Mormons are *Special* People

I was watching Bill Maher a week or two ago and he posed a question that made me wonder, "What do I really know about the Mormon faith?"

I consider myself fairly open when it comes to respecting others' religions beliefs, but the fact that I know so little about Mormons means it's fairly easy for me to not judge. But what if I did know more? Would my understanding of their religion make me question (more than I already do) the wisdom of those who want Mitt Romney to be the next US President?

This week alone, Republicans are giddy over the fact that someone decided to remove references to God from the Democratic National Convention. Given that their "God" is supposedly the Judea-Christian dude, how would they react to Mitt Romney if they truly understood what his religious beliefs were?

As partisan as this may sound, the Religious Right likes to taut their belief in the Almighty and when Godless people like Muslims, Atheists, Democrats... dare tread on these beliefs, there is an immediate backlash. Why are they so willing to overlook Romney's Mormonism? Can their hatred for Obama be so great that they would elect a "Godless" man into office?

Taken from the internets, "He" being Mitt Romney...


He believes that Jesus Christ is Satan's brother.
He believes that God lives near a planet called "Kolob."
He believes in baptizing dead people.
He believes that Jesus is married to a goddess wife.
He believes that The Garden of Eden was in Missouri.
He believes that it was impossible for Negroes to go to Heaven before 1978.
He believes that Jesus has children from his wife or wives.
He believes that he is going to become a god.
He believes he will own his own personal planet after he dies.
He believes the real Christian God is not eternal but rather that He was once a man on some other planet besides Earth!
He believes he needs to wear magical underwear created by Mormons and he is never to take it off unless he is bathing.
He believes it is a sin to drink anything containing caffeine. And that even includes True American— drinks like Coca-Cola!
He believes children between the ages of 18-21 should wear name badges, ride bicycles and always smile.


I've been able to confirm most of these and all I have to say is WTF!?!?!

Considering that "Kolob" is similar to BSG, I kinda do care that he's part of a crackpot religion.

What if the Heaven's Gate guy was the Republican nominee? Wouldja care then?

I actually grew up as a Mormon, and in Utah besides. Mormons are just another flavor of Fundamental Evangelists. They do have some rather odd ball ideas by most measures, but so do most other Fundamental Evangelists. They are just people with very strong, non-mainstream, religious views. So, the reality is that they fit into the current American Right Wing political structure quite well.

OK, OK, there is that whole —Mormon Bible?? (Book of Mormon) thing, and Joseph Smith is supposedly a —Prophet!?? But, the Mormons do claim that Jesus Christ is their Savor, and that is who they address their prayers to. So, obviously, Mitt Romney is far preferable to a Kenyan born, Muslim Black Man. Seems pretty clear cut to me.

As I said, Fundamentalist Evangelicals. OK, I said it backwards in my previous post. Anyway, what you describe is what I observe of most of the people who fit into that general description.

Having said that, I do feel that there are actually two types of Mormons. Those from/in Utah, and the rest of them. The people who are not from/in Utah can actually be fairly friendly. The folks in/from Utah have a rather intense xenophobia going on. As I say, I grew up in Utah. There was another young guy who lived one block from where I lived. At school, it was fine that we associated, were friends, hung out, and generally were good buddies. Outside of school all of this was strictly Verboden!!!! Why, you ask? Was he not a member of the Church you ask? Nope, he was in a different —Ward?? than I. When I say —Ward,?? if you think parish or dioceses you will have the picture. He was One of Them outside of school. You did not speak to Those People unless you had to. You did not associate with them, unless forced to. They were strangers to you and yours, and were to be treated that way.

So, the time came to reorganize the Wards, and lo and behold, we were in the same Ward, at least for a bit. All was well then when we hung out. I was totally amazed by that shift in my reality.

As long as I am telling stories, one of the most shocking things I did as a kid was to work in a gas station. I got questions like, —You talk to tourists?!?!?!?? —You actually speak to them?!?!?!— Members of my cohort were pretty much totally aghast by this behavior. Of course I talked to them, why wouldn't I? If nothing else, that was my job.

