Why do people say bad things about Mormons?

Question

I am Mormon and I am tiered of seeing bad things posted on here about Mormons. We believe in God the eternal father, and in his son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. We don't believe that there is more than one god. We have only one god. We have a prophet who is Gordon B. Hinckley. We don't think he is god. He is an amazing man. There are no words to describe how great he is. We don't see him as the living god. He tells us things that our Heavenly Father wants us to do. Like not get tattoos or drinking and things like that. We are not polygamists. The people that are polygamists belong to the FLDS church. Not the LDS. The FLDS. A long time ago when the prophet told the Mormons to have only one wife, some of the people decided they didn't like that. So they broke away and started their own church. We do have the bible. It is the same bible that many people use today. We have other scriptures too. But we do use the bible. We are not bad people. We don't drink, or smoke, or anything

like that. So why do people hate us?

We are not a cult. We are a religion. We believe our religion is true. We don't ridicule people for being catholic or Jewish. And only men hold the priesthood so they can measure up to women. Not because they hate women.

I am asking why do people hate us? And if you guys want to believe that we are bad people who have a bunch of wives, then go look at lds.org . Maybe you'll be surprised.

Answer 1

People don't hate you, they just fear what they don't understand. Also, the FLDS church and that bastard leader of theirs that is giving true Mormonism a bad name.

You are more than entitled to your beliefs. I myself jsut moved to Utah from Indiana. I won't lie, I had some notions about your faith that have been disproven and corrected in the couple of short months I have been here. Most all Mormons I know and work with are fine people with loving happy families. And what could be wrong with that.

I may not believe what you believe, but that's no reason to hate you.

"I may detest what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire.

Had to add this edit after I saw what Michelle G wrote....

Holy crap. People in this nation are more idiotic than I originally thought. Michelle the religion and way of life you were looking for with the "no electricty" remark are the Amish and some orthodox Germans. However, many of these cultures have accepted electricity, and you are an idiot.

Answer 2

Let me start by saying I'm LDS as well.

The Mormon Church is attacked by quoting from Journal of Discourses, Mormon Doctrine, Book of Mormon, Comprehensive History of the Church, or quotes from various other diaries and sources. Then we are challenged to explain that quote or statement. The quote is presented because it gives the required impression even though that may not be a correct interpretation when the context is fully understood. The Christian critics have no accepted body of beliefs or reference works that are considered universally binding or accurate. The only standard that is universally accepted is the Bible, but even then you may have to consult different versions to find acceptance. My experience is that these Christians don't allow others to suggest a correct interpretation of the scriptures. When challenged about something another Christian says, they don't feel obligated to agree with those statements or interpretations.

This is in contrast to the doctines and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Mormon people have additional scriptures, and authoritative statements from prophets that establish a complete structure of belief and practice. All the members of the church are required to believe that which is true and a significant body of literature has been written to establish the various points of doctrine. Since the church has a standard that we all believe, it provides a large target for critics to attack.

However, probably the main reason critics have so much fun attacking the church is that the Mormon beliefs do not conform to the norms of other Christian ideas. Some concepts such as polygamy seem especially strange when they are first examined. Some Mormon beliefs seem easy to discredit, but on deeper examination it is found that there is more to be considered.

Also the Mormon people are arrogant enough to proclaim that they are the "only true church." When a person leaves the church they cannot easily join another church. They have been taught and believed that other churches were wrong. Without belonging to the "true" church they are sometimes left with no church. They might join the ranks of those who are cynical and skeptical about religions in general. Another possible path might lead to acceptance of membership in another religious faith, and most likely they will retain feelings of betrayal and possibly hatred toward the Mormon church. With those feelings of apostasy they might become very active in "winning" others away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If they are successful in causing others to doubt their testimony of the Mormon church, they feel justified in their own decision to leave.

Another reason that the Mormons are an "easy" target is that they actually claim to have living prophets and apostles. Our pre-conceived ideas about what a prophet is usually does not include anyone that actually walks and talks like other men. In fact even members of the church cause some problems by not allowing Joseph Smith to be a man as well as a prophet. We have the opportunity to get a close look at what a prophet really is and not what we might imagine a prophet should be.

