Mormons are cool. They like Jesus, they help people, and try to do what's best for the world. I was Mormon for twenty two and a half years of my life. Now, there are a lot of Mormons, and the best part about them is that unlike a lot of the people in this world, they are pretty strong in keeping to their beliefs. and I respect that. Sure, they make mistakes, but so does everyone.
I like Mormons. I don't like their culture, however.
To be more specific, I don't like Utah Mormon culture. There's something about Utah Mormon culture that is just stinky, something that just isn't right. And I think I understand what it is now. I went to my mission in Japan, where approximately 0.2 percent of the population is LDS (Latter Day Saints). The people there were strict, hard working, but also very loving. Specifically, the members there were incredible people who I really grew to love. Now, I can't say this for all of them, but most of them were very warm and accepting people. They were like Utah Mormons in a lot of ways, but there was something different about them.
Japanese Mormons weren't as judgmental. Living outside of Utah (a place I've lived for twenty years) was a real eye opener for me, and it helped me to see exactly what I dislike about Utah Mormon culture. They judge everyone. If someone smokes, or drinks, or swears, or does something a little bit bad, you'll know about it. They tell everyone, and they talk about them. They shun those that don't believe in their church, or they silently judge the people that make different life choices. I was talking to a non member friend who said that she feels like Mormons actually hate her because she's not a Mormon. I'm gonna assume that there are some Mormons actually reading this, so I want you to actually think about that before continue reading. How many non-Mormon friends do you actually have? This isn't an attack on you. Just think about it. Think about this. How would you feel if you were rejected because you were Mormon? If you were rejected because you believed in Joseph Smith and God and Jesus Christ? More often than not, this doesn't happen in places outside of Utah. I have so many friends, including friends from my mission that are from places like Australia, California, Arizona, Brazil, and that sort of stuff didn't happen to them.
To be frank, this is a very unique problem to Utah. People are judged for their beliefs all the time when they're doing exactly what they feel is right for them. What happened to love the sinner, hate the sin? What happened to forgiveness, to looking for the good in people? Granted, there are exceptions to this rule, but this is without a doubt the rule. And it hurts people. Judging actually hurts. Now I'm not some snowflake that gets offended by everything, but I am sick and tired of the minority in Utah getting hurt all the time. Why does a culture that is taught to love everyone have such a dark side to it? There's a reason people leave the church because they're offended all time. There's a reason so many non Mormons in Utah can't stand Mormons.
Do I really have to keep going with this and spell it out to everyone? It's because other peoples' lives, and how they live those lives are none of your damn business. And even if you know what's going on in someone's life, it's not your business to judge them. Didn't Christ say "judge not, lest ye be judge with that same judgement with which you have judge?" I long for the day when Mormons and non-Mormons can come together and be friends without judgement, without one side thinking they're "holier than though."
I don't hate Mormons. But I hate a culture that judges other people for just about everything they do. Here's to a hopeful bright future.
-JJ
I like Mormons. I don't like their culture, however.
To be more specific, I don't like Utah Mormon culture. There's something about Utah Mormon culture that is just stinky, something that just isn't right. And I think I understand what it is now. I went to my mission in Japan, where approximately 0.2 percent of the population is LDS (Latter Day Saints). The people there were strict, hard working, but also very loving. Specifically, the members there were incredible people who I really grew to love. Now, I can't say this for all of them, but most of them were very warm and accepting people. They were like Utah Mormons in a lot of ways, but there was something different about them.
Japanese Mormons weren't as judgmental. Living outside of Utah (a place I've lived for twenty years) was a real eye opener for me, and it helped me to see exactly what I dislike about Utah Mormon culture. They judge everyone. If someone smokes, or drinks, or swears, or does something a little bit bad, you'll know about it. They tell everyone, and they talk about them. They shun those that don't believe in their church, or they silently judge the people that make different life choices. I was talking to a non member friend who said that she feels like Mormons actually hate her because she's not a Mormon. I'm gonna assume that there are some Mormons actually reading this, so I want you to actually think about that before continue reading. How many non-Mormon friends do you actually have? This isn't an attack on you. Just think about it. Think about this. How would you feel if you were rejected because you were Mormon? If you were rejected because you believed in Joseph Smith and God and Jesus Christ? More often than not, this doesn't happen in places outside of Utah. I have so many friends, including friends from my mission that are from places like Australia, California, Arizona, Brazil, and that sort of stuff didn't happen to them.
To be frank, this is a very unique problem to Utah. People are judged for their beliefs all the time when they're doing exactly what they feel is right for them. What happened to love the sinner, hate the sin? What happened to forgiveness, to looking for the good in people? Granted, there are exceptions to this rule, but this is without a doubt the rule. And it hurts people. Judging actually hurts. Now I'm not some snowflake that gets offended by everything, but I am sick and tired of the minority in Utah getting hurt all the time. Why does a culture that is taught to love everyone have such a dark side to it? There's a reason people leave the church because they're offended all time. There's a reason so many non Mormons in Utah can't stand Mormons.
Do I really have to keep going with this and spell it out to everyone? It's because other peoples' lives, and how they live those lives are none of your damn business. And even if you know what's going on in someone's life, it's not your business to judge them. Didn't Christ say "judge not, lest ye be judge with that same judgement with which you have judge?" I long for the day when Mormons and non-Mormons can come together and be friends without judgement, without one side thinking they're "holier than though."
I don't hate Mormons. But I hate a culture that judges other people for just about everything they do. Here's to a hopeful bright future.
-JJ
I kinda get what you're saying as someone that has more non-LDS friends than LDS friends. The "Mormon culture" over in Japan was definitely how you described it, but that's basically the Japanese culture without Buddhism. It's about respect, it's strict, and it's humility. I don't want to generalize my country, but for the most part that is how they are going to act. They also like to emphasize how important it is to be an LDS member every day, and not just Sunday. What's the freakin point if you're gonna act like some good Samaritan on Sunday if that's the only day you are like that?
ReplyDeleteThat's one thing I have noticed in this "Utah Mormon culture" that you're talking about. There are a lot of "fake" Mormons, that act all divine and spiritual on Sunday but act like total scum the rest of the week. It makes the church look fake and it hurts to know that there is nothing you can do about it because it's basically none of your business.
These fakers are connected to this judgmental problem that you're seeing; not the biggest connection, but a respectable one. I'm quite judgmental myself. If I see a normie, I am going to assume he/she still laughs at Harambe memes. If I see a hot chick that isn't 100% Japanese, she's a thot. I don't know where I was going with this, but basically the judgments that fake Mormons make on other Mormons that don't share similar lives are ridiculous and sad. Remember, I don't think most Utah Mormons are like this but a good portion of them are - especially the ones with money.
I like these blogs about how you really feel about the LDS church that aren't stupid, mindless rants. I wouldn't mind more, you fak.
(btw, this is Austin if it isn't obvious)
I feel you man. But it's not just that, either. It's the whole atmosphere. It's a fake love. It just feels fake in general. People don't really seem to care about you. Like, leave the church, or say you are, and then you see the people that actually care. It's not a lot, by the way. The numbers are a pretty small percentage of the people you know. Makes me sad.
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