What Is An Anti-Mormon?

[Rivers]

I would have to agree with the John Dehlin that the term "anti-mormon" is about as useless as the term "cult." I think it is a very overused word and demonstrates that we mormons have a persecution complex. The prefix "anti" is a term that is more appropriately applied to those who have hatred or animosity towards a group of people. I don't think that the term "anti-mormon" is an appropriate word for those who disagree with our beliefs and present arguments against them. I think those people are best referred to as "critics of the church."

For those of you who use the word "anti-mormon," what is your criteria for determining who should be called an anti-mormon?

Edited May 22, 2012 by Rivers

[thesometimesaint]

Rivers:

As a general rule I only apply the term Antimormon to those that make a financial gain from the printing/publishing/selling materials such as cartoons, pamphlets, books, movies, or websites dedicated to mocking or are overly critical of LDS beliefs.

[Jaybear]

For those of you who use the word "anti-mormon," what is your criteria for determining who should be called an anti-mormon?

I would also ask what purpose does it serve?

[thesometimesaint]

Jaybear:

Identification.

[Rivers]

I would also ask what purpose does it serve?

Just curious. That's all.

[CASteinman]

For those of you who use the word "anti-mormon," what is your criteria for determining who should be called an anti-mormon?

For me the word anti-Mormon is underused and should be used more often, along with the word "anti-Christ".

An anti-Mormon is anyone (member or not) who regularly, consistently, repeatedly or often:

• criticizes
  
• attacks
  
• maligns
  
• slanders
  
• calls into question or
  
• speaks evil
  

of:

• the Prophets
  
• Apostles
  
• General Authorities
  
• members
  
• organization
  
• doctrines
  
• beliefs
  
• practices
  
• priesthood authority
  
• history
  
• activities
  
• and/or existence
  

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- especially for any of these purposes:

• causing doubt or fear in the minds or hearts of members & subsequent questioning their faith
  
• reducing commitment of members in sacrifice and tithing and other membership obligations
  
• causing or encouraging non-members to have bad or negative feelings toward the Church
  
• reducing the number of baptisms to the Church
  
• diminishing the influence of the Church in the world or to embarrass it before the world
  
• and/or "exposing the lies" -- or other such words (as some might put it).
  

In short anti-Mormons fight against the restored Gospel and the Church, either overtly or covertly and regardless of whether they think that they are right or know that they are being evil.

Examples of mere critics would be Harold Bloom and Jan Shipps. I will not give examples of anti-Mormons.

Edited May 23, 2012 by CASteinman

[Pahoran]

I would have to agree with the John Dehlin that the term "anti-mormon" is about as useless as the term "cult." I think it is a very overused word and demonstrates that we mormons have a persecution complex.

Rubbish.

I know it's considered a sign of "independent thinking" in some circles for Latter-day Saints to uncritically accept what our critics say; although for the life of me I can't imagine why.

The "persecution complex" slogan is a mere pejorative, and is empty of meaning.

The prefix "anti" is a term that is more appropriately applied to those who have hatred or animosity towards a group of people. I don't think that the term "anti-mormon" is an appropriate word for those who disagree with our beliefs and present arguments against them. I think those people are best referred to as "critics of the church."

For those of you who use the word "anti-mormon," what is your criteria for determining who should be called an anti-mormon?

It's like this:

Anti = "opposed to."

Mormon = "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Hence an anti-Mormon is anyone who is opposed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

See how straightforward it is?

And the advantage of its simplicity is that it is quite sophistry-proof. If an individual tries to deny being anti-Mormon because he or she claims to identify as a Mormon, we can safely ignore the attempted smokescreen and simply note their position vis-a-vis the Church of Jesus Christ.

Regards,

Pahoran

[Jaybear]

Anti = "opposed to."

Mormon = "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Hence an anti-Mormon is anyone who is opposed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

See how straightforward it is?

Except, Mormon does not equal LDS Church.

Mormon = member of the LDS Church.

So anti-Mormon sounds like anti-Semite.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Yawn

[zerinus]

For those of you who use the word "anti-mormon," what is your criteria for determining who should be called an anti-mormon?

I recognize it when I see it.