Answer 3

The Mormons are getting very bad press on national TV lately. These shows are concentrating on polygamists and how their members end up as sexual predators in later life.....and how controling the men who practice this are. This is nothing more than a "mind controling cult" that is allowed to florish and I feel very sorry for those boys and girls who are born into this cult and can't get out of it without fear or guilt imposed by their parents.
In your case, even though you may not practice polygamy in your family, the name of your practice is called the same thing. Mormons. Unfortunately, most people don't understand what you mentioned in your question about being something other than polygamists and the general public will link you into this practice only because you are a mormon. God bless you and I sincerely hope you find peace in your quest for spiritual guidance to become a better person.

Answer 4

First, please take a deep breath and realize that Yahoo!Answers is NOT the place to find a wealth of open-minded views. The internet is great for many things, but one drawback is the ability to spew ignorant venom anonymously on any number of topics.

Second, I believe that most people who hate large groups of people unlike themselves generally have not spent a great deal of time with people from those groups.

Third, as for Mormons specifically, the religion has certain clear requirements, including missions, that set life a little apart from some of the mainstream. Some things that make Mormonism different as a religion (strict adherence to no drinking, no caffeine, no smoking, no premarital sex) usually are left up to the individual in other religions, except for certain sects. In addition, the somewhat accurate portrayal of a young proselytizing Mormon man on a bicycle with a short-sleeved white shirt is not a mainstream version of most twenty year old men. Likewise, the generally early marriage age is not the mainstream.

Fourth, the myth of rampant polygamy dies hard. It's stupid for people to buy into it, but a few will.

In the end, some people get scared of groups they don't know or who don't follow their beliefs and traditions. Nevertheless, I think you'll find that most people--even if they don't understand your religion--can respect you and your beliefs.

Answer 5

Try a shorter question next time,,

The LDS faith is an odd branch of Christianity,, people often lash out at what the don't understand.
Myself, I was raised Mormon in a Mormon community.

Here are my BIG beefs:

1. If you drink coffee you cannot get a temple recommend. But if you molest children you should be forgiven for your sin an weakness. Deny it if you want I live here.

2. Life with blinders on. If you are so uncomfortable with your religion that you refuse to hear any other view,,time to rethink your religion.

3.19 year old kids out kids out trying to ram the religion down the throat of the world like vacuum salesmen. What do they know about anything the are just kids.

Answer 6

I lived in a predominantly Mormon community at one time. I am not a Mormon. It was Idaho Falls, ID. I did not want to move there because there were too many religious people (Mormons) there. After living there a few months - I learned how wrong I was - I would never convert - but the Mormons and their way of life really won me over. Lots of people SAY that family is important - Mormons don't say that - they LIVE it. They have a wonderful sense of community. They understand the concepts of duty and civic responsibility. I took the time to learn about what they believe and decided it was not for me - my decision - but I thought living in a Mormon community was a great experience, and it would probably be a great place to raise a family.

I don't hate the Mormons.

Answer 7

I'm sorry you feel mistreated and disliked because of your beliefs.

From what I've heard, the thing I'm not impressed with is the control (financial, time, emotional) the church holds over its members. But that's a matter of those who are running the show, not the members, so nothing to hate there. I disagree with Mormon doctrine and belief, but don't have anything against the people, and I hope that when I discuss it, people hearing me understand that I'm talking about the religion and not its members. For the most part, like you said, they're pretty decent people.

Answer 8

The reason is simple. There are stupid, ignorant, hateful people everywhere and some even call themselves Christian. I was trained in the Presbyterian ministry ( but ended up as a college professor then busainessman) and while I disagree with much of what the LDS believe I'll leave the judging on spiritual matters. I'll judge a member of the LDS church the same way I would anyone else....by their actions.
God bless

Answer 9

Jesus came here to set up His church - if you do not belong to His church then you do not belong to Christ. You have a lot of good things to say - but there are things that the Mormons teach that is not supported in the Bible - when you stray from the Bible - you stray from God. Your answers lie in the Bible - anyones opinion is just that - an opinion - opinions will not save you.

Good luck in you search for the Truth.

Answer 10

You're seeking a logical answer to an illogical situation, sadly. Some people probably just can't or find it hard to believe that you accept your particular faith...and are equally baffled with people question their own. The hatred against the Zionists and other groups hold testiment to this.

Or they're just jerks who feel better from having zinged on someone/something. Case in point? See a few of the posts made above. :)

However, you shouldn't be afraid of honest questions or inqueries against your faith. The best friend of any good idea is an intelligent and respectful critic.