If you are suggesting that somehow Mormons are more whacked out than other religions, or that they have done more harm to the social fabric of mankind, I think you are making a losing argument. With a few exceptions (such as Unitarian), almost all religions are based on highly imaginative dogma that makes people engage in behavior ranging from fracturing relationships through the organized murder of warfare.

Having said that, I appreciate the cartoon version of Mormonism because although I've had lengthy conversations with some of the "elders", none of them has ever gone into the dogma to that detail. It reminds me of South Park's description of Scientology.

Regarding whether Mitt will be happy about this cartoon, he probably wouldn't be happy about it because it depicts the more bizarre parts of Mormon dogma. But I put it to you that you could make a similar deprecating cartoon out of the Old Testament, the Koran, the Gita, or any other religious work.

It's all a bunch of hooey. Thank Thor I've found true superstition in my life.

-Wexler

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Didn't Alternet already do a story on this cartoon????

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

if this cartoon is accurate (and I don't personally think that cartoons are the best medium to get such things across, especially since – in this country – cartoons are generally directed at children, which may also be the case here as well) then Mormonism is not unlike Scientology in it's silliness and downright creepiness.

It's seems really patriarchal as well (which would make it little different than any other organized religion) because you'll notice that the gods are all male and women seems to exists as – literally – vessels for men.

Though in all fairness I couldn't get though it all because it was just too out there (pardon the pun).

This is why (again, assuming the film to be accurate) that religion of any sort need to be kept way separate from government because, let's be honest, some of them are a little nutty.

Notice that I don't attack people's right to believe loony beliefs, or any belief for that matter; only that there is a place for them, and government isn't it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Truly amazing to me how much we humans tend to want someone to direct our lives so that we don't have to take responsibility for them ourselves. The myths perpetrated by churches (e.g. The Latter Day Saints ... the name alone tells you a lot about their beliefs) have been the belief systems that have caused events like the Holocaust, the Inquisition, countless wars and lies and murders over the centuries. Christianity, Judaism, Islam are just major examples of what mind-control can take place over human lives. Interestingly enough, however, the mystics of these tribal religions have been denigrated, tortured, and murdered for the truth they speak: freedom!

To elect a man who believes he is superior to all others is really sick and pathologically ill. We already have a pathological liar in office now. Have we notlearned anything?!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

That was more entertaining than 98.9% of what is seen on television these days.
If Mitt becomes president perhaps it will become cool and chic to walk around
in togas. Reenactments of the indian-israelites versus the roman-atlantens will
be the norm at your local renaissance dinner theater.

All happening at a near future date when Tim Burton releases Land of the Lost
the motion picture. "No everyone Skate backwards or leave the rink".

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

the 'Bible' or any other religious tract.

I'd love to see similar treatments on Judaism/Christianity/Islam.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Although I think all religions are beliefs in imaginary beings which can be easily disproved, the theology behind this cartoon doesn’t have a consensus among all Mormons. Although it is close. Having sifted through countless discussions and arguments of Mormon doctrine from the church fathers, the issues become even more obfuscated and complex which is probable how they like it. The more complex and scholarly doctrine becomes, the more it goes beyond the layman’s understanding and requires high priests to interpret. Just how they like it. Problem is, all religious doctrines are based on revelations and divinely inspired messages from invisible gods. You just have to take their word for it and ignore how stories about gods evolved and adapted as people became more sophisticated. The cartoon may be interesting to watch, from the perspective of an anthropologist, I suppose, to see how primitive religions like this still manage to survive. That it does attests to man’s willingness to be deluded and the stupidity of its followers so willing to be hypnotized. The stories that have been spun are more fantastic than Jack and the Beanstalk, and only small children believe that. Someday all churches will become museums.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I agree that all religions should give us pause for the fantasies they promote and the intolerance that they teach. I am more concerned however about the biggest fantasy of all times that has destroyed lives, instituted horrific foreign policies, caused us to become what we abhor, and made private armies rape and murder, while extremely wealthy war mongors thrive...that fantasy is The 9/11 Commission Report and it's sequel The Patriot Act! Almost all of our leaders with the exception of a few with common sense and moral clarity, are complicit in that farce. And you can count your media gate keepers in that sorry lot too!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I've known Mormons. A Mormon I trust told me the story of her religion years ago. She never told me any of this outer-galactic material, or that Jesus had wives and children. What is the authoritative source for the story in the video?

(I'm a liberal Methodist. I believe in freedom of religion and respect for the religion of others. I suspect the video is an unfair, inaccurate and disrespectful depiction.)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This cartoon is simplified, but accurate. I wouldn't be surprised if it were made by the LDS church, because of its quality and accuracy. Mormons learn about these teachings when they receive their "endowments" in the Temple, and most of it is in Doctrine and Covenants.

Mormonism is highly patriarchal. Men advance through the Aaronic priesthood into the Melchizek priesthood, in other words, all Mormon men are priests. Women cannot be priests. It is true that women exist (theoretically) mainly as vessels of men, both in the cartoon and in Mormon doctrine. However, Mormonism is really a religion of belonging, not believing, so many Mormons are unaware of the details of their church's teaching. In Mormonism, salvation comes from belonging to the church, not from believing correct doctrine. Mormon theology has never been systematized, so even apologists run into trouble with church authorities. Mormon missionaries are given surprisingly little training before they are set out.

One Mormon told me the rule, "If prophecies conflict, you take the later one."

In my view, this is a ridiculous religion, but its members are exemplary people. No matter how ridiculous a belief system is, we should tolerate it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yeah, no doubt this propagandistic cartoon could give significant pause to evangelical and mainstream Protestant and Catholic voters. But, as Wexler said above, all religions are rife with similar peculiar superstitions and dogmas, and it's only the Planet Krypton like backstory here that sounds bizarre.

And yeah, the idea that you not only get to be a intergalactic God in the afterlife if you pass muster instead of the somewhat boring Heaven concept of mainline xians is alluring, heck their afterlife sounds kind of racy, with lots of SEX, even. Sounds good to me, actually! Only thing that's missing is some rock and roll and drugs. (Just like that eternity with the 72 virgins thing that we slag the jihadis with...nothing like sex and religion all mixed up in a positive way to get the attention of the buttoned up western religionists. Would eternity with 72 MILFS or something like that sound more plausible to our ears? Isn't that all just another religious shell game that if you keep your trousers buttoned up in this life and do some other gratification-delaying things, we'll make it up to you in the next life? But I digress).

Anyway, this cartoon thing really made me wonder who made it, since there are no credits (who would you actually "credit" that nasty piece of work to?). I call it nasty because you could make a similar hatchet job with a dripping-with-sarcasm voice over intoning adjectives like "supposedly" quite easily on any kind of mainstream dogma, such as, uh, the story of xmas or Easter. If this thing was put together by anyone other than a lapsed ex-Mormon who's upset about his ex-spouse being raptured away by someone more spiritually worthy in the eyes of the Mormon church, it's an evil piece of hate speech.

Although, back OT, I can't see a Mormon being elected President. That's too fringy for snake-handling, babbling-in-tongues, Southern Baptist evangelicals.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The comments above on the relative weirdness of all religions is spot-on; that is, they're all weird and counter to reality.

However, let me point out, as a secular atheist, that I was under the impression that a person's faith, no matter what I may think of it, is irrelevant. What is relevant is what a person has done and is likely to do in the public sphere, no matter what is driving it.

On that score, alone, Romney is a bad choice. Sure, I think Mormonism is wacky. Probably more so -- in its authoritarian nature -- than more established sillinesses. But perhaps not: ever try to discuss Israel with a religious Jew? Being culturally Jewish, I can tell you that families break up over such dissent, and also over intermarriage with less-chosen races.

Finally, who made this trash video anyway? Some other wacko fundy church? A source would have been nice.

Look, MLK believed the Christ fantasy story. So what? He did a lot of good. Ditto, in a different way, Gandhi, who had fairly insane, Robertson-like views on the human-moral causation of natural disasters. Tagore ripped him a new on over that. But, as Orwell rightly said, no other early-20th-C politician "smelled quite as clean," if I have the quote right.

Actions matter. Statements, less so. Faith -- of whatever kind -- even less so. And, on a slightly different topic, I'm tired of secular/atheist/lefty types (they don't always go together, of course) alienating progressive liberal folks. Suicidal, but that's what the left is best at in this country: splitting the potential coalitions.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The cartoon is accurate according to Mormon publications, Doctrine and Covenants, and the book "Gospel Principles" for new converts. Other sources of my information include Mormons and ex-Mormons.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

"AlterNet will not tolerate . . . hateful language."

This "cartoon" is a hateful piece of anti-Mormon propaganda, directed at the immature minds of those who are too lazy to go to the spring and are content to drink downstream from the feed-lot.

What's next, Mr. Willis? A link to a cartoon based on the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" to "explain" Judaism?

An anti-Mormon is just an anti-Semite in training.

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Good entertainment! I watched the "Ten Commandmemts" with Charlton Heston some 50 years ago and I would say that this is just about as good. No more wackier that any other religion. It's when you place the metaphors and allegories into facts you get into real trouble. Could even start some wars.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

of course Mormonism is utterly dependent on a suspension of rationality in service of blind faith. that's no more ludicrous or cult-like than any other religion out there.

you think the faiths that Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Rep. Keith Ellison or or Rep. Mazie Hirono worship are any more believable? why? nobody is freaking out that George W. Bush worships someone who supposedly walked on water, or because Sen. Lieberman believes you can't eat a cheeseburger because of some archaic biblical passage that commands that jews shouldn't cook a baby lamb in its mother's milk.

and why is it we don't notice anyone here freaking out that the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid, a loyal Democrat, is a Mormon, too - the highest Congressional role ever attained by an LDS?

i'm just wondering...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

My niece converted to Mormonism as an adult when she got married. I was visiting my parents, and I found the book "Gospel Principles" which the Mormon church was using as her textbook. It contained the same material as the cartoon and more. My mother was sitting in the room. Periodically I looked up and said things like, "Mom, did you know that Mormons believe that the Holy Spirit has a body?" and each time she said, "You should not say such horrible things about Mormonism." So I said, "It says that right here," and I took the book over to her and showed her.

"Gospel Principles" is a very interesting book, Mormon beliefs do sound ridiculous to people who have not grown up with Mormonism, and the cartoon really is accurate.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

. . . with one of the previous commenters.

All religions are just as stupid as this, if not stupider.

So . . . ummmm . . . this Jesus . . . was born to a virgin, rose from the dead, and is simultaneously the father AND the son AND the holy spirit? Suuuuure. Whatever you say.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I have a only a very cursory understanding of the religion (I'm not Mormon) but much of what is in the video seems accurate.

