Why do people think such weird things about Mormons?

Question

I'm always hearing weird things about our eating and drinking habits. Like, I've heard we do drink alcohol and don't drink soda (which is wrong). Yeah, some of us don't drink soda, but that's a personal choice, it isn't forbidden by the church. I've heard that we aren't allowed to eat pancakes. And that's just the beginning of weird things I've heard and the ones I've mentioned are just diet related! Just because one Mormon does something weird it doesn't mean they are following their religion...so what's up with the assumptions?

Warren Jeffs isn’t a member of the LDS church. He is a member of the FLDS church. They are completely different religions. The LDS church doesn’t practice polygamy...

Garments: They have to do with the LDS temple, and why is it considered weird to have clothing standards? Muslims have clothing standards too, for example.

The first modern Restoration prophet is named JOSEPH Smith NOT Stephen Smith.

I didn’t say anything about baptism for the dead or other doctrinal beliefs, so please no accusations in that direction. That’s an entirely different issue than saying I can’t drink soda or eat pancakes.

The reason that many Mormons choose not to drink caffeinated soda is because coffee is an acknowledged taboo food item. But it isn’t expressly forbidden and is a matter of personal choice. Anything that can cause addiction or in excess is to be avoided...

Answer 1

I think people know just a little bit, but none of the details. Like they know that we have a special diet code, or that we have a temple that is not open to the public, and they just assume something nefarious goes on in the temple, and that if one Mormon does or doesn't eat something then it's part of the "mysterious" diet code.
Also, a lot of former members will spread lies about what happens in the temple or other things that might pique the interest of non-members.

It's all ignorance (aka lack of knowledge). I've noticed when I take the time to explain why we do certain things and not others and what is "against the rules" and what is just personal choice, it clears up a lot of misconceptions and they are more willing to come to me with other questions they or their friends have about the church. And are more willing to come to the churches defense.

Answer 2

Mormons are not weird and anyone who says they are should check their facts! I'm not a Mormon but my husband was baptized as a Mormon (he's no longer practicing) and he's given me a much more open mind regarding other religions since I am a baptized Jehova's Witness (no longer practicing). The reason people think Jehova's Witnesses and Mormons are weird is because they are very strict people when it comes to their religions. For instance, growing up, I couldn't celebrate most Holidays and I knocked on most of my classmates doors trying to spread the message and for that I was labled "a weird Jehova's Witness", of course I'm not weird but that was my religion to others. People are just thinking that because Mormons ride around on bikes with white shirts, black pants and helmets trying to spread the message, that they are weird. That is not the case. I had two ladies in long skirts come to my house and they sang a really pretty song for me and I thought they were very nice people who appeared to be normal. The assumptions are being made by people who have no idea about the religion. They are simply going on what they think or hear.

Answer 3

I saw an Interview on T.V. years ago about Mormoms.
They have this Secret Underware that Protects them
MY Protector is the Creator of the Universe, not Fruit of the Loom.
What are we suppose to Think after an Interview like that?

Besides, the Mormoms was One of the Two churches that GOD Almighty wouldn't let me go into.
I was Young in the Lord and coulda' got Decieved. Nuff Said.

Answer 4

Some of the things you call assumptions are based on information put out by the Mormon church itself.
There is no need for antimormon literature when the Mormon church is doing such a good job filling that niche itself.
JD1:50
DHC volume 1
etc.

Answer 5

I'm sorry, but I WAS a Mormon for 8 years...and probably still legally am since they will not ex-communicate me. I know those weird things that you are talking about and I know that they are true. Baptising the dead, the special underwear, 3 levels of heaven, becoming a god of your own planet after you die. They all are beliefs of the LDS church.

Answer 6

In my experience, ignorance breeds creativity.

When you have a group with beliefs that defy the current accepted 'common sense' , then just about any belief seems to make sense.

However, using the reference to soda, isn't that actually an accepted LDS belief that soda (or any other caffeine containing product) to avoided?

Answer 7

For me, it isn't really an issue of being weird? Everybody is weird. What is a normal person anyway?

The thing that doesn't make any sense to me is the belief that Native Americans are descendants of the Jewish people. Genetic research has showed that they actually desended from Asian cultures, and even some African cultures. However, they did not descend from the Jewish culture.

Answer 8

Your always in the news for having multiple wives and all kinds of stuff. ONce in Utah they had a war like thing between two different kinds of mormons.
Don't feel bad they make up stuff about all the religions.

Answer 9

I've also heard Mormons wear special underwear to keep the demons out. That's really wierd too.

As to assumptions and generalizations based on the actions/beliefs of a few, that's just the way people are and it affects all groups, not just Mormons.

Answer 10

Because it's always easier to believe what you hear instead of taking the time and effort to research for yourself. And, 90% of what you hear is rumor/wrong. Weird/untrue rumors are more "fun" to spread than the truth.

Ever hear the old saying: "A lie will travel a hundred miles before the truth can get it's shoes on"?