How Mormons Deal With Protesters: Kindnessing Them Senseless
The wonderful Real Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas, who sometimes comments here, writes at Inc:
When I lived near the Mormon Church History Sites in Palmyra, New York, an anti-Mormon protester took up a spot outside the Joseph Smith Farm. What did the missionaries who worked at the visitor's center do? They went outside, gave the protester some lunch and let him know that he was more than welcome to come inside to beat the heat, get a drink or use the bathroom.You're going to encounter rude people from time to time. You can scream and yell and threaten to sue, or you can respond like a Mormon: with humor, kindness, and baked goods. Only one of these methods makes everyone better off.
Research finds what some people already realize: that it's actually in our self-interest to be kind to other people -- especially strangers. This improves our own health and well-being, while doing the very important double duty of making our world a less cold and ugly (and rude) place. I explain why and how to get the benefits throughout my book, "Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck" -- and especially in the last chapter, "Trickle-Down Humanity."
Thanks for sharing! The rest of the story is, that the missionaries had such a good relationship with the local protesters, that during the annual Hill Cumorah pageant, when churches from all over send protesters, the local protesters would tell the out-of-towners to tone it down and play nice.
An act of kindness can go a long way.
Suzanne Lucas at October 31, 2016 1:41 AM
So true, Suzanne. I loved that piece. Especially the bits on the "Mormon Mafia."
Sometimes -- I know, shockingly -- readers send me criticism. There are those who write me, "You idiot..." which serves only as a way to burnish their ego for being so rude to a total stranger. (Through the Internet -- which is pussy behavior.) Those who are polite in their questioning of what I've written get thoughtful exchanges. I even sent one of these women your piece (the link) the other day, because it reminded me of her civility in her criticism of some "coarse" humor in my column. I love coarse humor, of course, and I'm not going to stop using it, but I also appreciated my exchange with her, despite not agreeing with her. Nice when that happens.
Amy Alkon at October 31, 2016 5:50 AM
The best neighbors I've ever had were Mormons--and I'm an atheist.
Rex Little at October 31, 2016 11:16 AM
The best neighbors I've ever had were Mormons--and I'm an atheist.
The only people mormons treat like shit are the people who used to be mormons.
They're great so long as you arent an ex member
lujlp at October 31, 2016 11:44 AM
Wife is a former J. Witness. The word “disfellowshipped” sends 'em packing.
I really really do not think much of an organization that strives to come between spouses.
Marriage has enough troubles w/o outsiders of any kind pushing 'em apart (friends and relatives included).
Bob in Texas at October 31, 2016 12:38 PM
I wonder if there's a difference in the methods and behaviors of anti-Mormon protesters who protest Mormons' religious beliefs compared to anti-Mormon protesters who protest the Mormons' stands on political/social/moral issues, like marriage.
Ken R at October 31, 2016 7:44 PM
I saw a protest a couple of weeks ago in Japan across the street from the Kyoto main train station.
When I see stuff like that, (which I support) I wonder how many ,if any at all, of the protesters understand what their fate would have been had they tried the same "peace protest" in 1941.
Consequence Free speech by government policy is a fragile rare thing. It has only existed at a couple of places and times in all of human history.
Isab at November 2, 2016 7:11 PM
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