I read a very interesting article on a teacher who is non-Mormon that taught a college course in Germany on Mormonism.
She discussed the attitudes of many of her students when she brought up the topic of Mormonism. Having been a missionary in Germany nearly 20 years ago, I wasn’t surprised to hear some of her examples such as Mormons being cultish, blasphemis, Mormons are only interested in other people to convert them, and so on. One stereotype I hadn’t heard, but can see why they said it was Mormons being overly concerned about money. The kicker was when she said a missionary came in and told the class God brought the Berlin Wall down in 1989 because East Germany was willing to allow Mormon missionaries into the country.
As I removed myself from looking at that situation from a Mormon perspective and put myself into the situation of one of the students, I can completely see where the stereotypes come from. Many of us as Mormons appear cultish in that we clump together and don’t associate with people of other faiths. If we do associate with them, we try to proselyte to them and if they don’t accept, we dust our feet off and move on.
Regarding the money stereotype, the scriptures always talk about obeying God and then being prosperous. Perhaps we put too much emphasis on the being prosperous part and not obeying God part.
Finally, I feel there is also a sense of Mormons feeling they may be a bit better than other people in other faiths since we’re in the “one true church” and all good things that happen in the world are a result of the good Mormons (as alluded to by the missionary in the example).
I hear Mormons scoff and complain sometimes at the fact that people have these stereotypes towards us, but maybe we are the ones who create those stereotypes.
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August 9, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Cal
Very humble of you, GraceforGrace!
Do you think the LDS should change some things?
I’ve never observed what I deemed to be an over-emphasis on getting rewarded for giving. As you suggested, the Bible, especially Proverbs, has a lot to say about the benefits of giving. Expecting benefits for obedience is faith, and faith pleases God, the way I see it.
Of course we don’t want to be greedy, or be lovers of $$.
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August 9, 2012 at 9:26 pm
ezra
Interesting. I can see where two stereotypes merge. Mormons, as they moved across the country, caused a lot of consternation from local businesses as they moved into an area and then patronized only their own. The trouble caused in Nauvoo was, as I understand it, the result of Justice being bought by Smith, which caused the locals to take matters into their own hands, which ultimately led to his own undoing. Joseph had focused his proselytizing businessmen and landowners–and greasing the palms of local authorities- with a gospel of prosperity (believe and receive) instead of a gospel of the cross, which marks traditional Christianity.
BTW, bringing down the Berlin walls probably was the results of Mormonism, if Ronald “the Gipper” Reagan was since rebaptized by proxy into the Mormon faith. 🙂
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August 10, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Cal
Very funny, Ezra.
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