An Ugly Attack on Mormons

article.nationalreview.com ^ | December 3, 2008 | Jonah Goldberg

[Publius804]

An Ugly Attack on Mormons

The easiest targets for an organized campaign against religious freedom of conscience.

By Jonah Goldberg

Did you catch the political ad in which two Jews ring the doorbell of a nice working-class family? They barge in and rifle through the wife’s purse and then the man’s wallet for any cash. Cackling, they smash the daughter’s piggy bank and pinch every penny. “We need it for the Wall Street bailout!” they exclaim.

No? Maybe you saw the one with the two swarthy Muslims who knock on the door of a nice Jewish family and then blow themselves up?

No? Well, then surely you saw the TV ad in which two smarmy Mormon missionaries knock on the door of an attractive lesbian couple. “Hi, we’re from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!” says the blond one with a toothy smile. “We’re here to take away your rights.” The Mormon zealots yank the couple’s wedding rings from their fingers and then tear up their marriage license.

As the thugs leave, one says to the other, “That was too easy.” His smirking comrade replies, “Yeah, what should we ban next?” The voice-over implores viewers: “Say no to a church taking over your government.”

Obviously, the first two ads are fictional because no one would dare run such anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim attacks.

The third ad, however, was real. It was broadcast throughout California on Election Day as part of the effort to rally opposition to Proposition 8, the initiative that successfully repealed the right to same-sex marriage in the state.

What was the reaction to the ad? Widespread condemnation? Scorn? Rebuke? Tepid criticism?

Nope.

The Los Angeles Times, a principled opponent of Proposition 8, ran an editorial lamenting that the “hard-hitting commercial” was too little, too late.

[DelphiUser]

DU: We do not look down on our Orthodox Christian friends, most are doing their level best with what they know.

VR: I'll be sure to inform our pastor this weekend that he doesn't know much.

Don't you think knowing the true nature of the God you are preaching about is important?

[DelphiUser]

DU: Actually answering questions is not on the anti agenda.

LC: HA Ha ha!

You are channeling Millet now!

have you ever noticed we ignore many of your posts? The reason is that if you read them, they prove themselves wrong. Post the whole Millet video all you want, it does not look as bad to anyone else watching it as it does to you.

[Jibaholic]

You both (1) used an inaccruate - and Mormon - bible, and (2) left out the context. The NASB is more accurate. Here is the full quote. There heresy of believing in other gods is clear.

Pride = Thinking you know what we believe even when we deny that "that" is what we believe.

Pride= wanting to be like God. That goes back to original sin. Genesis 3:5.

4(C)The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!

5"For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

[DelphiUser]

Now you didn't take those 2 verses out of CONTEXT - did you??

I believe I took them in context, that is why I try to link scriptures as much as possible. Those who almost never (or never) link may be doing so to hide the context of their quotes.

[Reno232]

Let me ask you this CC, do you really see much anger in my posts? Do you see me damning people to hell? There may be sorrow, but not anger. I’m not reading her heart, rather her actions which are in full view.

BTW, as I’ve stated elsewhere here, I am a convert, so I have a different perspective than what you describe. I’ve been down the traditional Christian path & thus have that understanding & perspective as well.

Best wishes to you CC.

[DelphiUser]

DU: LOL, first, I find it hard to believe you have a humble opinion.

LC: Second - you avoided dealing with the accusation.

Actually, I linked my page as proof I am not afraid to argue my position. I don't think there is a person (besides you) on this thread that thinks I am afraid of arguing my position.

[DelphiUser]

Someone who believes that their Living Prophet® speaks for God wonders how OTHERS do?

LC, you are not a prophet or you'd have better things to do.

[DelphiUser]

I claim the OMM defense.

Overly Mad at Mormons?

[colorcountry]

I too have a different perspective, as does greyfoxx. We were LDS and now are saved by grace, covered by the blood of Christ, and don't give a second thought to what those who are deceived by the spirit of the anti-christ think about our anger. (forgive me if I am being presumptuous, greyfoxx)

You too, have a nice day.

[DelphiUser]

Did you dispute the fact that past LDS leaders WROTE such things?

