Idahfornia (Boise, Nampa, Pocatello: best town, real estate, car insurance)

[naturally]

I would like to answer the question in regards to the LDS view of other religions. I feel that it's appropriate for you to receive the LDS view from and LDS person like myself. We respect all people, culture and religions. It is not the church's place or view to condem or disrespect any religion. I do live in Southeastern Idaho and there is a large population of LDS people here. The view of the LDS church is to love everyone and to accept that we are all different. Of course, like anywhere, you will find people that don't always act and present themselves in the best way but that should in no way be a reflection upon the church as a whole. We are all imperfect and striving to become better people but in doing so we make mistakes like the rest of the world.

I always find it a bit interesting that when a question is asked about the LDS church and it's beliefs there are always those people that are so ready to comment and share their "knowledge" of a church that don't know that much about. The gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect and full of goodness. The LDS people respect others' views, opinons and beliefs but don't go around bashing and pointing out what errors we find. Why can't we all just respect eachothers' way of life? LDS people do not condem others for not accepting their beliefs. We like most faithful church goers feel passionate and strongly about our religion and invite others to learn more. But we do not force our beliefs or religion upon anyone else.

Southeastern Idaho is a great place to live if you like a smaller city and a more relaxed way of life. The area is full of wonderful people of all faiths that are accepting of others. The communities are great and schools are as well. It's a great place to raise a family.

[naturally]

Originally Posted by burdell

Thank You so much for a most thoughtful reply. I'm curious how "a member or not" affects non-members in social as well as business situations.

My own feeling is that it's how you live your life and treat others, not what you do or where you are for an hour on the Sabbath that matter.

I couldn't agree with you more! I am a member and can tell you that in a business or social situation, I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference what religion a person is. Of course, those LDS members that live close together will know eachother better because they associate closely at church but you find that with other religions. I've been in business situations and have never seen anyone favored over another based on their religion nor have I ever seen or heard of anyone being asked about their religion on a job application or in a job interview. That, alone, is basis for discrimination and
I highly doubt that happens.

LDS members do associate closely with one another through church functions and I have heard those that are not of the same faith express a feeling of being left out. I have to say the all activities sponsored by the church are open for anyone to attend without being intersted in the church. I have many friends that are not of my faith and they are my dearest friends. I respect and think so highly of them. I learn from them and love having them in my life. Afterall, we tend to associate with those that have similar values and life views...not just a matter of religion.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by my3arabs

. Here in ID my children have been treated very poorly due to their race, Shoshone-Navajo but where I grew up they would be just another Cali kid.

.

I'd be interested in hearing your view but from what I read, it sadly seems that Idaho is far from the only area in the west where racism targets natives.

[my3arabs]

Naturally...I am going to disagree with you especially on the bashing part. I was a convert in '92 and was very faithful, went to all the meetings and even taught a class. That did not stop the slander from the ppl who had been members their whole lives. Also, I have forgotten more of what is in the Bible than most ppl will ever know. My father is a minister who specializes in proving the time line in the Bible with acutal events that have been recorded in time. Talk about having to memorize scripture, I think that I burned out a ton of brain cells doing so

The older generation of LDS ppl are more accepting of everyone. The newer generations seem to be in competition with every one else. This is especially true on the South East side of the state. The gossip is horrible over there and they have destroyed many a strong marriage due to it. It was always fun to hear what I had been up the Friday and Saturday before church, when I was at home taking care of my kids.

Burdell...I think that racism in general is horrible, but when they go after children it is inexcusable! What I have never been able to understand is why in the world do ppl treat the Natives the way they do then turn around and ty to claim that they have a 1/4 of whatever in them? Or why do they use the Native art styles in their home when they put the Natives down. I had an LDS woman in Shelley ID come up to me in the store when my oldest son was 5 and my daughter was 2 (in '97), to inform me that my children would be "retards and amount to nothing because they are half breeds. You should know better than to marry outside your race because our belief says that this will happen" My son was old enough to understand what she was getting at. Well being a mom and very outspoken I let her have it with both barrels and asked her to show me where in any belief it said that. I also asked her how she could say that when her own son had mental problems so bad that she had to put him in a home later on. Come on the Bible says that if you have done something to the children then you have done it to Christ. He didn't say just Jewish children he said all children. You know "Jesus loves the lil children all the children of the world, red, yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight". It is a song most of us learned in Sunday School as kids.

I never went back to Second Ward LDS church after that. No matter where I have been in Idaho my children have been treated worse than I have been. The school that my older children are in now is more mixed and they fit in pretty good. They have finally gotten involved in their own culture and a just a bit more proud of who they are.

I have lived in Shelley, Idaho Falls, Ashton, Milo and now in Twin Falls County. In each and every place we had been treated like we are less than human. In Ashton the LDS women were saying that I would steal everyone's husband, in Shelley and Taylor area they said that I was cheating on my husband when it was he who was doing it. I really believe that the LDS ppl here in Idaho are afraid of what they don't know and instead of asking the person who, what, when, where and why they just come up with their own stories. I walked away from many a conversation when it would turn to bashing a fellow human.

Like I said before, Idaho is a great and beautiful place, especially in the Ashton, Island Park area. It is a great place to visit but to live here and try to fit in doesn't work. No one should have to change who they are to fit in. That is why finally after 15 yrs of living here we are moving 1700 miles away. To get away from gossipy, horrible LDS family that can't see past the nose on their face!