(I just finished reading "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer - by no means an authoritative text on the LDS but I trust Krakaurer's credentials as an honest and thorough journalist)

Anyway, I didn't know about the celestial stuff, or the vote in heaven pitting Jesus against Lucifer (did the OSCE have election monitors there?) but I know that Joseph Smith supposedly was visited by an angel (Moroni) who told him where to unearth some ancient texts on gold pages under a hill in upstate New York

And these ancient texts - the Book of Mormon - told the story of the righteous, light-skinned Nephites, descendents of ancient Israelites who fled Jerusalem for North America 600 years before the birth of Christ, and their battles in North America with their former bretheren, the Lamanites, who were cursed with dark-skin because of their impiety against god (who, it is explained, are the ancestors of the modern American Indians).

All of that to say - it's still damned shocking and deplorable that Alternet would let this video be posted and promoted on its daily e-mail without demanding that the author at least do his own fact-checking and tell us where the video came from.

The fact that it's all done in a nudge-nudge, wink-wink manner that seems to suggest that Mormons - and Mitt Romney (who, I should add, is a fraud for other altogether legitimate political reasons) - should be ridiculed for these beliefs. But as I said in my previous post - why are their beliefs any more or less ridiculous than any other religious story??

They are not.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

We'll find a video discussing the absurdity of Judaism also. Oh, that would be Anti-Semitic. How about Scientology? Oh, they sue your ass off.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

There have many great arguements here that Mormonism is no more bizzare than other religions. I agree.

Christianity is so pervasive in this country that one has to often feel guilty if not a member. I've read the entire Bible and it is no more fantastic a story than this one and while I've not read the Book of Mormon (I tried), I've found the God of the Bible to be capricious, mean and unfair. The Bible also contradicts itself on every issue I could come up with.

Yet I know many Christians who are really good folks both with their families and in their communities. Same goes for Mormons. (I lived in Utah for 11 months).

Check Mitt Romney's website and read what he has to say under 'issues'. I believe he's downright scary, but I have no doubt that the more paranoid and short-sighted Americans would agree with him. However you believe religiously (or not), I think the issues are where to start when deciding on a candidate. If you then think his association with a particular religion will accentuate or diminish his effectiveness, it's fair to consider.

To me the scariest thing about Romney is that I don't think he will lie as much as Bush, but he will be even more convinced that the US should eradicate every Muslim country. And I believe this policy DOES jive with the Mormon objective. Also, like many Fundamentalist Christians, he obviously thinks Global Warming is a hoax and is in favor of a few mega corps in collusion with the government being in control of all the energy. The rest of his policies are just as Fascistic and Draconian.

From my own perspective, Romney would be much more effective than Bush at moving this country toward Fascism, something that Bush has already accomplished very well.

It is not a good thing to generalize about the behavior of certain people in certain religions without valid statistical research and I don't know of any on Mormonism. However, my own experience was that I did not meet a single practicing Mormon who was not extremely business savvy, industrious and well connected. Most of them were also very truthful, from their own perspective.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

great laugh over this cartoon. i tend to agree that it is reminiscent of a southpark cartoon. fact is every religion on the planet could be put to cartoon figures and explanation and any SANE person would laugh their tails off at the absurdity of it all.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

While I agree that there sure are some weird aspects of the LDS, this video reminds me of those christian movies they'd show in say a southern Baptist church explaining the rapture. The music in the background, and those interview pieces with "real" people- is this from the 80s?? It's clearly an anti-Mormon propaganda piece from some fundie Christian group.

What is Alternet trying to prove- that the GOP is eating its young right now?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yesterday I read about the 'Endtime' believers and watched a documentary about them and their loony desire to bring about the end of the world. Today I read articles about Blackwater mercenaries patrolling the streets of New Orleans and concentration camps being built all over the States.

And now I find a video about some cult of crazies that believes black people are cursed, white blonds are blessed, Jesus came to speak to the Indians and America will rule the world!!!

Are they putting LSD in the water supply there or something?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I would like to know what the name and author of the books are that tell what the Mormons really believe--and please do not direct me to anything written by the Mormons and their 'church'.

I have copy of the Mormon bible but it is so absurd as to be ridiculous.

Other churches believe similar strange things it is just that they happened so long ago that it is not as easy to refute and the really weird stuff has had it's edges rounded through eons of time, just as flowing water can round sharp-edged stone--but the Morman beliefs seem particularly weird--science fiction even--and while they are constantly receiving 'new revelations' changing some of the truly bad ones--polygamy and racism for example, time has yet to round off the others. Maybe a few thousand years might do it.

The Catholic Church, as a good example of what time has not yet eroded, today believes in Transubstantiation, the literal changing of wine and bread into the blood and body of Jesus--making us vampires and ghouls I suppose. Anyone have any idea how this strange view came about? Anybody care?

Their misogynystic beliefs in chastity had their origin in fear of women and menstruation and temptation (just like Islam), while having priests be chaste was all about money a 1000 years ago, and views on artificial contraception and abortion was and still is all about getting more Catholics.

None of this is in the Bible, by the way--not that it matters much.

As I have always said, when we elect a lesbian atheist black women, we will, at long last be free from the demons that have now taken over the Republican Party--but I am not exactly holding my breath.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Interesting to start a story with a confession of not knowing whether what's being proffered is accurate or not. Maybe before posting the information it should be checked for accuracy, whether it's about Mormon theology or anything else. This sort of "journalism" is irresponsible. I don't know if the video accurately portrays anything, but I do know that it would be easy enough to find out before posting it on Alternet. 500,000 viewers on YouTube tells us nothing except that YouTube gets a lot of viewers, though the author is correct that it can't do Romney any good. Alternet could do some good with a better vetting process.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

And as such, it's history and theology sound ridiculous and fanciful to most people.

I thought the cartoon was amusing.

Yes, it is probably correct that you can take any religion and turn it's history and theology into a relatively amusing cartoon. I think it is good to poke fun at everything, especially doctrine or ideology that purports to be utterly serious, such as most religions and governments. To those who attack the cartoon as attacking mormonism or attacking their right to not have to read anything attacking anything, I say relax. Your belief system is perfectly fine, whatever you believe is fine. God doesn't really care about any of this foolishness anyway. The entire history of civilization is merely a blink of his/her/it/whatever's eye! Blink! Everything human centered is over with, another ice age to nap through for God!

I'm amazed at how varied the human imagination is.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

but then I didn't vote for George Bush either time. Not because he was a born again (although that was a factor), but because he is a lying bag of sh-t.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

So what happened to the golden plates? Surely something as precious and profound as this would have been preserved for posterity (if they existed!) Pretty sketchy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

As religion and now mormonism enters into the political arena we will all soon be counting the number of angels on the head on a pin. I submit that because of his close relationship with christianity Huckabee will assume the role as the defender of the evangelical faith, and will time again either through coded evangela-speak or direct confrontation use his knowledge of Christian doctrine to trash his opponents. He plays well to the conservative evangelical base and he will do well in those states with large populations of evangelicals. All faiths have been put on notice as the Republican party marches ever deeper into mire of reigious theology. Should the Republicans gain control of the House, Senate and Executive (not to mention the courts), then the Schiavo fiasco will seem like a cakewalk.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Whether or not this is any crazier than any other theology, Christian voters will see as sacriligious Mormon belief that Jesus and Lucifer were brothers, and He and founder Joe Smith are on equal footing, you can bet they will abandon Mitt in a NY minute.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The author of this piece is breaking one of the Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not bear false witness. There are indeed smatterings of truth here, but they are made light of by many inaccuracies and downright fabrications. Anywone making a credible portrayal of any church's belief, should run it by the authorities of the church to winnow out a myriad of gross falsehood and deceptions ... but the author chose not to do so, and distortion is the product.

I am surprised the perpetrator did not include the part about Mormons having horns. Also, when I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ in 1963 England, I read in the London Daily Mail about the tunnel fron London clear under the Atlantic that came up behind the temple walls in Salt Lake City where the *Mormons* kidnapped all the young English girls for to be polygamous wives. preposterously unbelievable, yet intelligent men spouted this tomfoolery. The moral: Don't believe everything you read ... and I might add, or foolish cartoons you might see.

Mormon is just a nickname for the church because of the Book of Mormon, a testament backing up the Bible about Jesus words and teachings, that in no way contradicts the Bible, but bears witness to its truth. ~ The full name of the church is in fact, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The name saints is not a pontification, but just a term to designate a disciple of Christ's church in the latter days. The term latter days refers to the fact that this church was restored in every line and precept as Jesus established his church when He walked upon the earth, in these latter days. For your information, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. is the only church on the earth which even claims this!

And as for the "Mormon" church not being Christian ... poppycock! How can you be more Christian than to name your church "The Church of Jesus Christ?" And everyone in the church is taught from birth to live Christ-like-lives, to try to be like Christ in every way, to live worthy to again live with Him some day.

In short, there are too many errors here to comment on ... and if you want to know the truth of any matter, go to the source ... the church. There are people there only too glad to tell you of the church teachings, or to introduce you to missionaries who will answer your every question. On this you can rely ... not thes balderdash cartoon!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I believe the cartoon was produced by a fringe Christian group, it's been floating around the internet for awhile. There is also one by the same folks about Scientology. The Scientology cartoon may be available at the Operation Clambake site.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

George Carlin on religion

Now contrast this with the one about the undead rabbi who will make you live forever if you symbolically cannibalize him and/or telepathically agree to have him be your master, so he can magically erase an invisible stain on your soul which has been on all mankind since a lady made out of a rib was talked into eating a magical fruit by a talking snake...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

C'mon,

When I received the e-mail alert about the cartoon on Mormonism, I thought it was from a right-wing Christian spammer. But it couldn't be because I have a darn good spam filter on the e-mail account it posted to.

Alternet abused my trust by sending me such trash that in no way advances the types of debates that it could be promoting around issues of electoral politics. Instead, it is entrenching the thoroughly primitive view that a candidate who is not anointed by loony Christian zealots and crusaders cannot and should not become president of the United States.

Shame on you Alternet!

V

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mark Twain's take on the Book of Mormon is quite hilarious but does point out one important issue. The Book is entirely built around a very aberrant and fictious concoction of history. It is completely unlike the Bible which was written by many authors relating the story of the Hebrews as best they could from Abraham onwards (The foundation creation myth is another story). Leaving out the miracles et al, the peoples and nations mentioned in the Old and New Testaments are in fact real. If we read the Gita we also find a similar reading of the great Kurukshetra war that took place sometime around 1000 BC. In the Book of Mormon, we have an interesting flight of fantasy that only a 19th century mind could indulge in. Entirely mythical nations are constructed to suit the peculiar history found in the book.

So, I think we can say that there are important distinctions between a Made in America religious movement like Mormonism and the faiths of the Old World that are based on the history or myth of real people.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I think everyone has the right to believe as they wish but these beliefs are apostasy to Christians and do not even fit with historical information about Christ.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I'm LDS, and the best I can say about that cartoon is that it's a distortion. Some of it's true, some of it's truth that's been twisted, and some of it's an outright lie.

