Myths About Mormons?

The Washington Post has a regular feature called "Five Myths." The problem with this column is that many of the myths they are supposedly debunking are not actually myths. The latest is about Mormonism. Let's see if these myths are really myths.

1. Mormons practice polygamy. 0 for 1. The author herself admits that polygamy is still part of Mormon theology, and still practiced by "ultra-orthodox splinter groups." Obviously most Mormons are not polygamous, so saying Mormons practice polygamy is misleading and a major overstatement. But it is technically correct that some Mormons do, and therefore not a myth.

2. Mormons aren’t Christians. 0 for 2. This is obviously not a myth. Whether or not Mormons are considered Christians depends entirely on opinion. In my opinion, although Mormonism has similarities to Christianity and is an offshoot, it is its own religion. It is different enough from Christianity that it is perfectly reasonable to argue that Mormons are not Christians.

3. Most Mormons are white, English-speaking conservatives. 1 for 3. Finally, an actual myth. The author notes that fewer than half of Mormons live in the U.S., and that the LDS church has grown substantially throughout the world.

4. Mormon women are second-class citizens. 1 for 4. The author goes on to point out that women are in fact second-class citizens in the LDS church.

It is true that mainstream Mormonism does not accord women equal status with men. The worldwide LDS Church chain of command — including all positions of clerical, institutional and fiscal authority — is entirely male. Women cannot hold the lay priesthood shared in by men age 12 and older. The church’s Proclamation on the Family declares that men “preside” over the household. Unequal gender language is also a part of Mormon temple worship and marriage ceremonies.

But she dismisses all that by claiming that well, Mormonism does include some "progressive" elements favorable to women. Sorry, not a myth.

5. A Mormon president would blur the line between church and state. 1 for 5. We haven't had a Mormon president, so whether or not any particular Mormon would blur the lines of church and state is unknown. This is an argument that probably doesn't apply any more to a Mormon than it does to a member of any other religion, and depends on the individual in question. But it isn't a myth.

The final tally is 1 clear myth, 4 non-myths.