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President Monson cheers on Jazz
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I agree with whoever said if it were a Hollywood celebrity who tapped Sloan on the shoulder, this discussion wouldn't even be happening.
I haven't lived in Utah for 20 years now. But I do know that instead of telling those who dislike Mormons that we were here first, or they can find move out of state, we are supposed to be kind. Sloanshock-- you are entitled to your opinion.You must know a Mormon you don't like much, maybe more than one. OK, a whole bunch. I'd say the blame doesn't rest on your shoulders. We are a flawed people and turn a lot of people off. I hope you meet a good Mormon who will change your mind.
Again, the ONLY problem here was the unfortunate timing. If Monson had walked by and offered his quick hello while Sloan was turned around and not in a timeout it would have been just fine. The timing of being in a timeout is the only unfortunate aspect of this - and the fact that it brings out the LDS "move if you can't deal with us" idiotic comments.
You make a good point. There are two problems with it, however:
1. Those other "celebrities" would have had the sense not to ever interrupt a huddle like that. They may be full of themselves, but not so much so that they would do that!
2. Those other "celebrities" are not RELIGIOUS leaders. Christian religious leaders should be ESPECIALLY careful not to aspire to celebrity status, nor to take advantage of such status that may come to them inadvertently.
Bottom line: Monson made a very public mistake.
Religious moderation is very popular these days. But religious moderation is a retreat from fundamentalism (scriptural literalism), and is not canonical.
The only reason anyone is "moderate" in matters of faith is that he has assimilated some of the fruits of the last two thousand years of human thought (democratic politics, scientific advancement, human rights, and an end to cultural and geographic isolation).
The doors leading out of scriptural literalism and fanaticism do not open from the inside. The moderation we see among nonfundamentalists (symbolized by Monson at the Jazz game) is not some sign that faith itself has evolved; it is, rather, the product of the many hammer blows of modernity that have exposed certain tenets of faith to doubt.
In the general population, religious moderation springs from the fact that even the least educated among us simply knows more about how the universe really works than anyone did two thousand years ago - and much of this knowledge is incompatible with scripture/faith.
As for the Mormophobes who come out in droves anytime Mormon or LDS is mentioned in an article, get a life.
The most interesting part of the article is that President Monson seems to be the only one in the photo who is having a good time.
"Get a life"
"If you don't like it, move out of Utah"
"Move on"
"What's the big deal"
"All you anti's and Mormophobes are just hateful"
...are THESE the most intelligent responses you can come up with? Mingled with a few outright distortions of history and nonsensical lies?
I thought BYU was a better school than that! I thought Mormons prided themselves on education. "The glory of God is intelligence" they say, but this lame responses certainly don't reveal any glory among Mormon commenters on this blog.
I ran into him recently in the Little America Cafe having lunch with his wife. He remembered the old days in the pigeon club and joked with my son (age 7). His wit and memory have dimmed some, but he is still the gentleman that he always was.
I do know that as a boss, he can be tough and demanding. But I hope that those who are not LDS take note of this fact: If you have a Mormon neighbor or acquaintance who is far, far less of a caring human being than he or she should be, it isn't because of Tom Monson's example.
Plus, I think it's good that we get to see our leaders chilling a little bit and being normal people. It makes them more approachable, and honestly, it's easier to take them more seriously when you know that they are balanced in their church/home/work/leisure activities.
Go Jazz!
1. I think it is great that a religious leader of an international church would show is human side.
2. I don't think Pres Monson would orchestrate such an act, but probably out of sheer delight went over and "greeted" the players and coach.
3. I think it is interesting that Sloan and co don't seem to know who the Pres of the LDS Church is. Come on, you can see the SLT from the ESA. If they were professional sportsmen in Rome, Italy you could bet your bottom dollar that they'd know who the Pope is.
4. LHM is Sloan's boss and LDS. If Sloan and co don't even know who Pres Monson is then LHM better be a better example.
5. Just wish that the dancers were wearing a little more.
6. Why wouldn't a big deal of the LDS Prophet being at Jazz Game be made. This is Utah. The LDS church is big here.
It's PART of what makes Utah great.
That was strange. And I am a devout LDS person, but it's little things like that that kinda make us look narrow and racist.
If someone asked me my favorite Jazz player, I would say Deron Williams, because he is the best player on our team by far. He's the heart of the Jazz. But I guess if Monson said Williams, then he would be advocating a black guy with tatoos. Kinda how I read his response. I may be wrong about that ...
Monson is entitled to his opinion, of course, but his opinion reflected a creepiness that perhaps matched the creepiness of the whole incident of interrupting a time out. I agree with some of the posters, even though I respect and love Pres. Monson.
So it was unexpected. No harm done; the Jazz players got a good laugh, loosened up, and their play happened to improve. Interestingly, when Boozer, for example, found out that it wasn't just some regular fan, but a Utah figure showing support, he thought it was cool.
A little less paranoia--like the stressed out adults here, who are reading too much into this--and society would be a lot more fun. Go Jazz!
It must be a terrible detriment to the growth of the church.
However ...
GO SPURS!
San Antonio Spurs-hating Jazz fans are the real blind sheep cult in Utah.
I am an active LDS member and never like to hear people attack the Mormon church, or our prophet. However, I realize that the more you fight back, the more anit-mormonism you will see. They are all hoping for a reaction and have definitely succeeded with a few, which makes them think they represent the whole. Watch what happens if you don't respond to their comments. Think about it, why would an anti-mormon read the Deseret News? To post comments about how they hate the Mormon church and then laugh as the Mormons get offended. Just let them be and they will disappear.
Does it work for you to live in such a paranoid world where everyone is out to get the Mormons? That seems like it would be very depressing. Had any Prosac lately?
No, there is no conspiracy of anti-Mormons "out there" trying to take over the DN comments sections. Most non-members (which is the population of people you seem to think are anti-Mormons) have much more important things to do than to waste time on religious squabbles.
Some of us like to attend Jazz games! I am the guy with one eye in the lower left of the picture!
Smile!
Don't you people ever stop with the deception and lies to try and justify your self-righteous arrogance?
How were those hot dogs....I bet not quiet as good as Huntsmans T-Bones!!!!
I want to write more....but I'm feeling sick and need to puke!!!
I firmly believe the Catholic Church to be false. But I have never once posted anything negative anywhere about the Pope or the Catholic Church whenever either has appeared in the news. Why should I? Unlike the anti-Mormons, I am not threatened by a church with which I disagree.
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