i agree with you that the term “mormon badass” is basically an oxymoron. keep that hair nice and short, wear your ugly white shirt and outdated tie–badass!!

other than the fact that they follow a 19th century con-artist’s “translation” from looking into a hat with a stone in it…the mormons are generally nice people and strong in their religion. even if they weren’t, freedom of religion is key. live and let live. however white-bread and conformist that “living” may be.

It’s funny when close minded people think they’re open minded by insinuating that another entire population of people are the close minded ones. You follow me?

I’m grateful to be a Mormon, where abstaining from drugs and other “fun” things has been proven to contribute to a longer life span in both male and female members of the church.

I’ll be acting “pompous and badass” long after you’re gone, “Sir”.

and very last thing. if you think you know more about my religion than me because someone who isnt mormon or, better yet, ex-mormon (who usually leave because they werent allowed to do something that they wanted to do, not because they didn’t like the beliefs) you need to learn to do your research, and maybe even try getting an actual member’s point of view instead of being ignorant and hatefull based off of an irrational dislike of our religion, or any other religion for that matter.

i want to add on to what kyle said…

as much as i respect what Mark said (you seem like a good christian, i love your conviction, i just wish you wouldnt claim things you’re not totally informed on) mormons do believe in Christ, hence the OFFICIAL name: The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

in FACT

1.) We have sacrament every sunday, which is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrafice in which you remember christ while asking for redemption
2.) We are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Imagine that…
3.) We speak of Christ every sunday
4.) We pray in the name of Christ. The list goes on.

the reason most people think Mormons arent Christian is because we focus mainly on improving ourselves. we teach that it is actions not words that make a person, whereas (from my experience) most other Christian faiths teach that while its important to do good and be forthright, all you really need is a belief in the Savior. which is a crucial element to being redeemed, but it takes a little more than that. so we arent always focused on worshipping the savior outwardly because were focusing on improving ourselves and our friends (we’re still required to keep him in our hearts). people also think that because we believe that there is a record of pre-christ christians in the americas (which there is proof of in several places, such as recent discoveries of detailed structures and such, its interesting) we arent christian. which makes no sense.

and the reason people think we “pretend to be badass” is because we know its wrong to do what so many people think is alright. its sad when people have to bring themselves down to instinctive and self-pleasing standards in order to fit in because self-control and respect for your body and other people in general is looked down upon, and often mistaken for a lack of reality or maturity.

As weird as the LDS culture can be, they’re all about living a happy life, as mentioned… and again, isn’t that what we all want? Some people get it from boozing, some get it from not.

So… Brandon Flowers actually is/was a “badass”… but I hear he’s trying to clean up. You going to rob him of that joy?

Finally:

Members of the LDS church can drink soda… though some prefer not to slake down gallons of caffeinated beverages.

Calling your dad “Sir”? Where the hell did that come from? It’s not even funny.

It’s bad to want to be home with your family one night a week?

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do, in fact, believe in Christ. Imagine that.

Anyway… three years after the original post, I thought I’d clear that up.

The final clarification: Hot Fuss is a bloody amazing album.

It’s not wrong at all to want a better life – who doesn’t? The question though is whether or not Mormon teaching is leading people to eternal punishment for leading us away from the true source of reconciliation with God: the blood of Jesus (not works righteousness). Mormons should not be faulted for wanting a better life, but all of us will one day be faulted who do not “repent and believe” in Jesus Christ, trusting in his finished work to atone for our sins. Believe in Christ and be saved! :)