If you'd like to know what the church's real beliefs are, feel free to send me an e-mail, and I'll have two people show up at your door and explain things to you. ;)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I was raised in the Mormon church, and most of what I was taught was very practical and functional. This cartoon is utter propaganda and nonsense. As others have suggested, we could do a similar cartoon poking fun at any religion. It's irresponsible to submit such a thing without doing some serious research to confirm or debunk it first.

This kind of subterfuge is yet another distraction from the important questions before American voters. Is Mitt Romney sufficiently "one of us" to be a good leader? Does he show genuine concern for the future of America and its people? Has he demonstrated good leadership skills and exercised good choices in the conduct of his life so far?

If we'd asked those questions about the current President, he might not be the current President.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This religion says if you follow the book of Mormon, you become a god. Well, hot damn! You don't just go to heaven or get to abuse 29 virgins, you BECOME GOD. No wonder this set of myths has legs.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

If anyone reads about the gods in mythology and then reads about the 14th Planet, you have to agree that the gods were real, but I sure don't believe the part about Jesus at all.
It has to be Smiths fantasy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

but the original comment is absolutely right. Some of this video is true, some of it is a distortion, and some of it is just outright false. It was lame of the original poster to solicit for the faith on this board, but his comments were correct. Some of the outright lies include:

- The cartoon's claim that Mormonism teaches that Joseph Smith judges people after death.
- That Mormons teach that Joseph Smith had done more for mankind than anyone else, including Jesus. The exact quote is that he had done more for mankind except for Jesus.

Some things in the cartoons that were cherry picked (meaning they were taught by a few apostles, but never taught as official church doctrine):

- That God the Father had physical sex with Mary to conceive Jesus.
- That Blacks were "neutrals in the war against heaven." Brigham Young specifically repudiated this teaching.
- That Jesus had multiple wives.
- That Jesus was married at all.

I didn't have time to exhaustively go through that movie and pick out every distortion, but those were just a few that stuck out in my mind. This film is basically misleading propaganda, and absolutely everything in it should be taken with a gigantic grain of salt (the comments of ex-Mormons notwithstanding).

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mitt may actually believe that he would not let his beliefs influence his presidential power, but there are millions of Mormons who would make it very hard for him to ignore them. We got one of those Christmas family newsletters from Mormon neighbors, which lists all their activities this year. Near the top is "campaigning for Mitt Romney, go Mitt!" along with the campaign website. Scary stuff.
They are nice people, but come on, they should not be controllers of the government!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This cartoon is designed to scare fundamentalist christian children (age-wise and mentality-wise) away from the *cult* of mormonism. I remember seeing it when I was about 10. From my conversations with mormons,I don't think most of them know anything about this stuff.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Christianity prior to making its home in Rome (Europe), the racial dogma and mythology of the religion did not exist. Christianity through the interpretation of Europeans (whites), have historically distorted the scriptures (bible) in order to satisfy their racial psyche (superiority complex) by lowering the worth of others (primarily blacks).

Protestant, Catholic and Mormonism are all branches of Christianity (European version) and all have a history of indoctrinating their followers with anti black views through the distortion of religion. Early Protestants and Catholics promoted the Hamite myth of blacks being curse and that they were destined to serve lighter skinned people (primarily Caucasians) which served as a religious justification for the Transatlantic slave trade. In Mormonism the sinners who rebelled against god also happened to turn black (LOL).

Although I could care less about politics, the history of Mormonism alone should be more than enough to sway blacks away from voting for him.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I watched the video depiction of mormonism and I find it misleading at best. I was raised a Mormon, even though I do not follow that belief any longer, and at no time was I ever taught that my god was any different than the god of any other christian religion. I was taught that families came first and foremost and that Joseph Smith was a true profit of god. But why is this any different than the way the Catholics depict the pope. They believe him to be Christ incarnate, a little strange if you ask me.
Personally I am of the belief that every one of us is given the right to worship or to not worship the way we wish. If we wish to believe that we have a special god that watches over us then so be it. If we want to believe that when we die we are dead and there is nothing afterward then so be it. If we want to believe that there are little green men on mars then so be it. If we wish to believe that all wars will end in time when man learns to get along then again so be it. What ever we choose to believe it is a matter of personal choice and should in no way effect the way others perceive us to be. If we make the decision to dislike someone just because they believe differently that we do then we will have thrown ourselves back into the dark ages where no one was allowed to believe anything that the church/government would not approve us to believe in.
I think it is high time that people learn to look at each other by what we do not by what we hold as a religion. I hope a lot of you will agree and I know that some of you that are very closed minded will not agree. I look forward to the comments that I may get but be prepared to hear retorts to your comments.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mormons believe some crazy stuff, so I don't understand why folks need to lie and misrepresent their beliefs.

Interestingly, the South Park epsiode "All About the Mormons" is much more accurate than this tripe.

You've got to be pretty pathetic to be one-upped on accuracy by South Park.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

who cares where people think we came from...its where we are going that matters...its time for people to get over their petty intolerances - whatever they are - and put away their guns.
its time to dismantle the military-industrial complex.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I think that Religion has always been the science of gathering nations, and Government has always been the science of ruling them. As Europe began to form into the nation states of today we saw at the same time different Protestant Christian religions systematically cropping up one to each new European nation state. I think a similar event was occurring in early America, which found itself borrowing from the nation state religions in Europe. I do think (I admit I currently can't prove) that Joseph Smith had US Government handlers who assisted him in establishing the first truly American version of Christianity. In defense of this argument I can point out that Mormonism happens to be the only religion in America that completely dominates an entire state, Utah. I think a President Mitt Romney is a very scary thing for America, and would rather take Utah back from the Mormons then give my whole country to this religion of fairy tales. I think Utah is an obvious example of a violation of the Separation of Church and State clause of our Constitution. However, most Christians will tell you that the Separation of Church and State clause was a mistake that gets in the way of the forefather's intended theocracy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The primary goal and "Value" of any religion is its members conforming to it and trying to recruit others and influence society. In recent years that has taken the form of trying to elect their members to political office so that they can pass legislation that conforms to their group's religious doctrine and forces others to conform.

When JFK gave his famous speech, the Catholic Church agreed with his call for absolute separation of church and state. That is no longer true as shown by the denial of the sacraments to John Kerry and others BECAUSE THEY OPPOSED THE ANTI-CHOICE DOCTRINE OF THE
CHURCH.

The most recent mania for demanding that candidates publicly elaborate on their personal "faith" surfaced when the Democratic Establishment was desperate to stop Vermont Governor Howard Dean from getting the 2004 presidential nomination any way they could. They hounded him to talk more about his religion until he did, but that wasn't good enough for them--they then questioned his sincerity because they had found it "necessary" to hound him.

I do not care what others choose to believe as long as they do not try to impose it on the rest of us as the price of admission to whatever "heaven" their sect anticipates.

The Founders intended to prohibit a formal "religious test" for holding public office. What we now have is a de facto test imposed by Big Religion. The Founders' prohibition has been corrupted to "There shall be no religious test as long as a candidate professes belief in a God that is acceptable to a "recognized" religion. NO ATHEISTS OR AGNOSTICS NEED APPLY".

THAT IS UN-AMERICAN IN THE PROFOUNDEST SENSE.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Though presented in simplistic cartoon form his is an accurate (though incomplete) explanation of Mormonism. Not one point stated here is not part of Mormon belief.

For those interested, a simple Google search will reveal a buttload more silliness.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I never understand why people become so hateful when discussing the LDS church. The same people who jump to defend other religions as beautiful, peaceful & loving, are often the same folks who find Mormonism to be so ridiculous and amusing. You are quick to overlook and dismiss the intolerant beliefs of other religions - why not do the same for LDS? Perhaps these inflammatory reactions are the reason Mormons feel so compelled to keep parts of their beliefs a secret.

I happen to be an atheist - but I understand and respect that for most people in the world, faith is a sacred part of life. Don't you think it is a bit hateful to ridicule beliefs that so many hold so dear?

Mitt Romney's family has been LDS for many generations. It is what he knows and believes to be true and it's not the least bit wierd to him. If there is something in his faith (or otherwise) that you believe makes him unfit to serve as President, don't vote for him. I'm just sick of people expecting him to defend his beliefs while the more mainstream Christian candidates don't have to.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

When I first started watching the video the thing that struck me was the uncanny similarity to when Superman, born Kal-El on the alien planet Krypton, was rocketed to Earth as an infant before his planet was blown-up.

Is this just coincidental, or was Action Comics using clandestine methods to recruit members when I was a kid? If so, is this why, as an adult, I no longer believe in Superman?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Both Muslims and Mormons believe in a polygamous afterlife.Both revere their prophets, Mohammad and Joseph Smith as prophets superior to Christ, although the Mormons try to obscure this fact. Both believe in polygamy. Both have their own holy books. Mormonism is more like Islam than its like christianity.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Baloney!!!! For goodness sake, would you people quit making absurdly false statements, like the Mormon church holds that Joseph Smith is superior to Jesus Christ. What is the name of the Mormon church, for goodness sake? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is not the church of Joseph Smith. We Mormons believe Joseph Smith to be a prophet who restored the fallen Church of Jesus Christ to the earth ... truly a great man, but not higher than Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is our God, our Lord, our Saviour ... and we believe as it says in the Bible, "No man can ascend to the Father except through Jesus Christ."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yes, the Mormon belief system is amazingly stupid and deserves to be made fun of. The Mormon church is self-serving, and that's no surprise.

How about standard Western Christianity for comparison?

Ignoring hundreds of other examples, we can point to Christians killing 29 million Christians and Jews in World War I and Christians (the Nazis were, by and large, members of the Lutheran Church or the products of that institution) killing 40 million people in World War II, American Christians killing about one million people in Korea, American Christians killing about three million people in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and American Christians killing two million people in Iraq, whether by starvation or direct attack.

The obvious conclusion is that, for large scale mass slaughter, the Mormons have a long way to go to catch up to the world leaders in this arena, the Christians.

Of course, Mitt Romney, with his Blackwater connections, may be aiming to make up some ground on the competition ....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mitt Romney has no Blackwater connections whatsoever! That is a lie.

As the argument about attacking the arguer and not the argument ... if you were to read a Chinese comic book about the history of America ... would you indulge yourself in logical debate with the many errors, insipid analogies, and fallacies covering every page ... or simply say the author should learn firsthand of that which he speaks ... before he speaks, or makes an outrageous cartoon that does not contain the truth? Learn the truth, and then we'll talk about it.

This cartoon author, obviously to anyone who knows the Mormon church, does not portray the whole truth here, and did not receive this erroneous information from anyone in the church who knows what he is talking about in the slightest.

I do know of the Mormon church, known by its correct name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ... and yes, I am in a position of authority. Jesus Christ is our God, our Lord, and our Saviour. I didn't want to even comment with such a biased audience, but I was compelled to do so by the gross untruths and inaccuracies flying so rampant, and people who claim "they know," who have not the foggiest idea.

