My memory of Mormons used to be of clean-cut Caucasian men in immaculate white shirt and tie, leather cases in tow, walking the streets in pairs. Their house visits along the neighbourhood drew as much excitement and were as eagerly anticipated by us kids as the red cheeked Santa who tossed candy and balloons on Christmas. Being odd and Amerkano, we followed them around.
I’m not familiar with the religion, but judging by their modest appearance and the door-to-door preaching, I thought theirs is one with very little leeway for more “worldly” pursuits. I may be wrong.
With the 2008 Men On A Mission Calendar, they are breaking tradition by featuring twelve returned Mormon missionaries in their undress.
Here is part of the project information found in mormonsexposed.
While the fact that twelve young returned missionaries are posing shirtless will certainly raise eyebrows, it may also help to sort out some common misconceptions of Mormons by celebrating the beautiful bodies, great looks and amazing stories of service of these deeply spiritual men. Intended to be a light-hearted spin on a social taboo, the Men on a Mission calendar is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the selfless servitude of missionaries.
Tongues will come a-wagging, I figure?
10 Comments
September 23, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Shirtless Mormons? Hmmm.. yeah, made my eyebows raised! So what’s the point? I think people will not concentrate on spirituality because the human body is really tempting! The “zegual” factor is still there!!!
But, a new twist then. Time for a change. Oh, this moderm world,people now are thinking weird!
http://www.writinerary.com
i suppose the calendar has been met with general disapproval by their community. true, there’s nothing wrong with men posing shirtless. but what can they say of Mormon women missionaries doing the same, if ever?
September 23, 2007 at 11:42 pm
I remember back when I was working in Princeton, New Jersey. Right beside our building is a Mormon worship place. That’s where me and my officemates worships them during lunch hour! hehehe! Especially when they start playing football – shirtless! I mean! Daaaaleeezzzhuzzzz!!!
haha! place of worship, indeed…. and on lunch time, too. you were either worshipping, or feasting on them, or both…
September 24, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Everybody’s entitled to freedom of speech and religious practice.
AMEN.
September 24, 2007 at 1:50 pm
reminds me of how the Israeli government organised a Maxim feature on their HOT female soldiers to change the how other people see their nation ( http://www.yoshke.com/2007/06/23/boobs-sell/ ). It’s absurd but to a certain extent, they have a point. Not that I agree with them.
But shirtless mormons? Yum yum.
hehe. thanks for sharing…
i wonder how Israeli women would like themselves seen by the world? if this was in the Philippines, the issue will surely be blown out of proportion.
September 24, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Yay! After gazillion years, I’m back!
We’re studying Philosophy and Religion right now. But even with the existence of such course, I find your post quite shocking. Haha! Grabeh, nakakatakot naman yung ganun. But still, I respect their religion.
The world IS diversified, after all.
WB, Bam! Ateneo ka nga pala…
well, like other religions, people will have differing interpretations of doctrines and stuff. those behind the calendar may have made a faux pas to some people’s eyes, but they must have been so convinced that they’re doing the right thing. i have no problem with that.
September 25, 2007 at 9:53 am
si inday na yun
haha! i wonder what Inday has to say about this?
September 25, 2007 at 8:44 pm
jun i have a mormon friend and i’m thinking about his “would-be” reaction if he would see this clip LOL
haha! i can almost hear what he will say, (even non-Mormons don’t agree with it) but to imagine the shock in seeing the video?
September 28, 2007 at 12:27 am
dati ako mormons pero ‘di ganyan ang katawan
well, i certainly found something better–Jesus. 
AMEN to that.
September 29, 2007 at 1:49 am
have you seen latter days? a gay movie..
basta.. its a very nice movie.
i fell in love with it.
is their religion okai with this kind of clip?
hehehehe..
but they’re pretty hot.
no, Chase, i have not seen it. does it, by any way, allude to being Mormon? the title is suggestive.
October 1, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Next thing you’d hear, they go pantless. Aba.
i sure hope they won’t. or they can if they want to, just not drag the Mormon name and cause into it. the issue doesn’t seem to be picking up much attention/discussion… is that supposed to be good?