This post is to put my feelings out there and perhaps bring a different perspective to some of our friends and family.
With most of you being members of the LDS church, I'm sure you're familiar with the letter of political neutrality that the church sends out to each ward within the church. http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/first-presidency-issues-letter-on-political-participation
My favorite line from this letter is the one that states, "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties." Honestly, if you were a non-member person attending church meetings, particularly ones close to an election, you would have no idea that this was the church's official stance.
I truly feel that the church releases this letter to try and reduce any feelings of contention there may be among church members. I think it is also to try and remind our church members to respect other opinions and view points, even if not agreed with.
Somewhere along the line, a huge majority of church members got the idea that democrats, or liberals (pardon my language), are evil and couldn't possibly be good standing, faithful members of the church. Comments and references criticizing any political party are totally inappropriate in our church gatherings, which is a big reason for the release of this letter. I can't count the number of times either Brent or I went home from church irritated because of comments another member says belittling or disrespecting our political views. I love many people who COMPLETELY disagree with me politically and I welcome their opinions and even their questioning mine... what I'm talking about are members in meetings saying things that may be considered rude, but say them in the assumption that because they are with other church members, they are automatically agreed with. What if a "liberal" was investigating the gospel and walked away completely offended?
A few good examples of what I believe this letter is intending to end is during the 2004 election Brent met with his home teaching companion to go home teach a newer family in our student ward. This family had a Kerry/Edwards sign in their front window. And assuming Brent was republican, as most members just do, his companion turned and said, "oh no, they're democrats"... how is this in anyway the Christian, loving, fellow shipping attitude that members are to have with one another? Simply because this family disagreed with him, Brent's companion prejudged them and invited feelings of resentment and contention. Not to mention felt pretty "sheepish" once Brent said, "yeah so am I".
It's also difficult to feel the spirit and embrace the uplifting nature of church meetings and lessons when political beliefs are used as examples of evil and disobedience. Such as one member in our meeting that referred to Lamen and Lemuel as "left".
A fantastic friend of mine emailed me this article from a Utah Newspaper... http://ldslivingonline.com/article.php?articleId=79643
It is titled "LDS Official Calls for More Political Diversity". If you don't read it, the main part I wanted to share was this: He says, "There is sort of a division along Mormon/non-Mormon, Republican/Democratic lines," says Elder Marlin Jensen, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. "We regret that more than anything -- that there would become a church party and a non-church party. That would be the last thing that we would want to have happen." He goes on to be more specific about why that is a bad thing and I hope people take the time to read it.
All that being said, I'm sure there isn't any real question as to where Brent and I stand politically! We hear all the time, obviously, the ideas that you can't be a good member of the church and a democrat. How can you be? Well, Brent and I are democrat because of our religious beliefs. We are because of our beliefs of charity, equality, being our "brother's keeper", and agency and choice.
At the same time, Brent and I aren't actually too excited at the idea of the democrats having complete control of the House and Senate AND white house... because we support the balance that different party control brings.
We are so excited for tonight and are making a lava cake just for the occasion! Sorry this was so long but I wanted to post this before the polls closed and the race was "called" because I think it's important to throw out there no matter who wins. But "Go Obama!"
17 comments:
Isn't that the best thing about being American? We can all have our own beliefs, even if yours are not "right"!! Sorry I can't help myself I think I'm too funny!
You're welcome! :) And I'm willing to bet a substantial fortune that Obama is going to win tonight. Good luck!
Thanks Maxine, great article! And Amanda you are too funny! And I love you! Even though we have to call a truce on politics!
My main issue is that the 'brother's keeper' thing should not be a government mandate. We are Americans - free to choose. I choose to give to various charities. I do not think that the gov't should take it from me to give it to others that THEY decide is worthy of it.
I think the part of LDS and democrat comes from the most VISUAL examples. Let's take Harry Reid (sp?) It's ok to have differing opinions, but when there is name calling, dishonesty, and pure hatred coming in such a nation wide coverage, it tends to make LDS people look like that. I think there is room for improvement on both sides.
That, and his idea of 250,000 person civilian army scares the crap out of me. Can anyone say 'Brown Shirts'?
I guess, we'll just have to agree to disagree - whatever the crap that means.
Pity Party at my house?
I think you and I have really established the "agree to disagree" thing...