If you indeed are a searcher for truth, go to any LDS Bishop, or to the missionaries, and they can set you straight. If you find this condescending, then so be it ... that is the only way to truth! You learn truth from the horse's mouth. If you want to learn American history, you do not go to the Chinese.

I am not God, nor do I speak in wrath, nor do I claim to damn the author of this insulting cartoon. I simply point out The Ten Commandments, where it Commands us "Thou shalt not bear false witness," and if the shoe fits, wear it. God will judge, not I.

There are misleading untruths galore in this uninformed but otherwise well-done cartoon ... and there's the danger! Because the graphics are pretty good people might mistakenly believe the text is also correct ... which it isn't! It is also said in the Bible, "Know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Spreading falsehoods and lies to hurt or tear down another is something you will be judged for.

Now, the question is, do you want to know the truth, or do you want to proceed in ignorance? Now don't go getting mad ... but think about it. What is the right way to learn the truth about anything? You ask somebody who truly knows, right ... right?????? And if God is in fact at the head of this church ... He's watching ... and He knows what false witness means.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This is total BS. A glance at Wikipedia or any other source will tell you Mormons don't believe anything like what is represented in this cartoon. It's obviously a canard posted by some anti-Mormon, probably someone who thinks Jews make matzos with the blood of Christian children. This thing is far out even for Scientology! It is totally bigoted, and if posted about Jews would rightly be rejected by all as neo-Nazi propaganda, and if posted about Muslims would be lapped up enthusiastically by Norman Podhoretz.

On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog. But they know you're an asshole, even if they don't know your name.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Unfortunately, the contents of the video accurately sum up the points of view and theology I heard from my devout Mormon in-laws (now ex) over a 10 year period. Since they were trying very hard to convert me, they let slip far more info about thier beliefs than the church leadership allows non-believers to know. While the video is obviously anti-Mormon and aimed at youth, let me stress it is ACCURATE right down to the green aprons on the temple dress. I know - my in-laws exposed me to a great deal of that crazy stuff during that ten year time period. Dangling the prospect of eternal marriage to my spouse seriously back fired on 'em, though. Eternity with those lunatics? Not a chance! Ignore the patriarchal, sexist and racist overtones inherant in Mormon doctrine at your own peril.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am glad to see your post. I knew these things were what was taught. I was told by a Mormon lady who was a student in my class - I used to teach at the Community College in El Paso, TX. I now live in Prescott, AZ.
I also know there's a lot of polygamy in southern Utah and northern Arizona......that is more or less condoned - all these small communities. Little dots on the map, or in rural areas.
They only have the "Big Stories" on TV because of the Mormon influence. People should know about this too because it's not so uncommon.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I think they should bring back the Davy and Goliath animations that showed on Saturday mornings. Then they should have Wallace and Grommit doing science and challenge Davy & Goliath to a battle with the
winner to fight the Morman Tabernacle Choir in a claymation match. The winner will get to have their own sitcom bumping Meet The Press on Sunday Mornings and Tim Russert will finally have to admit to being the person Family Guy is based on. We have far more to worry about in the fast approaching years without wasting so much time on this. Oh!and bring back Lawrence Welk to referee...and a one and a two!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

So even if the cartoon is true I have to ask...Would Mitt Romney make a good president? I don't know. I am one of those terrible wicked liberals. Even if I was still a faithful Latter-day Saint I wouldn't vote for Romney.
I won't vote for him because he is a conservative Republican just as I won't vote for McCane, Huckabee, Giuliani or and other Republican candate. Their platform will be anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-poor, and anti-women.
Those are political issues and if you base your vote entirely on the candidates personal beliefs so be it, but it's a political race.period.finish.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I'm more curious to see what that group has to say about all this malarky!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It is incredible the ignorance that is shown in this video, but the false witness coming from know-nothing Jack-Mormons and ex-Mormons who seldom attended church or read its scripture but knew the secrets of the church, and people who know because their inlaws were Mormon, and people who knew because their girlfriends third cousin once dated a Mormon.

This video is an inaccurate portrayal, sensational, meanspirited claptrap, and any person who has truly studied the church knows it for what it is, Mormon bashing propaganda. I say again, if you want to know about the Mormons you don't go to anti-mormon literature ... just as if you were studying American History you would not consult a Chinese textbook.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I met a Mormon missionary here in Beijing a couple years ago and thought that he was taking the piss when he described the religious beliefs... but, well, to each their own.

I'm just impressed that Lucifer is blond.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly called by the nickname Mormon. The teacher of my High-Priest class is black, and a very good man. The Mormon Church has missionaries in every country in the world that will allow us in ... including black Africa, where the conversion rate is very high, and the people accepting of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My daughter works as a teacher, not a stay-at-home stepford wife like some would have you believe Mormon women are ... though it is true the church has very high family values like the early Americans.

Mormons do prefer children be taken care of by their mother, instead of surrogate babysitters, or allowed to run the streets, and get into trouble. We believe love starts at home, taught at a young age. We believe in promoting health and wisdom, spiritually as well as physically, which means not belonging to gangs, using drugs, promiscuous sex, etc. This means higher learning ... and Mormons have a very high rate of college educated men and women.

We believe Jesus Christ is our God, Lord and Saviour. He is the rock of our salvation.

We believe in the Book of Mormon as a Witness to the truth of the Bible, and to Jesus Christ, as foretold in the Bible ... yes, Mormons do believe in and study the Bible, King James version ... the same book evangelicals, Baptists and Methodists use. The Bible tells us, "In the mouth of two or more witnesses shall every word be established." Christ was intelligent, and has more than one witness then in the Book of Mormon, a record written by many authors, as was the Bible, that is the record of people on the American continent.

Look around the world and you will see the need for a second witness. How many people do not believe in God because they do not accept the Word of the gospel contained in the Bible? How much more convincing would it be to those peole to know that Christ appeared to people in another part of the world unknown at the time to the people in the Holy Lands,to teach the same gospel. Christ showed them the wounds in His Hands and his feet, and they worshipped Him ... and learned from Him. In no way does the Book of Mormon contradict the Bible.

It is hard to believe an educated person in this day would believe the tripe this cartoon reflects ... and truly educated people do not. People of all faiths who know what they are taking about with respect to Mormonism, know this video for what it is, a smattering of truth, mixed with half-truth, mired in innuendo, falsehood, alterations of the truth and outright lies. Ignorance truly runs rampant here.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

no wonder conservatives are turned off by alternet. This story is a non story and just playing into the hands of neocon propaganda. Not up to your standards.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

You started out with civil discourse. Then you called Quanah "ignorant" and "a liar" and called xenacat a "mormon hater".

I think you're just angry that AlterNet readers can see what you converted to and angry at yourself for falling for it.

Sad.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

That article applies to the right to run for office by any member of any faith, sect, or none but it does not requite the populist to abandon common sense, or not retain their own sense of judgment and the ramifications of any given sect and it's potential effect upon their Presidents decision making..thus their individual lives and freedoms...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Seen this before. It was produced by an anti-Mormon group still bent from getting ex-communicated for not being able to live the law of chastity.

Classic technique of telling two benign truths for every fallacious lie. There is not enough time in the world to go into the deceptions, I lost count at 24 half way through. If I hear the term "Mormon Jesus" one more time I am going to puke. One thing I was a little sensitive about was the divorce crap. I am married happily to a Catholic and no one has ever even hinted that I should consider a divorce. If I believed all that junk in the video I would be a creepy weirdo. Many people would think what I do truly believe is a little strange, so why should they need to make it so wacky that Sci-Fi writers are envious.

Evidently being a bigot is OK these days if Mormon's are the punch-line, maybe you got the memo. I didn't hear these hurtful words when Brother Harry Reid became the Senate Majority Leader. Like Reid and the progressive Mayor Rocky Anderson, I too find that my Christian faith informs my progressive philosophy, and how LDS members can be Republicans I will never understand. Jesus taught that I will be judged by how I treat "the least of these, my brethren" and "when you are in the service of your fellow being, you are only in the service of your god" (yes this last one is a Book of Mormon verse and no god didn't smite you down for reading it). He taught to forgive 70 times 7, not preemptive attacks because people might wrong me. But most important concerning this debate, I learned that who am I to judge another when I walk through life so imperfectly.

I can't vote for Mitt either, but its not because I have irrational fears or prejudices. I know, shocking. There are now 2 Mormons that Salt Lake does not control politically. Mitt and I are starting a movement. BTW, my church doesn't even suggest I vote for anyone but to pray for wisdom alone as I decide. We are really not that strange of people. Strange would entail some measure of excitement and we are much too boring for that. Anyway, I'm off my soapbox.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What bothers me about Romney is that he said Guantanamo should be doubled... and that we wouldn't be in the mess of Iraq if Saddam had just cooperated with the inspectors. Saddam's fault all the way...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mention religion and the dogs start barking. When the only religion left is KINDNESS wake me up.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Good God!! (at least I think she is). I joined the LDS (Mormon church) a few yrs ago and, yes, this is what they believe. You aren't told these things all at once, but gradually, as you merit. I asked endless ques, never got full or complete answers, but each person would reveal something new. It's all shrouded in mystery and you have to be 'found worthy' to know. The cartoon makes it seem like science fiction. Consider it without the cartoon. It still is pretty fantastical, but the basic premise of all Christianity, even without the LDS view, that a young girl became pregnant by the God of the universe (a spirit)and had his son (a physical body) is also pretty fantastical. Did this really happen? It's just as fantastical a claim as that of the Mormons, it seems to me.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I also do not want a crazy born again crazy in any government position...These people put their agenda, religious agenda into government...I know that Bush isn't really a Christian, he knew that he needed their support, and he counted on it, and he was right...I have been around Mormons for all my life, and no don't live in Utah, the power structure of their church is to hire other Mormons in any business or where ever they have the power to do so...Years ago my sister lost a job that she had for over a year because the newly elected IBEW Union leader,was a mormon and my sister was not. ...But the good news is that if you buy into their religion, you can get help, food, education, they help their own...I come from a long line of religious nuts! My mother converted to Catholicism when she married my dad, her mother was a pentecostal, but only got religion when she got old. I was raised Presbyterian....My mother's third husband was a reorganized Mormon, so she converted. The Mormons and the Reorganized Mormons hate each other. The Mormon church split over polygamy, the Reorganized stayed in MO, the others went off to Utah. I don't know the details, I am neither, but they both use the Book of MOrmon as their second bible. My older sister was a born again, evangelical Christian type, sent her kids to private Christian school indoctrination. Later after a divorce, her third husband was Catholic, and she converted to that, in order to marry him, she even had to get forgiven by the Catholic Church for her two previous husbands. This preachy woman, who was so very much a church lady, pious judgmental etc is a devote Catholic, who goes to mass three times a week at least. Years before she preached that Catholics worshiped false Gods....My mother dropped the Mormon (reorganized) thing after her divorce from her third husband, who was the Mormon. She kind of went through the unofficial born again thing, through mostly tv evangelicals who she would send money to...My niece married a Mormon, the Utah kind, he was in daddy Bush's war, and went nuts..They divorced, she married another mormon, and then later converted to the born again thing she was raised in and took her husband along with her...Now they are Bush supporting, upper middle class tax payers who won't let their children go to public schools, and complain about the witchcraft, heathen public school system and society...They would never voter for a Mormon, they hate them, but it's Christian, Born again hate, they really want to convert them, show them the light, etc... I have lived far away from my family all of my life, dabbled in religion on occasion, but I find the Born again, evangelicals or Pentecostals to be very hateful and war like, and antichirstians...If anything all of these religions have turned me away from religion, I am a born again agnostic. A few years ago I was doing genealogical research and I found that many ancestors were Mormons, and distant cousins who are mormons. For some odd reason, on the maternal and paternal genealogy lines, there are Mormons. The Mormons keep track of the family lines, the names of people who will be in the book of the living....It's available on the web , but I still do not know if the family line thing will give me a pass to another Mormon God run world, I doubt it, darn...I did run across, a document, that was in a generic search engine non mormon...This document was suppose to be written by a NY publisher in 1800 and something, that documents Smith's book, as a piece of science fiction that he submitted to this publisher, and it was rejected...I am sure it's still available on line, there is a lot of historical documents on line in the genealogical and historical data bases..

