Deseret News | Better duck — if you're a Mormon

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Doug Robinson: Better duck — if you're a Mormon

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Anonymous | 6:05 p.m. Jan. 11, 2008

Maybe they had no substance.

i'm a hater | 9:06 p.m. Jan. 11, 2008

i'm a hater...it's too bad you feel that way. if you truly sat down with a member of our church you would realize that we don't think we are perfect. no one is perfect except for christ himself who we are all striving to become like. In no way or form would we try to get a human to have such feeling for our church. Our overall goal is to bring everyone into our church...so why would you feel that we are driving you away and turn our heads. I read your post and it makes my heart ache that you have such horrible feelings towards such a marvelous people if only you gave us truly a chance. You can't base our religion on one person. Every religion has people that do not accurately represent their beliefs and are ignorant. Judge the church on the doctrines not the members.

Thanks | 9:14 p.m. Jan. 11, 2008

Thanks for that article. There are so many articles saying bad things about mormons (and i'm not saying they dont say bad things about others too)but, it's nice to have someone defend them for once

Comments continue below

Epiphany Gal | 11:56 p.m. Jan. 11, 2008

It just occurred to me... what if ALL LDS American Citizens over 18 were to no longer vote for any candidates who were NOT LDS... what then??? I think it would make a statement!!!

WE HAVE A VOICE>>>>>WE SHOULD USE IT!!!

Re: Wishing we were all equal | 12:16 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

You wrote, "The problem that I have found among Mormons...is that they are not actually viewing the candidates resumes, abilities, and qualifications. They are too concerned about being a Mormon to look at the facts...this article was resentful and haughty..."

Haughty isn't the word I would use. "Opportunist" is since they are using the Church as a way to get votes for Romney. There is little doubt that this is just another Romney campaign tactic to round up more votes and they don't care that they are using the Church to do it.

You wrote, "I can say that as a lifelong Mormon Democrat, I have been more ridiculed by Republican-Mormons than any other people for my beliefs. Now it is possible that Mormon Republicans are getting ridiculed a little and they think they are above it. I wish we could ALL be equal."

You are right about this. They attack us outside of Church, stab us in the back and then lie to us when they bear their testimonies about how they love us as brothers and sisters. This article is offensive to me as a Mormon and the author should be ashamed for using my Church like this.

Romney is just using the Church | 12:21 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Double standard, "Mr. Romney has said that he should not be judged on his faith, but it seems to me, in talking to my neighbbors and co-workers here in Utah, that nearly 100 percent are voting for him simply because of his faith. Many people here belive that is all they need to know. Seems to me you can't have it both ways...."

Yet they want it both ways. They want to use the Church to get votes, donations and volunteers and not have the opposite to be true. I find it really ironic that Obama and his supporters, among others, are not using perceived discrimination, persecution or so-called bigotry as a political tool for them to gain votes. When I am told that I should vote for Romney because he is a member of the Church I rightly feel outraged. All the hateful comments made by Romney supporters against members of the Church and non-members reflect upon their candidate.

This article is just another example of the low caliber of character held by those who support Romney. Anyone who would scoop to using the Church as a political tool should be ashamed.

Max Pixel | 2:17 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

LDS persecuted?

Paallleeaase.

You wanna see persecuted look south at the FLDS.

They are living the principles that smith and young professed as being required for becoming a god.

The LDS took the easy way out.

Look, even the FLDS leader is in prison for his religious beliefs.

Meinhardt | 3:15 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

I'm just worried that if we elect a Mormon to be president that they'll reinstitute prohibition laws on a national scale. It's obvious that Mormon leaders can't keep seperation of church and state straight as seen by their past performance in Utah. The only reason I'd vote for Romney is his strong background in business but the possible cons of having a Mormon president far out weigh the pros. You can thank your Mormon brotherin for that.

descriminate? | 5:56 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Utah has been doing that for years only alot of times it is suttle..now it is their turn..mitt is a good man..many ignorant things have been said about him..i don't care if he is mormon as i weigh the issues but some of you are disparaging..since i quess you didn't listen to your christmas message, just like you don't or do for a few days after gen. conference ,oh yeah there are many of us non members who listen to what your leaders talk..but alot of you don't walk the walk. peace

So old... | 6:57 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

These idiot articles are so old. Robinson this article was so stupid. You know alot of religions get attacked not just Mormons. You're so off on just about everything you wrote and I don't think your "hip" at all. Get a life!!

