stereotypes

I am sure you have heard about the survey on bias against Mormons, especially the part where 50% claim they don't know a mormon or that Romney is LDS. Riiiight, just like how nobody knows a gay man or lesbian.

Anyway, this part of the article struck me. Why would the Deseret News a paper owned by the Church, allow this part of the article to stay as is?

When respondents are provided information that stereotypes Mormons, i.e., "Mormons are part of a non-Christian cult" or "Mormons are polygamist," they react negatively to Romney's candidacy.

Participants react favorably to messages that dispel negative stereotypes, i.e., "about 100 years ago the Mormon Church banned polygamy," or "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stresses traditional family values." Simple appeals for religious tolerance do not win support for Romney.

Random House Dictionary defines stereotype as

ster·e·o·type [ster-ee-uh-tahyp, steer-] a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group: The cowboy and Indian are American stereotypes.

I think they need to work on their diction. The proper word is prejudice or bigotry (maybe ignorance if you are feeling particularly generous).


Racial stereotypes are called for what they are--racism. Same with sexual stereotypes. Why aren't religious stereotypes called bigotry, especially in the Deseret News?