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Originally Posted by Ustwo
There are lots of places I wouldn't want to go for any number of reasons, and I'd rather be stuck with mormon seperatists than gang members.
I'm a bit surprised that you continue with the moral relativism. Yes we will have fanatics in the US, in Christians, in even tolerant religions like Hinduism but after posts of yours like this I'm surprised you can't see that its one thing for some individuals to be violent and intolerant, but its another thing when a population moves in that direction. We on the right call them Islamofacists for a reason, the pattern is the same. |
Actually, the Mormon church of the mid-late 19th century is a ridiculously similar situation to current Islamic extremists. (I didn't even think of this until martineguerre's post.) There were public, bloody murders of outsiders who ventured into Mormon territory. There was a belief that Mormonism was a holy way that the entire world would have to accept, even at the sword. There were terrorist acts, insurgents, and military escalation. In fact, in 1857, the US Army was sent to Utah to invade Salt Lake City and depose someone who was seen as a blood-thirsty dictator. Then they tried to set up a democracy for people who didn't want it.
Also interesting is the fact that the military and other aggressive pressure only made the situation worse and the militants more violent. In the end, it was a legislative solution that included significant carrots that brought Utah back into the fold. As you know, today Utah is a wonderful state filled with wonderful people - a great place to visit. Some of our most influential politicians come from there.
This may have taken place 100-150 years ago, but the dynamics are so similar that it is kind of chilling. I'm taking it is a sign that engagement, incentive and understanding can bring reconciliation.
I'd write more, but I don't expect anyone to take this point seriously. Given that, please forgive me for summarizing.
If you don't believe what I've just written, look up:
The Nauvoo Legion
The Doctrine of Blood Atonement
The Utah War (1857-1858)
Mountain Meadows Massacre
George Q. Cannon
Woodruff's Manifesto (1890)
Brigham Young