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Did you know that all sunday school material is written by the head of the church-The Prophet- et.al. and is presented on the same sunday all over the world to maintain control over the info? No free thinking here. And Mormons believe that 'The Prophet' is God's man here on earth just like the prophets in Old Testament times, only more so. He literally speaks to God and tells mankind what God says, they believe. Yes, they believe God has a physical body and was once a man like us. But, I found out by asking many ques that many Mormons don't know what all the Church believes. For one thing you aren't told unless you are 'temple worthy' then go to the Temple and even then, it's bit by bit you are told--slow brainwashing it seems to me. I joined and then began to have doubts as I found these things out. I asked lots of ques re women. The Church 'seals' a man and wife when married in the Temple for all eternity. My home teacher (each member has one)was a man very advanced in the faith- Bishop material. He taught me every woman needs a husband or she cannot fulfill God's plan for her. If you don't get one here, you will for sure in the afterlife, if you live according to their ways here on earth. I asked ques of the missionaries who came each wk to my house ab women. They told me if the husband dies and the woman re-marries she cannot ever be re-sealed to him or any other husband (should she be so unfortunate as to have several die). If the wife dies, the man can be re-sealed to the new wife. He can have a haram basically in heaven, which by the way has 3 levels. When I asked my home teacher if this was right, he said yes, but his own wife didn't know that!! The men don't spread this around. Lots seems to be on a 'need to know' basis'. On and on. But, the bottom line is this. Mormonism is not the same as the other denominations of Xnty. I was a very fundamental one for many yrs. They don't believe God was ever nor could he ever have been a mortal man. Never. They point to the last verses of the New Testament that say there will never be any more words added to the Testament of God and Jesus after that point, so the Mormon books are not accepted (some say from Satan). It's true the Mormon version of Christianity is way different. I'm always skeptical of any religion that tells you exactly what to believe,that the others are wrong and that uses wars to ensure that others don't get too much power or $. So it goes.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Hey I don't know if THAT bit of propaganda is true either, but the fact that it has been read by millions for generation can't bode well for Jews now can it?

I am very disappointed in Alternet for running this "bit of propaganda"

Revolting.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Since we're on the topic, Oliver, maybe we should examine Obama's early Muslim upbringing more thoroughly.

Yes, now that I ponder that, I think it's a rather good idea.

I don't recall Mormons bombing people and cutting off heads, do you?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Any article that attracts this many comments from people with such widely differing viewpoints cannot be called irrelevant. If we care at all about the kind of world we see evolving all around us, we should care very much about the thinking, whether logical or magical, that makes it what it is.

Thank you, Alternet.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

These video allegations (attacks) on the Mormon (the official name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) religion are patently false, and probably due to the fact the Mormon church is a target because of Mitt Romney's candidacy for president.

As is the case when anyone wants to attack a religion (not just The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) they do so with prejudiced views, telling jaundiced lies, and without a complete study.

I don't understand people sometimes ... if this was an attack on the Jews with anti-Semite language, or distortions of their belief, or speaking against gays and lesbians, it would create such an uproar, and be pulled. Yet this fabricated video feels free to lambaste The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I wouldn't mind if they did it with truthful arguments, but they make up so much garbage, and then have the unmitigated gall to say Mormons believe it. Poppycock!!!!

Mitt Romney is a good and faithful moral man, with high Christian family values and a sincere love of Christ, who has never used drugs, drank or smoked, has never been divorced ... and you can't say any of that for most of the candidates for president. That being said, I still have not decided whether I will vote for him .. his church will not be an issue.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

My sister and I converted to the LDS church as young teenagers after we were approached by two young missionaries ("elders") who seemed very sincere and without guile.

I proved to be just as sincere and devout. It was not long before the bishop of my stake (local church) realized this devotion.

He shared with me the story of "Kolob." He even pointed out that the musical family known as "The Osmonds" named their record label after the site. He shared with me the cosmic story of our "Father In Heaven," and related it to the verse in the Bible where Jesus scolded his disciples and said, "Did I not tell you that you are all gods -- yet you will die as mere mortals." Jesus said this after the disciples went on the road to cure the sick and the blind -- but they failed.

The LDS members in this thread who claim that the essence of the cartoon is bogus have obviously not "gained in knowledge" of the particulars of their faith. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints does indeed believe in the cosmic reality of gods begetting gods. They even have the baptism of kin postmortem in the hope that they will join them in their own "celestial kingdom." That is why the LDS have such an incredible genealogy database.

As I grew in "knowledge" I began to become more skeptical -- in reading history, I could not accept the tale of American-Israelites. As I realized biology and ethnicity I could not accept the tale that blacks were black because they were "marked" by "Heavenly Father" due to a spiritual flaw.

I left the church -- I am now a confirmed atheist as I've "put away childish things."

LDS members who say these beliefs (among others) are slanderous and untrue are either uninformed sheep or they are blatant liars. It's true, the young "elders" who do missionary work do not speak of these beliefs and present a sterile "christian" version of the LDS, but the bishops and leadership are more than willing to share these secrets with the most sincere and devout.

I never wore the magical "undergarments" but I did become privy to the cosmic tale of Elohim.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

With regard to the recent uproar over Mike Huckabee claiming that Romney believes "Satan and Jesus are brothers"...

I thought it was common Christian knowledge that Lucifer was God's left hand, Jesus his right. The first sin - of jealousy - was committed by Lucifer against Jesus, who God appeared to favor. This caused the "war in heaven" that expelled Lucifer and a third of the angels to this planet Earth. Remember, the Bible speaks of the "sons of God" way before Christ was referred to as "the" son of God. He is often referred to as the "son of man", because he, not Lucifer, was born of a woman. Lucifer is still in his heavenly form, according to scripture. Christ is not.

This is what I was taught as a fundamentalist Baptist growing up, and what is verified in church doctrine, sermons, etc. for hundreds of years. This should not be a surprise or "news" to anyone who follows traditions of the Christian church. (By the way, I'm no longer Baptist!)

Don't people know where the phrase "left hand of God" came from? Church tradition...same as the tradition that the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven, or that there is a trinity in the godhead (pagan superstitions), etc. It is not mentioned in the Bible anywhere, but is believed by millions as church tradition. This is the case with many "Christian" beliefs that have their roots in earlier religions.

Just wanted to add my thoughts to this debate, since most folks are surprised by this belief. I think it is more widespread than generally thought...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I was in Salt Lake City a couple of years ago doing genealogy work. I have to say that I think their religion is wacky. Even more so than the standard fundy stuff. But they were all without fail the most polite, considerate people I have ever come across in my travels. Nobody attempted to convert me. There were no surly waits, maids, or front desk persons. Even the bums I met, riding the (free)light rail were polite when asking for a cigarette or a dollar.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am a member of the higher Priesthood authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to act in the name of Christ. I have been to the temple, and I do wear temple garments, that some here have facetiously called "magic underwear," (which only goes to show the depth of misunderstanding of purpose and meaning). Their sheer inability and ignorance of fact to speak as an authority should be apparent when they have barely dipped their little toe into the waters of Christ's gospel.

Just because you are a Jack-Mormon, an ex-Mormon, your in-laws or a student of yours was Mormon, or you have personnaly dabbled in the faith, been a member and talked to a Stake President or Bishop, or dated a girl whose third cousin was a Mormon, or were born into the church without the advancement and study required to know ... does not make you an authority.

Take for an example, if you wanted to know the workings of any business ... say a bank ... would you go to an ex-teller and think that he could give you all the workings and protocols of the bank? Even if he was a full-fledged teller, and had talked to the bank president on more than one occasion, would he be privy to all the dealings and workings and principles and established procedures of the bank? Of course not! He might be able to tell you how to get to the tellers cage, but that's about the limit of his knowledge. Then could you find out about a certain banks principles by talking to a competitor, or someone who did not believe in the bank, or trust it? Of course not! That is ludicrous.

A better example yet: Could you explain higher math principles to work out rocket science propulsion theories if you had attended elementary school? How about High School? How about math 101 in college? I suggest to you that the same principle of knowing the truth exists here. And these Ex-Mormons or Jack Mormons, who went to church a few times, even if they are well meaning, which some of them are not, cannot tell you the whole truth.

I put it up to them then, would you stake your life and the eternities in the name of whatever God you believe in, that the testimony you bear is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Remember, if you bear false witness, well... you know that you are breaking at least two of the Ten Commandments. That is what you are doing, you who say "I know!" when in reality you have not the foggiest idea. You will be judged according to your word!

I do here bear witness to you in the name of Jesus Christ and all that is Holy, that this cartoon, to give its makers the benefit of a doubt, is capriciously flawed at the best, but smacks of deceitful propaganda that does not give a true picture of Mormonism!

I humbly submit to you, I am an authority!
And this video, while containing some smattering of truth indeed, also contains many egregious errors and falsehoods, so as to make it an unworthy portrayal of "Mormon" belief. It contains stories and beliefs which do not even resemble church doctrine, and some that are outright lies and prevarications. Watching this video, if it were my sole source of information, I would not believe the "Mormon" church either.