You can now understand why I no longer live in Utah. Indeed, if I want to visit any family still living in that place, I require a Visa, and I have strict time limits, and limits to where I can actually travel. Really, would I lie to you?

Well, alright, the last paragraph is pure hokum, but I am certainly much happier someplace other than Utah.

You should watch the History Channel. They often have specials on such things. Great knowledge and they cover things regular people just don't know. Some of which will make you ask "What the fuck are these people on" Others could make sense.

I gotta love reading people's reactions to religion/politics. People who seem perfectly sane in any other circumstance appear like ignorant, crazy people.

Posted by dofacc
I actually grew up as a Mormon, and in Utah besides. Mormons are just another flavor of Fundamental Evangelists. They do have some rather odd ball ideas by most measures, but so do most other Fundamental Evangelists. They are just people with very strong, non-mainstream, religious views. So, the reality is that they fit into the current American Right Wing political structure quite well.

OK, OK, there is that whole —Mormon Bible?? (Book of Mormon) thing, and Joseph Smith is supposedly a —Prophet!?? But, the Mormons do claim that Jesus Christ is their Savor, and that is who they address their prayers to. So, obviously, Mitt Romney is far preferable to a Kenyan born, Muslim Black Man. Seems pretty clear cut to me.

actually, i'd prefer a Muslim to a Mormon any day.

and a "Kenyan" to a racist fuck who didn't think Black folks were human until the late 1970s.

Posted by IntriguedScorp

And Caligula...here I thought you were intelligent, but seriously you are using the most vociferously anti-religion public figure out there, Bill Maher, as the basis for your argument against Mormons—?? The man hates religion--he says shit like this about all religions. Have you not been paying attention—? Honestly, if you don't like Mormons or Muslims or Christians or Athiests or WHATEVER, fine. You are entitled to your opinion. But quote objective sources if you are trying to get us all to see your point of view.

Jesus Christ people...

^^^

are you dense? ugh...yes, you are.

Maher brought up the fact that Americans as a whole know little about Mormons and given the way religion defined 2 of the past 3 elections, he questioned if voters who wave religious banners would vote for Romney if they knew more about Mormons.

the question is valid and not because of a hatred for religion, but rather because so many voters claim that their choices are defined by religion.

if it defined your vote then, why doesn't it define you now? oooh, that's right. because there's a nigger in White House.

Posted by SaxNtheCity1

Posted by dofacc
I actually grew up as a Mormon, and in Utah besides. Mormons are just another flavor of Fundamental Evangelists. They do have some rather odd ball ideas by most measures, but so do most other Fundamental Evangelists. They are just people with very strong, non-mainstream, religious views. So, the reality is that they fit into the current American Right Wing political structure quite well.

OK, OK, there is that whole —Mormon Bible?? (Book of Mormon) thing, and Joseph Smith is supposedly a —Prophet!?? But, the Mormons do claim that Jesus Christ is their Savor, and that is who they address their prayers to. So, obviously, Mitt Romney is far preferable to a Kenyan born, Muslim Black Man. Seems pretty clear cut to me.

Your last to the last sentence explains most Mormons quite well actually (not to stereotype,ofcourse,but listen to the way it sounds:

1.racist
2.bigot
3.hypocrite
4.judgmental of others
5.thinks that LDS(Church of Latter Day Saints aka Mormons) are the best and chosen religion
6.political/fiscal thought conservatives
7.religious extremists
8.non-accepting of others
9.fearful of OTHERS(read anyone other THAN a Mormon)O_O!

click to expand

exactly!

plus the notion that Mormons and Evangelicals are of the same cloth? who ya foolin?

UK Darwinism.

How come Americans are so religious and stuff? What brought that on.

howdy chicky! whatcha up to?

america was founded, in part, for religious freedom. and if you contrast that to austrailia that was founded as a prison, a lil jesus worship doesn't seem so bad.

oh, and the UK's version of religion is defined by a womanizing king with weak sperm and a penchant for chopping off his ex-wive's heads...or clits...i can't recall.

LMAO!

pretty sure it was heads lol

Posted by DG

Posted by AA
UK Darwinism.

