Why is it always the Mormons? (Jesus Christ, Buddhism, beliefs, LDS)

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by Scott1

Catholic Encyclopedia is not "official".

True, but it's a pretty good guide to the official dogmas of the RC Church. And in this case, it agrees with what I was taught as a child and as an undergrad at a Jesuit university.

[doppelgänger]

Here it is again on Catholic.com:

PETER IS THE ROCK (This Rock: January 1998)

For the Protestant Reformers to rationalize breaking away from what was universally acknowledged in their culture as the Christian Church, it was necessary for them to deny the Catholic Church’s authority. To maintain their positions, they were forced to portray it as a kind of "anti-Church" that was unjustly claiming the prerogatives of Christ’s true (but invisible) Church.

Their chief target was, of course, the pope. To justify breaking away from the successor of Peter, they had to undercut the Petrine office itself. They were forced to deny the plain reading of Matthew 16:18—that Jesus made Peter the rock on which he would build his Church.

More recent Protestants have been able to back away from the position that early Protestants felt forced to make and have been able to admit that Peter is, indeed, the rock. It remains to be seen whether they will start drawing the necessary inferences from this fact.

[Fluffy]

If Mormons are targeted more then I reckon its because they are centralised and relatively large in America compared with other minority groups. This creates a larger threat in the minds of people to whom such things matter. Other minorities have already been smashed under foot so other than a bit of happy slapping, they are generally left alone because they aren't perceived to be as dangerous.

However, I think that if you look on forums that aren't as pluralistic as RF, you will see Unitarians, Universalists and Liberal Christians getting bashed just as much. Also atheists, pagans and Muslims get slashed a lot, especially when the media picks up a related story.

I just hope that the Mormons on RF aren't made to feel too uncomfortable by it. I've seen them get chucked out of other forums (along with other Christian groups) so it must be a difficult thing to have to deal with.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

Other minorities have already been smashed under foot so other than a bit of happy slapping, they are generally left alone because they aren't perceived to be as dangerous.

In what way to you believe they see us as dangerous, Fluffy?

I just hope that the Mormons on RF aren't made to feel too uncomfortable by it. I've seen them get chucked out of other forums (along with other Christian groups) so it must be a difficult thing to have to deal with.

RF is a considerably better place than most for Latter-day Saints to hang out. First off, there aren't anywhere near as many fundies here as on a lot of sites. Second, many of us have been here for so long that we've made friends. Most of the non-LDS posters here (Christian and otherwise) have demonstrated that even though they don't agree with LDS doctrine, they can be respectful and tolerant. RF's policy against proselytizing is also helpful. People who come here for the sole purpose of attacking Mormonism are annoying, but they generally end up leaving before too awfully long because they end up making enemies of almost everyone else on the forum. Personally, I think of many, many RFers as friends, and look forward to "seeing" them on a daily basis. The occasional jerk doesn't get me down too much.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

The occasional jerk doesn't get me down too much.

Phew! I'm glad I haven't gotten to you too much!

[SoyLeche]

Originally Posted by mball1297

Phew! I'm glad I haven't gotten to you too much!

Oh, but see - you are hardly "occasional"

[Fluffy]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

In what way to you believe they see us as dangerous, Fluffy?

I think that it is purely a combination of being centralised and close (to America). Sure you get pagans, atheists e.t.c. in America but because they are totally decentralised, attacking them is a bit like hitting smoke and so doesn't make satisfying squishing noises. Also it means that the extent of paganism, atheism e.t.c. is perceived as being low because you can't point at a recognizable institution and go "look, this is paganism". By being more concentrated, Mormons are an easier target and a more easily visualised threat.

Muslims are more centralised but distant. To a fundamentalist, they are probably still a high risk factor but not necessarily to a person's soul, just their life. When people think of Mormons, I think they tend to think of smiling young people, smartly dressed knocking on the door spreading the evil daemon message. Better to get blown up than converted. And it could even be your door next.

Jews? Well they don't like the Muslims so we'll just be friends with them. Plus they stick to Israel which is nice and far away and, if we are really lucky, they might end up getting wiped out along with the Muslims killing two birds with one stone. I really wish I was just kidding at this point but it seems that in the minds of some fundamentalists, this wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

So Mormons get stick because they are reachable and identifiable whereas nobody else qualifies to quite the same extent except for, perhaps, the Democrats.

Originally Posted by Katzpur

RF is a considerably better place than most for Latter-day Saints to hang out. First off, there aren't anywhere near as many fundies here as on a lot of sites.

Well I am glad about that. It is a shame that there can't be a place that is welcoming to everyone (including to fundamentalists) without ending up not being welcoming.

It is a bit sad though because it is the classic "destruction vs growth" dynamic. It might be easier to attack those different from you but in the end, you will end up stagnated. On the other hand, those you attacked will have learned to adapt and accommodate one another resulting in strength.

Originally Posted by Katz

RF's policy against proselytizing is also helpful.

I'm glad that it is indeed helpful. I've offered wondered whether it is too heavy handed or not (like the rest of the mod team, I'm very much for light moderation) but if helps create the right atmosphere then that is great. I have been on specific religion forums before (Christian, Muslim, e.t.c.) where they have had proselytism sub-forums wherein the forum religion is invited to try and convert those in that forum. For example, a pagan forum would be specifically for proselytising to pagans. It is a system that boggles my mind somewhat.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Fish-Hunter

I'm sorry, what was the question again? I will stay on for 5 more mintues and sign out for the rest of the day. Have a great rest of the day!

The posts don't disappear after you read them. If you forget what we were talking about, you can always look back in the thread and refresh your memory.

Don't exert yourself on my account, though; I've lost interest in hearing the answer.

[Rolling_Stone]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

In what way to you believe they see us as dangerous, Fluffy?

You addressed this to Fluffy, but I hope you don't mind me giving an answer. Like I said, they believe in their beliefs rather than the God their beliefs point to. The beliefs of other religions mentioned in the OP are too alien to pose a threat, similar aesthetic values withstanding. Mormon beliefs, too, share similar aesthetic values, but their beliefs are similar enough and organized enough to undermine theirs.