The government paid African and Native Americans for wrongs done against them; why has it not paid Mormons?

Question

To clarify, I am an atheist. This question is not intended to argue religion, it is simply a thoughtful question. I will mark as spam any answers meant to do so; you have been warned. I also have a theory that I call "Fight the Faith" that has nothing to do with me being an atheist trying to denounce all religion. If you're curious about it, ask.

The government paid and continues to pay Native Americans and African Americans for past wrongs. Until recently, there was still a law that allowed a person to shoot a Mormon on sight. Joseph Smith went through a lot of wrongful prosecution as did many of his followers. Why has the government not yet paid them as it did Native and African Americans.

In addition to that, the constitution allows for freedom of religion. How then was it possible to create a law that allowed a person to shoot a Mormon on sight just because of that person's religion?

The Mountain Meadows Massacre does not apply at all to this question; Native Americans fought and killed emigrants.

The law allowing a person to shoot a Mormon on sight was one of those old laws that had been lost in the books and overlooked for years. The following example is not a true law, but there ARE many like it: You may not walk an elephant down Main Street on Mondays.

I grew up hearing of reperations paid, but because I do not know for a fact, that is certainly something I am going to research tomorrow (must sleep!). After I'm done researching, I will change/add what needs to be changed/added.

Answer 1

The US Government did some really awful things to the early Mormons (e.g., Gov. Boggs and his extermination order).

However, just like the slaves in the mid 1800s, no one that was hurt is still around. No one should be paid anything.

Answer 2

African and Native are not religious cults. And when you attempt to cite a law... as in the shoot law.... was this a Federal Law or a State/Territorial Law? That would make an enormous difference to your arguement.

As far as financial reparation made to African and Native peoples... go check your facts again. Making things right can and will never be done. Too much has been done and too much time has past. What European settlers did on this continent can never be put back right... as it was before they came and did what they did.

The one group of the three you mention and compare...Mormons, African and Native people.... the Mormon religion and people have risen above adversity and are now pretty much accepted and mainstream in the US with any and every right afforded to them without question or hesitation. You seem to have things a little backwards.

Answer 3

For the people that were wondering about the "Extermination order."

Governor Lilburn W. Boggs Extermination Order
Governor Boggs issued orders to General Clark, conferring upon him the most plenary authority for putting down the so-called Mormon insurrection following the receipt of several appeals from mob leaders and citizens in northern Missouri and pressured by advisors to act immediately. This document, now known as the "Extermination Order," was issued on 27 October 1838.

Answer 4

Go to South Dakota and then tell me again about those reparations to Native Americans.

the Lakota were offered payment for the land that they were forcibly removed from. however, it was offered in the sixties, and the amount was what the land was worth WHEN IT WAS TAKEN FROM THEM. Thats not a reparation, thats a slap in the face.

How many Mormons are living in abject poverty because their forefathers were relocated and restricted? Ive been to Utah, and i used to live in Idaho, so i know this answer. I'll give you a hint... not a whole heck of a lot. Most Mormons converted well after the atrocities you describe occurred. one cannot convert to an ethnic group.

Answer 5

The LDS Church has not asked for reparations from the government. If they have property rights, they pursue them as any group can.

Native Americans did not get reparations. They had treaty rights and land rights that the government has broken and legally ignored. Any compensation they receive is a fraction of the value they sacrificed.

African Americans were not compensated. They have to some degree received a regress of their grievences. They are now able to receive a better education, jobs and benefits than was possible in earlier generations.

Answer 6

The govt never paid reperations and never will, the idea came up by those groups you mentioned, not by the govt. i am not personally familiar with this mormon shooting law, but i think perhaps it has more to do with them trespassing on private property when they come knocking on someone's door? I could be wrong, but it's usually the mormons or J.W.s that come knocking and the law (if it exists) may be on the books in some state or another, but i certainly doubt it is a federal law.

Answer 7

"The government paid and continues to pay Native Americans and African Americans for past wrongs"

They haven't so much as ADMITTED to wrong doing, much less PAID any "REPARATIONS" I would be absolutely HAPPY with a FORMAL APOLOGY from the White House, with note to each rape, murder, theft, ETC. I don't care WHICH president signs it, as it is the OFFICE that signs not the man.

The mormons weren't friends of our either. None of ya'll have ever REALLY been friends of ours.

Answer 8

hmmm last i remember you should talk about all religion then. because for a while there it was anyone who believed in God period was shot not just mormons. and they still work against all religion still. my pastor had to pay 25 dollars per day his daughter missed because they claim it was unexused because they went to another state for a church function. they also refused to let her mis science class while doing evolution. so she had to go to class for that. then they got mad because she would contradict what was taught and they tried to punish her for that. my pastor had to get a lawyer to fight it and finally won and it came down to that school either had to put up with her making her opinion because she is a student and students are allowed to say what they believe or let her skip that portion of class. again though a lot of what happend was towards all christians. but i dont seek to get anything out of it. the only thing that made mormons way different at that time was them pushing to allow for more then one wife. which is against the law. they were pushing to say it is ok for them too be allowed to. although the Bible says we must obey the laws of man as well as the laws of God. so should i be allowed to just make my own religion and say hey my religion says i can drive as fast as i want to. so i can do 100 mph if i want. no. i still have to obey the law as well.

i have heard of shootings of mormons mostly but again it was for all christians at that time not just mormons. mormons and jw are good at trespassing and lotterying. were as my church we do door knocking unless the door has a sign. mormons dont care about the signs. but again mostly put on mormons because they were going against the law and making there own. most places you can only have one wife. and mormons were trying to ok themselves because of religion. for the law to shoot that was never a federal law. might be a state or city law. but i dont think it was just for mormons if at all. it was either all christians or all people who trespass or what not. but many say it was towards mormons but i think that is just because they are the biggest group that tresspessas. and i think the law was probally for trespassing and people just accosiate the 2 together.

Answer 9

Could you direct me to a link that tells about this law that allows shooting of a Mormon on site? When was it made law? Where is it still observed? Has it been repealed? One would think so! Please let me know ... I am really interested---Blessings!

Answer 10

Look up Mountain Meadows Massacre...and the Mormons are pretty good at looking after themselves when it comes to financial matters.