What do you consider to be "Anti-mormon"?

[Guy Jean]

I don't agree. Those who are "left wing" or "anti-mormon" have clear behaviors and ideology's they follow, thus they are just as identifiable as a Lawyer is identifiable. The only thing "subjective" would be the person in question, if they actually understand the characteristics that identify those particular groups. For me, I can clearly identify each group, because I'm well learned and experienced with their characteristics.

Ah, the I know it when I see it definition. The problem, of course is if your definition matches others'.

From http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Definition of LAWYER : one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations in other matters

Definition of LEFT WING: the leftist division of a group (as a political party)

I can easily see how to define the first group in an objectively. Is the person admitted to the bar? Do they have a license, etc. My definition and yours will not be materially different.

For left wing, I cannot see how to define it objectively for all persons. Your definition of left wing will not be the same as mine. Who decides what is liberal and what is not? What if someone supports universal health care, but is venomously opposed to gay rights? What if someone is pro choice, but opposed to universal health care, gay marriage and wants to reduce welfare?

You may claim that any or all of these people are left wing, but you will find others who disagree with you.

[Jeff K.]

I have friends who do not like the Mormon church, but they enjoy my company. They are rational and polite enough to state that we simply do not see eye to eye as to the tenets of our faiths (some of them being atheists agree that theirs is also to a certain extent faith based). As the only member in my family I can understand that and appreciate it in both my family and others.

The key though, I believe is the use of double standards for the church, while fastidiously overlooking the foibles of their own belief systems. So they claim the church is bigoted, involved in influencing others, political, and so on... Meanwhile they overlook their organizations attempts to influence others, their groups bigoted (often more so) approach to other groups and so on.

Finally there is the Mormon who is one only in name. These nefariously claim to be LDS but at every turn deny prophecy, deny the truth of the priesthood, criticize (rather than critique) pretty much everything the church does. And then claim that they are active members of the church who carry out the will of the Lord. They look for any chink or weakness and tout it as proof that there is much wrong with the church.

These are the real anti Mormons, because you cannot be anti anything unless you understand deeply what you are against.

Their defense? Anyone that calls them on it is closed minded, borg, arrogant, a drone, and so on.... But they are "merely" humble seekers of the truth. Of course they never openly say the same things to their bishops and stake presidents that they say here. So much for humility and truth seeking. Like Iscariot they hide their anger until they can express it without repurcussions. Yep, those are the real anti Mormons.

[blueadept]

The empirical evidence says that the more educated a Mormon is the more like they are to be an active member of the Church so I say that education increases faith in the restored Gospel.

When I've gone door-to-door in my community as a Catholic with our group, our numbers show the best response to the Gospel being in the poorer neighborhoods which tend not to be higher educated individuals. The 'poor in spirit' as stated by the Gospel of Matthew tend to be open to the message regardless of which faith you represent.

In almost every other faith though the trend tends to be the opposite, the more educated you are the less likely you are to be active in your church.

I'll simply disagree and not try to take offense at this silly comment. Someone needs that chip taken off their shoulder IMHO.

[Jeff K.]

I would have to agree with blue adept. I know many Catholics with excellent educations who are very close to their religion and their faith. I know Seventh Day Adventists who are excellent doctors and cancer researchers who have great faith in their church. While anecdotal it seems that the issue is more about humility of spirit which I believe has nothing to do with content of knowledge.

[Calm]

I would have to agree with blue adept. I know many Catholics with excellent educations who are very close to their religion and their faith. I know Seventh Day Adventists who are excellent doctors and cancer researchers who have great faith in their church. While anecdotal it seems that the issue is more about humility of spirit which I believe has nothing to do with content of knowledge.

I would agree.

I think one of the reasons the LDS 'buck the trend' is that we have good success religiously educating our youth. I think a study of comparing those who are knowledgeable in their own faith prior to starting higher education would yield something different than is commonly seen at this point.

[LDS Guy 1986]

I'll simply disagree and not try to take offense at this silly comment. Someone needs that chip taken off their shoulder IMHO.

Any offense taken is due to a chip on your shoulder not mine, all I am stating is what is stated by independent researchers. If you disagree with there finding bring it up with them not me.

[LDS Guy 1986]

When I've gone door-to-door in my community as a Catholic with our group, our numbers show the best response to the Gospel being in the poorer neighborhoods which tend not to be higher educated individuals. The 'poor in spirit' as stated by the Gospel of Matthew tend to be open to the message regardless of which faith you represent.

This has nothing to do with the evidence I presented, in fact the statement I made had nothing at all to do with preaching the Gospel but with active participation of CURRENT members.

Someone already asked does education effect baptism rates, and I answered that the proud of knowledge are more likely to reject the Gospel.

Your comment is not germane to the subject, and it's point was already brought up and answered.