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The discussion on Utah Mormons and Mormon Culture/Weirdness prompted a lot of questions as to what Mormon culture is.
I propose that we put our collective efforts together to come to some sort of definition of what Mormon culture is. To guide that discussion we need to establish a baseline definition of the word culture, as it can have different uses and meanings. I propose the following (from Websters):
Culture is:
The integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations.
The customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.
The characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time (as in "popular culture" or "southern culture").
The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.
With that as a foundation, I think there are many things we can discuss regarding Mormon Culture, particularly as it pertains to Mormon attitudes toward life, art, music, literature, and cinema, which, in some cases, can be considered unique, especially when Mormon contributions to those areas are considered. In a sense, a culture is defined by its contributions to the arts and the discourse it creates.
The only request I have for this thread is the people remain civil. To disagree is fine, but please do so respectfully and civilly. Just because someone's opinions don't correspond with your experiences doesn't mean they're invalid.
With that, I pose the question: What is Mormon Culture, or what aspects of Mormon Culture contribute to defining it?
I propose that we put our collective efforts together to come to some sort of definition of what Mormon culture is. To guide that discussion we need to establish a baseline definition of the word culture, as it can have different uses and meanings. I propose the following (from Websters):
Culture is:
The integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations.
The customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.
The characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time (as in "popular culture" or "southern culture").
The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.
With that as a foundation, I think there are many things we can discuss regarding Mormon Culture, particularly as it pertains to Mormon attitudes toward life, art, music, literature, and cinema, which, in some cases, can be considered unique, especially when Mormon contributions to those areas are considered. In a sense, a culture is defined by its contributions to the arts and the discourse it creates.
The only request I have for this thread is the people remain civil. To disagree is fine, but please do so respectfully and civilly. Just because someone's opinions don't correspond with your experiences doesn't mean they're invalid.
With that, I pose the question: What is Mormon Culture, or what aspects of Mormon Culture contribute to defining it?
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