I totally get your "brothers keeper" point of view, especially when it comes to welfare systems, but I'm more for it for things that should just be human rights, such as basic education, medical care and such, and for things everyone in society uses, like roads, public transit, parks...
I guess I also have a different perspective on the welfare systems having worked with people who CAN'T function without it. And really, what normal middle class people ever have enough left over to actually give to charities? I know we don't! There is always more to pay for! ugh
Is "liberals" a bad word?
It's always said with such spite, I just assumed so!
Sure it's said with spite...by Conservatives. And visa-versa. In general, human-beings don't speak of their opposition in sweet tones of affection.
It's still possible to be a liberal Republican or a conservative Democrat...which is why I think the whole party system should just be done away with. It tells nothing of importance.
This is true... I'm left but not nuts either. I'm actually pretty in the middle, though in terms of church members that mean I'm a lot more liberal then most. And Brent is more then me. And it also completely depends on the topic too. I'm pretty left for taxes, education and such but pretty right for immigration and gay marriage. I guess you just have to "pick and choose" the things that make you vote for someone. Most people aren't going to find a candidate that matches their ideals 100%
I disagree with this blog. You talk about christ like attributes. Christs plan was for people to choose. Satan wanted to force people to follow. Charity is no longer charity when forced. You also are trying to imply that this is like christs plan(law of consecration). The higher law is set up to help thoughs who help themselfs. Our government is to corrupt to run a system similar to this. People will not strive to improve, when everything is given to them. Higher Taxes for the "weathly" will only bankrupt our country and FORCE more government buyouts. We do not need or want more government. The people need to support the government, not have the government support the people.
NO regulation from government is what brought on this economic mess. And there are plenty aspects of the republican party that go against choice and agency, because they don't agree with the choice it gives someone (i.e: abortion, gay marriage). (I'm NOT saying I'm for gay marriage, so everyone can just calm down)
Either way, my post was simply putting my opinions out there, agreed upon or not. Not to debate my political beliefs or disagreements. As you can tell, most everyone we know disagree with us, being both mormon and from Utah. I get plenty of emails and visit many a blogs with political content I disagree with, and I don't feel the need to say why everyone is wrong all the time. I simply posted my feelings because I can never share them, because of all the retaliation I get.
listen, I'm not from Utah, and never would want to be. Republican or not, I support a conservative movement. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, however, when people speak out, they need to understand people will oppose them. I have had people oppose me my entire life. When I saw something, I understand, some may be offend. I am prepared for that. When you also talk about "republicans" not supporting choice "...they don't agree with the choice it gives someone (i.e: abortion, gay marriage). "
I do agree with the choice people are given. If people choose to have sex, and get pregnant, they should live with the consequences. As for gay marriage, if two people want to be together, so be it. Do not bring a christian religion into it. They choose to do wrong, they should not receive the blessings of marriage. I would also like to make a point. People claim Gays should be aloud to marry because they love each other...what about multiple spouses then. If they love each other, then they should be together? I don't think so, unless it is called of God.
Erika, I lived the party life before I changed my life around. I knew full well of the chances I was taking. I would never support taking a life. I also will never support Marxist views. I know you obviously believe in different political views, than me.
Politics really rile me up. We are both entitled to our own views.
"when I say*** something"
by the way, what brought this economic mess was the democrats in the 90's pushing for lower standards for morgages...look it up...this forced the morgage companies to comply with "regulations" and helped line pockets like OBAMA
I think you may be forgetting that this is MY blog and out of common couresty you can CHOOSE to not get "riled up" or arguementative. You can CHOOSE to just not say anything, that's simply what I do at every "preachy" and "holier then the democrats" email I get.
I'm sorry, but Bush has been president for 8 YEARS, people need to start facing that he has SOMETHING to do with today's economy.
And again, the point of my post wasn't to debate politics, because I KNOW very VERY well that none of my family agree with anything... you need to go back and read both the links I included and maybe then the idea of my post will click, and how it's about the church encouraging political diversity and differing opinions, and REDUCING the contention.
I only had time to read the first few paragraphs cuz Jessa's crying now, but I feel like I understand where you're coming from. This is a needful, nice post.
I personally voice my opinion sometimes & I hope others forgive me because I usually never mean to offend, but yes views seem to be biased in certain settings & its not fair sometimes.
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