I previously wrote a long comment about Mormonism on Dan’ Riehl’s site. The reason why I commented instead of doing a post about it is that it is currently affecting a close friend of mine. I see how they are using manipulation, coercion, guilt, and over-bearing full court press of “missionaries” coming over to her house, calling at all hours, pressuring her and pretty much playing on a very emotionally fragile person’s vulnerability to get them into Mormonism.
I would go as far to say that far from being a religion that improves the world and improves life, Mormonism is an absolute evil and pernicious force in America, and its practitioners, whether consciously or not, are spreading hate and intolerance, and using brute tactics and intimidation to do so.
I always had a knee-jerk negative reaction to Mormonism, and to be fair I didn’t really know why.
Since, I’ve read a LOT about it from “Mormon survivors” and from Mormon apologist sites, where they try to justify the absence of proof that the American Indians are, in fact, a displaced tribe of Hebrews (DNA, archeology, linguistics all negate their claims).
I’m sure there are some Catholic and Jewish “survivors” out there, but you don’t see any of these churches hounding you if you try to leave. No other church uses the harassing and invidious methods the Mormon church does to first ensnare you, then keep you in the religion. If you aren’t one of those who reject the cult of Mormon and would reject a Mormon president, you haven’t read enough about it.
I deeply believe that the Mormon religion is inherently racist, sexist, intolerant of other religions in a very offensive and intrusive manner (they may have already ‘baptized’ your own relatives by proxy, to allow them the option of ‘choosing mormonism’ so they can finally get into heaven, even after a life of sin by being, say, a Catholic or Protestant. I believe these practices and policies of sexism, racism and intolerance to be an integral part of the Mormon religion, and in fact the BASIS FOR the religion. The subjugation of women and the preaching of inferiority of ‘dark people’ is rampant in the literature they give to potential converts.
I read my friend’s “How to be a Good Mormon Woman” cover to cover- its a horrifying tract that seems to be based 18th century opinions of the inferiority of women, and how they should submit to being basically their husband’s chattel and unquestioningly submit to almost anything he might do or command, because he is particularly chosen for the received wisdom of God, and not the wife.
This all goes beside the point that the religion is based on a mythos every bit as unfounded, unsubstantiated by history, fantastical and outlandish as Scientology. If you know the history, you know what I mean. Maybe that’s why their tactics so closely resemble Scientology. Its based on the tradition and testimony of one man, and his far-fetched claims are disproven by every kind of objective manner you care to use. There’s too much tomfoolery and ridiculousness to even go into, and its far beyond the issue of “faith” that other religions demand. Its more like an insistence on dementia.
At least the basis and traditions of Judeo=Christian, Muslim and Eastern religions are based on historical facts and a long line of theological, philosophical and erudite analysis, thought and reformation. The Mormon church is based on a, let’s face it, silly story by one person with an agenda to rule over a cult of believers, and who made up a tradition, religion and even a gospel by himself and sold it to the gullible and to others who shared his yen for power and who embraced it because it gave them power. Again, see Scientology.
I think an objective reading of the tactics, beliefs and recruiting practices of Mormonism qualify it for the status of a cult, not a religion. And a repressive, opportunistic and abusive cult it is. The “where there’s smoke there’s fire” basis has to be considered when I read all the “Mormon survivor” websites describing how, mostly women, were mistreated and hounded by these fanatics, who try to isolate you from any family or friend who might raise any question about the practices and beliefs of these zealots.
For this reason, I dismiss Romney out of hand. He tries to avoid the Mormonism issue or brand those who bring it up as bigoted or biased. I would seriously vote for Hillary before I’d vote for Romney, and that is saying A LOT. I think a lot of Republicans would do that or sit home if Romney, with all this money and organizational advantages, does manage to game the primaries and win the nomination.
The American people rightly suspect that Mormonism is not in line with American values.