How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Rob said on the podcast recently that we will all learn about the 'weirdness' of the Mormon faith from now until Election Day.
There are antidotes – antivenoms, if you wish, but for my suggestion of how to deal with the anticipated attack on the Mormon faith, I will need to reveal a deep secret: I watch The Bachelorette. And since few males watch this program, the conservative male opinion leaders may miss a wonderful opportunity to influence the very important demographic of women voters.
If you can bear to get through a few facts from a reality show, you will see why I am flagging it for attention. Sunday was the season finale and Emily picked her fiancé. She chose Jef, with one f. Why care?
Jef, with one f, is a Mormon. The Bachelorette picked a Mormon!
Again, why care?
Millions of women watched this season over the past 10 weeks, two hours per show. When they found out Jef Holm was a Mormon, at first, the comment boards filled up with “Mormonism is like Scientology” and “Mormons are weird.” As the season continued, it became clear that Jef was fun, had a keen sense of style, and was well-liked by the other male contestants. The show visited Jef’s home and the Mormon clan were not wearing all black, but looked rather as if they had just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren catalog, American flag style. They were loving, family-oriented, good looking (not strange) people who welcomed Emily to the family ranch. Jef even got Emily to shoot guns!
But I digress.
Millions of women watched Jef court Emily in a respectful manner. He refused the sleepover in the Fantasy Suite. He is also not moving in with her now that the show is over. In the many years of this reality show, this male behavior has never been displayed ... until Jef, the Mormon.
When I posted a comment that Jef is teaching America how to court and prepare for a long marriage, I received a deluge of “likes.”
As I type this, millions of women are tweeting and blogging about Jef. Imagine if this social media conversation became blogs, tweets and YouTube videos about Jef, the Mormon. Emily, The Bachelorette, picked Mormon values over the handsome race car driver because, she said "I could see the long term commitment."
Ricochet talks about using popular culture to teach conservative principles and Jef is a very good example. We are told that elections are won on trivial, emotional points, like JFK looking tanned and relaxed on TV, while Nixon looked sweaty. If the story of Jef, the Mormon, and Emily could get promoted while the MSM is trying to begin the “Mormonism is weird” story, the bubble would burst very quickly. Women would not want their Jef attacked.
Final question, as Peter would say: Do you think Jef also kind of looks like Romney?
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Comments:
May '12
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Way weirder, because putting your courtship on national tv is clearly the best foundation for a long-term relationship.
The Bachelorette and Bachelor are nothing but 'chick porn' as they play up outrageously unrealistic fantasies tailored for women.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 2:25amMar '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Hey! Don't pick on me!
More seriously, the things that make Hasidim extreme today have almost nothing to do with religion; they are offshoots of the political/welfare system of government in the US and Israel. Hasidim a mere 50 years ago could be described as "quaint" or uneducated. But there is nothing extreme about hasidic beliefs per se.
Jul '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
I really don't care what Mormons believe. I had an epiphany at university, when a Roman Catholic woman on a first date (I'm Lutheran) called me a member of a "mongrel religion". There was no second date.
Mormons believe what they believe, and I'm not going to belabor it. I'll save my energy for those that want to kill me for what I believe.
Every experience I've had with Mormons has been good. They're polite and well educated, and hard working.
Of the things in life I get excited about, Mormonism is so low on the scale that it can barely be detected. If there are things wrong with Romney, that's probably 56 on the list.
Apr '12
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
What's the difference between being excommunicated and resigning? I mean, is it just a "who broke up with whom" thing, or is there an actual, practical upshot?
I'm an apostate Mormon, but I didn't formally apostatize until I'd already been a practicing Catholic for four years. There was never any question of returning; it's just that it never really occurred to me to investigate the formalities, until somehow the local ward here in St. Paul got my records and started trying to "reactivate" me. That was a waste of everyone's time, so I looked online for info about apostatizing formally. The website that told me how to do it was extremely bitter and alarmist, and included, among other things, the recommendation that I threaten to sue if the LDS Church said anything about excommunication! That seemed silly, and rather cheeky as well. I mean, they can't stop me from leaving, but why should it be my prerogative to declare how the Mormons term my departure?
