This weekend my sister-in-law's sister made a comment about Mormons being a cult. I asked her why she said that. She responded that they were not Christians. I replied that Mormons believe in Jesus Christ. She replied that Mormons believe in having many wives. I explained that polygamy was an old concept that the Mormons had abandoned. Perhaps a small group of Mormons believed in polygamy, but not the majority. After she made another comment, I asked her why she was demonizing Mormons when none of us knew enough about Mormons to be so critical. She did not have an answer.
This conversation helped me see that we probably all have conversations amongst well-intended friends which involves a microaggression against individuals or cultures. I feel compelled to speak up sometimes. Hearing microaggressions makes me uncomfortable. Since this week's assignment, I have greater awareness of microaggressions against groups beyond "people of color". I also recognize now the microaggressions against people who have a different religion. For some reason, it seems like a human tendency to perpetuate this sense of "otherness" to claim superiority over another. I wonder what makes us do that.
Joy thanks for your post. I recently started dating a guy that is a Mormon. I am Baptist and have a strong belief in Christ. I had mixed feelings about the Mormons like your sister in law, and as I was talking to this man I learned that many things I thought were true were in actuality misconceptions. It just goes to prove that we don't know everything about people's religion. The best practice to get into I think is to ask questions. I'm glad I did!
ReplyDeleteJoy
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story, I think with any person it is important to take the time to get to know each person and why they have the beliefs or values that they do, even though someone practices a certain religion doesn't mean they accept the stereotypes that we may know about a religion because of misunderstandings or lack of knowledge.
Joy,
ReplyDeleteI personally thank you for speaking up against religious microaggressions. My mother is Mormon and she has heard many of these types of comments. I think it is because people just do not know about their religious practices.