I don’t really know where to get started, but once I do, Mike and Denise will both have comments to make about what I say.
In case I have not mentioned before, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Today, in Sunday School, we had a lesson about righteous governments. The lesson started off pretty well, and had some pretty good discussions. However, as it progressed, some people said some things that made me think a little bit deeper. Somehow, it got to where someone mentioned that “as members of the church, we are in fact a minority”. I thought about this, and thought that this is in fact very true. Since I have been a member of the church my whole life, I have never given that much thought.
Then someone mentioned that there are two most hated groups in America. He said the #1 hated group are Homosexuals. And the #2 hated group is Mormons. I don’t know if that is necessarily 100% true, but I think that we are up there. This leads me to my next point that no matter what the issue is, whether good or bad, membership of the LDS Church or Mormon Church is brought up. When Mitt Romney was still in the Presidential race, his religion was brought up all the time. I don’t know what his beliefs or his church had to do with him running for office. Usually, that is not brought up with other candidates. During other Presidential races, I have rarely heard anyone make a big deal about what religion they were. However, just because Mitt Romney is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, then people don’t want him as President.
4 Comments
Mike's World News · June 15, 2008 at 11:28 pm
What is the definition of a minority? “the smaller part or number; a number, part, or amount forming less than half of the whole”. Based on the Pews Research center, approximently 2% of the United States identifies themselves as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since 2% is much less than half of the whole than Latter-day Saints could be considered a Minority in the United States.
In regards to the “two most hated groups of people”, I believe it would be almost impossible to prove or disprove a statement like that. I can tell you that a 2006 study by the University of Minnesota seemed to indicate that the most hated group in America is Atheists. Other studyes point to Muslims as the most hated group. Still others homosexuals. However, I believe all who reads this will agree with me that the most hated group of people are the Politicans… followed by laywers. 🙂
Shad · June 18, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hey Antwan,
how the heack are you? Thanks for finding my blog. It is good to hear from you! Keep in touch and post some pics of the family.
Shad
Denise · June 18, 2008 at 10:20 pm
We had that same lesson this last Sunday, and it was AWESOME!!! I am actually gathering all the references, and will be making a blog entry of my own about the lesson. Our lesson didn’t go on the same tangent yours did.
I don’t really care if we are one of the most hated groups in America. Maybe that sounds cold, but my testimony is not dependent on what others think. So, if they hate me because of my beliefs, then so be it. I am a convert to the Church, and I can tell you that there is definitely hatred out there towards the Church. I remember feeling awful because I lost a couple of friends after I was baptized. Members of my family treated me differently, for a while, and believed terrible things about my beliefs. And, some of it isn’t hatred or dislike, it’s just misconception. There are so many falsehoods floating around about the Church, it’s rediculous. But, that’s what Satan does – twist and turn the truth.
As far as the presidential campaign goes, I can understand why Romney’s religion was part of the race. I don’t like it, but I do understand. Don’t forget the same thing happend to President Kennedy. People were afraid the Catholic Church would be running the country, which simply wasn’t true. They were afraid of Kennedy because he was different. Romney was different. There has never been a Mormon that close to being elected President before. Of course the liberal media twisted and turned everything to be about Romney being a Mormon, but that’s what they do. It was unfair and wrong, but it was also to be expected. Life doesn’t get to be fair. Think about it, if there was someone who was a Bhuddest who was that close to becoming president, don’t you think that their religion would be focused on quite a bit? I do. As much as Romney, probably not.
That’s only one reason for the focus on his religion. Another is that he is a republican. Harry Reid (ughh) is also a member of the Church. Nobody cares about it with him. Why? Because he’s a democrat and to those at MSNBC and CNN, the democrats can do no wrong. This is proved over and over again. If Romney was a democrat and a member of the Church, it wouldn’t have mattered (well, as long as he was a liberal democrat).
Third, a person’s beliefs tell a lot about the person. People want to know all they can about the person who will be the leader of the free world. I can understand this. A person’s personal life is, regardless of what the media said during the Clinton years, directly tied to the way they will serve in office and the kinds of decisions they will make. Look at Obama. The new media is making a huge deal out of his church (which I think they should). But, in his church, racism and radicalism are preached. Don’t you think this will have a direct impact on his decisions and leadership? I do.
Clearly religion should not have been the focus with Romney, his policy should have been, but it is what it is. Again, I go back to the fact that Satan doesn’t want righteous people in office, especially the presidency.
Anthony · June 18, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Denise and Mike, Thanks for your comments. I agree with everything you said. You guys just chose to go into a lot more depth, which is what I love about blogging. It allows for discussion. And sometimes, I can go into depth about a topic and some times I will not. But blogging allows for a good discussion, and I thank you guys again, for the discussion.