Steven Carr

As everybody knows, Mormons are very keen supporters of family values.

So when I saw a Mormon missionary in Germany on Saturday, just before Christmas, I thought it would be a nice gesture from one human to another, if I gave him my cellphone so he could ring his family back in the States - totally free, of course.

To my astonishment, he refused. He explained that the rules of his Church prevented him from talking to his family.

Who would have thought that the Mormons would be the only true Christian church , who live by Jesus's words in Luke 14:26?

lunachick

I don't know much about Mormonism, but what are the rules that forbid him talking to his family, and why?

Rousseau_CHN

I am currently reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet

It is a condemnation of the Mormon faith. It was inspired by stories about a band of Brigham Young's Destroying Angels who ambushed and slaughtered 140 'gentiles' passing by wagon through southern Utah.

If history can be use as a measure, what you said should not surprise a lot of people.

Steven Carr

He was only allowed to ring his family twice a year, while trying to convert people to this family-orientated religion.

lunachick

But why? I don't get it...

semyaza

The missionary's access to family is very restricted. They are expected to write letters on a regular basis, but no 'unapproved' contact is allowed. No calls, e-mails or anything else.

As for mormonism being 'family' oriented, that is, as you probably surmised, utter cr*p. Mormonism is one of the more family-destructive forces around.

If one spouse converts, there is intense pressure on the other to do the same. If a conversion is not forthcoming, many Mormon bishops will subtly suggest divorce.

When a mormon couple marries in the temple, non-mormons or lapsed family members are not permitted to attend. Of course, marriages that are not conducted in the temple are held to be invalid.

Even if both spouses are members, their problems do not end there. Mormonism holds up a certain family dynamic (wife to be completely submissive, etc) as the 'norm'. Bishops will enquire about a couple's sex-life when determining if they should be allowed to enter the temple. Certain sex-acts are, of course, forbidden. Couples are expected to have large families. The wife is expected to stay at home to care for the family. (Working women are generally shunned). A ten percent tithe is expected - member tithing is tracked, and under-tithing is reported to the bishop. Not surpisingly, Utah has the highest bankrupcty and repossession rates in the country.

Just like other Christian cults, Mormonism practices the exact opposite of what it preaches.

[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: semyaza ]</p>

TerryTryon

You should realize that politically the Mormon Church has always been very authoritarian and conservative. In conservative christian politics, "family values" is simply code for patriarchalism, with the attending sexism, homophobia, and pronatalism. For propaganda reasons, this political stand is associated with devotion for family members, especially the bond between husband and wife, and parents and children. There is no evidence to show that patriarchalism increases the strength of these relationships, however.

"Traditional family values" codes an additional fetish for the nuclear family and rigid sex roles. That the nuclear family is the traditional and natural kinship system is pure myth created by the christian right to defend patriarchalism.

Mormon missionaries lead a very austere life, willingly giving the church control of every aspect of their lives: clothing, sex, housing, budget, food, hygiene, recreation, etc. Failure to comply with these strictures results in severe sanctions both inside and outside the mission hierarchy. Attitude, meaning submissive, fawning obedience, is constantly monitored.

emotional

Submission of women towards men, paying the tithe (Arabic zakaat)... now where have I heard this before?

The Mormone (sic, to rhyme with hormone) religion has some uncanny affinities with Islam.

lunachick

That's pretty interesting. Sighhswolf always had some great insights into the Mormon church, but I had not heard about the misionaries only being allowed to contact their families by telephone twice a year. A cruel and unusual punishment for some ill-perceived 'sin' or other.

The parallel with Islam is interesting - and I would have to say that, from what I can gather, that is one that can be made with Southern Baptists and Islam, also.

Ab_Normal

From talking with Mormon friends about missions, it seems the purpose behind all the rules is to put the final touches on their brainwashing. Young men are expected to marry immediately upon their return from their mission and take up their place as elders of the church.