Academic Prejudice Against Mormons: An Interesting Article

[smac97]

Here: http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2012/05/29/essay-about-prejudice-academe-against-mormons

An Acceptable Prejudice?

May 29, 2012 - 3:00am

By

Thomas C. Terry

It was a fairly typical lunch at an academic conference in the East after the New Hampshire primary in 2008. There was a smattering of endowed professorships and international reputations at the table, perhaps eight academics in all.

...

Dessert made its appearance and talk turned to the relative merits of the developing college basketball season and presidential candidates. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were hotly debated – the state’s primary promised to be a pivotal one. Then it was onto the Republicans, and Mitt Romney’s name popped up.

"I couldn’t vote for a Mormon," one professor said. There was some polite (or perhaps impolite) head-bobbing. "It’s a cult. Very intolerant, and their opinions about women, and, well ... ” and his voice trailed off.

I mentioned I had just been hired at a college in the West with a sizeable student and local population of Mormons -- Idaho State University, in Pocatello. I wondered rhetorically whether anyone said the same thing in 1960 about voting for John F. Kennedy because he was Roman Catholic. Or for then-Senator Obama because he is African-American. There was that same uncomfortable silence again. I think they felt sorry for me.

I’ve attended numerous scholarly conferences since that lunch where Mormonism has been discussed, and it is amazing to confront snide and disdainful comments and even overt prejudice from intellectually and sophisticated academics. And it seems perfectly acceptable to express this bias. Mormons are abnormal, outside the mainstream; everybody knows that. They don’t drink alcohol and coffee. Their women are suppressed. They don’t like the cross, and their most holy book seems made up. And there’s that multiple-wives thing. At one session involving a discussion of Utah’s history, several dismissive comments were spoken, rather blithely and without any sense of embarrassment. Belittling comments were made about Mormons' abstemiousness, and there was a general negative undercurrent. The LDS Church was referred to as the Mormon Church, something many members object to. They don’t mind being called Mormons, but their church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS Church. At least some of the professors who were making these remarks knew that.

_________

Read the whole thing. It's an excellent article.

-Smac

[Darren10]

This is an interesting article. Almost as interesting as this one. .

[Libs]

Very nice article. I believe he is right. What seems to be acceptable speech against LDS would, likely, be considered very bigoted, if directed at other groups.

[Jaybear]

Wow. I was not aware that some Mormon are offended when someone refers to your church as the "Mormon Church".

That strikes me as petty.

[cdowis]

Wow. I was not aware that some Mormon are offended when someone refers to your church as the "Mormon Church".

That strikes me as petty.

Research has shown that the word "Mormon" has a negative connotation, associated with a cult. But the "Church of Jesus Christ of LDS" is viewed positively.

Today I spoke with a man who talked about Mormons and polygamy. I tried to explain that they are not members of our church, but did not get very far.

That is why the church is doing the "I'm a Mormon" campaign, to link the word with the real name of the church.

[Calm]

their opinions about women, and, well ... ” and his voice trailed off.

My husband was targeted at one of his places of employment by someone who wanted to have priority in a dept., she used the "he's a mormon and therefore prejudiced against women" theme which was accepted without question by his dean.

When the women in his dept. heard about it, they got together on their own and responded with a letter saying he was the best boss they had ever worked with, showed them respect and consideration and helped them get further alone in their own careers when he could....as opposed to the woman who made the complaint who treated them with disrespect, etc.

I don't know whether that made any impression or not. Should have, but since I find it amazing that any professor would simply assume that a person would act a certain way based solely on his or her membership in a large group knowing as most do due to their fields of study the variations among human behaviours and attitudes, he may have been one of those people who make their observations based on what they think they should see in others and not what they really do see.

[Sophocles]

I've come across a few Mormons who bristle at references to the "Mormon Church." I just can't make myself believe it's genuine. The LDS Church and its members use "Mormon" all the time.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Mormon Doctrine

Mormon Times

Mormon Newsroom

Mormon Channel

Mormon Trail

Mormon Battalion

Mormon Fort

Mormon Rap

Mormon Miracle Pageant

Mormon Dialogue and Discussion Board

Mormon Scholars Testify

Mormon Voices

Mormon History Association

Mormon Historic Sites Foundation

And of course, Mormon.org and the I'm A Mormon campaign. But don't call it the Mormon Church! That's offensive!

