I'm off work this month, been doing a lot of travelling. When I'm not visiting with relatives, I tend to hang around bookstores, such as Barnes and Noble.
The Barnes and Noble back home tended to put anti-Mormon books on the top shelf of the "Religion" section, covers turned out to face the aisle. Once or twice it even had a "Pick of the Month" display sticker. I'm not talking about "We disagree with these aspects of Mormon belief" books. I mean the sensationalistic "ALL Mormons are demon-worshipping, wife-abusing, racist CULTISTS who want to BRAINWASH us ALL!" stuff.
As I live in the Bible Belt, I just ignored it. Just another example of the misunderstandings that crop up in such places.
My relatives live scattered across North America...and in the various states, I'm noticing a similarity of placement.
In the Religion section, the top shelf invariably has one or more anti-Mormon books, covers turned out to fully-display the title. Never the ones with genuine doctrinal or social issues...always the ones with "Mormons are EVIL! They hate Jesus!" messages.
Either I'm just walking in on the smattering of B&N's with such placements...or is there a pattern here?
I'm not going to stop shopping there or anything...it just makes me wonder if I'm being paranoid...or what?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I've never seen that at any book store I've visited. Usually the religion section at the BN near me is full of east asian religious books, and a smattering of Bibles, Torahs and Qur'ans.
I maybe remember seeing a couple copies of the Book of Mormon, but never the sensationalist anti-mormon stuff you are referring to. I don't remember seeing any negative religious stuff in our religious section.
I live in suburban Detroit.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
I've never noticed this, but next time I'm at a Barnes and Noble I'll make sure to check it out.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
Odd. I haven't noticed this in the Barnes & Nobles around here, but then if I'm in the Religion section I'm looking for taoist or meditation books. Have you asked an employee about it? Try not to make yourself seem paranoid in the way you ask, but a "I notice you have some aggressive, innaccurate books as your pick of the month. Who picks these, anyway?" or something might help.
--Enigmatic
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
I don't know. I thought there was a reason they didn't stock _America's Secret War_, a conservative book . . . and I found out there was. A manager said, "These small publishing houses sometimes can't deliver. We've ordered it, but they won't send it." Later on they got it. So in that case, I think it was just logistical.
Still, you might suggest they balance their display.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
At the ones I've been too, they are all about yoga and Hinduism and other Asian religions.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
What books? Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
The religion books. The rest of the store is normal.
Posted by aretee (Member # 1743) on :
It could be the manager in that store. I've seen some slanted books against the LDS in a B&N, but then again, I've seen slanted books against other religions, too. I lived in the Bible Belt as well, and the Wal-Mart used to sell the Family Edition of the Book of Mormon.
I think it's just left up to the person ordering the books...but I could be wrong, too.
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
I used to work at a Barnes and Noble and I never noticed this trend. I know that Under the Banner of Heaven was displayed for a while, but it was also a very good seller before hand. Also, I'm curious about what you're referring to as "Pick of the Months". Monthly, the staff gets to recommend books, these books are frequently prominently displayed in their sections, and people also get a discount on those books. If this is the type of display you're referring to, then maybe somebody at your local store has a personal vendetta against Mormons.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Were they fiction? Perhaps they were unaware of how offensive they are to Mormons. Point it out with all the reasons why.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Maybe those are the only newer religion books tht they think people would be interested in.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Barnes & Noble sells books?
I thought it was just a quiet place to buy great coffee.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
The only thing I've noticed about Barnes and Noble is that when I went in to buy a BYU grad-student's first novel, it wasn't even on the shelf. They had to get it from the back for me. And this is in Orem--ten minutes from BYU. Don't you think they should, I don't know, advertise it or something? I mean, if people are going to buy such a book anywhere, Orem seems like a likely place.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I haven't noticed this in the religion section. Perhaps it's because I've never lived anywhere with a substantial Mormon population.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Our B&N doesn't keep the really virulently anti-Mormon stuff around. You have to special order it if you want it. And there's a good history of anti-Mormon sentiment here. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I use to work at one as well, and that isn't the case at all. A lot of those picks, as in 9% of them, are what is selling hot in other areas. It is all about selling books, not about pising anyone off.
As a matter of fact B&N had one of teh best policies I have ever seen about religious freedom, and they discussed it with us in training in regard to the religion section in the store too.
Kwea
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Jesus loves me. This I know. But the Mormons have got to go. I am sick of them knocking my door, and they're evil says the B&N Store.
Yes, Mormons are evil! Yes, Mormons are evil! Yes, Mormons are evil! The bookstore told me so.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Hey, PC, I can trump that. My mom always told me Mormons are an evil cult, mostly full of rather unintelligent people who have too many kids.
So I joined up. Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
No, I can trump you seven-fold. I went to a highschool that actively propagandized against Mormonism. Name the crazy Mormon story and I've heard it.