Anyway, I sent a very polite letter to the local LDS bishop, tendering my resignation (as it were). Never heard from them again.
Dec '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
iWc
Hey! Don't pick on me!
More seriously, the things that make Hasidim extreme today have almost nothing to do with religion; they are offshoots of the political/welfare system of government in the US and Israel. Hasidim a mere 50 years ago could be described as "quaint" or uneducated. But there is nothing extreme about hasidic beliefs per se. · 1 minute
I made no negative comment about Hasidim; in fact, I was trying to defend religious beliefs that are considered "outside the main stream." I spent many years in NYC on West End Avenue/Riverside Drive (more Orthodox) and shopped the jewelry district in Williamsburg. Hasidim welcomed my business but refused to look me in the eye or shake my hand. And that is... okay, even though I consider the refusal to interact with others on the most superficial level to be an example of extreme behavior in this country.
Mar '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
I don't find the LDS disturbing at all. Had some come around to talk;I was polite and thanked them for their concern. Never had them offer to cut off my head unless I converted. Used to be with an ex-LDS. His parents & siblings left the church at the same time. His LDS relatives were always lovely to be around. I liked them much more than his ex-LDS relatives.
May '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
I have admired all of the Mormons I have known well. My attitude to the faith in a more general sense follows Mark Twain who said after visiting Salt Lake City, that any man who marries more than one of these women deserves to call himself a later day saint. There is much than can be ridiculed and disparaged in any religion. Changing the subject, is the Bachorlette the same woman every year or does it just look like that?
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Rachel Lu: I'm an apostate Mormon, but I didn't formally apostatize until I'd already been a practicing Catholic for four years. There was never any question of returning; it's just that it never really occurred to me to investigate the formalities, until somehow the local ward here in St. Paul got my records and started trying to "reactivate" me. That was a waste of everyone's time, so I looked online for info about apostatizing formally. The website that told me how to do it was extremely bitter and alarmist, and included, among other things, the recommendation that I threaten to sue if the LDS Church said anything about excommunication! That seemed silly, and rather cheeky as well. I mean, they can't stop me from leaving, but why should it be my prerogative to declare how the Mormons term my departure?
Anyway, I sent a very polite letter to the local LDS bishop, tendering my resignation (as it were). Never heard from them again. · 1 hour ago
Do you mean you stopped getting home visits or you got a confirmation you'd been removed from the rolls? Asking for a friend ...
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
By the way, I think everyone who is any way associated with The Bachelor/Bachelorette (and on some days this includes viewers) is weird. Sorry. But it's weird.
Apr '12
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Do you mean you stopped getting home visits or you got a confirmation you'd been removed from the rolls? Asking for a friend ... · 57 minutes ag
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I never got any kind of confirmation or even acknowledgement of receipt of my letter. But I assume they got it, because they stopped sending me mailings and trying to visit.
Nov '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
My first wife was raised mainstream Mormon, but left LDS before we met. We were married only a couple of years and divorced fortysome years ago. I've not had much contact with Mormons since then, so perhaps they are different nowadays.
My report is absolutely anecdotal, but also absolutely true.
Her family was surpassing strange. (Perhaps they acted even more strangely toward me because I'm Native American.) They had difficulty integrating their lives with contemporary society, specifically they had problems handling temptations of modern culture. When they were good Mormons, they were quite good, but when they fell off the wagon, so to speak, they went nuts. For example, when her brother strayed from the church, he started hanging out with bikers and strippers. When she was a teenager, my exwife's father molested her, and a few of her friends as well. She was emotionally scarred for life and blamed it all on LDS.
My impression of strict, demanding religion, of whatever variety, is that it regularly produces people who are good, but failing that, will often produce people exceptionally bad.
