Why do mormons run so many online ads and TV commercials?

[apples and oranges]

I don't want to word this wrong because I know there are mormon democrats and some on DU even. But I can't think of any other faith that spends millions on advertising. Are they really trying to spread "the word" or do they want more tithe paying members?

[librechik]

1. because they can--and because they are trying to change the common perspective

on Mormons (intense cultish weirdoes) to a more mainstream one (we're just your friendly neighbors--hey, we even have a black person!)

[shanti]

2. follow the money n/t

[LeftinOH]

3. The Franchise needs to expand. n/t

[jsr]

4. Probably both.

And tribal pride.

[Tom Ripley]

8. That sign is a lie. The great Mick Ronson was the ONLY Mormon who ever rocked!

[hifiguy]

10. Mick Ronson was a mormon?

We're talking about the same Mick Ronson here, right? The one who played lead guitar in Bowie's Ziggy Stardust band?

What an age we live in.

[Tom Ripley]

11. Yes, that's mindblowing, isn't it?

The Man from Hull was raised Mormon.

[Iggo]

5. They got more money than's good for 'em, that's why.

[LadyHawkAZ]

6. One leads to the other

so, both.

[Tom Ripley]

7. Because commercial enterprises run commercials

[hifiguy]

9. They want more suckers to fleece,

um, "believers" in the pews. They're also trying to divert attention from the particulars of their theology, which somehow manages to be even more incomprehensibly lunatic that those of the Abrahamic religions. They want to be seen as a part of the normal mainstream. The problems is that, like the Coneheads, they can't help but themselves away.