Growing up in Minnesota, there weren't a lot of Mormons around. We had to drive 30 minutes to go to church (not a big deal - but it is sweet to walk just 5 minutes now). Besides my siblings, I was the only Mormon at my school (not a bad thing).

Kids at school didn't really know much about Mormonism. Here are actual conversations I had in junior high and high school:

Q: You're a Mormon? I thought you couldn't drive cars or wear jeans and stuff?
A: Uh, I think you're thinking about the Amish.

Q: You're a Mormon? You guys can't drink milk, right?
A: Uh, I don't know what you're talking about.

Q: You're a Mormon? Don't you have horns on your head? (said with a straight face)
A: Err..what?

Q: You're a Mormon? You don't celebrate Halloween or Christmas, right?
A: Uh, I love Halloween and Christmas. I think you're thinking of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Q: You're a Mormon? You're joking, right?
A: Nope, not joking. I'm a Mormon.
Q: You're joking? You're not serious?
A: Seriously, I'm a Mormon.
Q: Like, seriously?
A: Seriously.
Q: You're just putting me on, right?
A: No. I'm actually a Mormon. Would you like to know more?

Q: You're a Mormon? That's a cult, right?
A: Uh, no.

Q: You're a Mormon? You don't believe in Jesus, right?
A: I believe in Jesus and the Bible. The full name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Q: You're a Mormon? You're not Christian, right?
A: I'm a Christian. Our church is not The Church of Mormon or The Church of Latter Day Saints, it's The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Q: No, you're not. My pastor said you're really not Christians even though you think you are.
A: I'm a Christian. I believe in Christ. How is it possible to think I'm a Christian and not be one?

I became great friends with the girl who just could not believe I was seriously a Mormon. When I was 13, she and another friend and I were talking about religion. They both thought I was going to hell because of my religion. This was said in a completely matter-of-fact way and it just blew me away. I didn't think they were going to hell - how could they think this puny 13 year old girl with braces was actually going to hell?

I haven't been confused with the Amish or the Jehovah's Witnesses in a long time, but the question of being a Christian still comes up. It just came up last week on the homeschool boards I read (with a lot more bizarre stuff than not drinking milk or having horns on our heads). Being told I'm not really a Christian, even though I think I am is insulting. You can tell me you disagree with my beliefs, that you don't like my brand of Christianity, that's fine. To me tell I don't believe in Christ when I clearly do (and it's obviously the details of my religion that you don't agree with) is very frustrating.

To be fair to the folks on the homeschool board: The original poster was asking an innocent question (what is the difference between Christianity and Mormons?) and the strange answers were quotes posted by folks who thought they had them from a reliable source. No one was trying to be insulting.

By the way, if you ever read anything on this blog that is possibly offensive, please know that I'm never referring to you and never mean to offend you. Unless you happen to be Michael Moore, Ward Churchill or the guy who coined the phrase "in da house."