How come Americans are so religious and stuff? What brought that on.

Thats weird I dont thin we are religous enough..ask most Catholics if they go to church anymore, most will the you no.

They took prayer out of the schools a while back too....there are alot of misconceptions about the US, even amongst our own people.

Church and State are seperate. FYI

I think what you are misinterrpreting is the fact that we have freedom of religion, so there are quite alot of different denominations to choose from.

All this talk is BS anyway, the true God is the "Almighty Dollar" lets get real.

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you think like an american 😛

we are way more religious than most christian western european countries. those fuckers are godless, athiests bastards.

Posted by TasteOfChaosss

Posted by caligula
howdy chicky! whatcha up to?

Jusss chilling...

Waiting for a friend to come over and bring me booze 🙂

How you doing?

click to expand

i'm good. about to head to work for like 2 hours of meetings....sucks

I think that's a good answer DG, and i stand corrected.

I like to generalize, it makes conversation more bold and interesting.

I watched this one documentary, where these amish dudes would get fucked up throughout their teens. And go back to horse and carriage when they hit 20. I mean these guys made charlie Sheen look like a mormon.

Posted by caligula

Posted by DG

Posted by AA
UK Darwinism.

How come Americans are so religious and stuff? What brought that on.

Thats weird I dont thin we are religous enough..ask most Catholics if they go to church anymore, most will the you no.

They took prayer out of the schools a while back too....there are alot of misconceptions about the US, even amongst our own people.

Church and State are seperate. FYI

I think what you are misinterrpreting is the fact that we have freedom of religion, so there are quite alot of different denominations to choose from.

All this talk is BS anyway, the true God is the "Almighty Dollar" lets get real.

you think like an american 😛

we are way more religious than most christian western european countries. those fuckers are godless, athiests bastards.

click to expand

also an american way of thinking.
Americans relate Darwinism to atheism for some reason.
Whereas most normal people just see it as evolution and science

i didnt say anything about darwin, you did.

i said athiest.

I knew you'd say that. 🙂 your good.

BUT YOU WERE THINK IT WEREN'T YOU?

think somebody' s been doing some research.
He's a fictional character DG, a man who ate a lot of chicken and had a lot of coitus.

What's everyone's thoughts on Obama not saluting or putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem?

^that sucks.


I love all the American ideologies and philosophies. The American dream - Perfect suburban life - land of the free - pot - In God We trust - The flag - Mcdonalds - Coca-Cola - Britney Spears and many more.

guns.

THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS!!!

beautiful.

all we got is drink. A nice pint and a packet of crisps. Cheese & Onion preferably. And a queen no one gives a shit about.

Posted by ellessque

Posted by DG

Posted by AA
UK Darwinism.

How come Americans are so religious and stuff? What brought that on.

Thats weird I dont thin we are religous enough..ask most Catholics if they go to church anymore, most will the you no.

They took prayer out of the schools a while back too....there are alot of misconceptions about the US, even amongst our own people.

Church and State are seperate. FYI

I think what you are misinterrpreting is the fact that we have freedom of religion, so there are quite alot of different denominations to choose from.

All this talk is BS anyway, the true God is the "Almighty Dollar" lets get real.

all propoganda to segregate people.

Times have changed. The internet in itself is a quiet revolution that nobody even saw coming and is still in toddler state of progression.

can't really segregate us by race anymore.
can't really segregate us by income or education.
can't really segregate us with immigration scare tactics.

scare us by pitting us against each other by religion.

fwiw, my Indiana license plate says "In God We Trust" and if I don't want my plate to say that I have to pay extra for a novelty plate.

click to expand

Actually it is the lack of proper education (meaning the entire system) that separates us from each other. The education system has been dumbed down so badly that most people don't even know when they should question their leaders. Even sadder so many are so apathetic, they don't even care!!!!!!

And to think there are women who suffered unimaginable acts in jail to fight for women's rights to vote. AND, now there are so many who don't care enough to cast their right.

The American people need to wake up!!!!!!

This song has always made me stop to think, even if it's from '89. Dreams of the '60s are what seems now forever forgotten. The wars they fought for within the U.S. back then really are the same wars that are still foughten now.

