I haven't been keeping up with the blogs very well lately - my own or the others on my favorites list. (I never did figure out an easy way to work with Bloglines.) So last night I though I'd do some catching up and was over at Queer Joe's. Now Joe and I don't often agree on a lot of things but I enjoy the discussion over there and so I read it.
Joe had a post the other day where the title was "Mormons...What's the deal?" He went on to repeat myths and out of context things which everyone who doesn't know any better always repeats. Not helpful.
In his follow up post he seemed to have really listened to the comments and came out with an understanding that faith in God doesn't always look rational to those around you. So my argument here isn't with Joe. I was bothered all night about the comments. Some took this opportunity to bash Mormons. Why? I ask this question a lot. Yes, a lot of the stuff in the religion, taken out of context, looks a little strange. But really isn't it like that in all religions?
Just because the stuff happened only less than 150 years ago does it seem more weird than talking donkeys, sticks turning into snakes, lamb's blood over doorways? (I believe all that stuff) Why is it harder to believe that God talked to somebody a month ago than it is to believe that He spoke from a burning bush?
I'm not saying that I expect everybody to turn around and join up, but really, do we have to be so mean? As in every religion there are those who will give you the shirt off their back and those who still haven't figured out how to be nice. There are those who follow the teachings as well as they can and those who go on Sunday and return to life without religion on Monday.
There is a lot of political talk on the Internet and I don't agree with a lot of it but it isn't personal. Religion IS personal. If there are questions then by all means ask them but to just say "Mormons are weird" ...
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has close to 13 million members world wide and it the fourth largest church in the US. Really. There are a lot of them around. Trying their best and believing in God. And for every story of somebody growing up in an abusive Mormon house there are 100 stories of children growing up with loving parents, just like all of those houses which aren't Mormon.
We are all alike no matter where we live or what church we go to or don't go to. Doing our best to get through life and help each other and raise our kids.
Yes, I'm Mormon. I don't talk about it much here. It is a very sacred and important thing to me. I work at it. I study it. I am trying my best.
7 comments:
Sorry that some people made what could have been a healthy discussion of religious beliefs into a personal attack. Because the internet can offer anonymonity that a face to face conversation cannot, it is easier to be "not nice". People might think those comments but they would never voice them if sitting next to you. Don't let it get to you if you can. Those that practice hate and intolerance are reaping a much harder life than yours even if they don't realize it.
Your post is SO well-written. As you said, there is good and bad among every group.
I think you must be among the very good. :-) To be able to write about religion in such an open way...well, all I have to say is "Amen to that".
Hi Beth,
I'm a blogless lurker who ocassionaly checks in to see what you're knitting. When I read this post, I just had to come out.
I used to read and comment regularly on Joe's site, until one day, he took my innocent ignorance out of context and made me a representative for the "bad guys". He does create provacative forums, which, along with his knitting, I enjoyed. But if you read his rules page (or whatever it's called) he tells you flat out he may use your statements as he wishes.
Be careful if you are commenting at his site. You need to be thick skinned, and I'm not. I did speak up for myself, but only one of many, many commentors acknowledged me. That one person, at least, was kind enough to go back and read my original post, and did agree that my comments has been unkindly used. This all happened some time ago now. I just wanted you to know how thoughtless he can be. It hurt me so much that he did this to me, I hoped he would have some remorse, but he never commented, so I had to quit his site. Many months have passed, I still feel sad and betrayed. Sorry for whining. I'd rather be knitting!
I'm very sorry you have to deal with people bashing your religion all the time - I have a few Mormon friends (one will be attending BYU next year!), and they all have the same issues from time to time, as do the Jehova's Witnesses. Religion IS personal, and it never makes sense to those who don't believe in it. Thank you for the post.
-Sam
I like Google Reader much better than Bloglines.
People can be mean. How boring would life be if we were all the same. How wonderful it is that we are all different. I don't get it either.
excellent post. i grew up in the bible belt, and even as a little kid i could never understand why people thought the God at their church was the only right one. now i think the only thing i'm really intolerant of is intolerance.
thanks for spending so much time with me today--i love the shop and it was a joy meeting you. i got so excited about the spindle (and how i'd completely forgotten to use one...) and the luscious fiber that i completely forgot why i was there--to get those 2 bobbins for my Joy!
so i might drop in on saturday when i pick spouse up from the airport to get them. (i promise i won't stay for three hours...i won't be able to...bummer! lol)
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