Things we now know about Mormons

[cronus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazin ... r-30011409

Underwear, vigilantes and planets

The Mormon church chose to publicise the news that its founder, Joseph Smith, practised polygamy in an essay on its website.

The piece is one of several written to provide accurate information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to its followers.

Many are on secretive and sensitive subjects that have been ridiculed outside the religion.

Special underwear

None more so than the issue of Temple garments - simple white underwear resembling shorts and a T-shirt which Mormons are encouraged to keep from public view.

In an unusually frank explanation of the garments, a video describes them as being like clothing worn to denote other religions, such as the habit worn by a nun or the saffron robes of a Buddhist monk.

Jokes that Mormons believe the garments have special powers or references to them as "magical Mormon underwear" are described as offensive.

"There is nothing magical or mystical about temple garments," says the commentary.

Vigilantes?

Describing how early Mormons were persecuted in the 1830s and 1840s, another essay describes how followers set up an armed militia called the Danites.

But, the essay argues, this was in the context of many other militias operating at the time and rumours of a "secret society of Mormon vigilantes" are unfounded.

The essay also describes how in 1857 Mormon vigilantes ambushed and killed 120 emigrants, including women and children, in what is known as the mountains meadows massacre.

"In recent years, the Church has made diligent efforts to learn everything possible about the massacre," says the essay, also mentioning other acts of violence the church had previously not acknowledged.

Their own planet?

"I believe that God has a plan for all of us. I believe that plan involves me getting my own planet," sing the lyrics of the Broadway show, The Book of Mormon.

The popular notion that Mormons believe they will receive their own planet when they die is tackled in the essay, "Becoming Like God".

It says Mormons believe humans can become like God in eternity but the "cartoonish image of people receiving their own planets" is not how they see it.

(continued)

[rainbow]

Mormon missionaries are considered to be a delicacy in certain parts of Africa.

[Svartalf]

How anybody can actually believe in the mormon creed is a sad testament to human credulity.

[Hermit]

In an unusually frank explanation of the garments, a video describes them as being like clothing worn to denote other religions, such as the habit worn by a nun or the saffron robes of a Buddhist monk.

Jokes that Mormons believe the garments have special powers or references to them as "magical Mormon underwear" are described as offensive.

O yeah? From the official Mormon Handbook vol.2:

When properly worn, it provides protection against temptation and evil.

[Tero]

When teen mormons get undressed for sex, the magic symbols will remind them that they are sinning.

[Hermit]

When teen mormons get undressed for sex, the magic symbols will remind them that they are sinning.

And that would stop them how? Next thing I'll hear is that cassocks have stopped priests buggering altar boys in the sacristy.

[Svartalf]

Actually, that cumbersome garment may have prevented more sinning than you guess by the virtue of being in the way.

[Hermit]

As if sex was sinful anyway. Meh. Idiots.

[Svartalf]

if raping altarboys ain't sinful, what is?

[Hermit]

Yeah. I suppose you're right. Naughty altar boys tempting innocent priests with their smooth, taut, pretty bottoms and beautiful lips.



And they start throwing themselves at priests at an ever younger age.

[Tero]

When teen mormons get undressed for sex, the magic symbols will remind them that they are sinning.

And that would stop them how? Next thing I'll hear is that cassocks have stopped priests buggering altar boys in the sacristy.

No it just makes it more exciting. They should tattoo the symbols on the girl's butt.

[Elderito]

Okay I was raised a Mormon, served a Mormon mission and gave it up, but I have a question for everyone. Why do you think people convert to Mormonism? And the answer "They are stupid" is not allowed since it is equivalent to the creationist "God did it" cop out.

[Hermit]

Why do you think people convert to Mormonism? And the answer "They are stupid" is not allowed since it is equivalent to the creationist "God did it" cop out.

There are many reasons why some people convert to batshit crazy belief systems. A lot of them can be summarised by saying "They are stupid" and no, that is not the equivalent to the creationist "God did it" cop out.

[Elderito]

So you really have no idea and can't engage in real conversation? Damned internet

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Okay I was raised a Mormon, served a Mormon mission and gave it up, but I have a question for everyone. Why do you think people convert to Mormonism? And the answer "They are stupid" is not allowed since it is equivalent to the creationist "God did it" cop out.

The same reason that most people convert to any cult/faith/ideology - they are at a low ebb in life and are offered comfort and easy answers that they really don't wish to see as the smoke and mirrors that they are. It's not so much stupidity as wilful self-delusion - the choosing of a cuddly lie over harsh truth.