What part of 'over the drink' do you live my fellow crustacean? 🙂

Posted by AA
I knew you'd say that. 🙂 your good.

BUT YOU WERE THINK IT WEREN'T YOU?

actually...no.

being an atheist doesn't exactly equate to a belief in evolution.

Posted by DG

Posted by OceanDeep
What's everyone's thoughts on Obama not saluting or putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem?

I think its a disgrace....nothing more I can add to that. So digusted.

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i sometimes buy popcorn when the anthem is playing at football games.

the notion that someone not doing this on ONE occasion disqualifies them for office...nuts! but hey, yall are the same stupid shits that think getting a blow job and lying about it should result in impeachment.

Posted by DG


9/11 was a blessing in disguise, what that day did, was show us we still had heart!

I'm gonna cry. 😢

god you are fucking nuts!

yes, freedom is surmised by putting ones hand over ones heart.

shit, we should alert the world!!! all oppressed people need to know this shit!

Posted by acrabbycrab12
Or that I should feel bad for being able to eat while "kids in africa and around the world starve." WTF can I do about that?? click like on a facebook page

heh 🙂

they eat popcorn, you eat shit...i like popcorn best

and it's funny, for someone who loves country, all you've done is talk about how shitty the US is. so in other words, it's ok for you to talk about how fucked up the country is, because you truly love it, but GOD FORBID anyone who doesn't share your views espouse any level of discontent...those fuckers can go to hell and need to be tried for treason.

the wars won't bring this country down. ignorance from folks like you will.

Posted by DG

Posted by caligula
yes, freedom is surmised by putting ones hand over ones heart.

shit, we should alert the world!!! all oppressed people need to know this shit!

Its a display of respect and loyalty. Maybe those words don't mean anything to you but it does to me.

click to expand

are you a vet?

if you're not a Vet, then don't talk to me about loyalty, service and respect.

YOU didn't fight for shit. if you love the country so damn much, sign your name to the god damn line or STFU! you don't have the right to question any one's allegiance or respect when you haven't earned any aspects of freedom yourself.

Posted by DG

Posted by caligula
if you're not a Vet, then don't talk to me about loyalty, service and respect.

YOU didn't fight for shit. if you love the country so damn much, sign your name to the god damn line or STFU! you don't have the right to question any one's allegiance or respect when you haven't earned any aspects of freedom yourself.

Yes I have, live with a Vet, be raised by one, then talk to me bitch....I'm not questioning you're alligence, its apparent.

Anytime I stand up for my country and not sit here like some stupid ass, liberal loud mouth, that goes along with the Bill Mahrs of the world, I have done more than a great service to my country.

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i live with a Vet and most of my family are in various branches of the military so that makes us even does it not? the fact that other people were willing to shed their blood for country means that we're patriots too!?!?!

fuck outta here!

you're ignorant as fuck. it'd be like a man saying he knows the pains of childbirth because his mom has a vagina.

you are one stupid ass bitch and considering your age, damn shame.

Posted by Theultra79
@DG Huh— You're not even making sense...but then again, you never were.

aint that the truth

anyway, back to the topic...

does it not bother anyone that Mitt Romney thinks God resides on a non-existent planet?

sure, most Christian religions believe that God is in "heaven," but "heaven" and actually believing that there's an orb floating in space where God is growing rutabaga and watching General Hospital on satellite is just a bit much for me.

Posted by seraph


American politics are an interesting phenomenon. It intertwines the religious with the secular, consistently.

yeah, NUTS! isn't it.

there's supposed to a separation between church and state but everyone knows that's a fallacy and yes, it'd be ideal if we wer more like Canada...HA!...sorry, that just reads funny.

even with the JFK-Nixon election, there was a question if a Catholic could be president.

in 2000 and 2004, the evangelical fuck wits helped propel Bush into office and thank God for that 😛

Posted by DG


you are one stupid ass bitch and considering your age, damn shame.

Your family are in the military? You would never know it, the way you talk your shit, so I take it you're the black sheep? OK, so if someone sheds their blood for their country that makes them what? a Non-Patriot?




yes, the black sheep that took the ASVAB.

and on that note, you have just made yourself irrelevant. it will be nice not talking to you.

