Just an FYI: Even liberal Christian denominations have a low opinion of Mormonism

[bluestateguy]

It is not just evangelical fundamentalist wingers that have a problem with Mormonism, you will find similar sentiments among liberal mainline Christians too.

The Mormons history of racism, their homophobia, their "baptism of the dead" (including Holocaust victims) and their subordination of women all do not sit well with progressive Christians. That, in addition to their theological beliefs, which mainline Protestants similarly consider to be incorrect and bizarre.

[TheMadMonk]

1. Dunno about batism of the dead, but there are plenty of MAINSTREAM CHRISTIAN...

...sects guilty of the remaining sins and many more besides, including the forcible baptism of the living.

Virtually every Christian sect on the planet, first and foremost defines itself by the people they choose to hate.

[Worship Money]

2. FWIW

I, and if I dare speak for some others, have a low opinion of ALL fundamentally irrational modes of thought. Belief systems that make very large claims for themselves and demands on others, yet fail to offer compensatory (or really any) evidence or rationale. This is not (necessarily) a criticism of any person, but rather of a system.

However, despite what the media tells us, beliefs matter. Beliefs have serious consequences, and they are absolutely fair game with regards to any candidate.

[malthaussen]

3. Old Joke...

One day the Pope's foreign secretary came running into his office and said, "I have good news and bad news."
"All right, all right, tell me the good news," the Pope replied.
"I just got a telephone call from Jesus! He's come back to Earth, the milennium is nigh, the Heavenly City is about to open its gates!"
"But that's wonderful," sputtered the Pope. "What news could be bad after that?"
"He was calling from Salt Lake City."

-- Mal

[RZM]

6. That reminds me of an old Eastern bloc joke

God comes down from heaven in 1988 and simultaneously contacts Ronald Reagan and Erich Honecker (the hard line leader of East Germany).
God says to both: 'The world will end in 3 days.' And then he goes back to heaven.
The next morning both leaders hold high-level meetings and break the news to their top advisers.
Reagan says: 'I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that God exists. The bad news is that the world is ending in 3 days.'
Honecker says: 'I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is that God exists. The good news is that perestroika is ending in 3 days.'

Not really on topic, but your post reminded me of it ;)

[tech5270]

4. I don't know if I'm an outlier or just odd

I'm pretty much mainstream Protestant and had to work with Mormons over the years. There was never any discussion on the fringe ideas that are attributed to their faith, but they were some of the most ethical people and still hold my respect.

[pintobean]

5. Do you have a link to some study

or did you acquire this great knowledge through personal experience?

[RZM]

7. I've often said

I love everything about Mormons but the religious part.

I had lots of Mormon friends in high school. While I can't deny that their ideas are out there, just about every Mormon I knew back then was a good-hearted person who treated people with respect. Subsequent experience has only reinforced those beliefs.

I'm sure there are plenty of Mormons who aren't nice people. But I've never met one.