In my view, "Mormon" is kind of like "Yankee." Maybe it started out as a pejorative nickname, even a slur, but when you name your baseball team and your candle company after it you don't get to pretend you're offended by it anymore.

I found it amusing when I was kid and the instructions to my Lego kits always included the verbiage:

The word LEGO® is a brand name and is very special to all of us in the LEGO Group Companies. We would sincerely like your help in keeping it special. Please always refer to our bricks as 'LEGO Bricks or Toys' and not 'legos.' By doing so, you will be helping to protect and preserve a brand of which we are very proud and that stands for quality the world over.

I'm guessing the church's efforts to manage the use of its name (e.g. via the AP Style Guide) has more to do with protecting its brand from dilution than helping journalists avoid a slur likely to offend its members. Evidently, some members of the church have misunderstood, and have since taken up the cause by claiming offense wherever "The Mormon Church" is found.

Edited May 30, 2012 by Sophocles

[Scott Lloyd]

I've come across a few Mormons who bristle at references to the "Mormon Church." I just can't make myself believe it's genuine. The LDS Church and its members use "Mormon" all the time.

People, people! How many times do we have to go over this?

The Church has no objection to use of the nickname "Mormon" for constructions other than the name of the Church itself, in which case the formal name of the Church is preferred

It is therefore OK to use titles such as Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mormon Pioneer Trail, or any of the other things on Sophocles's list.

But when you refer to the Church by name, the preference is that you use the proper name The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or, as a shortened form on second or subsequent references, Church of Jesus Christ. This is consistent with the doctrine in 3 Nephi 27:27, where Christ Himself instructs:

8 And how be it ^amy ^bchurch save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

The above has been explained repeatedly. I am mystified as to why some find it so difficult to grasp.

For example, Elder M. Russell Ballard said in general conference last October:

Because the full name of the Church is so important, I echo the revelations from the scriptures, the First Presidency’s instructions in letters of 1982 and 2001, and the words of other Apostles who have encouraged the members of the Church to uphold and teach the world that the Church is known by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the name by which the Lord will call us at the last day. It is the name by which His Church will be distinguished from all others.

... While Mormon is not the full and correct name of the Church, and even though it was originally given by our detractors during our early years of persecution, it has become an acceptable nickname when applied to members rather than the institution. We do not need to stop using the name Mormon when appropriate, but we should continue to give emphasis to the full and correct name of the Church itself. In other words, we should avoid and discourage the term “Mormon Church.”

Edited May 30, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[Jaybear]

I've come across a few Mormons who bristle at references to the "Mormon Church." I just can't make myself believe it's genuine. The LDS Church and its members use "Mormon" all the time.

And of course, Mormon.org and the I'm A Mormon campaign. But don't call it the Mormon Church! That's offensive!

...

In my view, "Mormon" is kind of like "Yankee." Maybe it started out as a pejorative nickname, even a slur, but when you name your baseball team and your candle company after it you don't get to pretend you're offended by it anymore.

....

I'm guessing the church's efforts to manage the use of its name (e.g. via the AP Style Guide) has more to do with protecting its brand from dilution than helping journalists avoid a slur likely to offend its members. Evidently, some members of the church have misunderstood, and have since taken up the cause by claiming offense wherever "The Mormon Church" is found.

I found this on the front page of Mormon.org:

Who We Are

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official name of the religion commonly called the Mormon Church.

[Scott Lloyd]

I found this on the front page of Mormon.org:

You'll find "Mormon Church" on some official Church websites. That is to draw Google and other search-engine searches to those sites. The Church wants its own websites to appear higher on lists of hits than do anti-Mormon sites

Nevertheless, the officially expressed preference is to use the formal name of the Church when identifying it, though use of the name Mormon as a descriptor in other usages is acceptable.

Edited May 30, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[Sophocles]

Scott, everything in your response seems consistent with what I wrote above. Elder Ballard's explanation about the importance of using the church's full, correct name does not suggest that other uses are offensive, only that they are incorrect, and that in this case it's important to stress correct usage. While he emphasizes the theological importance of that usage, the marketing value in protecting the brand is also real and important to the church. And nowhere does he suggest that members should express offense at incorrect usage.

Over and over I see members of the church reacting to "The Mormon Church" as if it were some kind of slur. In the comments following an online news article referring to "The Mormon Church," a member taking umbrage likened the expression to "The N—— Church" or "The Kike Church." That's the kind of reaction to which I object.

