary conceived Jesus in the traditional way. Fact.
Mormonism was racist - people were banned from the Priesthood because of the colour of their skin, Prophets have testified that black skin = unrighteousness, as does the Book of Mormon. Fact.
Mormonism was and is sexist. Fact.
Some Mormons do worship Joseph Smith, does Mormonism? I think people can be forgiven for thinking this considering the air time he gets vs Jesus.