That being said, I will not debate with you here about individual beliefs, because God's teachings are not to be trifled with nor mocked, nor bandied about by unbelievers, ridiculed and reviled. The fullness of Christ's gospel cannot be given those who are not ready to receive it, nor given to those who are not sincere seekers of knowledge ... but if you are truly sincere in your wanting to know, any Bishop will be glad to share his faith with you, and turn you over to missionaries who will reveal the truth, and the whole complete truth, and ask you to study and pray concerning all things known as official doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

God, by his very nature, would not limit his church to those who are rich or white or literate or physically able or smart or talented or healthy or go-getters or holy or industrious or achievers or studious or educated or good looking or self-disciplined or capable or any certain category of person. NO. He is inclusive, not exclusive. He would show himself and reveal himself to ALL. The Mormon church is very exclusive. All have to conform. All are told exactly what to believe. The Prophet is the authority. He is considered to speak directly with God, so all he says is as if God says it. Therefore, free thinking is discouraged and the use of the intellect is discouraged. Thinking outside the box is discouraged. Only the Prophet can speak for God. Sinners (those who don't follow LDS rules-ie the 'Word of Wisdom' says drinking coffee is a sin) aren't allowed to even enter the Temple. If you can't enter the Temple, you can't get near God's blessings or gain knowledge of Him. Challenging authority in the church is not tolerated. This is not consistent with a God who welcomes all. It smacks of secret fraternities and groups that use secret words, secret ceremonies, etc, to make the members feel self-righteous, like they are a 'a superior people' and privy to secrets of God.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

You are right! I agree with you! “God's ways and truths are indeed simple, for all, and open to all His children.” But only the person who wants to know the truth, and is an earnest seeker, shall find it. “Seek and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” and with sincere heart will pray and study with real intent to find out, to discover, without arguing, or showing off their “this is who I am, take me or leave me,” will find God’s simple truths which he so much wants to share with you. But if you are hard-hearted, and will not listen to the promptings of the spirit, and insist on “doing your thing,” even the simplest message from a loving God cannot penetrate!!!!!

You are again right, “God, by his very nature, would not limit his church to those who are rich or white or literate or physically able or smart or talented or healthy or go-getters or holy or industrious or achievers or studious or educated or good looking or self-disciplined or capable or any certain category of person.” Yet though God does not move, or change, His children often do, moving away from his wise counsel and precepts, and thus He is saddened that they are not a part of Him.

God is exclusive, in that only them who look for Him will find Him. Do you suppose to dictate to God what is right and wrong? Truly, ALL mankind, every man, woman and child on the planet, are heirs to His Kingdom ... but few will enter therein because they are too busy off doing their own thing. Too many are off worshiping Gods of their own making that will allow them to do what they want, when they want, and how they want ... But God said “I am a jealous God. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.” Would you debate with God? His way is His way!!! In the Bible He says “Woe unto those who come near me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, for they shall not enter into the kingdom of God.” God also says in the Bible, “My ways are not your ways.” God does want you to accept His way, but you may reject His ways, and deny yourself of His blessings. Accept God’s word, or not! It’s your call! God will not force you to follow Him. God gives every man and woman free agency to choose Him, or to reject Him,” but as it also says in the Bible, “As for me and my house, we shall choose the Lord.” Will you? ... not your way, but His way? ... thus it behooves you to find out what His way is. For in the Bible he also says “Straight and narrow is the way back to God, and only the righteous will find it.” Now, if this doesn’t mean what I think it means ... what does it mean, I ask you?

Christ also said in the Bible, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” God is not saying He will not accept a rich man into His Kingdom, but that too often with great wealth comes great excess ... too often wealthy men are puffed up, greedy, full of themselves, blasphemers, whoremongers, the iniquitous who leave no room in their heart for God. They are too much into themselves to give any room for Christ’s teachings, for few will hear, and few will follow, although the teachings are open to all.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Saying you believe in God is not enough, though many recalcitrant spirits would want it to be. Christ asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am ... and his disciples answered saying, “Some say you are John the Baptist, some say...” etc, etc, etc ... but I say you are Jesus Christ, the son of the living God.” Christ answered, “Ye do well to believe, but know ye not that Satan also believes, and trembles. I say unto ye, faith without works is dead.” Can you even comprehend what that means?

You say, “He would not show himself and reveal himself only to ALL. The Mormon church, that is very exclusive.” I say unto you, God would and does reveal Himself, his ordinances and beliefs and teachings to prepare His children on the earth to again return to His presence, to His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which He Himself organized, and where He teaches His way, His precepts, His pathway to righteousness, and where he reveals His desires to His chosen prophets, just as he did with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, Elias, his twelve apostles, etc, etc, etc. He directs His people who would follow His word! God says in the Bible, I will do nothing, unless I do it through my servants the prophets.” Now whose word are you going to believe when your salvation is on the line, Gods word spoken directly to His people by His chosen way through His chosen prophet, or Joe Blow from down the street, who tells you (and this is also Biblical) “Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow you die.”

Did you not learn from the Bible the parable of the Prodigal son? Did you not grasp that this is an analogy to God the Father, and His children? He who was lost, the prodigal, doing his own thing, satisfying his own carnal appetites, was received with open arms only when he returned with repentance, seeking forgiveness of the Father, and doing His will. Only then could he be accepted into God’s fold, and receive all the rich blessings that a loving God lay in store for him as an heir to the Kingdom.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This is rational exposure of an ism...completely above board. According to commenters, reasonably accurate overall, if they can be believed. I reserve the right to be informed and criticize any ism as a citizen. Catholicism, capitialims, fascism, liberalism, communism, atheism...any ism. Even Mormonism. Thanks.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The Mormon church operates much like your typical corporation. They'll do anything to expand their stock value/net worth but I don't care about that. To each their own.

Romney is extremely dangerous for other reasons. When questioned about Guantanomo during a debate, he responded, "we should double it."

This guy is G.W. Bush times two without the drool and stuttering. This candidate is extremely dangerous.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

speak as to why he is now an Athiest on Freethought Radio, Stephen R. Benson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning liberal U.S. editorial cartoonist for The Arizona Republic.


http://cdn.libsyn.com/ffrf/FTradio_79_102707.mp3

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

http://www.lds-mormon.com/benson2.shtml


Good-bye to God
Editorial Cartoonist's Journey From Jesus to Journalism-- and Beyond
By Steve Benson
How does one go from being a born-in-the-bed Mormon to a born-in-the-brain atheist? From a Latter-day Saint to a Latter-day Ain't? From a believer drowning in faith to a skeptic saved by the facts? Point me to the confessional. I've come to journalism, not Jesus.

Today I can be found among the congregation of secular humanists. It's a significant change of scenery for someone who is the oldest grandchild of the Mormon church's late prophet, Ezra Taft Benson, and who, for most of his life, was a ramrod straight believer.

Going from defender to debunker was a baptism of fire. Luckily, treading the hot coals was made more bearable by my experiences in journalism, which helped burn away the entanglements of illusion, error and fear, leaving me with a clear view of the horizon ahead. I came from a Mormon tradition that is sometimes referred to, for lack of a better term, as a cult. Even the coach of the Chicago Bulls called it that recently, in response to the National Basketball Association's slapping of Dennis Rodman with a big fine for making unkind remarks about his Mormon hosts during the playoffs.

Having been a Mormon for some 30 years before seeing the light and leaving the lunacy four years ago, I can appreciate that perspective. Look at an average group of Mormon followers, and what does one find? People who dress the same way down to the same underwear, follow the same leader, think the same thoughts, believe the same things, read the same books, obey the same commandments, vote the same way, fear the same enemies, oppose the same ideas, condemn the same people who don't think the same way, pay the same church, avoid the same movies, eat the same food, associate with the same people, marry the same kind, and give the same reasons for believing that God and Mormonism are one-in-the same.

Cult or not, if these folks worked for the same newspaper, it would be a pretty stale read. If for no other reason, I should have left because it was boring. To understand why I jumped from the Mormon wagon train requires an understanding of what Mormons are and how they think.

While Mormons have some quaint, quirky and fanatical ideas, they really aren't much different from millions of poor, guilt-ridden souls who, throughout the march of human history, have hitched their hopes to mass movements of one sort or another. Eric Hoffer, in his brilliant treatise, "The True Believer," explains the attraction of joining a cause:

"A rising mass movement attracts and holds a following 'by the refuge it offers from the anxieties, barrenness and meaninglessness of an individual existence. It cures the poignantly frustrated by freeing them from their ineffectual selves-- and it does this by enfolding and absorbing them into a closely knit and exultant corporate whole'. Of all the cults and philosophies that competed in the Graeco-Roman world, Christianity alone developed from its inception a compact organization."
Once I realized this, it wasn't much of a leap out of religion altogether once I flew the Mormon coop. I simply wanted to be free from organizational groupthink. I escaped from the stuffy attic of religion's "pray, pay and obey" mentality into journalism's open laboratory of "who, what, where, when and why."
Even as this is written, Mormonism's bicycle battalions of fresh-faced, uniformly dressed and highly organized missionaries are pedaling furiously through the neighborhoods of the world, peddling the notion that back in the 1800's God descended through the treetops and appeared to a 14-year-old New York farm boy/grade-school dropout named Joseph Smith, informing him that the end was near and no one on earth had a clue as to what .....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I'm a first time observer of this site. I was raised as and still am a Christian. I hope all can respect my faith as I'm obliged to respect theirs. That includes atheists, who, in my humble opinion, have a faith. All this business of who is right is hogwash. If there was only one truth, we would know it. Look at all the fantastic people through history who came from literally all faiths and atheism. Like someone said, "can't we all just get along?" The answer to that is no. Human nature won't allow it. Whatever you do or don't believe should be respected and protected by us all. You attack anyone becauses of their beliefs, you attack me.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Sex Slaves (Exodus 21:7-11 NLT)
When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not please the man who bought her, he may allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. And if the slave girl's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave girl, but he must treat her as his daughter. If he himself marries her and then takes another wife, he may not reduce her food or clothing or fail to sleep with her as his wife. If he fails in any of these three ways, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment. (Exodus 21:7-11 NLT)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I suppose that this "story" seems no more ridiculous to Mormons than the story of Christ does to non-Christians; but I can't help but think that the many "Christian" sects that have developed over the centuries have lost much of what Christianity was designed to be...a belief in the goodness of humanity and the mercy of God. It's really a testament to the hubris of humans that so many have created their own version of creation and salvation.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mormonism is only slightly more insane than mainstream christianity. You expect people to believe in something that doesn't pass the scrutiny of fifth grade level science? People that believe in sky faeries are allowed to run the country? All of these cults and religions are corrupt. Religious leaders are in it for power and money. They don't practice what they preach, it's just another seat of power up for grabs. From one end of the spectrum to the other, you are all completely full of it.