By all means, speak up and correct those that get it wrong, just as you would whenever you encounter misspellings, bad grammar or incorrect usage. Just keep in mind that "The Mormon Church" should trigger Threat Level: Orthographical rather than Threat Level: Religious Persecution.

Edited May 30, 2012 by Sophocles

[Scott Lloyd]

Scott, everything in your response seems consistent with what I wrote above. Elder Ballard's explanation about the importance of using the church's full, correct name does not suggest that other uses are offensive, only that they are incorrect, and that in this case it's important to stress correct usage. While he emphasizes the theological importance of that usage, the marketing value in protecting the brand is also real and important to the church. And nowhere does he suggest that members should express offense at incorrect usage.

Over and over I see members of the church reacting to "The Mormon Church" as if it were some kind of slur. In the comments following an online news article referring to "The Mormon Church," a member taking umbrage likened the expression to "The N—— Church" or "The Kike Church." That's the kind of reaction to which I object.

By all means, speak up and correct those that get it wrong, just as you would whenever you encounter misspellings, bad grammar or incorrect usage. Just keep in mind that "The Mormon Church" should trigger Threat Level: Orthographical rather than Threat Level: Religious Persecution.

I agree with this.

Futhermore, if the sort of hyperventilating you describe is indeed occurring, I definitely do not approve of it.

[Libs]

My husband was targeted at one of his places of employment by someone who wanted to have priority in a dept., she used the "he's a mormon and therefore prejudiced against women" theme which was accepted without question by his dean.

When the women in his dept. heard about it, they got together on their own and responded with a letter saying he was the best boss they had ever worked with, showed them respect and consideration and helped them get further alone in their own careers when he could....as opposed to the woman who made the complaint who treated them with disrespect, etc.

I don't know whether that made any impression or not. Should have, but since I find it amazing that any professor would simply assume that a person would act a certain way based solely on his or her membership in a large group knowing as most do due to their fields of study the variations among human behaviours and attitudes, he may have been one of those people who make their observations based on what they think they should see in others and not what they really do see.

Wow, that is terrible, Calmoriah. The person making that judgment, based on a label (Mormon) was the one who was actually acting bigoted...and yet projecting it onto your husband. Your husband probably should have reported that to someone higher up...(or perhaps he did)..

[Scott Lloyd]

Wow, that is terrible, Calmoriah. The person making that judgment, based on a label (Mormon) was the one who was actually acting bigoted...and yet projecting it onto your husband. Your husband probably should have reported that to someone higher up...(or perhaps he did)..

It does seem legally actionable.

[Calm]

Wow, that is terrible, Calmoriah. The person making that judgment, based on a label (Mormon) was the one who was actually acting bigoted...and yet projecting it onto your husband. Your husband probably should have reported that to someone higher up...(or perhaps he did)..

Considering the woman doing the accusation, I suspect the main purpose was to simply find a way to damage my husband's rep in order to climb over his body, she certainly left a number of other corpses behind her climb to the 'top'. Don't know if she actually believed it, one could hardly claim my husband's attitude and working relationships were evidence of it. One of the women who worked with my husband told me the accuser is the kind of woman who kisses up to those above her, looks for ways to backstab those who she sees as her equal and treats as trash those who she sees as lower on the social/career ladder.....not a nice woman. And the kind that are politically savvy enough to cover their tracks....

As to reporting her actions, he defended himself to the man she took her accusation to, but it sounds like the dean (may have been an assistant dean) accepted the accusation as fact but since he thought he was being balanced and fair in his own mind, there wasn't much my husband could do. Nothing had been in writing and claims would have been made that it had not influenced anything...justifications are easily found when determining who gets what job.

That incident combined with several other management calls equally as bad or worse led to him jumping at the chance when another university came calling...

Edited May 31, 2012 by calmoriah

[Libs]

Well, it had a good ending, at least. Hope things are much better there.

[Calm]

The move could have been better with a bit more time and money up front so we could get the house in shape before we moved in....did't have that chance, so we chip away at it a little each year. Other than that, we've benefited medically, finanicially, jobwise, friends (husband has a horde of bike buddies to play with when I'm not available) family, wonderful ward and pretty much in every way but weather and the zoo. I love my Canadian weather and must, must have my zoo....someday, someway.

