From time to time, I read about news articles on the web regarding the LDS faith, and have found that they pretty much have been consistently following a more negative bent since the whole Proposition 8 voting results last fall. I am convinced that there is a concerted effort on the part of a fanatical group of liberals who were vehemently opposed to Proposition 8 to smear, attack, and vilify the LDS and other groups or individuals who supported Proposition 8. The latest attack comes from none other than the so-called "america blog", attacking the church over the recent discovery that Obama's mother, who passed away in 1995, has had LDS temple work done for her. This "news" has since been spread around on the web, more often than not with a negative slant. The person who discovered this, Helen Radkey, is an infamous anti-Mormon "researcher" who spends her time searching the latest LDS temple records to find names which she thinks can cause embarrassment to the church. My own feelings on this is that it most likely was done by an honest member who was submitting names for distant relatives (3rd, 4th cousins, etc) and could very well have included that name, possibly even not knowing that she was Obama's mother. Another possibility is that it could have been a purposeful prank on someone's part who was antigonistic towards the church (Helen Radkey?). At any rate, those with a beef against the LDS church will take offense with it, like they will just about anything which they can paint in a negative light.
I read today a couple of interesting comments on this subject, and on anti-Mormonism in general, by the authors of the article6blog (an excellent blog which covers religious discrimination in politics). www.article6blog.com (title of article is "Enough Already..."). I also posted a comment on it, which is included in the comments section. Here is a copy of my post:
Enjoyed your posts, John and Lowell. The people who waste their time criticizing and ridiculing other religions, such as the LDS religion, remind me of gossipers who enjoy spending their time finding fault with other people, and who grasp at any straw which causes controversy or sensationalism. They get the illusionary “high” of feeling better about themselves by tearing others down. I believe that they tend to be insecure about their own lifestyle and/or beliefs, and so feel that they can somehow justify themselves by tearing down the lifestyle and/or beliefs of others. It is also a similar mentality to schoolyard “bullies” who pick on others who they perceive as not willing to fight back, to make themselves appear strong or somehow “better” than those they pick on.As such, it makes sense for us to pray for those with such weaknesses, and to perceive them as souls who have temporarily lost their way. We can and should stand up for what we believe by firmly stating our position, without condemning them or attacking them personally.
There is a passage in the Book of Mormon which might explain perhaps part of the reason for the LDS response to such attacks and ridicule: there is a relation of a dream of an ancient prophet who, along with other people, is attempting to follow the strait and narrow way to the “Tree of Life” (a metaphor for God’s love and approval). In the process of doing so, he and the others are ridiculed and laughed at by a large crowd of wordly people in a “great and spacious building”. Those people and the building are a metaphor for the pride, wickedness, and foolishness of the world and of men. Those who make wise choices will take no heed of this ridicule and continue on in the path to God. Those who make foolish choices are distracted and ashamed, and veer from the path and wind up either temporarily or permanently losing their way.So I believe that, whatever our religious beliefs, we should defend ourselves in a dignified and uplifting way, without responding in kind to mean, vicious, and demeaning attacks, and not to waste time trying to respond to every perceived slight, but to concentrate on simply living our lives the best we can and providing a good example for others to follow. When we are sincerely striving to follow God’s will, He will help and strengthen us regardless of what others might do or say to discourage us.
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Phil, thanks for your post. I haven't been posting much on this blog recently, but I have had a lot floating around in my head that I feel I need to write down... more on that later.
I think that you're comments are good. Recently after the distasteful insult of the Big Love episode, I was surprised and impressed to see the church's response. My initial response was one of anger, offense and disdain for HBO and the Big Love writers (which were either seeking revenge for prop 8, or trying desperately to get some more numbers for a dying show.)
The church's response- and the counsel given to the members, was to let it be. They discouraged protests or anything of the sort. The only response they really had was a very well done short film clip on why temples are important and sacred to us.
Putting that in context of your bully analogy, the bully ends up leaving you alone if he sees that he can't make you cry. He goes and looks for someone else that he will get a better reaction out of.
The same is true with the "america blog". They obviously don't want a discussion, and certainly are not in search of truth since they immediately delete any posts that even attempt to explain a position contrary to theirs. They are spewing dirt into the air. One can't help being annoyed by the absolute hypocrisy of it especially since there title includes "A GREAT NATION DESERVES THE TRUTH" (...but only if it's the version we approve). It's not a discussion or rational thought. It's just slander by extremists wanting to push an agenda by slandering and silencing any conflicting viewpoints.
There is only one thing that can be done. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Trust that they are smart enough to not succumb to the lies and slander, but seek truth from a reliable... or a least balanced source.
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