DM | 7:55 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

If Huckabee gets the GOP nomination, what are Mormons going to do? He has said some pretty disparaging things about the Church, and one wonders how he would treat us if he were President. For example, would Huckabee include Mormons in his cabinet? Would Mormons in the military be subject to subtle discrimination in getting promotions?

It's becoming more clear how evangelicals view the role of Mormons in GOP. They want our votes but don't expect them to treat us as equals. At least Harry Reid was able to become Senate Majority leader without facing discrimination within his own party.

yeah right | 8:24 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Oh come on people:

- Do Catholics have a name that the commonly use to describe non-catholics?

- Do Baptists have a name that they commonly use to describe non-baptists?

No.

Do Mormons have a name that they commonly use to describe non-Mormons? Yes. "Non-members" How exclusive is that?

Do any of these religions commonly refer to 'the church', obviously disparaging against those that believe differently? Yes. The Mormons.

Don't be taking offense now, Mormons, when you've always, and I mean always made, a point of setting yourself apart. You even have a particular ceremony of 'setting apart' some of those from the whole of your Mormanism culture.....

So get off it. Live with it. Or change it.

(An informed non-Mormon)

Grant | 9:08 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Good work Doug, a lot of your comments are very true. You mentioned that the only issue people have with Romney is his Mormonism. In fact SERIOUS voters are more concerned with his flip flopping on key issues than with his religious beliefs. Hopefully more tolerance for all religions comes out of the 2008 election.

Hollyberries | 9:48 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

If Huckabee had made racial comments about a black candidate or sexist comments about a female candidate, he would have been castigaged by the media. How he was able to launch his surge with religious bigotry is dumbfounding. It seems that everyone is oblivious to the obvious.

If Romney does not with the nomination, then history will show that Huckabee pulled off the political crime of the century. It was Huckabee that raised religious issues amoung evangelicals by comments toward Romney's religion. As Huckabee's tactics started to show in the Iowa polls, Mitt responded with his "Faith In America" speech. Romney was then forced to work on damage control. The damage gave him a second in a state he held firmly until Huckabee's misuse of the public forum. Because of Huckabee's use of the majority evangelical state of Iowa and with the ignorance/bias of the media toward the Mormons, he flew under the radar of a nation that worked since Lincoln to erase such bigotry.

A majority of the nation now sees only that Huckabee won Iowa and that McCain won NH but knows little of this back story. We need a TRUE man for change! Mitt Romney!

Old Stud Leroy | 10:14 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Don't try to tear down other people's religion about their ears, Build up your own perfect structure of truth, and invite your listeners to enter in and enjoy it's glories. - Brigham Young

RE: Moap Box | 11:04 a.m. Jan. 12, 2008

I don't know where you're coming from and I'm sorry if you've been hurt in some way. The church doesn't tell its members how to vote. The closest they even come to that is that every election year they send out a letter to each ward that encourages the members to vote and to prayerfully consider their choices before voting with absolutely no mention in any way of how to vote. Also, I live in Utah and have many friends of different faiths and I consider them equal in every way and haven't seen them treated as less by anyone. Also, I have no idea where you're coming from with women being treated as second class citizens. My experience in the church has been that women are treated with the up-most respect.

Anonymous | 12:08 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

From all the comments on this page I guess we have proof who the true Christians our. The antis crack me up with thier ignorance.

appropriate? | 2:14 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Never argue with an idiot. A bystander may not be able to tell the difference.

What better place than the DesNews online comments to find everyone lumped into one category or another. I discovered here that there's someone in Utah that I've never met, but that I hate them and they hate me because I'm LDS and they are gay. Does this make sense to any of you out there?

BK | 3:33 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

My, My, My! 617 responses! Doug you really hit a nerve. I read them all.
My response.
1. Many need to learn to use their grammar, spelling and punctuation books.
2. A good percentage of comments verified Doug's theme.
3. Mitt Romney is as well qualified to be a U.S. President as any of the quality candidates. However, I'm not sure I want to see him battered, beaten and broken as the media and public opinion has tried to do to President Bush.
4. If Mr. Romney should make it to the White House, it won't be by the hand of any human.
5. Ultimately, THE truth will put to rest all opinions.

