I'm LDS, I'm not an individual.

[Pedersen]

Smiley was right. I could sum it up with Stereotyping sucks. But in terms of my personal experience, this is what offends me most in particular.

Here's something for you to ponder: Any of this stereotyping may well be brought on by your own words and actions.

Before you open up the can of whoop ass, consider this: Your religion is not something that can be determined by looking at you. As such, the only time it can be determined is when you tell others what it is. Once you do so, you invite people to comment on it. Yes, you do invite people to comment on it. You have made it something to discuss by virtue of discussing it yourself.

Another bit to consider: People use labels to help identify other people. Your name is one such label. However, your name doesn't help them to understand you. Other labels do that. Quite frequently, in fact, we label ourselves, and use those labels to help others understand us.

For example, I'm a computer geek. Even if you've never read a single post of mine, you now have an image of me in your mind. You have some idea of the likes and dislikes that I am likely to have. Are your preconceptions perfectly in tune with who I am, what I like, etc? Of course not. If you list out everything about me that you now think you know, I can guarantee that I will find several things on that list that are wrong.

I can also guarantee that most of that list will be right. Why? Because "computer geek" is the label I apply to myself, because it is the label that most fits me. If I meet someone for the first time, I will likely say something similar to "Hi, I'm Pedersen. Serious computer geek here, so I apologize if I go off into too much tech speak on you. I do try to rein it in." And yes, I really do say that.

If you introduce yourself with "Hi, I'm SIGE, and I'm a Mormon," then that is the label you apply to yourself. You do this knowing the preconceptions that others will have about your religion, and about you as a result.

For you, it's obvious that being a Mormon is a significant aspect of your personal identity. However, you've stated that you disagree with some of the most basic tenets of the Mormon faith. I would posit that, in fact, you are not actually a "stock" Mormon, and should identify yourself as being something other than one. For instance, stating "I'm a Mormon with some issues with the leadership" or some such.

You might even go so far as to find a new label. It's pretty clear that the label you have for yourself is inadequate, and needs work. And, once you have that new label, the old one just stops mattering.

Kind of rambly thinking, and I apologize for that.

[Flyndaran]

As limited creatures we have to use shortcuts to the unknown about others.
I can't really know if that loud, baggy jeans wearing, facial mugging, jerk is really a criminal or not. But I will likely make a pre judgement in a dark parking lot to keep an eye on him.
We just need to recognize it in ourselves and when given time make rational judgements based on more information and act accordingly.
Too bad thinking about our own thought processes is not something most people do as a daily exercise.

[Saydrah]

Faith is a private matter. If you keep yours that way and only mention it when appropriate, anyone criticizing or baiting you about your faith deserves to be pickled and displayed in a science classroom with the label "Bigotus americanem."

If you push your faith on others or use it as a way to try to win an argument, saying stuff like, "Well, my Mormon faith says caffeine is bad-- so I'm right that you shouldn't drink coffee," then all bets are off and you deserve whatever criticism of your religion you get. Freedom of religion and freedom from religion are equally important, say I.

However, I do have one criticism for you, which has nothing to do with your being a Mormon: You've made a persuasive argument against the stereotyping of a particular group, yet in your original post, you twice used language that is hurtful toward another specific group and represents an unpleasant, offensive stereotype of that group. You used the word "retarded" twice to describe people who criticize you for your faith.

I would make an educated guess that most people who define you by your religion are neurotypical (do not have a disability affecting the mind). I would further posit that most people who would be diagnosed as developmentally delayed ("retarded," in the unpleasant, archaic medical lexicon) would not be particularly interested in your religion, nor would they be likely to judge you harshly for being a member of the LDS church.

I strongly suggest that when arguing against the stereotyping and persecution of a group to which you belong, you refrain from using language representing the stereotyping and persecution of other groups.

[Flyndaran]

Retarded is not a medical term. It is a common word to describe delayed behavior. That's why parachuted bombs in WWII were called retarded bombs.

Using it as an insult is the same as calling someone insane. If false, then you are exposing your ignorance to everyone. If true, then it probably still doesn't relate to the discussion at hand, and therefore expose your ignorance to everyone.

I have anxiety enough to be a crippling mental disorder. I wouldn't give one flying monkey if anyone called me insane. It's like calling me fat. Yes I am. Heck depending on specific definitions, I might qualify as slightly obese. I'm quite glad that you pointed that out. I may never have noticed otherwise.

[kiwi]

I grew up in an LDS family, hard core LDS by the way. My mother and brother both left when I was 11 (for their own personal reasons)

I left when I was 18 because I don't believe in what Joseph Smith said,I dont believe in some of the scripture or the BOM.

None of my family have officially resigned from the church we are all considered "inactive" members.

I wont ever go back to the "Mormon" church but I still try to follow the doctrine that I believe is true. I havnt reconciled myself to any other organised religion... yet, all seem to have a fundamental flaw that I simply cant bring myself to believe in.

I also cant go back because Ive been a VERY naughty girl by their standards (drinking, smoking, living in "sin") if I tried to I would be tried in a church court (eye roll) that I don't believe has any power whatsoever.

I don't however believe that Mormons are picked on anymore than any other church (religion), every one knows a dirty joke about a priest or the right wing nut jobs of evangelical churches. Every church is ridiculed, some more than others at different times but I believe it all comes out in the wash. Even now I think followers of Islam have it MUCH harder than Mormons do.

[Flyndaran]

...
I don't however believe that Mormons are picked on anymore than any other church (religion), every one knows a dirty joke about a priest or the right wing nut jobs of evangelical churches. Every church is ridiculed, some more than others at different times but I believe it all comes out in the wash. Even now I think followers of Islam have it MUCH harder than Mormons do.

