Businessweek’s Mormon caricature cover draws fire

[JustaServant]

By Dan Merica, CNN

(CNN)-– Reaction to a recent Businessweek cover was swift and direct, with some bloggers and commentators going as far as to call the magazine exclusive “bigoted” and “out of bounds.”

The article – titled “How the Mormons Make Money,” by Caroline Winter – is an in-depth look into the business side of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with much attention given to the tax benefits the church enjoys and the extent of its holdings of property and stock in multinational corporations.

More…
religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/13/businessweeks-mormon-caricature-cover-draws-fire/

 

[rfournier103]

Maybe media should show some respect toward ALL religions. That might be a novel approach that could catch on. I’m not a fan of Mittens, or Mormonism, but I think that the media should show a little more decency. Thank God the election is only 4 months away.

 

[GEddie]

Maybe media should show some respect toward ALL religions. That might be a novel approach that could catch on. I’m not a fan of Mittens, or Mormonism, but I think that the media should show a little more decency. Thank God the election is only 4 months away./QUOTE

I have not read the article yet, but all public bodies, whether religious or not are open to criticism. Look what was done with evangelicalism in the 1980s, or the Catholic Church throughout time.

I don’t think a religion or other group should be exempt from the critics just because associated with a political candidate.

ICXC NIKA

 

[TexanKnight]

WAY out of line…

 

[Sixpence]

Stewardship is an in-bounds topic, and I thought the cover was funny. In effect, however, it may have been a turn-off for Mormon readers to the point where they are less inclined to look at the issue of stewardship.

 

[TexanKnight]

Stewardship is an in-bounds topic, and I thought the cover was funny. In effect, however, it may have been a turn-off for Mormon readers to the point where they are less inclined to look at the issue of stewardship.

Be careful of who you approve should be mocked by the National Media. Next, it could be YOUR beliefs.

 

[Sixpence]

Be careful of who you approve should be mocked by the National Media. Next, it could be YOUR beliefs.

Doesn’t bother me that much. Evangelicals deserve some criticism. I mind even less when that’s the case.

Liberty University, for example (along with Falwell), deserve much of the criticism that they get. In those kinds of instances, I hope that some of it lands.

Edit- I notice, however, that you see this as mockery where I (and perhaps some others) might see criticism that is more in line with the second quote in your signature.

 

[TexanKnight]

Doesn’t bother me that much. Evangelicals deserve some criticism. I mind even less when that’s the case.

Liberty University, for example (along with Falwell), deserve much of the criticism that they get. In those kinds of instances, I hope that some of it lands.

Edit- I notice, however, that you see this as mockery where I (and perhaps some others) might see criticism that is more in line with the second quote in your signature.

I guess one can always justify, huh?

Using what they consider a sacred picture and having Christ misquoted is not at all in keeping with the quotes I have posted. It is mockery.

Had they simply done a cover with pic of a shopping mall and a headline like “Is this was Mormonism should be about?” is more in tune with the quotes in my sig.

 

[Sixpence]

I guess one can always justify, huh?

Using what they consider a sacred picture and having Christ misquoted is not at all in keeping with the quotes I have posted. It is mockery.

Had they simply done a cover with pic of a shopping mall and a headline like “Is this was Mormonism should be about?” is more in tune with the quotes in my sig.

I suppose it is a type of mockery, but I would tend to see it as humorous or satirical. Perhaps you see it as scornful contempt, but the truth of the matter may have more to do with the mindset of the artist than it does with how someone feels when they see it. I tend to believe in giving satirists the benefit of the doubt, but I’m not like everyone and that’s ok.

The quote in your sig is of a completely serious nature, so I can see the difference between that and a caricature or some satirical mimicry. But the chief end of either one is the same- at least that’s how I see it. The point being, there is a drastic difference between the mission that Jesus is purported to have entrusted Joseph Smith & co. with and the stewardship that is actually being carried out by the Mormon church at this time. A more serious method of delivery would have gone over better, but there is something to the intent behind it, and my reflexive reaction to it is “That’s funny.”

I can see why some people might get a little offended, but from a pragmatic standpoint, it’s not unlawful nor should it be so what are you going to do. Comment on how a different approach would have worked better? I did that. Comment on whether or not it’s funny? I think it is, but I don’t mind if anyone else thinks differently. Aside from that, what is there to do?

 

[Jerusha]

I don’t know about the article, but the cover is way out of line. I have seen some funny satirical anti-Mormon artwork, but to present that to a public that is not already acquainted with the history behind it is highly inappropriate.

 

[MartinJordan]

Ignoramous question: Why John the Baptist?

MJ

 

[Jerusha]

Because it is a bit softer that the original claim of God and Jesus.

 

[nordskoven]

Given the Mormon’s Freemason influence; with one element deriving from apostate Templars; who themselves sided with the Middle Eastern cultus of embittered John the Baptist supporters aghast with Christ’s none-too-ascetic disciples after John’s beheading…John the Baptist is ideal in this instance. What the weird pasted headline format was to denote is beyond me. Looked like a ransom note.
web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/Essays/baptist.html

Listening to the (mayor of New York and investment banker Michael) Bloomberg radio news, one will find it is slanted beyond belief; with T-Party adherents who want to audit the Federal Reserve excoriated with self-serving slander by Bloomberg; and market maker-type commercials being indistinguishable from news stories. “Buy this up-and-coming investment instrument…” is like the market maker pumping of penny stocks writ large. The subtext of this Mormon story may be to inflame fears in the population of New York and national Jewish voters to coerce those unfamiliar with Mormons into following the Democrat party line. Considering that esteemed and vocal core of Jewish activists who jumped in to join Catholics decrying “The Last Temptation of Christ,” this may backfire; or work only about as long as it takes for Barack and Joe to get re-elected. Then the fall. Winds are stirring to collapse this crony socialism house of cards, hopefully before America is bankrupted, please God.