Reader comments
An unprecedented look at the religious landscape of the United States
11 comments | Read story
I thought it was interesting that a higher percentage of Mormons are black than of Catholics. However I think this is largely a function of there being so many Hispanic Catholic immigrants.
In some ways 86% of Latter-day Saints being non-Hispanic whites is pretty high. However in the county I live in, Macomb County, Michigan, which has had its African-American population well more than double in the last decade the percentage of non-Hispanic whites is still 87%.
My best indication is that the only over 18 nature of this survey under counted non-whites. So many of the people of partial Aisan and Hispanic ancestry I know are under 18 that I think the mixed race componant would go up and possibly the partial Hispanic componant as well.
It's an eternal battle. Our Father and His church don't change, but the Adversary wins some.
My own ancestors were about half and half (faithful and literally apostate) starting almost a century ago.
Moreover, this extensive survey doesn't get into the detail of activity rates. Many are becoming inactive for a number of reasons.
I think the best thing that could possibly happen is for the inactive numbers to reach 90% or higher. True activity in the Mormon Church is really HYPER-activity, and it corresponds to FANATICISM.
The worst thing in the world is religious fanaticism. Just look at the news, and read history.
People who have gone inactive are tired of the judgmental, intolerant, "actives" who ostracize them and treat them as sub-human. Others leave the Church (or go inactive) because they "opened their eyes" and learned how fanatic, irrational, and unreasonable the doctrines are.
Actives lack tolerance because they are fanatic. Inactives leave because of this fanaticism: fanatic doctrines, fanatic intolerant people, and fanatic lifestyle requirements.
Inactives are more likely to be temperate and reasonable; "actives" are more likely to be fanatic and to call temperate belief "lukewarm" and "uncommitted". But that is the very fanaticism that is so dangerous!
Where do these fanatics live? In your mind, perhaps?
You couldn't have a CHIP on your shoulder that could be exacerbating the situation--ya think?
The broad brush you're using reminds me of people who dislike Jews or used to be KKK. Someone offends them and suddenly the whole entire world's Jews or blacks are horrific people worthy of hate and ire.
Get a grip! Maybe someone did say or do something unpleasant. Don't extrapolate to the rest of us who wish you well, would be willing to help you, but ultimately don't care all THAT much.
*Scratching head* I don't see where I would have left the impression that there would be no change in church demographics. I just thought it awfully counter-intuitive that with our robust missionary program, we would still have a net loss over roughly one generation, i.e., # opting out > # converts. Is that what YOU expected?
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
- Soccer hair-pulling fuels debate 3:30 p.m.
- Ex-Air Force nurse acquitted 3:28 p.m.
- Hall leads Cougars to halftime lead 3:24 p.m.
- Former BYU professor remembered 3:20 p.m.
- Suspicious package at Fort Benning 3:15 p.m.
- Mine pollutes Nev. wells 3:12 p.m.
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job 3:05 p.m.
- Astronauts take 2nd spacewalk 3:00 p.m.
- Aggies fall to Northeastern in Boston 2:43 p.m.
- Ingram, Tide roll over Chattanooga 2:29 p.m.
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Mailman's nomination delivered
- Christian leaders not backing down
- 5A: Miners dig deep, claim crown
- Boozer looking like 'the old Booz'
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
186 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
169 - BYU, Utah struck gold in coaches
124 - Lies shatter Utah family
123 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
117 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
86
Such a sad thing...My prayers and thoughts are with all that have and are...
the teams that were "suppose" to take state and did so earning it.best three...
"Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?" Yes. Yes, they can. Air Force has already...
Harry has his 60 bought off votes, to move forward towards the enslavement of...
Without question Larry Goldsmith is the most inspiring and generous man I...
ya everyone i know that drinks and has a gun killed someone. it was definatly...
Knowledgable Christians know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...
Boozer will be an allstar this year and he deserves beeter fan that the Utah...
But Dennis, you must remember that the church no longer teaches that the...
What an awesome way to finish a game. They placed with a lot of heart,...