Why should it matter? | 8:06 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Why should anyone care what religion, race, sex a candidate is as long as he/she can lead this nation back into prosperity? I'm so tired of reading the slander some individuals display against the LDS church because they have something against it. If you don't like the LDS church, that's fine, but keep it to yourself because it's completely unnecessary. I'm LDS but that doesn't mean I'm unaccepting of others. I could care less what religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orrientation an individual is because it shouldn't matter. People can do what they want as long as it is within the law.

Julie | 10:07 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Fabulous article! Every bit of it is true! You rock. I only wish someone would listen to it--someone with the power to change things, but when will that ever happen?

Iamconvinced | 10:49 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

I didn't read any of the comments except Closet Molly Mormons last one. I won't change anyting if I did. Nice article, but it makes too much sense.

Re: simple truth | 10:59 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

You are not despised by the Church. You are looked upon as a sinner with compassion and provided direction as to how Christ's atonement could benefit your life just as any sinner is. That is done in love not despise.

If a man by his own weaknesses caused you a different experience it was not due to the teachings of the doctrines. It was due to his misunderstanding the doctrines or his failure to adhere to them.

Christ looks upon sinners with love and hope. He died for you.

Re: Louis | 11:03 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

Dear Louis,

Warren Jeff's is not a Mormon. He very much goes against the teachings of Mormonism. Regardless of which church he belongs to he is still a man and made his own individual mistakes.

Maybe the handsome sir Romney is still an option for you afterall. You can attend services at any LDS church in Moab tomorrow to learn the truth.

Anonymous | 11:35 p.m. Jan. 12, 2008

ERA amd gambling are only morality rights if they are talking about LDS members not legislated, hot button isses. When it's a political issue, it's political.

This is a typical example of why many people have problems with Mormonism and the organization Mitt belongs to.

How does the church stand on health care for the poor or the human cost of war? Or are those merely political issues, not moral and therefore their domain?

Anonymous | 2:23 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

fix whats wrong would be a great place to start everyone and stop defending the religon becuase NO RELIGON is perfect

From Idaho | 3:32 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

What you have to realize is that Mormonism is one if not the newest religions in the world. It is looked down upon because of the extreme differences than the other religions. And like it or not religion is the backbone of what most people hold to be true. Now if you were going to elect an official that you thought believed in something that was crazy would you have second thoughts about it. Joseph Smith established a religion that alot of people believe to be false. Like it or not we vote on officals for belifs as much as policies. If we dont agree in one of those instances then it is perfectly ok not to give them your vote of confidence.

Our founding fathers were originally Puritans. The Puritans tortured and imprisoned people that had different beliefs than them. How uptight do you have to be to get kicked out by the British?

I live in a LDS comunity and I know first had that you religion dictates your life. Not to say that is a bad thing but you cant expect people to disreguard your religion when it plays such a big part of your lives.

Charlene from Utah | 6:10 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Hurray for Robinson!!Someone needs to stand up and voice the truth. I, too, am getting tired, tired, tired of the slap in the face of those who are just too darn lazy to find out that Mormonism is not a cult, does not dictate political views, believes in one's free agency, believes in worshipping according to the dictates of their own consience, etc. etc. Is Romney the best candidate? I don't know positively, but from what I've seen in the debates he'll get my vote and not because he is Mormon. The next would be Hucklebee and not because he is baptist. We Mormons do think for ourselves believe it or not and we do vote on issues and who we believe is the best candidate. Don't vote personalities please, vote for who you think has the right answers. We need them.

Jean | 1:27 p.m. Jan. 14, 2008

It would be nice if something like this could be read right before the next debates started by one of the national news groups. People are still afraid of things they don't understand.

Just Another Christian | 6:35 p.m. Jan. 14, 2008

I would never vote for anyone who has vocally condemned another Christian Church regardless of how "conservative" they may appear. Bigotry should have no room in our beloved America! If you think it's okay to bash on another's beliefs instead of confirming yours, maybe you ought not to call yourself a true Christian.

Adventist Convert | 9:20 p.m. Jan. 14, 2008

I was raised a Seventh Day Adventist, and I joined the Mormon church when I was in my 20's. I was never judged, because I was an Adventist, but I am constantly judged because I am a Mormon. I ask myself, Why that is? Adventists see people of other churches to I could not even play with kids that were not an Adventist, because they were doomed. Yet, the Mormon church believes that all churches have truth, and we advocate any acts of charity, kindness and love: the attributes of Christ. I have not seen another church that is "more" Christian that lives their religion. I am closer to my Savior because of the teachings of the Mormon Church, yet others say we are not Christian. Why is it that we are scorned, because you don't understand our theology? Yet, we only advocate the qualities that the world is sadly lacking: love, kindness, charity, forgiveness, longsuffering, optimism, and faith.