Anyone I've met that becomes 'born again' has usually been someone who goes to extemes. Weak of will. Drug addicts one day, addicted to Jesus the next. It's completely selfish, they think their sky faery listens to their concerns above all others. They look at you with condescension masked as the kindness of their faith, praying for your soul because you are lost. Their leaders are corrupt and morally bankrupt. Like Carlin says, it's the biggest bullshit story in history. It's about time we did away with it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I moved in with a girlfriend who was Mormon in 1992. Teresa was getting church aid to help pay her rent while she was working part time as a pre-school teacher at a private local preschool chain. The manager at her trailer park, after she went late one month, called the church and informed them of her late payment, and said, "By the way, there's a guy living with her". Yeah, real gems. They weren't Mormon themselves, but evidently knew what that chestnut would produce. The ward leader told Teresa that she either had to marry me or evict me from her trailer if she was ever to get aid from them again. I made the choice to marry her because I figured I could eventually support her more than they were anyway.

Teresa was a rare Democrat in that church, and had lost her Temple Recommend before I met her for a similar transgression evidently. Now, I should say that I am an agnostic on the verge of atheism, conceivably worse in LDS authorities' eyes than a Christian of another kind, so obviously we never had a Temple Marriage, but Teresa and I went to church services occasionally and to church-related functions. Being of Jewish descent I always kidded them about being bacon-eaters, and found it a little humorous that they referred to other Christians the way Jews were. One of my favorite little quips is: "These gentiles call those gentiles gentiles." And I would kid the home teachers and missionaries who came to the place about "green herb bearing seed". But it was all usually pretty good natured. The people at the ward even came to love calling me up to sing "Bad to the Bone" at their dances. I never became a member myself, but that never led to Teresa being forced to end her membership, and when my first wife passed, I arranged a service at the ward.

So while I have heard everything else about LDS theological cosmology, and even went to one fireside in which one dour man talked of non-Mormon spirits being castrated in the afterlife and unable to spawn spirit children, this talk of forcing members to divorce or not marry nonmembers certainly didn't ring true in my case.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

...strange religion. And yet maybe not so strange to the Pope of my religion who supports the Republican Party and their ilk. So Catholicism may be/ is equally strange and weird. All the Rethugs deserve each other and I'm just going to have to get my get my head around the idea that Catholicism, the religion that I grew up in has gone over to the dark side as well as the weird side.

WWIII is coming, and the Pope supports that idea just as long as WWIII is with Russia. The Pope claims the Blessed Virgin Mary told him to attack Russia. So I guess we are supposed to believe that nuking Moscow in order to decapitate the head of the Russian gov't is totally okay because the BVM told him to do it when She appeared to the three children at Fatima in 1917.

In other words the death of millions of Russian people who live in or on the outskirts of Moscow is okay? And that Jesus' mother said it is okay to do such a thing, an abomination. When in all reality we who believe in Jesus believe that He spoke only of peace and love. And we all know that Henever endorsed any religion. Quite possibly He saidsomething to the effect that '...all that you need is within you and all about you.

So Pope, tell me again exactly why are we now to believe that his mother wants you and the Republican Party, of death for profits, are going to nuke Russia and that it is totally okay.

Mr. Pope and Mr. Bush(aka Mr. Booosh, as in booo) you two have all the power and you are going to do what you want to do. I'll have none of your bullshit. Your world is full of death and destruction, I want no part of it.

Pope Benedict you and your Republican friends are going believe what ever you choose. I can't stop you, so I'll just move on. I will have nothing to do with your agenda of death, your killing of millions of Muscovites. I'll not lend MY NAME to YOUR death machine. You and your Rethug friends ARE the culture of death. You have only yourselves to blame, you are the source of the 'culture of death'. It all lies within you right wingers.

You Pope and your Rethug friends have honed death into a fine art of killing for your selfish political/ domination beliefs. Methinks you all shall inherit the kingdom of hell. God our Heavenly Father controls Hell and mayhap you will find yourselves denizens of that nether world of unending anguish for all that you have wrought on this earth. And even moreso for all the people who you have dragged along into your 'culture of death'.

Should I live that long, doubtful, I'll vote Dem and then hold their feet to the fire to correct this mess you have wrought upon us all. Hopefully I won't live that long. You wretched people have made this earth a place that is intolerable and totally unbearable for those of us who do not share in your death agenda. And you and your ilk dare to tell the rest of us that it is we who are part of the'culture of death'. You are the 'culture of death'. To comprehend the 'culture of death' just look within yourselves because that is where it lies.

So come visit the USA in the Spring of 2008 and meet with your friend George Bush and create ever more satanic measures. I hope I am gone by then. I don't want to inhabit the same continent when the both of you get together. The viciousness coming from you right wing people is unbearable. The decent people of this world deserve way far better than you have given.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

At www.Mormon.org you can find out about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

...Glen Beck is a Mormon, previously a Catholic. He went from weird Catholicism and drunkenness to even weirder Mormonism and some sort of crazy sobriety. But Beck is still crazy, he is still full of his own particular group of demons. So something about Mormonism helped him to at least get sober. Meanwhile his own form of personal insanity is still with him.

Beck is one of the most vicious people in America and on this planet. His anger seems to know no boundaries. That is what drove him to drunkenness in the first place and only fierce, absolutist, dogmatic religion can keep him under control. He hates everything and everyone who is different from him. IOW, he hates everyone and everthing that is not him, IOW he loves only himself. Tell me about his parents and his family life and I'll point out what went wrong and what caused him to become what he is today.

The very same thing can be said of Ronald Reagan, he had a drunken Irish father and that was the source of Reagan's demons. Drunken and Irish. I have seen that particular dynamic up close and personal, and all too often. It often exists among Irish Catholic priests. They are so often disturbed because they come from either repressive homes(usually sexually repressive) and/ or drunken homes.

Much of this Beck/ Romney holier-than-thou mindset is exactly what drives most, if not all, right wingers. Only strict authoritarian religion can give them the control they never learned at home. And right wing southerners are just the same.

The rest of us more balanced people do not need such extremist beliefs to hold ourselves together and in control as do Beck, Romney and George Bush because we are not out of control. George Bush comes from a disturbed family.

These right wingers are all angry and screaming children who have become childlike adults. The rest of us have no need of such extremist religions and doctrines. Unfortunately they not know or comprehend these simple facts. It is they who are the problem.

Just consider the present Pope, he was a member of the Hitler youth. How sick is that. Both this Pope and his predecessor are/ were very angry people and have been carrying their anger throughout most of their their lives. Elstwise how could they justify killing living people while protecting fetuses (who cannot threaten them) while the living people can and do threaten them and or their narrow minded ideology. So their solution is to kill off the living. What they really are trying to do is kill off their own demons, but never will be able to do that.

One has but to analyze their childhoods and their perception of the threat vectors in their lives/minds and all is made clear. They are hypersensitized to threats, any threats. They became hypersensitized to threats because of some brutality, however seemingly minimal, that occurred in their lives. They are the sick ones but they demonize everyone else, since they cannot face their own demons.

There is a truly HUGE difference between Beck's form of Mormonism, Romney's form of religious self righteous Morminism and Sen. Reid's form of Mormonism. I can fully accept Sen. Reids Mormonism and would have no concerns about electing him president. But I would never want either Beck or Romney to become president. Their religion has nothing to do with anything it is their degree of religious insanity that has everthing to do with everything.

Romney's father and the Udalls were good people, he is a right wing nutcase.

There are Mormons and then there are Mormons. The very same thing is applicable to Catholics and evangelicals.

I can't make it any clearer than that
.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

http://www.thomaspaine.org/Archives/afri.html

"Most shocking of all is alledging the sacred scriptures to favour this wicked practice. One would have thought none but infidel cavillers would endeavour to make them appear contrary to the plain dictates of natural light, and the conscience, in a matter of common Justice and Humanity; which they cannot be. Such worthy men, as referred to before, judged otherways; Mr. Baxter declared, the Slave-Traders should be called Devils, rather than Christians; and that it is a heinous crime to buy them. But some say, "the practice was permitted to the Jews." To which may be replied,"

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am a Mormon. Having read many of the comments (I admit I skipped a few), I am not sure how to make any kind of a rational argument in this situtation. Non-Mormons say the Mormons do not understand their own beliefs (which in many cases is true). Mormons say that non-Mormons do not understand our beliefs (which based on some of the posts here is apparently also true in many instances).

Clearly, the cartoon had several things that are not only inaccurate, but are misstatements that would have had to have been intentional, because they are the exact opposite of Mormon beliefs. The cartoon also was more or less accurate on some things.

So my question is: If you are viewing a purportedly accurate description of a religion's beliefs but 50% of it is untrue, and most viewers would not know which 50% that is, shouldn't the cartoon simply be thrown out as not useful for those who are interested in accurate information?

I would certainly defend that argument for any other religion, belief or philosophy. I would be happy if everyone just took the whole thing with a big grain of salt. Is it possible this author had an axe to grind? The internet is great but let's not make the mistake of assuming everything we see and hear is accurate or objective.

I will be the first one to admit that Mormon beliefs are different than many other religions. I am not ashamed or embarrassed by those beliefs to the extent they are portayed accurately. But is it too much to ask that people receive 98% or 99% accurate information? Surely, those of you of other religions, and those of you who have no religion, would not sanction the circulation of inaccurrate information. I imagine that those ex-Mormons, or non-Mormons who have examined LDS teachings, probably recognize some of the LDS doctrines in this cartoon, and that is why you say the cartoon is "accurate." But I have not seen any ex-Mormon on this board who has said that authorized Mormon doctine teachs that (a) Jesus had many wives and children while he live on the earth, or(b)that Joseph Smith is more important than Jesus Christ. Those, to name a few, are just false. Is it a coincidence that these are the very statements that will enflame our evangelical friends and neighbors? Are we not entitled to call the entire presentation into question when many of its core elements are not true?

The cartoon does not have to be all correct or all wrong. Can't it simply be partially correct and partially wrong? At least be willing to balance your study by reading something published by the LDS church as endorsed doctine. Contrary to some posters, the doctrine of the LDS church is not secretive (drawing the distinction between "doctine" and certain marriage and other ceremonies which, while a curiosity to some, do not expound the doctrine). Nor is the internet a reliable source. There is nothing doctrinal taught in the the LDS churches or the LDS temples that is not in found in books like "Gospel Principles" or "Jesus the Christ."

Isn't it interesting that some posters are perfectly willing to accept what they have been "told by Mormon friends" but are totally unwilling to accept what other Mormons tell them here? Besides, I taught Sunday School in the Mormon church and 99% of the lessons are on honestly, service, charity, humility, morality, Jesus Christ, helping the poor, and other universal virtues. If you don't believe it, go on lds.org and look at the teaching material.

