why are mormons so mean to me?

Question

I'm not mormon and I live in utah. I go to a town that has a magor mormon religion magority. If I wear a cross to schoo I'm suddenly the weird freaky ugly stupid girl. I know god loves me so why do people hurt my feelings so much! HELP!

Answer 1

You've actually met a mean Mormon? That's a first.

Answer 2

I feel your pain. I don't like visiting Utah for this same reason (even though I myself am a Latter-day Saint). This isn't anything unique to Mormons, rather the "holier than thou" mentality seems to be proliferated in communities that have near homogeny in beliefs. I was raised in New York and currently reside in San Francisco in which NOTHING is homogeneous. Tolerance is best fostered in an environment where there is no majority, only hundreds of minorities.

I'm really sorry kids in your school are so vile towards you. Try reminding them that whatever they say or do to you is a direct reflection of how they feel for God. Stay strong, don't compromise your values because of what they do. Be the example to them on how human beings should treat other human beings.

Just maybe God has a special mission for you to teach your classmates tolerance.

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Edit: After posting, I read the previous answers and I must say I am ashamed at how certain members have answered. To every LDS who in any way invalidates this young lady's experience or in some way makes her the antagonist, I must tell you that you are doing not only yourself but the church a great disfavor. It seems way too many members of the church feel that the members are perfect. To such it is inconceivable that a Mormon would do such things so their immediate response is to either justify what happened or to claim that the poster is a liar.

Everyone and every group of people have huge character flaws but it seems that so many Mormons don't bother with examining their own communities, so even though I will probably get hundreds of thumbs down for this, I'm going to mention the white elephant in the room:

Generally speaking, our LDS community has a HUGE problem with pride. I honestly believe if we all work on this our Wards will be happier, more unified, and we may just even see an increase in investigators.

Answer 3

Because in Utah they don't get it all the time. Many live a sheltered life and have a lot of shame and doubt so they look for others to take it out on. I have been a Mormon in a school where I was the only one. So I have been on the opposite side. But overall I know kids can be mean. It's the way we are growing up. That is no excuse it is just the way it is, no matter the belief. I am sorry you are treated like that. I'm guessing you don't live in the Salt Lake valley where it is a little more diverse.

Answer 4

Some people are just plain IDIOTS! It has nothing to do with the "religion" it is the people. I have learned that there are "people" and then there is the "Church." Unfortunately sometimes the people are jerks.

Utah is a strange place. I lived there for 7 years and I am Mormon. Some of these strange PEOPLE, called Utahans, get the idea that they don't want their kids associating with people that are different. They are closed minded and ignorant. This is the culture, not the religion.

We had a Mormon neighbor when we lived there that was divorced and black. PEOPLE didn't treat her nicely at times. Someone even sprayed graffiti on her garage because she was different.

Please try and separate the poor actions of a bunch of twits from the Mormon church. We are bunch of loving people and I feel bad for you that you are being treated poorly. It isn't right.

Here's a cyber-hug from a Mormon in southern California (AKA Zion).

Answer 5

Wow, that's completely wrong. I'm Mormon, but have never lived in Utah, and the few times I HAVE visited, It never fails that someone kind of looks down their nose at me for being a Mormon who's from California (or wherever).

You are absolutely right. God loves ALL of us, which the edicts of the LDS (mormon) church teaches. We also believe that everyone is allowed to worship however they please. I was recently given a cross by a lovely woman as a gift, and though I don't wear it often, I am humbled by what it means to so many of my Christian brothers and sister (of which you are one).

It's hard to be different. Have courage and do remember that God loves you. There are DEFINITELY good Mormons out there just waiting to be your friend for who YOU are.

Answer 6

I had this "friend", he always teased me about being Mormon, then he moved to Idaho, where the Mormon population is huge. He became the minority and started getting teased for not being Mormon. I must say it served him right. As for you, you are in the minority, its High School, and while its lame and completely unjustifiable, the minority gets teased. Just remember that you know God loves you, and that outside of Utah and Idaho, you'd be best friends with a 'good' Mormon because they are the only ones who aren't getting drunk on the weekends. Outside of Utah, Mormons bond with any person that respects basic Christian principles.