[CASteinman]

Except, Mormon does not equal LDS Church.

That is incorrect.

[why me]

For those of you who use the word "anti-mormon," what is your criteria for determining who should be called an anti-mormon?

Anti-mormon has something to do with people who dislike the lds church and openly attack it. And this is something different from 'critic of the lds church'.

[Scott Lloyd]

Except, Mormon does not equal LDS Church.

Mormon = member of the LDS Church.

So anti-Mormon sounds like anti-Semite.

Mormon can be used as an adjective as well as a noun. In its adjective form, it is a descriptor that applies to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or anything related thereto.

Hence, anti-Mormon is an appropriate term for hatred of Mormons or for opposition to/hatred of the Church itself.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

I would have to agree with the John Dehlin that the term "anti-mormon" is about as useless as the term "cult." I think it is a very overused word and demonstrates that we mormons have a persecution complex. The prefix "anti" is a term that is more appropriately applied to those who have hatred or animosity towards a group of people. I don't think that the term "anti-mormon" is an appropriate word for those who disagree with our beliefs and present arguments against them. I think those people are best referred to as "critics of the church."

This comes up so often that I have written a sig line to respond to it. See below, the portions in teal and green type.

(With this thread, I have just added the last line on my signature.)

Edited May 23, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[The Nehor]

I would have to agree with the John Dehlin that the term "anti-mormon" is about as useless as the term "cult."

I disagree with you both.

I think it is a very overused word and demonstrates that we mormons have a persecution complex.

Not sure if we do or not. There is some persecution though it is a trifling amount not really worthy of much consideration. Does acknowledging that mean I have a persecution complex. Sources seem divided on whether it is a persecution complex if the persecution is real.

The prefix "anti" is a term that is more appropriately applied to those who have hatred or animosity towards a group of people. I don't think that the term "anti-mormon" is an appropriate word for those who disagree with our beliefs and present arguments against them. I think those people are best referred to as "critics of the church."

Except that many of them hate and have animosity towards us.

For those of you who use the word "anti-mormon," what is your criteria for determining who should be called an anti-mormon?

Level of hatred and/or animosity.

[Scott Lloyd]

I would have to agree with the John Dehlin that the term "anti-mormon" is about as useless as the term "cult."

I would cite this as an instance of the appeal-to-authority fallacy, except that i don't see Dehlin as an authority.

[The Nehor]

I would cite this as an instance of the appeal-to-authority fallacy, except that i don't see Dehlin as an authority.

Thanks for the laugh.

[Buzzard]

Anyone who says he loves me so much that he wants to save me from going to hell by telling me I am deluded or steeped in the occult.

[Scott Lloyd]

... and the anti-Mormon saith unto them: I am no anti-Mormon, for there is none — and thus he whispereth in their ears.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

Thanks for the laugh.

My pleasure. I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

[Deborah]

I think apostate is more appropriate to former members but anti-Mormon certainly fits those who make slandering Mormons a business. For everyone else just apply ignorant as they know not what they do.

[Log]

Anti-Mormons are simply negatively charged Mormons. They use them in starship engines as fuel.

[Law22]

An anti-Mormon is anyone (member or not) who regularly, consistently, repeatedly or often:

• calls into question
  

of:

• beliefs
  

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

With all due respect, if an "anti-Mormon" is to be defined as anyone who calls into question the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints then all missionary efforts of the LDS church should cease immediately and this website should either be shut down or cease to be an "apologetics" website.

[Pahoran]

With all due respect, if an "anti-Mormon" is to be defined as anyone who calls into question the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints then all missionary efforts of the LDS church should cease immediately and this website should either be shut down or cease to be an "apologetics" website.

Ah yes, the old "The apologists are the most effective anti-Mormons" canard.

It is an exclusively anti-Mormon meme.

Regards,

Pahoran

[CASteinman]

With all due respect, if an "anti-Mormon" is to be defined as anyone who calls into question the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints then all missionary efforts of the LDS church should cease immediately and this website should either be shut down or cease to be an "apologetics" website.

With all due respect, if you do not quote me properly I will not accept responsibility for the words.

Edited May 23, 2012 by CASteinman