Bottom line, if you are going to believe that Mormons are weird, at least have the sense to do for the right reasons. If you too busy to figure out what we really believe, at least show some restraint when expressing your opinions. Thanks for listening.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Having hashed the Mormonism issue to death, we need to focus on why this even came up: The election. It is very scary that a nation founded on the separation of Church and State has now completely reversed itself. As recent as John Kennedy, there was a separation. Not so now. It has now become fashionable and NEEDED to portray yourself as Christian. If you were an atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Hindu, etc you wouldn't dare mention it, if you want to get elected. This is scary. Should we have a sign, "Atheists need not apply for the White House"? It's partly done to court the powerful conservative Christian element in the country who are more concerned about promoting their beliefs on to others than the good of the country. Now by this, I mean it's more important that their beliefs affect and influence political decisions than that the very foundation of freedom of our country be maintained. This is what's so scary. It's control and influence at any cost-- even the loss of our Bill of Rights, even at the expense of our balance of power. This threatens the very fabric of our constitution and our Republic as it was originally formed and intended. Please, you religious conservatives, go ahead and practice your faith as you want, but don't destroy my country while you do. The US has always stood for inclusion, for the weak, the down and out. Read the Statue of Liberty.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What could possibly be more damaging to a child than telling him over and over from the time he's an infant that there exists an invisible person who is unwilling to prove he exists watching him every second of every day and reading his thoughts and if he doesn't believe in the invisible person he will be tortured for eternity? Yet we tell that same child that monsters don't exist so it's silly to be scared of monsters.

Religion is one of the most serious mental illnesses of today. It is the inablity to face the reality of life and the finality of death. It affects as high as 85% of the American Society. Approximately 75% of the American victims of this mental illness are Christians. The more pathetic and desperate a persons life, the more likely they are to believe in a god. Typically, people with otherwise empty lives, are the stongest believers. It gives them the false hope that there is a higher meaning to their sad and pathetic lives. The strongest of believers would admittedly be suicidal without religion and/or a god in their lives providing a mental safety valve.

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy disorder has been linked to extreme religious experiences. Patients who have TLE may have sudden and dramatic spiritual changes. There are many instances of these patients converting from agnostic or atheist beliefs to strongly active religious faiths. TLE causes abnormal electrical activity in their temporal regions and has been directly linked to these radical changes in religious belief and personality changes. Curiously, religious chanting and meditation reduce the activity of frontal lobe activity, which heightens Temporal Lobe activity. Further research in this area has uncovered that electrical stimulation of areas in the Temporal Lobe also produce these spiritual experiences. The electrical stimulation caused the control group to report feelings of “well being” euphoria and a feeling of a “presence”.

Being a formal military pilot, it........
http://www.globusz.com/Articles/00000002.asp

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

cause may be a strange brain disorder.

Controversial new research suggests that whether we believe in a God may not just be a matter of free will. Scientists now believe there may be physical differences in the brains of ardent believers.

Inspiration for this work has come from a group of patients who have a brain disorder called temporal lobe epilepsy. In a minority of patients, this condition induces bizarre religious hallucinations - something that patient Rudi Affolter has experienced vividly.

Despite the fact that he is a confirmed atheist, when he was 43, Rudi had a powerful religious vision which convinced him he had gone to hell.

"I was told that I had gone there because I had not been a devout Christian, a believer in God. I was very depressed at the thought that I was going to remain there forever."

Clinical evidence

Gwen Tighe also has the disorder. When she had a baby....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2865009.stm

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am reminded of two quotes:
Historian Stephen Henry Roberts said:"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god that you do. When you understand why you dismiss all other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."

...and from science fiction writer Douglas Adams: "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting. But it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously."

In the end, this growing fixation on religion by politicians (and the religion of politicians) would be laughable were it not so very scary. People do know what a theocracy is don't they?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

"I don't know enough about Mormon theology to know if this bit of propaganda is accurate or not"

And you post it on here? Why don't you get an education before you post to the public.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Book of Mormon, one of the sacred scriptures of the Mormons, first published in 1830 in Palmyra, New York, by Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the Mormon church. By Smith's account, he found the record, which was written on golden plates, in a hill near his home and with divine aid translated the text into English. The plates then disappeared; according to Smith, they were taken by an angel after the translation. At least 11 witnesses, however, testified to having seen and examined the plates. The 1830 edition, containing 590 pages, was subsequently revised and corrected by Smith; later the book was divided into chapters and verses. It has been published in 38 languages besides English.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

god born of a virgin died and resurected after a day or so,ahmen.moab shawkenau,

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I have read alot of the posts on here and I've noticed that the Mormons or others who disagree with the video's content say it is inaccurate but usually do not say specifically what is inaccurate. I was a Mormon 30 years and I can tell you it is accurate of the beliefs of the church although the delivery method leaves a little to be desired.

It would useful if you disagree with a portion of the video to specify what part so someone can respond and let you know where to lookup the true teaching of the church. Although with just a little research on the web you could verify. Often Mormons say why go to an "antiMormon" site to ask about mormonism, but many mormons although nice people do not know the history or true teaching of their church. They have joined due to the high family values

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am new to this type of communication, but I could not pass up an opportunity to comment on this crazy, disturbingly humorous video. I have a best friend who is Mormon, and I was thinking of joining this good-feeling religion more than 10 years ago when I was still in high school. I never did because I was surrounded by very bright, skeptical parents who helped me make a decision based aspects other than “good family values” and “cheap college”. I love my best friend, who is a devout Mormon, but I believe she is very naïve and self-involved. I do not wish her to stop believing in what she has been taught, but that she tries to see how ridiculous some of it is. I am agnostic, although I grew up in a Methodist church. I agree that all religions have their quirks, but some have more than others.

Another friend has recently become involved in a hyper-evangelical denomination. She is constantly talking about “The End Times” and is so excited about it like it’s a trip to Disneyland. That’s the scary part…she is in a world of disappointment, in my opinion. Sure, I think we’re destroying our planet and killing each other off, but I don’t think the lights will go out for quite some time.

All of this is very thought provoking…For those of you who want an intriguing dinner topic…watch “Jesus Camp”. It’s the future of this country and it’s frightening.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

More than 100 million Mexicans believe that
the virgen of guadalupe did appear to Juan Diego.All around latin america,there are virgens
everywhere.Amazing how gullible the masses are.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Here is some suggested documentation for 5 of the points made in the cartoon.


ALL CHRISTIAN CREEDS WERE AN ABOMINATION: "I was answered that I must join none of them [sects], for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt … " Joseph Smith in Joseph Smith History 1:19

EVERYONE MUST STAND AT THE FINAL JUDGMENT BEFORE JOSEPH SMITH: "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation ... no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith ... every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are ... He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation ... He reigns there [in spirit world] as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven." Brigham Young in Journal of Discourses 7:289

THE HEAD OF THE MORMON GODS CALLED A GREAT HEAVENLY COUNCIL MEETING … A PLAN WAS PRESENTED TO BUILD PLANET EARTH: "Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said These I will make my rulers ... And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those that were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell." Book of Abraham 3:22-24

ELOHIM AND ONE OF HIS GODDESS WIVES CAME TO EARTH AS ADAM AND EVE TO START THE HUMAN RACE: "When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spoken—HE is our FATHER and our GOD, and the only God with whom WE have to do. ... They came here, organized the raw material... It is true that the earth was organized by three distinct characters, namely, Eloheim, Yahovah, and Michael, these three forming a quorum, as in all heavenly bodies, and in organizing element, perfectly represented in the Deity, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Brigham Young in Journal of Discourses 1:50-51

[JOSEPH SMITH] CLAIMED THAT HE HAD DONE MORE FOR US THAN ANY OTHER MAN, INCLUDING JESUS: "Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it." Joseph Smith in History of the Church 6:408-409.

MORMON APOSTLE ORSON PRATT TAUGHT THAT AFTER JESUS CHRIST GREW TO MANHOOD HE TOOK AT LEAST THREE WIVES: "Next let us enquire whether there are any intimations in Scripture concerning the wives of Jesus. … One thing is certain, that there were several holy women that greatly loved Jesus--such as Mary, and Martha her sister, and Mary Magdalene; and Jesus greatly loved them, and associated with them much; and when He arose from the dead, instead of first showing Himself to His chosen witnesses, the Apostles, He appeared first to these women, or at least to one of them--namely, Mary Magdalene. Now, it would be very natural for a husband in the resurrection to appear first to his own dear-wives …". Orson Pratt in The Seer, pp. 158-159

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

For anyone interested, the cartoon appears to be thoroughly documented at this site:

www.foundationsforfreedom.net/Topics/Belief/Mormonism.html

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

From what I can glean on the internet the cartoon video is part of the "Godmaker's" film produced years ago by Ed Decker. Ed is the man at the end of the video wearing glasses and a black/white striped tie. He is a former Mormon and founder of the "Saints Alive" ministry.

My comments:

The LDS church under founder Joseph Smith split up after his death in Illinois in 1844. There were two main splinter groups, one which went to Independence, MO and the other which went to Salt Lake City, UT. The Salt Lake City group was quite militant in its attitude toward the federal government. As a result many of its leaders and members wound up in federal prison in Salt Lake City and the major assets of the church (including temple buildings) were escheated by the government (later restored in a deal in which the church agreed to cease its polygamy and block-voting).

Since that time the church has taken an "if you can't beat 'em then join 'em" approach. That is, the church no longer attempts to distinguish itself by its extreme teachings, rather it downplays them. It thereby strives to present itself as just another Christian denomination. It spends a large amount of money on public relations to accomplish this goal and believes this approach will prove more productive in increasing its membership.

The church's missionaries rely on people's not making any serious effort to inform themselves about its teachings. This strategy works surprisingly well. The church's missionaries are happy to ply such people with their carefully orchestrated "gospel" presentation. It's evident that Mr. Romney (a former missionary) is taking the same tack of downplaying the extreme teachings of his church, as illustrated in his recent speech in Texas:

"What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. My church's beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

i grew up mormon, and while i no longer consider myself a follower of any religion, i have to say that this cartoon is only about halfway accurate. yes, they believe lucifer and jesus are brothers. and while they do believe in a heavenly mother as well as a heavenly father, the whole heavenly orgy thing is way off the mark. polygamy only existed for a short while in the church to make new members and soon after the practice was outlawed. now, when people are married in the temple, or sealed (you're actually sealed to your whole family for eternity), it is in a monogamous relationship. and yes, they do believe that through living righteously they can become 'gods' of other worlds. and yes, they do perform baptisms for the dead. but, as stated above, any religion has its own strange set of beliefs that to outsiders seem completely ridiculous. so really, what is the difference?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I have been waiting for twenty years to see this again! It reminds me of the cartoon rendering of the Scientologists' cosmology that was offered by the creators of South Park several seasons ago (South Park also had a similar send-up of the Mormon tradition, albeit more focused on Joseph Smith's role in the matter rather than the Celestial Spirit-filled universe aspect of it, as the cartoon posted here does)

All that being said, I'd like to mention that this cartoon was produced as part of a movie called The Godmakers, which was based on a 1984 book by the same name. I think the cartoon is a fascinating exposé of what the Mormons' (i.e. Joseph Smith's) fantasy world really entails, but I also think it's important to bear in mind that this was all produced from the perspective of Evangelical Christians out to debunk the Mormons ("Our fairy tale is right! Yours is wrong, so there!!!"). I was shown this way back when in my junior high church youth group with that very intent.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]