Answer 7

They're mean to you because they don't have enough social challenges to realise that they are hurting you. It's like they think they are doing you a favour by telling you "the truth about wearing crosses." It really is a very trivial thing to be concerned about... and its a personal thing for Christians, so the LDS should have more respect than that.

I am LDS in Australia, and I am always very glad to see a Christian wearing a cross, as it tells me quickly that I may have found another Christian friend. Christians AND LDS are in a minority in Australia... most people are a-spiritual, so I love to make friends with anyone who cares about morality and God.

I hope you find some good friends. There are those (of every religion) who take care to make friends with strangers.

Let the Mormon kids know that it really hurts your feelings when they treat you that way. Let them know that the cross is sacred to you, and that they should not condemn you for holding Jesus Christ close to your heart.

God bless.

P.S. I gave thumbs up to Bro G, but I only agree with his edit, not the first thing. Sorry.

Answer 8

True- All Mormons are human, and therefore are also imperfect.

True- kids can be really cruel.... give it a couple years- they'll (hopefully) grow out of it.

True- Mormon kids should know better than to ostracize another for their beliefs (or any other difference). (I REALLY hope they're not actually calling you those names!!! *hug*)

True- Mormons don't believe that the cross is an accurate symbol of our belief.



Go ahead and wear a cross to school if you want. Clearly, to you, the cross is a symbol of your belief, which is always a tender topic.

If/when someone says something about it, maybe you could ask them what they believe, then ask them if they're acting accordingly... (I like Odd Duck's answer) Gently remind them that as a fellow Christian (a follower of His teachings), it's pretty inappropriate for them to be unkind, and as a Mormon, it's even more so.....

"I'm sorry that my choice of accessories bothers you. It's a symbol of my belief. I know that your beliefs are precious to you- I feel the same about mine."

"Golden Rule..." (accompany this with a raised eyebrow)

"I thought Mormons were nice..." (in a sad voice)

"You wouldn't like it if I was unkind to you because of your belief. Please give me the same consideration."




They say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans."... It may be easier to just wear your cross under your shirt..... I know it's hard to be in the minority, and I apologize for their behavior.

Answer 9

I'm Mormon, and it's not ALL Mormon's, it's a Utah Mormon thing. Those of us "out in the field" aren't like that. Sorry you are going through that. Utah Mormon's are don't normally have to learn to deal with those of of other religions because they are the majority in Utah. I don't know what to tell you to help you with this. It's them, not you.

Answer 10

I live in Utah. I know several people who were brought up catholic, or have catholic family members and they wear crosses even though they are LDS, out of respect for their roots or family members. I've even seen them in church. And many of the kids LDS included where I live wear a form of a cross in their jewelry just because it's in style right now. I've heard some kids make very rude remarks over it, and I've seen some that didn't judge. Mormons are like everybody else. There are good ones, and there are not so good ones........sorry you were hurt.

Answer 11

I am sorry that the kids at your school treat you like that. That is not what the LDS religion teaches. We are taught to be Christ-like. I would not stop wearing your cross- you have just as much right to wear that as they do to wear their CTR rings.

Maybe next time someone gives you a hard time about your cross- very kindly remind that person of the LDS 11th Article of Faith- The Articles of Faith are basic statements of what the LDS/Mormon church believes. The 11th AOF says- "We claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and ALLOW ALL MEN, THE SAME PRIVILEGE, let them worship, HOW, where or what they may." That basic statement says a lot and actually by them giving you are hard time about wearing a cross, the are not allowing you to worship HOW you want. Maybe just kindly remind them of that- don't be rude or snarky about it though. The next time some one gives you a hard time about it- ask them "What does your 11th article of Faith say?" If they don't know encourage them to look it up or just remind them what it is about and leave it at that- Don't preach, they should get the message. Maybe find a creative way to remind them, without it coming across as hostile.

Just remember that is not what we are taught. We are taught to treat all people with respect. We should be teaching by example.

Please don't judge the entire church by the some of the people who are members. If I had done that- I would have left as a teenager- in grade school and Jr.High/middle School the kids in the ward used to tease me, not as bad as the ones at school though, mostly because I don't have the best fashion sense and I dress kinda nerdy (I still do). I grew up in a small Utah town and they gave me a hard time too- and I am LDS.