From: mike@isgtec.com (Mike Sellers)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: Even more Mormonism!!!!!!!!
Date: 16 Apr 92 21:50:26 GMT
Organization: ISG Technologies Inc., Mississauga Ontario


 press2@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (barry.o.olson) writes:
> vbaker@hamp.hampshire.edu writes:
> > I assume that you are refering to a statement of mine.  I have been taught,
> > as a Mormon, that a dark skin is a curse of God, that in the ressurection 
> > all people will be fair-skinned, and that Jesus was honey-blonde; 

Where, when, and by whom were you taught this?  This is in NO WAY the
doctrine of the LDS Church; it may have been someone's pet belief, but
from everything I know, they are woefully mistaken.  

> >I have
> >met only two or three black Mormons in my life.  I think the perception 
> >that Mormonism is white-supremist is justified, at least from my 
> >experiences.

I cannot deny your own experience.  I can, however, note that your 
experience is in no way typical or representative of Mormons or their
beliefs.  I can also say that you must not have had any direct contact
with *real* white-supremicist organizations, or you'd see the difference
between them and the LDS church right away.

> Thanks for posting honest answers, something very difficult to obtain
> from Mormon posters! Yes, a true assertion.

This really amazes me, and frankly offends me.  Why is it that when 
someone posts something negative, they are automatically being honest,
but when someone posts something positive or even neutral about the
Mormons then they're being dishonest?  This betrays more than a little 
bias (perhaps bigotry) on your part!

> I was doing the net some time ago about the issue of racism, and how
> it can be found in the Book of Mormon. Our net.mormons said I didn't
> know what I was talking about. Although it appears clearly in their
> book and teachings that black skin is a curse, and white skin is a
> blessing, 

There are some sections of the BoM that do indeed make this connection,
though it does not "appear clearly," is open to *great* debate, and 
in general is problematic for many Mormons.  No other teachings support
or engender this or any other racist view.  

> it was patently denied, 

What was denied, that there are portions in the BoM that _may_ be
saying that dark skin was used as a curse (or that may be speaking
of light and dark much more metaphorically), or that Mormons and
Mormonism is racist?  I can see the latter being roundly denied, 
but the former is a matter of record for anyone to look up and 
interpret for themselves.

> Jay says he feels bad that people trample him in
> the dirt(paraphrased), and rend his heart for making false statements
> about his religion, yet he has no problem joining in the chorus of
> half-truths and lies to make someone who challenges their religion
> look bad by denying truth. 

I'm sure Jay can defend himself, but for his sake, please name *ONE*
LIE OR FALSEHOOD that he has told on this net.  If you CANNOT, then
please retract this accusation.  Silence will be taken as evidence
that you cannot back up your charge, but do not have the good graces
to say so.

> Truth being that Mormonism promotes racism.

Please tell us how it does this, and BE SPECIFIC.  If you cannot,
then retract this accusation as well.

> barry olson--

--
                    Mike Sellers       mike@isgtec.com
                        User Interface Team Leader
                    ISG Technologies, Toronto, Canada
            "Actum ne agas" -- Do not do what has been done.