DiscussMormonism.com

http://dcpsicetnon.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-is-utah-so-disliked.html

Dr. Peterson's Blog on why Utah is so disliked

No, I'm quite confident that it's the predominance of Mormons in Utah that has made the place unfashionable, ...

I disagree with Dr. Peterson to some degree. If we use the example of a pile of radioactive tailings as being unpopular, we must ask if it is the pile itself that is unpopular or the radioactivity that it gives off?

Part of the appeal of the LDS Church for Mormons is that we believe ourselves to be the bearers of all truth in matters religious (and political). We have that "one true thing" going for us at all times. It whips our hair back and gives us a sense of pride and identity. We send our Elder teenagers throughout the world to proclaim this message.

At the same time, others may see this as arrogance. While we define being peculiar in our behavior as a good thing, the world does not always agree. Polygamy was a good example of this.

Our popularity might be helped by becoming both as good of neighbors and as non-judgmental of others as we possibly can, and staying out of politics in both deed and word. Going back to that analogy, our pile is better served by not being radioactive. Without that radioactivity we should be as popular as any other pile.

There seems no plausible explanation for this except widespread public disdain for Mormonism.

One wondered when the penny would drop...


Perhaps some of the disdain the public feel towards Mormonism is down to:
Overtones of racism in past doctrine and current scripture.
Baptising people as Mormons without their (or their families permission) after they're dead.
The cultish overtones of Temple rituals.
The condescending nature of Mormonisms claim of being the only true Church.
The donation money spent on commercial interests and leader expenses rather than charitable interests.
The damage done when apologists open their mouths to defend the Church.
The difference between what Mormonism claims as historical fact and actual historical fact.
The increasingly swollen ranks of the people who have escaped from Mormonism and their experiences and stories.
The lies.
The sexism.
The homophobia.

Even when I was a believer I didn't like Utah or Utah Mormons. They always came across to me as equal parts obnoxious and naïve, with a generous helping of aggressive ignorance.

I don't believe Utah is disliked more than any other state.

Morley wrote:

bcspace wrote:I don't believe Utah is disliked more than any other state.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/02/california-americas-least-favorite-state/49002/

"Some highlights: Tropical Hawaii had the highest margin of favorability with 54 percent of voters saying they liked the state and only 10 percent disliking it (+44). It was followed by a distant second Colorado (+35), then Tennessee (+34) and South Dakota (+34), and then Virginia (+32). Voters only had a negative impression of five states: Utah (-3), Mississippi (-6), New Jersey (-7), Illinois (-10), and last and yes, least, California (-17)."

I think you'll find that facts don't determine belief where bcspace is concerned...

It can't be the snow. Utah has the greatest snow on earth... just ask them!

It can't be the shopping. Utah has the greatest shopping on earth... except on Sundays.

It can't be the pristine lakes. Utah has the most pristine lakes on earth... except where they have mining and manufacturing.

It can't be the people. Utah has the most humble, most well adjusted, most caring, most successful people on earth... seriously!

Blame it on those nasty anti-Mormons.

harmony wrote:
Blame it on those nasty anti-Mormons.

what DCP and the newsroom fail to understand is that there really is not a population of anti-mormons. rather, those that speak openly, honestly and frankly about Mormons are unfairly labelled as anti-mormons.

this angle is not going to work for the church, for romney or for DCP.

Do people dislike California cuz of all the Mormons that live there?

just me wrote:Do people dislike California cuz of all the Mormons that live there?

Could be jealousy since they all wish they could be California girls. Things don't have to make sense. Dislike is a very visceral feeling not sprung from analysis.