[Jaybear]

You'll find "Mormon Church" on some official Church websites. That is to draw Google and other search-engine searches to those sites. The Church wants its own websites to appear higher on lists of hits than do anti-Mormon sites

Nevertheless, the officially expressed preference is to use the formal name of the Church when identifying it, though use of the name Mormon as a descriptor in other usages is acceptable.

You completely missed the point.

If when you meet someone you say, "Hello, my name is Charles, but people usually call me "Chuck", then how is someone supposed to know that you hate being called "Chuck".

[KevinG]

You completely missed the point.

If when you meet someone you say, "Hello, my name is Charles, but people usually call me "Chuck", then how is someone supposed to know that you hate being called "Chuck".

In polite society we don't call people by their common name until they invite us to do so.

[Scott Lloyd]

You completely missed the point.

If when you meet someone you say, "Hello, my name is Charles, but people usually call me "Chuck", then how is someone supposed to know that you hate being called "Chuck".

I daresay someone going to the website you mention and spending much time there would learn soon enough that the formal and preferred name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For example, it includes a portal to the "Newsoom" site, which includes this style guide:

Style Guide - The Name of the Church

The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838.

While the term "Mormon Church" has long been publicly applied to the Church as a nickname, it is not an authorized title, and the Church discourages its use.

When writing about the Church, please follow these guidelines:

• In the first reference, the full name of the Church is preferred: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
  
• Please avoid the use of "Mormon Church", "LDS Church" or the "Church of the Latter-day Saints".
  
• When a shortened reference is needed, the terms "the Church" or "the Church of Jesus Christ" are encouraged.
  
• When referring to Church members, the term "Latter-day Saints" is preferred, though "Mormons" is acceptable.
  
• "Mormon" is correctly used in proper names such as the Book of Mormon, Mormon Tabernacle Choir or Mormon Trail, or when used as an adjective in such expressions as "Mormon pioneers."
  
• The term "Mormonism" is acceptable in describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  
• When referring to people or organizations that practice polygamy, the terms "Mormons," "Mormon fundamentalist," "Mormon dissidents," etc. are incorrect. The Associated Press Stylebook notes: "The term Mormon is not properly applied to the other ... churches that resulted from the split after [Joseph] Smith's death."
  

Style Guide Note: When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online style guide.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

The move could have been better with a bit more time and money up front so we could get the house in shape before we moved in....did't have that chance, so we chip away at it a little each year. Other than that, we've benefited medically, finanicially, jobwise, friends (husband has a horde of bike buddies to play with when I'm not available) family, wonderful ward and pretty much in every way but weather and the zoo. I love my Canadian weather and must, must have my zoo....someday, someway.

What? You mean somebody can move in from out there somewhere and actually find happiness in Utah among [Darn] Utah Mormons?

Oh, I forgot: He was born here.

[Jaybear]

I daresay someone going to the website you mention and spending much time there would very soon learn that the formal and preferred name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I took you up on your dare.

The site mentions the formal name.

The site mentioned the common name.

I did not see any mention of the "preferred name."

Please show me where that occurs.

But more relevant for the article in question, i did not see anything on the site that suggested that the common name "Mormon Church" is considered a derogatory term.

[Scott Lloyd]

I took you up on your dare.

The site mentions the formal name.

The site mentioned the common name.

I did not see any mention of the "preferred name."

Please show me where that occurs.

But more relevant for the article in question, i did not see anything on the site that suggested that the common name "Mormon Church" is considered a derogatory term.

You answered too quickly. (Which means, of course, that you spent very little time on the website.)

Go back and read my post as it stands after I added to it.

Incidentally, I found the "Newsroom" and "Style Guide" links in the minute or two it took you to glance at the site and then compose your reply to me claiming you couldn't find anything on there about the preferred use of the proper name of the Church. I would hate to think your research is this shallow when you prepare legal briefs for your clients.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[Aliwe]

What? You mean somebody can move in from out there somewhere and actually find happiness in Utah among [Darn] Utah Mormons?

I haven't actually been in Utah since 1990, and only been there six times, but it seemed to me that inter-racial couples get a lot of funny looks, at least in the Ogden Village Inn. Didn't feel right until we high-tailed it back to the Best Coast. This is anecdotal, and subjective, so take it for what it's worth.

[Muc'ul Ajwalil]

In 2010 I had a few funny looks myself (Me, a gringo and my wife a Mexican). Married in the temple. No problems there. But yes, there are funny looks especially from the older people and the Provo types too.