Mormonism

[mikey4444]

Just heard a young black British Mormon being interviewed on the Today program and he was quite unable to answer two of the questions put to him ::

1 Are women able to progress in the Mormon church
2 Why were black people excluded from the Mormon church until the 1970's

He seemed a cheery little chap but he waffled on for few minutes. Not sure what the BBC was trying to achieve this morning ?

[boxtops]

I didn't hear it, but they're probably being inclusive, making sure they get representations from all faiths on the God slot in the mornings.

[EDDIE51]

I have worked with several mormons, the women are expected to stay home and look after the children, it is worse than Islam in that respect.

[mikey4444]

Thanks but it wasn't the usual 07:50 "God slot" but a proper interview. I'm not entirely sure about this but I don't think the Mormons are allowed onto the official "God slot" as they are not on the usual lists of approved religions. The interview was concerning the success of the Book of Mormon show in the West End. It just seemed rather pointless.

[naomi24]

I didn't catch the interview, but I doubt he was 'unable' to answer the questions. It's more likely he was reluctant to answer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_people_and_Mormonism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_and_Mormonism

Incidentally, unlike Eddie, I wouldn’t consider Mormonism to be worse than Islam in its treatment of women in that respect.

[jake-the-peg]

I heard it - he wasn't really expecting to be on the spot like that and made a fairly good hash at responding considering he wasn't a professional PR man.

As he pointed out albeit in a roundabout way women in the clergy is contentious in many religions - no female Anglican bishops, no RC Bishops at all.

As for discrimination, well many churches have history they're not proud of! it's not actually surprising given the history of segregation in America as the source of mormonism - I doubt the interviewee was even born in 1974!

I suspect the BBC was trying to get away from the predictable 'you have many wives' mormon questions and treat them as seriously as any other religion whilst still putting some tough questions later on regarding secrecy.

Personally I'd've been more likely to ask questions about all that rot in the book of mormon about lost tribes of Israel running about in America and Jesus going there for a visit after the crucifixion

If you've never looked at the book of mormon trust me, it's a scream!

[China Doll]

Randomly a lot poster/banner things have appeared at Charring Cross recently advertising being a mormon. Quite disconcerting when I first noticed them this morning (although with my observation record, they've probably actually been there for months!)

[naomi24]

China, the Mormons are very cleverly jumping on the bandwagon of the success of the London show 'The Book of Mormon', and using the opportunity to advertise their religion.

[China Doll]

Ahhhh.... wondered where it all sprang from.

[mikey4444]

The questions that were asked were fairly basic and any Mormon should have had no problem in answering them. But I wonder why the Church didn't provide a more capable representative to explain these rather strange beliefs that they have. I am dying to know more about the Magic Underpants !