Democratic Party a Better Home for Mormons

[_moksha]

Smac over at MAD, has posted an interesting topic:

The Utah Democratic Party has unveiled a new campaign targeted at members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The "Utah Common Values" campaign intends to show that the Democratic Party and its candidates have more in common with LDS voters than the Republican Party. Vice-Chairman Rob Miller spoke with KCPW's Faroe Robinson about the campaign.

The "Utah Common Values" campaign will include full-page newspaper ads, radio and television ads and presentations to civic groups around the state.

Basically that thread was saying in light of Mormons being relegated to permanent second class status as Republicans, that Mormons might find more ground with the Utah Democratic Party. They talked about the National Democratic stance on abortion possibly being a stumbling block. However, many Utah Democrats themselves do not support abortion.

The Democrats could make a strong case that due to their commitment to diversity and fairness, at least the Mormons would be accepted. Perhaps they might also point out that policies aimed at benefiting the greedy are not in line with Mormon theology.


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[_bcspace]

Believing Mormons are not generally accepted in the national Democratic party and the reason is because a good Momorn cannot possibly be a good Democrat and vice versa. Notice Harry Reid's opposition to the Church for example.

Basically that thread was saying in light of Mormons being relegated to permanent second class status as Republicans, that Mormons might find more ground with the Utah Democratic Party. They talked about the National Democratic stance on abortion possibly being a stumbling block. However, many Utah Democrats themselves do not support abortion.

Abortion is far from the only stumbling block.

The Democrats could make a strong case that due to their commitment to diversity and fairness, at least the Mormons would be accepted. Perhaps they might also point out that policies aimed at benefiting the greedy are not in line with Mormon theology.

Only less or non believing members would come. LDS doctrine has a strong background against socialism and the welfare state and is pro constitution especially in the area of free speech. Also moral issues such as abortion, gay marriage, capital punishment, gambling, etc. all run contrary to LDS doctrine in teh Democratic party.

While the field seems ripe, 2/3 of LDS are essentially inactive or less active, many of those hold to traditional LDS values.

[_Wilma Fingerdoo]

LDS doctrine has a strong background against socialism


Yeah I seem to remember the Temple Ceremony making me promise to give EVERYTHING to the Church. But hey that's not socialism its just screwed up Mormonism.

[_moksha]

BC, do you see the Mormons staying with a party that thinks Mormons are too strange to ever be anything other than donation givers?

I completely do not understand why you think the Democrats would reject Mormons. Did you not see their earnest offer in the quote box?

[_moksha]

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While the field seems ripe, 2/3 of LDS are essentially inactive or less active, many of those hold to traditional LDS values.

I didn't realize the percentage was so high.

[_asbestosman]

Also moral issues such as abortion, gay marriage, capital punishment, gambling, etc. all run contrary to LDS doctrine in the Democratic party.

(bold mine)
I am unaware of any LDS doctrine which requires capital punishment. I am only aware of doctrine that allows for it if the government so chooses.

Furthermore, there are questions as to how much of those standards should be legislated. Should we ban coffee and tea? What other moral standards should we hold but not legislate? That is the question.

[_krose]

I am unaware of any LDS doctrine which requires capital punishment. I am only aware of doctrine that allows for it if the government so chooses.

Same here. I'm also curious about the mention of gambling. What's the connection between Democrats and gambling? I haven't seen either of these in the platform, and the party members themselves are split on capital punishment.

[_moksha]

Same here. I'm also curious about the mention of gambling. What's the connection between Democrats and gambling? I haven't seen either of these in the platform, and the party members themselves are split on capital punishment.

Possibly these were items off the top of Bc's head, that he accidentally forgot to run through the fact checker.

[_ajax18]

"The Democrats could make a strong case that due to their commitment to diversity and fairness"

I can't think of any democrats who would ever support an LDS notion of fairness. If that were true Mormons would be getting special favors to make up for past discrimination and unfair treatment that other minorities call for and get. Can you think of any instances where the commitment to diversity includes choosing a Mormon over a more qualified canidate occurs?

homosexuality, abortion, secularism,

Being Mormon in either party is at best a nonissue left unspoken, at worst a roadblock to any leadership positions. If Mormons were really committed to the redistribution of wealth through taxation, wouldn't they ask wealthier members to pay a larger percentage of their income in tithing?

[_asbestosman]

If Mormons were really committed to the redistribution of wealth through taxation, wouldn't they ask wealthier members to pay a larger percentage of their income in tithing?

How about paying a generous fast offering instead?

Oh, and regarding past discrimination against Mormons and against blacks, there simply is no comparison. Strangers can't tell you're a Mormon unless you mention it, so it's harder to discriminate against you. Furthermore while we have suffered from some discrimination, it hasn't been nearly as widespread.