Mormons, stop posting sexist crap on your Facebook wall.

So, I have seen this meme all over my Facebook wall. It has been shared by my Mormon friends, friends who grew up in the church, who have served missions, and who are strong members of the church. And yet, they thought this sexist, ungodly meme was worth sharing. This makes no sense. Our church, or rather the people in it, have a sexism problem. I am not advocating a change in doctrine, but I am advocating that what we say and how we act coincide with the doctrine and principles that we claim we adhere to. Posts and attitudes like this are not only an insult to women, but through its sexism it’s also a mockery of our gospel. This should be obvious to anyone who has basic understandings of the gospel. But, apparently, it’s not. So, let me break it down.

This meme does not allow for repentance or improvement.

So, a major idea that we feminists are concerned with is avoiding putting women into categories, such as the Madonna/Whore binary (The idea that a woman is either an angel sent to help man reach heaven, or a whore sent to tempt him). A major driver behind this idea is that the oversimplification of individual women and their personalities, faults, and virtues does not allow us to see them as complex humans, but, rather, as stereotypes. This is dehumanizing.

Likewise, the gospel would not have us define ourselves or others and limit who we are as progressing children of God because of sins or transgressions. Yes, sex not within the bounds of marriage is a sin, no matter what your gender is. However, it is not a sin that one cannot be forgiven for.

During the General Conference of April 2011, C. Scott Grow of the Seventy taught, “With the exception of sins of perdition, there is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement.” This truth has been taught again, and again. When a person is forgiven their sins, the Lord “remembers them no more” (D&C 41:42). This, of course, means that we shouldn’t remember the sins of others. And those who don’t repent? That’s none of our business. In our unforgiving attitude we are the sinners.

2. This meme devalues the sanctity of life

I’m going to let you guys in on a little secret, the LDS church is pro-life. And so, on that note, using the phrase “pooped out” when referring to childbirth is wrong, morally and factually. It’s ridiculous that the same people who post stuff like this are those who claim to be pro-life. Having a baby out of wedlock is hard, and dealing with prejudiced, aggressive attitudes is just not helpful. You can’t get all bent out of shape about Planned Parenthood and then demonize a woman for not having an abortion. Pick a side.

3. This meme discourages Christ-like love and kindness.

This meme is crass, prejudiced, and unforgiving. Its sole purpose is to tear down others. You don’t have the right to get a laugh from others shortcomings; you don’t have the right to say, “Oh look at how bad Sally is, I’m so much better than Sally.” If Christ, who has the right to scorn sinners didn’t—then what makes you think that you have the right? When has revelation, ancient or modern ever said or implied that tearing down others is ok? It hasn’t. It has, however, taught us to be loving and kind. Elder Oaks recently gave a talk in October 2014 that focused on loving others, even if we don’t approve of what they do. And Jesus ate with the sinners and the publicans and he even forgave a woman taken in adultery—maybe He was making a point.

People know you’re a member of the church, we hold you to a high standard. You do you, but it’s hard to take your Mormon.org posts seriously when they’re coupled with stuff like this.