The Ward Weirdo and other stereotypes?

[Just This Guy]

Completely agree with you, Alas. One of the many reasons I stopped going to church was because the number of radicalized political people kept increasing, and they always managed to work their extremist beliefs into their talks. It just became miserable to listen to them. It was not uplifting, edifying, or spiritually nourishing in the slightest. It was just toxic. - Wndr.

I'm not sure how much is from just Mormon tribalism mixed with small town life and how much is due to our proximity to Washington DC, but politics was rather crazy in my ward before I left.

One example is around 2009, during the passage of the ACA, there was a lot of BS going in DC that I heard a lot about because is it only 2.5 hours away. This was during the phase while I was inactive, but DW took the kids to church. At one point there was a big rally in DC that featured a Glen Beck* as a speaker. One of the local Mormon royalty ladies when to this rally. The following Sunday in FTM, she got up and spoke about how "Glen Beck spoke with the voice of God." DW was rather put off with that. For someone in local leadership, it seamed like an abuse of her position, but the ward just soaked it up. Between this and a few other instances, DW joined my as inactive soon after.


* I never got into Glen Beck, even in my more conservative days. There were several times I tried listening to his radio show, but I would listen for 10+ minutes of him going on and on but ever able to figure out what point he was trying to make. The weird part is he reminded me of my father's HC talks. He never prepared a talk. He would get up and would go "as the spirit lead him." In reality, he was talk for 10 minutes about a bunch of random stuff and close when his time was up. He never actually made a point or taught anything useful. Glen Beck's radio program was like that. Lots of droning on and on, but no central idea behind it.

[LSOF]

It's weird that they're all anticommunist, because the utopian condition of the Lehites as described in 4 Nephi is almost exactly like Marx' ideal of the stateless, classless, moneyless society where property is held in common and everyone contributes according to his ability and receives according to his need. I know the typical Mormon line is "Marxism is a satanic counterfeit of the United Order", but it's still weird.

[Wonderment]

It's weird that they're all anticommunist, because the utopian condition of the Lehites as described in 4 Nephi is almost exactly like Marx' ideal of the stateless, classless, moneyless society where property is held in common and everyone contributes according to his ability and receives according to his need. I know the typical Mormon line is "Marxism is a satanic counterfeit of the United Order", but it's still weird.

I never saw it that before, but it's true ! That would be funny if someone gave a talk on how 4 Nephi utopian prophecies can come true if only the "Medicare For All" bill ( or some other proposed legislation of "the squad" is passed). We should now all become Democratic Socialists in order to support the Lehites..........

[moksha]

I know the typical Mormon line is "Marxism is a satanic counterfeit of the United Order", but it's still weird.

Good point. As proof, Marx did not have child brides.

[Angel]

The *secret* addiction support group guys, who greet and hug one another in front of their humiliated wives, in front of the kids they are currently abusing.

[wtfluff]

It's weird that they're all anticommunist, because the utopian condition of the Lehites as described in 4 Nephi is almost exactly like Marx' ideal of the stateless, classless, moneyless society where property is held in common and everyone contributes according to his ability and receives according to his need. I know the typical Mormon line is "Marxism is a satanic counterfeit of the United Order", but it's still weird.

I love it when a believer has a moment of clarity and blurts out: "The United Order is just like Communism!"

If I'm in a setting where I can reply, I just like to say: "Yes it is." and watch the Cognitive Dissonance churn in their eyes. If I want to poke the bear a bit more it can be fun to drop something along the lines of: "Isn't it funny how none of the MORmON communities that tried out MORmON Communism were successful?"

[moksha]

It's weird that they're all anticommunist, ...

TBMs will point out the communist nature of using mini-pup tents and sleeping bags to address homelessness.

[Cnsl1]

I think that communism and socialism have just become words for Mormons (and some Republicans) to rail against without really understanding the concepts. I also used to like to watch the cognitive dissonance when TBMs discuss the United Order.

To be fair.. I'm no political scientist so probably don't really understand the concepts either at more than a basic level. But it sure seemed like Jesus lived and taught a lifestyle more socialistic and less capitalistic. Of course, that was a different time and place, and fortunately for us we have modern day prophets to help us understand why it's important to accumulate a shit load of money for God's kingdom on earth. When Jesus comes back, he's gonna need some cash, ya'll. He is not gonna look like a hippie in robes and sandals. Dude gotta sport some sharp threads and they aren't cheap.

Speaking of ward weirdos... the guy who dresses like Jesus. Don't do that unless it's for a Sunday School lesson.

[alas]

I think that communism and socialism have just become words for Mormons (and some Republicans) to rail against without really understanding the concepts. I also used to like to watch the cognitive dissonance when TBMs discuss the United Order.

To be fair.. I'm no political scientist so probably don't really understand the concepts either at more than a basic level. But it sure seemed like Jesus lived and taught a lifestyle more socialistic and less capitalistic. Of course, that was a different time and place, and fortunately for us we have modern day prophets to help us understand why it's important to accumulate a shit load of money for God's kingdom on earth. When Jesus comes back, he's gonna need some cash, ya'll. He is not gonna look like a hippie in robes and sandals. Dude gotta sport some sharp threads and they aren't cheap.

Speaking of ward weirdos... the guy who dresses like Jesus. Don't do that unless it's for a Sunday School lesson.

Some day when some old coot is yakking against the evils of socialism, I want to ask them if we should get rid of all socialism in the US. Then point out to them that their social security, their Medicare, the fire department, their police, their grandchildren’s school, roads, …..yeah that’s all evil socialism.

[Cnsl1]

I had the pleasure of observing an awesome 25 minute testimony today from one of our ward weirdos. Detailed Vietnam battle story. It was great. I'm sure it made the visiting stake president counselor a little nervous, and I'm sure it kept some other folks in their seats (only 4 total testimonies were given today), but it was worth the price of admission.

[Mormorrisey]

My God. I just came to the realization that I'M the ward weirdo. I'm the guy with all the esoteric church history knowledge and is not shy to share it.

Oh well. I guess I'll just embrace my role.