The way you guys are saying it, yes, then again who knows waht's in the JOD, it's not doctrine.

[Colofornian]

BTW, I don't know where you got the idea that Colofornian is an ex. That's something I must have missed.

I'm from a family of "ex-s"...Otherwise, in Mormon-talk, I'm only a gentile apostate...not a personal jack mormon apostate.

[Boy, how do LDS keep their categories of "apostates" straight is pure wonderment...especially since DelphiUser muddied the waters a bit more when he said: "You cannot be apostate unless you were a member of the church and left." ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2122728/posts?q=1&;page=281 )]

So I guess to some/most Mormons...
...I'm a gentile apostate...
...to others I'm blood-tied to jack Mormon apostates...
...but to DelphiUser I'm technically NOT an apostate (just a spiritual descendent of them; but I'm a spiritual descendent of faithful Mormons, too)
...on-the-other hand I'm certain I've been proxy baptized as a Mormon...so...

...I guess that makes me a gentile-apostate-blood-tied-jack-Mormon-apostate-technically-NOT-an-apostate-proxy-baptized-"Mormon" :)

But to clarify, Reno, I'm not offended by your accusatory assumption from your post. I identify enough solidarity-wise with my jack-Mormon family members that you might as well be talkin' 'bout me personally.

[Reno232]

I respect your beliefs & wish you the best in them. The difference is that I'm not in the business of berating your beliefs & calling your church satanic & otherwise.

I will have civil discussions about differences of belief w/ those that are willing to do like wise w/ me. I will defend my beliefs when warranted. I also respect those opinions that differ from mine. I try & do so w/o denigration. It tends to be a much more pleasurable experience that way & far more productive. How about you? Feel the same way?

[DelphiUser]

DU: a few fight against the church of God and I fear for their souls.

greyfoxx39: Untold millions of Christians fight FOR the Church of God. Many fight AGAINST the Church of Joseph Smith. The mormon claim to being THE "Church of God" is as specious as their claim to be "Christian".

Fine, find our claims to be specious, I have no bone to pick with that, I don't even care when you state your opinion in strong terms. but when you try to tell others falsehoods about us, then I'll have to set you straight.

greyfoxx39: But continue on with this declaration to be the "Church of God"....It makes SO many friends for you among Christians.

apparently you are under the mistaken impression that i am trying to win a popularity contest. I assure you there is no danger of that and you can't even see me.

"It wasn't meant for the church to be popular or all hell would want to join us" -- Brigham Young

[DelphiUser]

The Bible tells us that Jesus was the ONLY begotten son of God. Nice try.

I agree with that.

In your opinion, are spirits begotten, or created?

Jesus is the "only begotten", it's a specific term.

[Reno232]

No offense intended. I was going off of memory that was obviously a little off as far as the exact nature.

[Marysecretary]

He had a human son born of a virgin. That’s all I need to know.

[DelphiUser]

I suppose a Mormon can BE a Christian but usually not until they leave the church and its false teachings. We have a former Mormon in our church and she’s a neat lady. It’s not just MY opinion, DieHard. It’s how the traditional Christian church views Mormons.

How Traditional Christians (I usually say Orthodox), view us is not a concern, them openly judging us and worse misleading people by saying we are not "Christian" (which misleads by implying that we don't believe in Jesus Christ) then we have to stand up and correct the record.

Marysecretary, if you were saying that Mormons were not traditional or orthodox Christians. You will not be getting push-back from me or most here.

[Marysecretary]

No, I would not agree with that Delphi. I know Mormons are good people but your teachings from Joseph Smith are really off the wall and just plain wrong. A christian needs only one book, the Bible, not some other book written by god knows who. A Christian needs a personal relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He has to be invited to come into one’s life to reside there. I pray that’s true for you. Mary

[Marysecretary]

Elsie! You scared me...LOL.

[Marysecretary]

Yes, I can agree with you. We had a wonderful Mormon family in our little community when my children were growing up. I loved them dearly, but that doesn’t mean I agree with them spiritually. Most have excellent character, for sure. It’s what they believe that separates us spiritually.