To me, believing in God is natural as breathing, but believing any religion is weird.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 7:18amMay '10
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Not quite accurate. George Romney's parents were monogamists, although they lived in the Mormon colonies in northern Mexico which were established by Mormon polygamists to escape from US federal prosecution. George Romney did have polygamist grandparents.
May '10
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Tamara Jackson:
I absolutely concur. The Morman faith is not a Christian faith; it is in fact an easily disprovable cult. And yet Mormans are usually great citizens and family people. I will be voting for Romney for (a conservative) president, not theologian. · 7 hours ago
I'm a Mormon, and I assure you that my faith is Christian. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior, believe His teachings, acknowledge His grace as the source of my hope and salvation, and strive to follow His example above all others.
With respect: it doesn't matter to me if Tamara Jackson believes I'm a Christian. It only matters to me if Christ does.
Dec '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Mont McNeil
Not quite accurate. George Romney's parents were monogamists, although they lived in the Mormon colonies in northern Mexico which were established by Mormon polygamists to escape from US federal prosecution. George Romney did have polygamist grandparents.
I stand corrected, but you're missing my point.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 6:46amJun '12
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
I too am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I continue to be amused at how many times my fellow Ricochet members seem psychologically compelled to use epithets like "not Christian" or "cult" to describe us Mormons. But after eighteen decades I think we're getting pretty used to being intentionally or willfully misunderstood. I for one keep trying to cultivate a little more goodwill and tolerance, day by day, with hope that I don't return the sentiment. I claim this is true for most of my fellow believers, too.
I have never watched The Bachelorette; which might make me weird, but if I had watched it you might think that makes me weird, too? I guess I'll just have to learn to embrace my inner weird.
Jun '10
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
All I know is, if there's anyplace in America where you can still leave your home's doors unlocked, day or night, home or gone, and not have your stuff walk off, it's probably one of those places in Idaho that's about 99% Mormon. Whether it's authentically Christian (i.e. trinitarian) or not, God is at work whenever such kindness and decency still prevail. That's brother/sister Christian enough for this non-theologian. Their Scriptures are a little weird, they don't speak to me, but the result is good.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 7:28amMay '10
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
EThompson
Mont McNeil
Not quite accurate. George Romney's parents were monogamists, although they lived in the Mormon colonies in northern Mexico which were established by Mormon polygamists to escape from US federal prosecution. George Romney did have polygamist grandparents.
I stand corrected, but you're missing my point. · 9 hours ago
Edited 8 hours ago
I get and agree with your point. I was just correcting your factual error.
Apr '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
EThompson
Mont McNeil
Not quite accurate. George Romney's parents were monogamists, although they lived in the Mormon colonies in northern Mexico which were established by Mormon polygamists to escape from US federal prosecution. George Romney did have polygamist grandparents.
I stand corrected, but you're missing my point. · 11 hours ago
Edited 11 hours ago
I thought that the error
a: wasn't an error; if I live in a communal setting with my polygamous grandfather, I'm living in a polygamous family even if neither my parents nor my siblings forsake all others excepting the ones that they don't.
and b: was actually a pretty good way of making the point. I've read a few bios of George W. Bush, and I've read a few of Romney. All the Romney bios talked about his great great great great grandfather, whereas I have no recollection of Bush bios going beyond Grandpa.
It's a healthy thing not to know about a politician's extended family. Where we do learn a lot, it's, I believe, always been because of hate and bigotry (see, eg., Palin). Although, in Mitt's case, he's kinda proud of them.
Apr '11
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
I fully agree with the bit about Mormons. The weirdest thing about Mormons, by far, is their distinctive kindness and goodness.
I disagree with the suggestion that you can't do this in gentile areas. Canvassing in rural New Hampshire, we would often come across places where the door was not merely unlocked, but actually open, with no one inside. Since these were small houses with large windows, we could feel pretty confident that they weren't hiding from us, and they were out of view of their neighbors. Their large TV screens were safe because the people were good. To me, amazing.
Jul '12
Re: How Weird is Being a Mormon? The Bachelorette's Opinion.
Not to necro a thread, but is anybody surprised that this is another bachelor relationship that went up in flames?