Billy,
We're on the same page on this. Some of the nicest people I have known are Mormons, and I have known them for years so I know they aren't putting up a superficial front. It has floored me how they seem to completely buy into some of the Mormon doctrines that make little sense to me, but that hasn't stopped me from admiring these friends as good people. Chris From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 1:38 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: [RC] Mormons and "Goodness" During my time of religious seeking, most of the 1980s, Mormon history was one of the areas that interested me. NOT most of Mormon theology, although parts of it made sense from my perspective, but its real life and experienced history. That is a different matter altogether. For whatever reason Mormon faith does seem to produce a large % of good people. Which I also know from being an employee of Mormons in the past. The following article makes full use of this theme ; worth thinking about and asking "why" ? Billy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- Real Clear Politics / Real clear Religion Section October 12, 2011 We Have a Lot to Learn from Mormons By <http://www.realclearreligion.org/authors/?author=Rod+Dreher&id=14497> Rod Dreher Mormonism deviates so far from basic orthodox Christianity that I have a difficult time, as a theological matter, considering it authentically Christian. Nevertheless, it's patently absurd to claim that Mormons don't love Jesus Christ, or are, because of their religion, to be treated with suspicion. In my view, it is an irrational prejudice (and yes, there are such things as rational prejudices) to say a Mormon like Mitt Romney is unworthy of one's vote because of his LDS faith. The only thing about Mormonism itself that would give me pause in considering a Mormon presidential candidate is the theological role American exceptionalism plays within Mormon thinking. But in truth, the way American politics and culture goes, American exceptionalism may as well be a theological principle for all US Christians. It is an article of faith for most Americans that God has a Very Special Plan for the United States <http://realclearworld.com/topic/around_the_world/united_states/?utm_source= rcw&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=rcwautolink> of America, and that we are, in some respects, a Chosen People. I don't believe this, at least not in the way most people do (if America is exceptional, it's in a "to whom much is given, much is expected" way, not a triumphalist-nationalist way), but it is quite common. I'm certain that on this point, there's not a dime's worth of difference between Romney and any Republican candidate who stands a chance of being his party's nominee. Anyway, it is especially offensive, at least to me, to hear Christians speak of Mormonism as a "cult." Usually when you hear that word being applied to a church or religious group, it's designed not to describe, but solely to marginalize. Was it Tom Wolfe who said that a "cult" is a religious group without political power? That's mostly right. I think cults really do exist, and can be identified in part by their overweening desire to be secretive and controlling of their adherents -- e.g., Scientology. (It should be noted that one can find cultish behavior within mainstream religions too.) But I think the Guardian blogger Andrew Brown is more or less correct when he says that a "cult" can be defined sociologically as being far from a society's mainstream -- though by that definition, one would have to call the Amish a "cult," and maybe even cloistered Catholic and Orthodox monks and nuns a "cult"? Anybody want to do that? Anybody? Didn't think so. So why so hard on the Mormons? Especially given that it's hard to find a more idealistically American group of people anywhere in this country. The sociologist Robert Bellah writes in his new book that the test of the truth of a particular religion is the kind of people it produces. Bellah is not really making a theological statement -- I doubt very much that Bellah, an Episcopalian, believes in the foundational mythology of the LDS church -- but rather a sociological one. Few people are ever converted by rational theological discourse alone. Rather, it's more common to look at the lives of people who profess that religion, to find them admirable or otherwise inviting, then open oneself up to the beliefs that produce that way of living. In my experience, Mormonism produces exemplary people, the kind who form stable families and strong communities, and who make good neighbors. I do not believe in Mormonism, nor do I have the slightest interest in becoming Mormon. That Mormons tend to be good people does not make their doctrines true. But inasmuch as Mormons -- and I'm generalizing here -- tend to produce people who are often better Christians, in terms of their behavior, than the more orthodox expressions within the Christian tradition, should make thoughtful Christians consider what truth may exist within Mormonism, and what we may learn about how to live well from the Mormon experience. For example, while Mormons in general have a divorce rate about the same as everybody else, those Mormons who marry in a temple service are far, far more likely to stay married. The Los Angeles Times once explored the reasons for that, and they're truly admirable. Note that there is nothing explicitly theological about any of these practices; any Christian who took his or her own tradition seriously could pull this off too. But these Mormon practices leading to strong marriages and healthy families grow out of theological convictions, cultural coherence, and social solidarity. The rest of us have a lot to learn from Mormons on living out marriage and family life. It's easy for me to see why many Christians strongly deny Mormon theological claims; it is very difficult for me to understand why so many Christians look at Mormons with such hostility and disdain, given the kind of people who tend to be faithful Mormons. To call Mormonism a "cult" is polemical, spiteful, and simply inaccurate. Still, as a matter of life in the public square, Mormons ought to be welcomed, because I look at their lives and works and see people with whom I might disagree strongly, but who also, in the way they live out their faith, strengthen American life. Rod Dreher is a Senior Editor for the American Conservative. -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