Claudia | 9:33 p.m. Jan. 14, 2008

Thanks for deleting my letter also. I didn't realize your paper would, also, discriminate. It was within your rules. Next time I won't bother.

Dolphin Fan | 6:01 a.m. Jan. 15, 2008

Guess what? The Samoan Fullback is also a Mormon!!! The center...is also a Mormon. Steve Young, when he won the super bowl, was mormon...where were the critics at? Don't worry about the haters...there is opposition in ALL THINGS!

RE: Simple Truth | 11:28 a.m. Jan. 15, 2008

So what you're saying is you refuse to fraternize with people who believe differently than you, even though they love you and would do anything to help you in any way? Is that really an enlightened perspective?

Larry O'Donnell | 11:36 a.m. Jan. 15, 2008

Here's what one public figure said when asked why he vehemently attacks Mormonism and says nothing bad about Islam:

Larry O'Donnell: "Oh, well, Iï¿½m afraid of what theï¿½thatï¿½s where Iï¿½m really afraid. I would like to criticize Islam much more than I do publicly, but Iï¿½m afraid for my life if I do."

Hugh Hewitt: "Well, that's candid."

Larry O'Donnell: "Mormons are the nicest people in the world. Theyï¿½re not going to everï¿½"

Hugh Hewitt: "So you can be bigoted towards Mormons, because theyï¿½ll just send you a strudel."

Larry O'Donnell: "Theyï¿½ll never take a shot at me. Those other people, Iï¿½m not going to say a word about them."

So Larry O'Donnell is only bigoted towards Mormons because he's a coward. Brilliant. I think this is indicative of the caliber of human beings who are overly critical of Mormonism.

Anonymous | 4:46 p.m. Jan. 15, 2008

Here here, I have ALWAYS noticed that reaction When I say that I am LDS, and I'ved in different countries, I may not vote for Mitt, Because I'm a Democrate,
( yes an LDS person can be a demacrate) but I do believe that there is alot of intolerance in this country when it comes to The LDS religon, and some of the comments found here, confirm that.

Think about it | 12:00 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

OK, I myself can't help but go a little on the defensive when people start making ignorant comments about my church. It is a little disheartening and disappointing.

However....I disagree with the tone of the article and am rather dismayed by a couple of the underlying messages the author appears to be making here. First, in speaking about the football team and comments made about it...apparently he believes we Mormons are above being bunched in with a bunch of foreigners. Then he appears to ask why. Why? The answer is there in your article. 6 million out of a country of 300 million makes us a clear minority. There are several times more Hispanics in the US than there are Mormons (legally, I might add.) There might even be more Samoans here than there are Mormons...I haven't researched it. So why so disappointed to learn our mormon QB is being mentioned in the same breath as his Hispanic and Samoan teammates when he is, as much, or more, a minority than they are?

Think about it more... | 12:02 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

The author whines about being on the receiving end of verbal abuse being hurled at Mormons...even in this day and age...and then goes on to call attention to the skin color, Muslim-sounding name, status as a former drug user...and yes, even the church of one of the few candidates who hasn't taken a swing at Romney's mormon-ness. You might be wondering how all these other groups who, according to the author, apparently don't get slandered (wrong), managed to raise their profile and gain their place on the national stage? Well, it wasn't by turning around and insulting other minorities now, was it?

And finally, I offer the following as a sort-of apology to all you non-mormon folks who live in Utah. And I hope you folks who are Mormon who live in Utah will find this at least somewhat informative and not too offensive. Utah is dominated by Mormon culture. It permeates everything: business, culture, education...and yes, politics. As a Mormon who grew up in Texas, a clear minority, even I found Utah Mormon culture a little overbearing and annoying.

...still thinkin about it... | 12:04 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

Yes, Utah Mormons can be some of the most friendly, gracious people in the world. But usually, they have no idea what a strange place it is they've made of their home....especially since so many have never lived outside of their state, and as a true minority. So the real irony here is that, in Utah Mormons, you have a minority on the national scale that thinks of itself as a group that has come far enough to gain acceptance into the national mainstream. It takes someone like Romney running for national office to invite the attention and scrutiny of the rest of the country to remind us that, no, we as Mormons (regardless of where we're from) have not yet reached that promised land just yet. We probably have a lot more humble, non-confrontational, non-defensive engagement with non-Mormonsï¿½and a little more growth in numbersï¿½ to go before we arrive.

