No, I don't fear religions. I do fear the interpretations of idiots within their particular religions, if those beliefs will affect me or others I care about.
If you are going to abdicate responsibility for your child, wouldn't you want to know something about the values and beliefs of the person(s) you're putting in charge?
There may be more similarities than differences between Mormonism and other religions. Seems so to me, but I don't know.
What I do know is that women and children have not historically been treated with respect.
The following links give some insight into the Mormon values that might be passed on to your children, or at the very least, your child will be a victim of. They seem to have no problem with abusing children. Something to think about, or, it would be for me.
Deborah
http://www.mazeministry.com/mormonism/w ... tm?FACTNetThe following article from the New York Times clearly illustrates a recurring problem within the Mormon Church?child abuse. Child abuse is consistently higher in Utah than in the nation as a whole. It is a blight on Mormonism. Utah social workers have been quoted as being "blackly pessimistic" about the problem in their state.
http://www.mormonalliance.org/caserepor ... 3p1c01.htmFor example, child sexual abuse among Mormons is unquestionably a heinous sin; rules in the Church strongly prohibit it. Thus, it is not first-level abuse. But are there rules or practices that unintentionally foster child sexual abuse in Mormonism? Is it possible that the strong emphasis on the authoritative patriarchal system can do so? Does the emphasis on obedience to authority do so? Does the idealization of Church authorities encourage it? Do others tend to shift the blame from a perpetrator in a position of authority to a victim who has little or less authority?
The long version is more complex but necessary if spiritual abuse is to be distinguished from mere insults, violence, or other forms of hurt: Spiritual abuse is the persistent exploitation by spiritual or ecclesiastical leaders in a religious system of an imbalance of power between the leaders and the followers, whereby the leaders maintain control through the exercise of their authority without adequate accountability by taking actions, making definitions, creating rules, or rendering judgments that are unfair, unequal, or nonreciprocal, while taking advantage of or promoting the inexperience, ignorance, fear, confusion, weakness, or delusion of the followers, in order to perpetuate the power imbalance and thereby gratify temporarily the demands of the leaders or the perceived interests of the ecclesiastical institution to the detriment and at the expense of the spiritual needs, rights, entitlements, dignities, or empowerment of the members.3
Church emphasis on the Word of Wisdom has provided members with great health benefits. Certainly I believe that obedience to the Word of Wisdom should be encouraged. But such obedience should be given freely, not coerced by making it the price tag to saving ordinances. Similarly tithing is a way to give to the Church, the world, and to God. These are worthy goals. But if saving ordinances are granted only on condition of paying tithing, then how is tithing different from purchase or a bribe?
[Do the last two paragraphs sound familiar? While they are identifying "abuses" in the church, perpetrated by "leaders", the same could be said about WWASP, huh?]
http://www.mormonalliance.org/caserepor ... eports.htmCase reports of Child Sexual Abuse, among others.
