Social Justice in politics and religion

[_asbestosman]

I think "social justice" and some other good things are not favored because they are identified with Democrats, who are identified with big government, and the government is still viewed with deep suspicion because of the way the Saints were treated from Missouri through the end of polygamy. They still aren't over it. The Republican rhetoric takes advantage of this feeling, even though today it is the Republican base that pays the most disrespects to Mormon belief. Habits are hard to break.

I recall hearing that Mormons used to be more Democratic, perhaps in part back when there was hope that polygamy would have been more accepted. I mean, it is ironic that the GOP has basically been the church's enemy from the beginning fighting the twin evils of slavery and Brigham Young--I mean polygamy--and yet today the LDS strongly support them. I'm not sure why Mormons are so Republican, but part of it seems to come from president Benson. A lot of Mormons I know seem to quote him a lot about redistribution of property / governmental stealing / whatever.

Yet, there are Utah relatives of mine who are fairly strong democrats. These relatives are decently educated, but they also tend to be my older relatives who were either into education or perhaps had more ties to agriculture.

I'll bet things are different among the LDS in other parts of the world.

That would be interesting. I don't remember Dutch Mormon politics at all. Are you familiar with Brazilian LDS politics? I wonder if anyone else could weigh in?

[_Roger Morrison]

Quote:
I'll bet things are different among the LDS in other parts of the world.

That would be interesting. I don't remember Dutch Mormon politics at all. Are you familiar with Brazilian LDS politics? I wonder if anyone else could weigh in?

I've smiled a lot reading much of the above. I think Benson-babble, along with J.E. Hoover's paranoia, and other deeply indoctrinated LDS folks defending their Faith against the Faithless, as they feared Marxism. Percieving it as a Satan led Godless entity about to take humanity into the pits of hell. Later expressed as an "Evil Empire" (Regan)...

To the question: Canadian LDS, generally as are most Canadians, cross-voters Federally from what they might be Provincially, where they tend to vote more in favour of left-leaning candidates; while nationally tending more to the right.

However, what makes Canada, "THE best Country in the World" ;-) :-) :-) is the wisdom of Canadians to pick their fruit from both rows as they walk the centre path. Hence, no Canadian--to my knowledge--goes without health care. Nor have they lost their homes to pay for it. Here, health care is a universal right.

We think that's being Free however one wants to colour it--red, pink or blue. FYI, that program came by the efforts of very leftist Christians advocating the Social Gospel to be part and parcel of the Gospel of Salvation.

That in fact, the former trumped(s) the latter, as IMSCO it does, or Jesus taught in vain...
Roger

[_NorthboundZax]

I'll bet things are different among the LDS in other parts of the world.

That would be interesting. I don't remember Dutch Mormon politics at all. Are you familiar with Brazilian LDS politics? I wonder if anyone else could weigh in?

for what it's worth, a friend of mine was telling me about his mission to rural OK & MO and that some of the members took very seriously the notion of having all things in common and were living a fairly communal lifestyle. Clearly, that is not the approach that the vast majority of members take, but this is how one isolated/incubated piece of Mormon culture developed with their notions deeply rooted in their reading of the Book of Mormon and D&C.

[_moksha]

Why are Mormons so hidebound? No other major religion is as politically un-diverse as the LDS.

...the Republican base that pays the most disrespects to Mormon belief. Habits are hard to break.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Even though the Republicans rejected Romney this year because he was a Mormon, The Mormons know that two feet rather than four feet are good and that they must vote Republican or else the Farmer will not give them his blessings.*






* with an apology to Animal Farm

[_moksha]

It makes little or no sense why the majority of my fellow Mormons would vote against the needs of their pocketbook this year.

[_asbestosman]

It makes little or no sense why the majority of my fellow Mormons would vote against the needs of their pocketbook this year.

Heh, I think my pocketbook will be lighter whether I vote democrat or republican. McCain's healthcare will hit me because my company has a great plan, but I expect Obama to end up costing me more too. But none of that matters. The whole bailout thing is probably going to be the biggest load and that'll happen no matter who wins it (and it'll probably be Obama). Anyhow, my pocketbook is doing just fine for my needs. However, I have close family who are not so lucky many of whom are oddly-enough Republicans.