...the end. | 12:05 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

And one more slightly non-germane observation/prediction...I think it will prove quite difficult for a Mormon candidate to attain the office of president through the Republican party, as beloved as it is to most Mormons. Why? Two words: 'moral majority'. Apparently there's just not enough room for a 'moral minority' like Mormons in a party that is so beholden to a solid voting block that fervently believes that we are not Christians. I could be wrong, in the end. But so far, this race is bearing out my hypothesis.

Smear Campaigns | 1:11 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

People on here have said this fuels the fire for haters. This is true, because it threw hate right back. I am LDS, I support Obama. I live in Massachusetts. I lived in Utah for 17 years. And again, I support Obama. The reason why this is such a big subject right now is due to Romney being one of the final four for President of The United States. Everyone will do smear campaigns. There hasn't been a smear campaign like this one before because never before has a Mormon been on such a prominent stage then this one. We will get smeared, that is the name of the game, every president (and candidate) has been smeared in some way or another. It's up to us as LDS members, to be good people. Not to send smear campaigns back, because that just feeds the stereotypes that fuel the system in the first place. Hateful letters only fuel hate, and what is that doing for our whole system?

San Diego | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

I grew up in Salt Lake. I'm now 50 yrs old and have lived in San Diego, Northern CA, and Santa Barbara for the last 24 years. I can tell you without hesitation that the most religious hatred and disrespect I've seen toward Mormons is right in Salt Lake. Mitt is the most qualified, most intelligent, best problem solver of the group. Get behind the guy and get him elected!

Carrie in MT | 8:15 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

The ignorance of some of the commentors, proves the truth of the article!

There they go again | 9:38 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

the christians figthing over who's rigth as if that's going to convert me!

I stopped | 10:39 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

I stopped feeling the need to play nice and fair when my sisters excluded a much loved mother from their weddings for a temple wedding with invited strangers who were worthly. I don't know that my mother's broken heart ever recovered. At that point the missionaries were no longer invited into the home, though they had previously been welcome. It seems the church doesn't teach that family is the tie that binds. Instead exclusion of family was supported by the church. It certainly gave me immunity.

Army man | 11:34 a.m. Jan. 16, 2008

There sure are a lot of people that are talking about military service and the Romney's lack of it. I have to wonder how many of you served your country and put your life on the line for the freedom's we enjoy?

East Coast LDS Republican | 12:12 p.m. Jan. 16, 2008

Yes, there really are some of us out here... One of the posters complained that the US is currently lead by someone from the Christian right who can't separate his personal beliefs from his duties. I've been watching politics from just outside Washington for nearly 20 years, and that's true on both sides of the aisle. EVERY elected official does what he believes is best, and that belief is colored by his experience, and his personal beliefs. I would rather follow a leader who believes in a supreme being than one who believes that human kind is the supreme being.

As for some others who say Mitt flip-flops, that's not true. Yes, he's changed positions. I agree that some of those changes look like they are purely politically motivated. That doesn't make a flip-flopper. Abortion - he held one position while running for the Senate. Now he holds the opposite position. Kerry is a true flip-flopper. He spoke to auto-workers and bragged about driving big SUV's. He spoke to an environmental group next, and told them that those vehicles really weren't his. Flip-flopping is changing based on your audience - evolving is changing based on thought, reflection, and experience.

Carolina Jazz Man | 3:21 p.m. Jan. 16, 2008

Face it folks. It ain't fair (today), it ain't never been fair (past) and it ain't gonna be fair (tomorrow). So what the heck, let's go out and win anyway.

josh | 5:17 p.m. Jan. 16, 2008

I think that someone needs to stand up for this. Someone needs to explain what being a Mormon is. Because all of the stereotypes come from lies. If anyone reading this hates Mormons' guts, then you should learn more about them.

Caroline | 11:31 p.m. Jan. 16, 2008

I don't understand the animosity against Mormons either. Then they read our books nitpicking whatever then turn around and say "AHA, you Mormons are not Christian etc." Well THESE CONTENTIOUS PEOPLE (if they are people) is such a WASTE of time. No matter what we do, if we keep quiet or complain, the Anti-Mormons will just keep going and going. Wish they will devote more time to their own religion and families and make this world a better place for everyone. SO SAD.

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