Joseph Smith found the tablets containing the Book of Mormon in the bottom of a hill by looking through glasses and then translated them by putting a rock into a hat and looking through the bottom of it? Yep, I've heard that one.
I, however, am not a Mormon nor will I ever be.
Posted by Epictetus (Member # 6235) on :
kq Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Hey, my father threatened to kill the home teachers when they came over. He did it while he loaded up the 44 and put the safety off, then pointed it at them, and started counting.
They never came back. No mormons ever did. (Well, not until my father had his brain aneurysms and couldn't remember how violent he used to be, and my mother had disposed of all the guns and rifles by that point, but that's a whole other story.)
And in my family, and by family, I mean siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, the Mormon church is a cult, we're all Satan worshipers, we're all brainwashed, we're going to burn in hell, we are most definitely NOT Christians (and no, it doesn't matter what I or the rest of us Mormons believe, we aren't, and that's all there is to it) and I, yes, me, quidscribis, not the rest of you Mormons, am the Anti-Christ.
Yeah, they just don't understand why I don't like "discussing" religion with them.
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
quote:Originally posted by quidscribis: ... and I, yes, me, quidscribis, not the rest of you Mormons, am the Anti-Christ.
Yeah, they just don't understand why I don't like "discussing" religion with them.
It's like you'll always be their special little girl, quid. Except now you're especially EVIL. Sweet, in a sad and twisted way.
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Whenever I go to Bongs&Noodles (Avadaru's name for it--once you start saying it you can't stop!) with Avadaru, there's this guy that follows us around suspiciously. He doesn't do it when either of us go alone, although he does eye me in a baleful fashion. We can't figure out what his problem is.
My point being that Bongs&Noodles people are weird and can't be held responsible for their bizarre actions.
Jen
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
My aunts think Mormons are something of a cult. To their credit, they've never told me so directly and don't let that interfere at all with their love for me.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
That's all right guys, my southern Baptist grandmother was seriously concerned about my salvation because I married a Presbyterian and started going to a Presbyterian church.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
My grandfather (a retired nonsouthern baptist minister) goes to a Presbyterian church. He disagrees with some of their doctrine, but respects them as fellow christians.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I don't agree with a lot of the Mormon doctrine or teachings -- however every LDS person that I have met have been the nicest, friendliest, best people to be around - -and usually have a very good work ethic (at least the ones I used to work with). It was that fact (what great people they are) that made me interested in the LDS church a few years back, even though I didn't end up joining it.
FG
(p.s. - I'll check my local B&N next time I go -- although I spend more time at Borders)
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Things have changed a bit between some branches of Christianity. Not all of them, but most are FAR more tolerant of the other "flavors".
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
quote:Whenever I go to Bongs&Noodles (Avadaru's name for it--once you start saying it you can't stop!)
Hey! I started calling it "Beans and Noodles" about a year ago. Niki can back that up. I like mine better anyway . (Being both foods, and having Beans end with the "n" sound)
Niki used to work there, and says that they sometimes called it "Narnes and Boble".
Edit: I'll be sure to check out the religious section, and see what the deal is with the Omaha B&Ns.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote: It's like you'll always be their special little girl, quid. Except now you're especially EVIL. Sweet, in a sad and twisted way.
Morbo, thanks for that. *wipes tears*
Hey, now that I went and married a Muslim, I'm double damned. Cuz, don't'cha know, they're all a bunch of fanatical terrorists, and it's only a matter of time until he locks me up, forces me to cover myself with headscarves and all the rest, steals away our children, and murders me for the heathen I am.
I just can't win.
On the other hand, ask me how much I like them. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
But at least they're not fraternizing with terrorists.
Seriously, I know how it is. Marrying a Texan who (*gasp*) voted for Bush two elections ago is enough to earn me taunts for the rest of my life. Never mind that he can't help where his parents live, is not your typical Texan, and was 18 at the time (hey, at least he VOTED!)
Posted by Peter (Member # 4373) on :
ok, quid, how much do u like them?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Eh. Not much.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by quidscribis:
. . .it's only a matter of time until he locks me up, forces me to cover myself with headscarves . . .
Ooh, so you'll be able to do the dance of the seven veils-- er, scarves?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Hmm. Dance of the seven veils. I could do that. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I took bellydancing once. It was awesome. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yeah, I've thought about it. It could be fun.
kq, if you come to LankaCon, you're going to have to give lessons. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Heck, no, I am not qualified.
Ah, what the heck, it's a moot point anyway. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Wait, I take that back:
If I somehow win a million dollars or something, I will come to LankaCon. And I will show everyone everything I remember from my bellydancing classes-- all the women, anyway.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Excellent!
That's all I ask, kq. A willingness to teach us and make a fool of yourself at the same time. And if I somehow win a million dollars or something, I'll pay for you to come.
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
. (Being both foods, and having Beans end with the "n" sound)![[Frown]](frown.gif)