Antley: Book of Mormon and Racism

[_mms]

But here's the deal--the Book of Mormon teaches that God uses a "skin of blackness" as a curse for being lazy, etc. Why should a black person not conclude that according to the Book of Mormon, he or she has a "skin of blackness" because of a curse for being a lazy people, etc.? Especially when the Mormons refused to give blacks the Priesthood--reinforcing the idea that black skin means cursed?

[_Darth J]

But here's the deal--the Book of Mormon teaches that God uses a "skin of blackness" as a curse for being lazy, etc. Why should a black person not conclude that according to the Book of Mormon, he or she has a "skin of blackness" because of a curse for being a lazy people, etc.? Especially when the Mormons refused to give blacks the Priesthood--reinforcing the idea that black skin means cursed?

Because black people---Negroes--were not cursed with a black skin for being lazy. Negroes were cursed because of something they did before they were born and of which they had no memory. Whereas American Indians were cursed with a skin of blackness because of something their ancestors did, of which they had no say in the matter.

See? Totally different.

[_CaliforniaKid]

Well, I'm not understanding something... You admit that The Book of Mormon, specifically 1 Nephi 12:23, says some things that are racist in nature in reference to the American Indian (idle, loathsome, filthy); yet somehow that is not as morally wrong as making racist statements about black people?

Can you clarify? Because it seems your only beef is that Dr. Hendricks got the object of The Book of Mormon's racism incorrect.

+1

But here's the deal--the Book of Mormon teaches that God uses a "skin of blackness" as a curse for being lazy, etc. Why should a black person not conclude that according to the Book of Mormon, he or she has a "skin of blackness" because of a curse for being a lazy people, etc.? Especially when the Mormons refused to give blacks the Priesthood--reinforcing the idea that black skin means cursed?

Seconded. Furthermore,

". . . there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people" (Moses 7:8).
"And . . . they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it was the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them" (Moses 7:22).

These passages reflect racist 19th century interpretations of Genesis 4:15 ("And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him") and Genesis 9:25 ("And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren").

In light of this, the "The Book of Mormon's only racist against Indians" defense amounts to trivial hairsplitting.

[_Drifting]

How does the Church escape the sanction of having to remove the racism from the Book of Mormon or litigation by anti-racism groups?

[_Darth J]

How does the Church escape the sanction of having to remove the racism from the Book of Mormon or litigation by anti-racism groups?

It escapes it because under the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment, a court cannot adjudicate the truth value of religious teachings or interpret religious doctrines.

[_Drifting]

How does the Church escape the sanction of having to remove the racism from the Book of Mormon or litigation by anti-racism groups?

It escapes it because under the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment, a court cannot adjudicate the truth value of religious teachings or interpret religious doctrines.

So, in effect, Religions are free to be racist?
If a religion promotes the belief that a black skin is a sign that the individual is inferior in the eyes of God - that is legal to do so?
If the KKK was a religion, they would be legally able to promote their beliefs about black people?

[_MCB]

So, in effect, Religions are free to be racist?
If a religion promotes the belief that a black skin is a sign that the individual is inferior in the eyes of God - that is legal to do so?
If the KKK was a religion, they would be legally able to promote their beliefs about black people?

So question for Darth-- if the courts-- say down the road as more members would leave-- were to decide that LDS is a business-- then they could address the racism?

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

The incorporated arm of the LDS church has to abide by Federal law.

The religious arm cannot be held responsible for its doctrines, nor actions of its adherents. In other words, if Mormons decided to start flying planes into buildings, or bombing competing churches, erm, mosques, erm, temples, the institution itself wouldn't be held liable for its doctrines unless there was a direct connection to a leader. Even then Mormons would still be allowed to exist as an institution... The ideology would be allowed to exist and grow.

The Federal government protects freedom of religion even at its own detriment. That said, once you become a business you're its b****.

- VRDRC

[_Jaybear]

So, in effect, Religions are free to be racist?
If a religion promotes the belief that a black skin is a sign that the individual is inferior in the eyes of God - that is legal to do so?
If the KKK was a religion, they would be legally able to promote their beliefs about black people?

You are mistaken.
The KKK is legally able to promote its beliefs about black people.
The first amendment protects KKK, Aryan Nation and others from prosecution for hate speech.

[_Buffalo]

Well, I'm not understanding something... You admit that The Book of Mormon, specifically 1 Nephi 12:23, says some things that are racist in nature in reference to the American Indian (idle, loathsome, filthy); yet somehow that is not as morally wrong as making racist statements about black people?

Can you clarify? Because it seems your only beef is that Dr. Hendricks got the object of The Book of Mormon's racism incorrect.

H.

http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 94610aRCRD


The people who followed Nephi obeyed God. They worked hard and were blessed. Nephi taught his people to build with wood and metal. They built a beautiful temple



Laman and Lemuel’s followers called themselves Lamanites. They became a dark-skinned people. God cursed them because of their wickedness.



The Lamanites became lazy and would not work.