Those inclined to think of Mormons as a band of zealots bent on amending the Constitution to outlaw cappuccino may never be convinced. Instead, it centers on the distinctive values and characteristics that have come to define Mormons outside the church walls-in their communities, in their careers, and in the culture at large. The pro-Mormon argument doesn’t have anything to do with the quirkier aspects of the sect’s history and practices (special underpants, magic spectacles) the accouterments of any religion can seem wacky when scrutinized in the public square. Kirn suggests we abandon our Magical Underwear feelings in favor of a new, pro-Mormon argument: That must be so hard for them, to have to hide who they are in order to succeed!
This is especially evident in politics, Kirn says, where “15 Mormons currently serving in the U.S Congress” feel they must downplay their Mormonism because Americans won’t vote for Mormons. Kirn writes that “despite the sudden proliferation of Mormons in the mainstream, Mormonism itself isn’t any closer to gaining mainstream acceptance.” Huh, I wonder why. The article’s thesis, it seems, is that Mormons are misunderstood as crazy zealots with personal planets, but due to the people/things represented in a neat-o collage, Mormons are on the verge of “having a moment.”
Mormons Rock!, however, oddly almost inspired me to cry and throw things. … is by Walter Kirn, a journalist who’s work I’ve actually enjoyed for many years now, including most notably Lost in the Meritocracy: How I traded an education for a ticket to the ruling class and The Autumn of the Multi-Taskers, which inspired me to give up multi-tasking for three days. Why Mitt Romney and 6 million Mormons have the secret to success. Senate - and they may win the White House. They’ve conquered Broadway, talk radio, the U.S. And while this isn’t a Setoodeh piece, it’s still another unfortunate example of Newsweek totally alienating gay people! Mormons Rock!, which is described like so…
If you know anything about the Mormon position on LGBT and Women’s Rights, you may have been a bit shocked, as I was, to see this week’s Newsweek cover story: “ The Mormon Moment: How the Outsider Faith Creates Winners.”įeaturing Mitt Romney’s head photoshopped onto the body of a leaping Mormon missionary from the Trey Parker/Matt Stone musical, The Book of Mormon, this feature story was not, as you may have guessed, written by Ramin Setoodeh, a legend in the gay community for the internalized homophobia he’s projected into a number of Newsweek stories, including one about how gay actors can’t play straight roles and another about how a mudrered 15-year old gay boy could’ve maybe saved his own life by not wearing so much glitter to school.īut nope. The 200 Best Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Movies Of All Time.LGBTQ Television Guide: What To Watch Now.