My comments at the bottom.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/faith/50650098-142/religion-campbell-religious-faiths.html.csp

By Peggy Fletcher Stack,The Salt Lake Tribune

"American believers used to fight about theology. Catholics against Protestants. Christians against Jews. Mormons, at times, against everyone else.

Today’s battle lines are more political — evangelical Protestants, for example, join forces with conservative Catholics, Mormons and Orthodox Jews in the fight against same-sex marriage. On the other side are secular nonbelievers, a growing segment of the nation’s young people, who defend individual choices on sexual morality and oppose religious influence in politics.

Despite such polarization, America has not erupted in sectarian or political wars like, say, India, Sudan or the former Yugoslavia. Americans of every persuasion seem to live comfortably with religious tensions.

And that, Robert Putnam of Harvard and David Campbell of Notre Dame argue in a new book, is the great puzzle of U.S. religion...."

"...“As you become friends with people of other faiths,” Campbell said, “you become more accepting towards people of all faiths and no faiths.”

That, the authors say, is America’s grace..."

"...Despite concern about organizing by religious conservatives, for example, liberal clergy are much more likely to speak about political issues over the pulpit.

And while today’s young people of the so-called Millennial Generation are more likely to oppose abortion than their baby boomer parents, they also are highly accepting of homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

Likability factor. According to the research by Putnam and Campbell, Jews are the most broadly popular group in America.

Next come Catholics, who seem to have risen in estimation since John F. Kennedy ran for president. Mainline Protestants are next, followed by evangelicals.

Mormons — who rank near the top for believing there is truth in other religions and for respecting the faiths of others — nonetheless are among the country’s least-liked faiths, along with Buddhists and Muslims.

“After all of the church’s efforts, public relations and attempts to emphasize Mormon goodness and assimilation, we are still the third most-hated religion in America,” said Jana Riess, co-author of Mormonism for Dummies. “We like everyone but almost no one likes us.”

"...“It is clear from the research that Mormons act like an ethnic group,” Campbell said. “That’s where ‘cocooning’ comes in.”

They marry their own and have fewer friends outside the faith.

“As a people,” said Campbell, a Mormon who teaches at a Catholic university, “we need to do more reaching out across faith lines.”..."

----------------------------------------------------

OK, seriously....religion as the great "UNITER"???? You've got to be kidding....

One true Church indeed...

Let me translate some of the findings for Ms Stack (or Sis Stack).

Mormons are one of the most hated because:

1) the religion "grew up" under the very "in your face" claim that all other religions were false, corrupt, and incorrect. This has not changed.

2) Mormons, until recently, referred to non-members (regardless of religious propensity) as "Gentiles".

3) Mormons deploy a 30,000 person missionary force whose "Oooyee, Gooyee" sell tactics disgust most people. Most folks recognize this entire 'missionary' enterprise for what it is...an indoctrination program for young people.

4) Prop 8

5) Unwillingness to open the financial books...ever.

6) Unwillingness to prosecute and eliminate polygamy--and call it deplorable (both on earth and in the hereafter).

7) Unwillingness to "man up" to the MMM....including the recently church financed piece of fiction entitled "Massacre at Mountain Meadows".

8) Haughtiness and arrogance in general.

9) The attempt to export 1950 American dress standards throughout the world.

10) Unwillingness to admit BoM geography is fiction from a 19th century piece of religious literature...or chloroform if you choose.

11) Conduct of "secret" ceremonies--the most heinous being weddings in which loved ones (including mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters) are precluded from attending the wedding ceremony.

12) Believing in magic underwear.

OK that's enough for now....

Perhaps Miss Peggy doesn't know all this....hmmmmmm.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2010 04:48PM by jw the inquizzinator.