I admit I was expecting a lot of snark and condescension from Ben, so I was pleasantly surprised at the tone of this. There are a lot of misconceptions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so it's nice to see the faith portrayed in a charitable light, although I think the young man in the curious tan suit/tie didn't acquit himself as well as he would have liked.
Bottom line, the LDS faith is focused on helping individuals draw nearer to God through faith in Jesus Christ, living a Christlike life through obedience to the commandments, and serving others. In my experience, that tends to create very well-adjusted and likeable people who are very kind and always willing to help when called on. Contrast that to what we see at many of our top universities these days...
Agreed. This was a welcome departure from what I’ve perceived as Ben Kawaller’s blend of snark, defensiveness, and condescension. The Mormons came across well in his showing. I’ve always admired their emphases on traditional family values, good deeds, patriotism, and devotion to their faith. They weren’t always as interested in portraying themselves as wholly Christian, having gone intentionally outside the Bible for their teachings, but they’ve been edging closer. I think the fundamentalist evangelicals should cut them some slack.
Anyway, good on Ben Kawaller for changing his mind to view them more “charitably” - his word.
Wonderful. What a thoughtful and respectful group of people. It seems going on mission has prepared them well to defend their beliefs and gently try to persuade. It's almost as though debating big ideas with skeptics has sharpened their interpersonal and debating skills.
And on a more superficial note, compare their personal hygiene and appearance to that of their "peers" in college encampments. The only one who looked like a hobo was one of the loons protesting the LDS.
Well done, Ben. I even liked the mint green coat. Way to say you're gay without saying you're gay.
Thank you for this. In a media world that does so enjoy mocking what it doesn't like, understand, or even care to attempt to understand, it's nice when every so often an outsider tries. It it's greatly appreciated.
P.S. some of the faith you spoke to may have seemed embarrassed by the church's stance on gay marriage or LGB(T) issues, many of us are not, but we are doing a better job at loving and expressing our humanity and extending grace towards others...just as we hope to receive the same love and grace. Sadly, there are others still who haven't figured that part out yet. In other words, we are a mix just as diverse as any other group of 17 million people.
I have thought for a long time that if one rated major religions solely by the average of the sorts of people and citizens their adherents are, Mormonism would be in second place (after Judaism). Most Mormons I have known have been honest, productive, self reliant, nice people and good neighbors. My wife and I used to joke that when you drive through a small Mormon town in Utah or Idaho, you notice that even the stray animals are clean. There is a lot there to respect and admire.
As a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanks for visiting general conference! Our little family loves watching the broadcast from home each spring & fall. The Church and the Book of Mormon are gifts from Jesus Christ that have blessed our family greatly. God bless America & civil discourse.
If by, "the last normal Republican presidential nominee" you mean, "a spineless gutter rat who will abandon all of his principles to achieve power" then I agree. That IS a normal presidential nominee (of either party). It doesn't make them good for the country but, yup, definitely normal.
Governor Romney of MA was someone who I could respect even if I didn't always agree. Presidential candidate Romney was just another drone produced by the party factory.
Aw, man. That kid was not a great representative of the LDS church. Some are a little more thoughtful about their faith. But bottom line, Mormons are kind, hard working people, who focus on pursuing happiness for themselves and others. That’s why they’re so sunny and delightful.
St. Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.... 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
While the Mormons believe in some odd theology, cosmology, and eschatology -- it is not orthodox Christianity by any stretch, they follow the Laws of Noah (Judaism's laws for humanity in general) pretty well, and their community stability and benevolence is a good example. If you had to pick between a Mormon or a Hamas neighbor, it's a no-brainer -- fill the neighborhood with Mormons.
So the atheist found unexpected alignment with LDS folks, in contrast to the common enemy "evangelicals." Such typical bashing of Christians is quite tiresome, cliche, and offensive.
I've known and work for Mormons. Great Fine folks. BUT As that woman said LDS is a Heresy. Its a form of Arianism. Basically they are not Trinitarian (ie Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
An important point for me was that yes, evangelical Christians have posed more political and cultural threats over the years of my life, then has the LDS. That said, I’m not as generous as our author, because well, he notes that the LDS have been softening up on the gaze in recent years, he doesn’t mention, or perhaps he doesn’t understand, that this softening was in fact, a consequence of many years of LGBTQ lead protest against the policies touted by the LDS and against the LDS itself. In order to try to defend itself, even in Utah, the LDS has admittedly shown itself, capable of compromising, uncertain things, because they understand much of the culture is against some of their beliefs. And that regard, they are much more likely to compromise than evangelical Christians, and you can take from that what you will.
I admit I was expecting a lot of snark and condescension from Ben, so I was pleasantly surprised at the tone of this. There are a lot of misconceptions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so it's nice to see the faith portrayed in a charitable light, although I think the young man in the curious tan suit/tie didn't acquit himself as well as he would have liked.