[izzy]

Hi,
I've missed a lot of this conversation. I was visiting the CA forum Wow! Strong feelings in this chat. Okay! Here as a LDS convert is what I have to say...

There will always be people of all faiths that have personal issues with race or non members of their church. It doesn't mean that whole faith feels the same way.

True Story...I worked for a company...a big company...that the president of the company in the ca division was LDS. He made it a habit to hire people that were LDS recruiting from the BYU students and their families. When he came to the company...there were lots of folks from other religions on staff. They did feel threatened by the new hiring practices...of course. I a LDS member, told human resources that this practice was not acceptable. It was not okay. The LDS members working there then feared they would lose their jobs because they are LDS.

Two weeks later I left the company because they didn't see it my way...We now laughingly call anyone who does not represent the church in the way we are taught to as a "**** mormon" the stars being the company name

Now the person doing the wrong is a LDS member and a person saying it is wrong is a LDS member. Come on folks we're just people. Did you like every catholic you met, every Baptist (use to be one), every christian you met?

Yes, wards are different from each other. There are really great wards...and there are some wards that need to work on their social skills

Last week in church the stake president's wife spoke to all of us about respecting people's differences. Their race, their faith, their marriage status, their ethinic traditions. Example always set a table with an odd number of chairs for single people so they don't have an empty chair next to them. Always try to include all members when discussing history, family matters,
holidays.

To shake the hand of an unfamilar person when you meet them in church and introduce yourself. We have lots of examples of what the church would like us to do...but we are each human and a product of our upbringing. That should not reflect on the church that should reflect on the person.

Got to...catch you later and god bless

Izzy

[burdell]

Originally Posted by my3arabs

Burdell...I think that racism in general is horrible, but when they go after children it is inexcusable! What I have never been able to understand is why in the world do ppl treat the Natives the way they do then turn around and ty to claim that they have a 1/4 of whatever in them? Or why do they use the Native art styles in their home when they put the Natives down. !

I couldn't agree more. If you could ever explain why some people do the hateful things they do we could probably put you in line for a Nobel prize or two. I sometimes wonder if some of the racism directed at Natives isn't caused by at least a sub-conscious realization that the Natives were here first?

[my3arabs]

Burdell...My ex husband was adopted off of the Fort Hall Rez into a LDS family. He doesn't act LDS at all, but that is besides the point. He was always ashamed of his culture until I started to make him take us to the Festival or what us whites know it as PowWow. I had done tons of reading and research into the different Nations beliefs and tried to encourage him to do the same. Since our divorce in '97 he has become a Fireman on the Rez as well as an EMT, with me pushing him the whole way. He has learned that he is a direct decendent of Chief Pocatello on his mother's side. He is learning to speak the language and learn about the beliefs of the Shoshone. He has included our children in this with him and I am thankful for that. My daughter is 11 and very proud to be a Shoshone-Navajo, Irish, Armenian girl. (If she doesn't watch out she may become a rip roaring drunk with that gene pool LOL!!!)

I agree with you about the "new" Americans being a bit jealous of coming in second. I also think that it is a shame that some of the Tribes have taken to being a lil on the lazy side. They were once such a proud culture and they should remain that way no matter the terrible things that were done to them 200 yrs ago. Instead of sitting back and saying that we owe them they should show us that they are a proud ppl and will persevere no matter what may come.

[naturally]

Originally Posted by my3arabs

Naturally...I am going to disagree with you especially on the bashing part. I was a convert in '92 and was very faithful, went to all the meetings and even taught a class. That did not stop the slander from the ppl who had been members their whole lives.

The older generation of LDS ppl are more accepting of everyone. The newer generations seem to be in competition with every one else. This is especially true on the South East side of the state. The gossip is horrible over there and they have destroyed many a strong marriage due to it. It was always fun to hear what I had been up the Friday and Saturday before church, when I was at home taking care of my kids.

It saddens me to hear that you have had such a negative experience living here amongst LDS people. When I stated that LDS members do not bash others views, religions or cultures I was referring to the church as a whole. Of course, like another stated people are people no matter where you live. I, myself, have had many experiences in my life where I have been affended and hurt by someone else's malicious comments or actions. But I've learned that just because one or two choose to act that way, it shouldn't be a reflection of their religion or culture as a whole.

I know that gossip exists anywhere you go regardless of the religion or culture. For some reason, people just love to talk. I'm sorry that you have had seen so much hurt come from that and that you associate that with the LDS people. I know what it's like to live amongst gossip but I also know what it's like to ignore what's said or to avoid it. So to you, I say I'm sorry again that you found the area so upleasant that you are moving far away. I wish that we could have been neighbors and that your experience might have turned out a little differently. I hope that you will not think that all LDS people are like the ones you have encountered because the way you have been treated is unacceptable and shameful. I hope your move brings a more positive light into your lives.

[bachman]

A lot of Californians moving here don't have jobs. They sell their houses for a lot of money come up here and drive our housing prices up because to them it is so cheap. What will you do when you actually have to work and find out that the wages here won't support your life style? Oh and by the way just because you don't work doesn't mean that you can abuse the Free and Reduced lunch program at our schools. I am tired of finding out that people from California who choose not to work are signing their children up for this program and making all the tax payers pay.

[California Carl]

I thought Idaho had one of the lowest unemployment % in the nation? I also thought they were among tops in the nation for job growth as well?
If people are moving up there, buying houses with cash and choosing not to work, thats their business. However, if they are benefiting from government programs, then shame on them. That is B.S.