Abstract and Keywords
The Mormon Church has had a continuous presence in Europe since 1837. Conversely, Europe contributed much to the shaping of Mormonism in the United States, through immigration, in religious behavior, in culture, and in doctrine. This chapter focuses further on how perceptions shape Mormon identities in the European setting. Non-Mormons in Europe perceive Mormonism rather negatively, due to a long tradition of derogatory literature and anticultism, but ignorance mostly prevails. American Mormons, often viewing Europe either as Disneyesque delightful or as dismally immoral, wrestle with the place to be given to Europe in the worldwide expansion of Mormonism. European Mormons themselves form a socially diverse and multicultural palette, with many non-European converts, trying to find a balance in a definitely still American church. This chapter considers the challenges for Mormonism in Europe and weighs suggestions for improvement.
Keywords: Mormon identity, anticultism, Europe, international church, convert
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