I think they are picked on more than any other christian church other than the catholics and Jehova's Witnesses for their personal form of corruptions.

Mormons and J.H.s go door to door, and that right there is annoying enough for most people to tar them as needy in your face wingnuts. This is no matter how polite and leave when asked the Mormons are.
It's sad when they look almost surprised when someone has a simple polite conversation with them... Even more shocked are they when that person is a born atheist.

Though to me, the idea of a near child labeling himself "Elder Whosits" is funny as heck.

[smileyeagle1021]

It's sad when they look almost surprised when someone has a simple polite conversation with them... Even more shocked are they when that person is a born atheist.

Though to me, the idea of a near child labeling himself "Elder Whosits" is funny as heck.

oh yeah... I've had missionaries who are shocked that I offer them water in the summer and polite conversation even. Even more shocked when they find out that I'm a quasi ex-mormon (never turned in a resignation, so still technically a member).

though, is it wrong that I'll admit that part of the reason I'm polite to missionaries is because some of them are cute

[Flyndaran]

oh yeah... I've had missionaries who are shocked that I offer them water in the summer and polite conversation even. Even more shocked when they find out that I'm a quasi ex-mormon (never turned in a resignation, so still technically a member).

though, is it wrong that I'll admit that part of the reason I'm polite to missionaries is because some of them are cute

I thought only males were allowed to do the whole missionary door to door thing. Am I thinking of J. Witnesses? Or am I completely confused?

[smileyeagle1021]

I thought only males were allowed to do the whole missionary door to door thing. Am I thinking of J. Witnesses? Or am I completely confused?

no, it is males who are the missionaries

*coughcough*

... I've had people tell me that I should be marching in PRIDE parades every weekend demanding the death of every heterosexual

I like guys in suits

[Shangri-laschild]

I thought only males were allowed to do the whole missionary door to door thing. Am I thinking of J. Witnesses? Or am I completely confused?

The guys are expected to (they go when they are 18) but the women can if they want to though they don't leave till they are 21 if I remember right.

I never actually tell them that I'm an ex mormon. I just say that my parents and I are already members. Technically true and they don't try to convert me. They do tend to be fairly nice though.

[Saydrah]

oh yeah... I've had missionaries who are shocked that I offer them water in the summer and polite conversation even. Even more shocked when they find out that I'm a quasi ex-mormon (never turned in a resignation, so still technically a member).

though, is it wrong that I'll admit that part of the reason I'm polite to missionaries is because some of them are cute

I love you because you get me.

Did you ever watch Latter Days?

I do the same thing with offering water and sometimes snacks to Mormons that come to my door. I used to keep a stash of Cliff Bars and Vitamin Water just for them, because my last apartment was like 3 blocks from an LDS headquarters so we got new missionaries almost every week. They're always so shocked to be treated politely that they remember me and say hello any time I see them out and about.

When I was a rambunctious teen, I thought it was "cool" to play pranks on missionaries that came to my door. Then I realized I was just being a jackass to people who were out there doing something they believe in, and even if I think the Mormon faith is restrictive and the official church stance is bigoted, I have to respect people putting their feet to the street for something they feel is right. Oh, yeah, and I realized they're usually pretty handsome, too, so that had a lot to do with my sudden change to niceness.

Although, I must admit I do sometimes miss the look on their faces when I would answer the door in some absolutely ridiculous trampy-goth outfit and wearing a Crowley upside-down pentacle necklace.

[Evandril]

I always start polite, and only switch to torturing the ones who have earned it I've actually had a few that would visit every so often, and we'd try poking holes in each other's world views...While staying respectful of each other's beliefs, was fun.

Then I had the idiot who flat out told my kids they *were* going to hell unless we all converted...Yeah, he learned fairly quickly that making my kids cry is *NOT* a good idea

To me, if you want to identify yourself with an organization, I'm going to treat you as if you believed in what they do...Else why call yourself what they do? If you're not going to follow the rules, what's the point?

[smileyeagle1021]

I love you because you get me.

Did you ever watch Latter Days?

yes, I did see that movie... I quite enjoyed it.

[Custard Chick]

You don't attend Southern Baptist church, you don't do organized religions, like Southern Baptism, anymore, and you recognize that the Southern Baptist church is full of hate.... so why do you still identify as Southern Baptist?

I agree with Admin actually. I was raised in the Catholic church, went to Catholic school *literally* all my life (Kindergarten through my undergrad degree), and have been baptized, confirmed, reconciled, and received Communion.

But, now I only go to church on Christmas and Easter (and any weddings or funerals), am currently living in sin with my boyfriend, and don't agree with the Church on MANY of their stances (gay marriage, sex before marriage, birth control, etc).

I still consider myself a Catholic though, because it's what I know, it's what I'm comfortable with, and I'm the person I am today because of my Catholic education and my faith. I plan to start going to church regularly when I have children and I will send them to Catholic school also because I like what my Catholic education and faith molded me into.

I will also teach them to question that faith though, not to accept it blindly, and not to judge others based on their choice of faith.

[PepperElf]

Why are Mormons picked on more than any other religion?

Hey, I know how you feel!
Being Catholic, popular media thinks it's OK to make fun of us too. Hell, look at all the Pedophile jokes they make about the Catholic Church... when if anything, you're apt to find *more* sexual offenders in school-jobs. (hell they found one pedophile/teacher in the public schools where my sister lives... it made local headlines, but i'm betting if he'd been a priest it would have made national headlines because of the media and religious hatred)

But that's what hatred is about. It's not about being right or basing an attack on facts... it's about cutting someone else down so you feel good, so you feel justified in the attack.

and of course, in any religion you get a group that's basically splintered away from the core beliefs and have gone insane. unfortunately that's usually the group that gets the most media attention so everyone thinks those people represent the entire congregation and not just their own splinter-group