DG, good lord, you're the epitome of some white chick living in Texas. Do yourself a favor and stop talking. You sound crazy.

ignorance is a scary thing to witness. it makes me wish that licenses were required for child birth.

Posted by size zero superhero
If that means anything, the supernatural and political should be kept separate as possible.

we'd have to elect atheists then.

anyone who has religious conviction or identifies with a particular religion will be personally governed by that religion.

where the US isn't like Muslim countries where religion is the government and vice versa, there are citizens who base their votes on the candidates religious affiliation/conviction.

voters are stupid. just take a look at some of the posts on this thread. raving lunatics should not be allowed in the ballot box. i mean if felons can't vote, idiots shouldnt be allowed to either.

Posted by Claro de Luna

Posted by caligula
ignorance is a scary thing to witness. it makes me wish that licenses were required for child birth.

As strange as it may sound, bad parents have just as much right to have children as good parents do. Nature has that more than our control!

click to expand

true, just one of the things on my "if i ruled the world" wish list.

@DG, are you causing trouble again? 😉

Posted by Slicks
same shit, different toilet.

heh 🙂

Posted by size zero superhero
All I want to state is the Holy Bible lays down the law for Christians to follow as the U.S. Constitution is for citizens to abide by, religion/s aside. The intertwining of sacred text and law is against the principles upon which America was founded; that is, to favor the tenets of one denomination above the others.
Religious beliefs should be followed on a personal level while ideally, laws are one-size-fits-all. Historically, theocracies(religious leaders w/great political power)have proven corrupt, tyrannical institutions which leave people oppressed and living in misery. If that means anything, the supernatural and political should be kept separate as possible.

This. I see so many people mixing the two and justifying it. They seem to forget what this country was based on yet it's "HUR, CHRISTIANITY IS RIGHT AND WE WILL FORCE ITS VIEWS INTO LAWS AND ONTO OTHER PEOPLE." If anyone else is different, then they're so wrong!

I get so irritated seeing such protests against gay marriage and women's reproductive rights because it's people pushing their religious beliefs into the legal process. Let the law stand alone and how one uses that law is on a personal belief level. If they make gay marriage legal, fine. If you don't want to practice this right because of your religious beliefs, then you don't have to. If you don't like the idea of abortion or birth control based on your religious beliefs, you don't have to practice such things. Limiting others who may want to, all based on YOUR beliefs, is utter bullshit.

The mixing of church and state has never proven to fare well. It's why people got the hell out of England in the first place. They were tired of being persecuted for differing beliefs. YET HERE WE ARE, 200+ YEARS LATER. Come on people, evolve. Don't devolve.

Posted by iwin32
lol I say we all make love!

not when someone's crutty, herpetic vagina is in the room. wait til it leaves and then drop drawls.

People's biggest fear is having religion shoved down their throat. That is, religion that is NOT of their belief. And why it becomes a hot topic in America. We ourselves cannot divide religion from politics in our country. Think about it.

Posted by Slicks
one way to separate religion from politics entirely is if you outlaw religious people from participating and only allowing atheists to govern. this is oppressive because you're effectively saying religious people have no say in how the country is run and are not entitled to the same rights as everyone else because of their beliefs.

here's the thing though we all inform our decisions based on our beliefs, religious or not. many widely held beliefs come from similar places, myths, legends, fables, history and traditions that are recycled and reproduced from generation to generation to the point where certain ideas are normalized and accepted as truth, it's where "common" sense comes from.

even our laws are heavily influenced by religious commandments from years and years ago. these beliefs don't just come from nowhere they form the very foundation of nation states and written in constitutions.

people will vote based on their beliefs, live life and make everyday choices based on their beliefs. religious beliefs for me are no different than any other esoteric and widespread beliefs, its all a matter of perception and politics as we all know IS a matter of perception, facts can be manipulated and public images can be destroyed all based on beliefs.

Bravo, well said.

Posted by OceanDeep
People's biggest fear is having religion shoved down their throat.

...no