Bottom line, the LDS faith is focused on helping individuals draw nearer to God through faith in Jesus Christ, living a Christlike life through obedience to the commandments, and serving others. In my experience, that tends to create very well-adjusted and likeable people who are very kind and always willing to help when called on. Contrast that to what we see at many of our top universities these days...
Agreed. This was a welcome departure from what I’ve perceived as Ben Kawaller’s blend of snark, defensiveness, and condescension. The Mormons came across well in his showing. I’ve always admired their emphases on traditional family values, good deeds, patriotism, and devotion to their faith. They weren’t always as interested in portraying themselves as wholly Christian, having gone intentionally outside the Bible for their teachings, but they’ve been edging closer. I think the fundamentalist evangelicals should cut them some slack.
Anyway, good on Ben Kawaller for changing his mind to view them more “charitably” - his word.
Wonderful. What a thoughtful and respectful group of people. It seems going on mission has prepared them well to defend their beliefs and gently try to persuade. It's almost as though debating big ideas with skeptics has sharpened their interpersonal and debating skills.
And on a more superficial note, compare their personal hygiene and appearance to that of their "peers" in college encampments. The only one who looked like a hobo was one of the loons protesting the LDS.
Well done, Ben. I even liked the mint green coat. Way to say you're gay without saying you're gay.
Thank you for this. In a media world that does so enjoy mocking what it doesn't like, understand, or even care to attempt to understand, it's nice when every so often an outsider tries. It it's greatly appreciated.
P.S. some of the faith you spoke to may have seemed embarrassed by the church's stance on gay marriage or LGB(T) issues, many of us are not, but we are doing a better job at loving and expressing our humanity and extending grace towards others...just as we hope to receive the same love and grace. Sadly, there are others still who haven't figured that part out yet. In other words, we are a mix just as diverse as any other group of 17 million people.
I have thought for a long time that if one rated major religions solely by the average of the sorts of people and citizens their adherents are, Mormonism would be in second place (after Judaism). Most Mormons I have known have been honest, productive, self reliant, nice people and good neighbors. My wife and I used to joke that when you drive through a small Mormon town in Utah or Idaho, you notice that even the stray animals are clean. There is a lot there to respect and admire.
As a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanks for visiting general conference! Our little family loves watching the broadcast from home each spring & fall. The Church and the Book of Mormon are gifts from Jesus Christ that have blessed our family greatly. God bless America & civil discourse.
If by, "the last normal Republican presidential nominee" you mean, "a spineless gutter rat who will abandon all of his principles to achieve power" then I agree. That IS a normal presidential nominee (of either party). It doesn't make them good for the country but, yup, definitely normal.
Governor Romney of MA was someone who I could respect even if I didn't always agree. Presidential candidate Romney was just another drone produced by the party factory.
Aw, man. That kid was not a great representative of the LDS church. Some are a little more thoughtful about their faith. But bottom line, Mormons are kind, hard working people, who focus on pursuing happiness for themselves and others. That’s why they’re so sunny and delightful.
Agree. Curious then that he appears to get the most air time. I could easily do without the Ben series.
Even superficially, it's nice to see a bunch of people who avoid drugs, tattoos, and extreme body modification.
In my experience, Mormons are the kindest people on earth.
St. Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.... 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
While the Mormons believe in some odd theology, cosmology, and eschatology -- it is not orthodox Christianity by any stretch, they follow the Laws of Noah (Judaism's laws for humanity in general) pretty well, and their community stability and benevolence is a good example. If you had to pick between a Mormon or a Hamas neighbor, it's a no-brainer -- fill the neighborhood with Mormons.
So the atheist found unexpected alignment with LDS folks, in contrast to the common enemy "evangelicals." Such typical bashing of Christians is quite tiresome, cliche, and offensive.
If Billy Eichner was smarter and gay he’d be Ben Kawaller.
I've known and work for Mormons. Great Fine folks. BUT As that woman said LDS is a Heresy. Its a form of Arianism. Basically they are not Trinitarian (ie Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
What about the LDS member from Africa?
?
Just delightful! Ben's videos are one of my favorite things about TFP. A pithy, entertaining yet enriching break from hard news. Thanks!
Hillarious. Nails it everytime!
An important point for me was that yes, evangelical Christians have posed more political and cultural threats over the years of my life, then has the LDS. That said, I’m not as generous as our author, because well, he notes that the LDS have been softening up on the gaze in recent years, he doesn’t mention, or perhaps he doesn’t understand, that this softening was in fact, a consequence of many years of LGBTQ lead protest against the policies touted by the LDS and against the LDS itself. In order to try to defend itself, even in Utah, the LDS has admittedly shown itself, capable of compromising, uncertain things, because they understand much of the culture is against some of their beliefs. And that regard, they are much more likely to compromise than evangelical Christians, and you can take from that what you will.