How Latter-day Saints Are Culturally Different
Introduction:
Hi, I’m Nia and in class we are discussing the subcultures and how they are minorities. We are working in a group to later put our information obtained together in a larger project. My focus is on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints more commonly known as Mormons. Members of this church are ridiculed in the way they practice the religion, and how they go about their everyday lives. They are very steadfast in what they do because they feel they have been forgiven for so much and feel they are indebted to the cause. They come against a lot of scrutiny. The things they are taught and trained to believe and live is done first class, they have to be strong, which motivates them to spread the word of Christ.
Body:
Just a little background about me in relation to this topic. My mother and I were baptized in 2015, my grandparents followed suit about a year afterwards. It was a real mind opener seeing my grandfather get baptized because he was never into religion. Before I was baptized the missionaries would come to our house everyday of the week. My mom was convince after the first week and first Sunday, but me not so much, it took about two months for there to be any variation in my believes. I used to strictly believe in the science of how the world began, big bang theory and all. Despite my previous believes, the missionaries coming to my house everyday and instilling their beliefs and supporting their cause, really showed me how powerful and meaningful this religion could be. In the back of my head there was always this question, how do I follow the so the called “rules” of this religion and still be able to live my life how I chose? Like how I portray myself in public, online, and in the church. There was study done by Royce Kimmons for the Journal for the Scientific Study for Religion, that speaks on expressing yourself on Twitter. Kimmons states that, “LDS are encouraged to use social media to clarify misconceptions about themselves and their faith” (Kimmons 638). Kimmons suggests that there is not large market for LDS online because of the fear of rejection. Social media emits negativity, which steers people away from wanting to express how and what they practice. The author also suggests, “LDS are counseled to use social media with wisdom and restraint,” and “overuse of social media have been warned against for the potential destructive influence that they can have on family and interpersonal relationships” (Kimmons 638). Social media has a large impact on the last two generations. People use it as an outlet, so for good, some for bad. The good is what is encouraged of the members of my generation.
There was study done by William Bradshaw which contends how LDS members have evolved over the years despite the many efforts of any anti-evolution members. This article wants to help people, or anti-evolution members, to understand that this religion is evolving just like any other. It goes into detail about the involvement of religion into college level classes, in a “faith-friendly atmosphere” (Bradshaw 1). It is believed that there is in importance in religious schooling just as much as there is an importance for science in schooling. Students from the Brigham Young University stated that they had more comfort from their parents about the evolution of the Mormonism. I have witnessed first hand with my friends that are members parent becoming more lenient with how they push their kids in the religion in hopes of not completely turning their children away from the practice. Anti-evolution members want strictly for their children to follow as they did, going to the three hours worth of church on Sunday, no smoking, drinking, drugs and even coffee, really anything that alters the mind.
In conclusion:
There are many stigmas you can make from topic you are not educated on. LDS are one of those the topics, yes they have their believes that stick out more than others but they are another branch of Christianity practicing the works of the Holy Bible.
Thank you for listening, I’m Nia Horton