Charlie Fuller has a BS in Sociology and an MPA from BYU and works as a management analyst in the public sector. She and her husband live in Utah County.

Before we make up our minds about whether or not to allow Middle Eastern refugees into Utah, we need to take a long hard look at the blood-soaked history of these desert-dwelling religious extremists. In the past 50 years we’ve seen bombings (1), shooting sprees (2), radicalized insurgents (3), torture of political enemies (4), firing squad executions (5), the taking of child brides (6), the killing of innocent women and children (7), and the declaration of war in the name of spreading religious ideologies (8).

But what can you expect from a people whose Prophet married children (9), preached the killing of sinners (10), instituted blood oaths, and raised up armies (11)?

These are a people who have sworn vengeance on the United States and have fought a war against this country (12).

Their scriptures preach violence: “And the spirit said: slay him, for God has delivered [your enemy] into your hands… God slays the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes…Therefore I did obey and I cut off his head.” (13)

and oppression of women: “And let [the first wife] receive all those [plural wives] who have been given to my servant, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure and have said they were pure will be destroyed… And I command [the first wife] to abide and cleave unto my servant and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she will be destroyed; for I am your God and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.” (14)

Is it wise to let these Muslim refugees into Utah? I mean, they’ve already been through so much with civil wars, terrorist attacks, and drone strikes. Is it fair to bring them into a community full of members of such a violent religion? Will they be safe among the Mormons?

Oh…oh did you think I was talking about Muslim violence? No, no all of these examples are from Mormonism (see citations below).

“But Charlie,” you say, “that’s just silly. Mormons aren’t violent.”

To which I would reply, “But some are. I’ve listed examples right here in this post.”

“But,” you might retort, “most of your examples are from fundamentalists, extremists, or whackos. It’s not fair to judge a whole group of millions of people by their outliers.”

“Exactly. So maybe we shouldn’t fear all 1.6 BILLION Muslims based on the actions of their fundamental extremists when the vast majority of them are peaceful, lovely people like you.”

“But,” you splutter, “Islam is an inherently violent religion! They have sharia law and jihad in the Koran!”

“And Mormonism has preached blood oaths and blood atonement. Only 4 or so generations back, Mormons still swore vengeance on the US for the death of Joseph Smith as part of the temple ceremony – where our most sacred covenants are made. And don’t even get me started on the genocidal violence in the Old Testament or Pauline oppression of women in the New Testament. Those things you fear about Islam are also woven into the fabric of your religion. You can’t condemn one without indicting the other.”

End Scene

Look, Mormons of all people should understand that it is entirely possible for members of a seemingly radical religious group to live peaceful, productive lives within the US. Talk about not being the ones to cast the first stone! Sheesh!

There are plenty of reasons why it is the right decision to accept refugees into this country. They’ve been written about ad nauseam this weekend so I won’t rehash them all here. But I’ve gotten pretty sick and tired of watching a bunch of Mormon pots calling those Muslim kettles black.

Sources

1 Mark Hoffman

2 Ervil LeBaron

3 Ammon Bundy

4 Bruce Jessen

5 Ronnie Lee Gardner

6 Warren Jeffs

7 Lafferty Brothers

8 Sen. Gordon H. Smith: “Smith… said he voted for the Iraq War because he believed it would open the way to LDS Church missionary work there.”

9 Helen Mar Kimball

10 Blood Atonement

11 Nauvoo Legion

12 Mormon War

13 1 Nephi 4: 12, 13, 18

14 D&C 132: 52, 54