Mormon Life - Religion & Politics tag

New York Times: Black Mormons and the politics of identity

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:43:00 -0600

source: nytimes.com

Mormon Life says: Who would have thought a presidential election would include both a black candidate and a Mormon candidate? Black Mormons provide a unique perspective as the reality gets closer. When Marguerite Driessen, a professor here, entered Brigham Young University in the early 1980s, she was the first black person many Mormon students had ever met, and she spent a good bit of her college time debunking stereotypes about African-Americans. Then she converted to Mormonism herself, and went on to spend a good deal of her adult life correcting assumptions about Mormons.

So the matchup in this year’s presidential election comes as a watershed moment for her, symbolizing the hard-won acceptance of racial and religious minorities.

“A Mormon candidate and a black candidate? Who would have thunk?” Ms. Driessen said. “I think 30 years ago, we would not have had this choice.”

Wall Street Journal: One in four say having a Mormon president would cause concerns

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:22:00 -0600

source: wsj.com

Mormon Life says: So says a poll done by WSJ and NBC News. More than one in four Americans say having a Mormon as president would cause concern for themselves or someone in their family, neighborhood or office, presenting a challenge for Mitt Romney, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds.

In general, Americans are reluctant to admit they harbor biases against particular groups, so the portion of people who say Mormonism is a concern is notable, pollsters said. Mr. Romney is set to be the first Mormon to be nominated for president by one of the major political parties.

Romney faces ‘stained glass ceiling’ with voters, study says

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:18:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Mormon Life says: Another study. This one shows those with only a passing association with Mormons are most likely to react negatively to information about Romney and Mormonism. Americans who have only passing contact with Mormons are more likely to react to negative information about Mitt Romney and his faith and less inclined to buy into the counter, pro-Mormon argument, according to a new study.

The research, by three political science professors, including one at Brigham Young University, contends that voters who know Mormons well (such as having a family member or close friend who is in the faith) tend to dismiss outside arguments about the religion, while those who have had no contact with Mormons were the "most persuadable" either for or against Romney and the Salt Lake City-based religion.

The New Yorker weighs in on 'Latter-day' politics

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:52:00 -0600

source: newyorker.com

Mormon Life says: The author says Romney presents the opportunity to discuss the "utterly American" story of Mormonism and how it contributes to America's ongoing story. What is wrong with talking about Mormonism when talking about Mitt Romney and his run for the Presidency? On CNN last Sunday, David Axelrod, President Obama’s strategist, promised that his campaign did not consider Romney’s faith “fair game.” The implication, there, is that Mormonism is a weak point to be exploited—a card that one would only expect the Obama team to play from the bottom of the deck. And given that suspicions about Mormonism are widely thought to have cost Romney votes in the South, there may be good reasons for thinking so. Romney has also said, rightly, that some matters of faith are properly private. It might be that, in the interest of civility and electoral prudence, neither Obama nor Romney can initiate a conversation about what it means to be Mormon in this country. But perhaps the rest of us should, because the story is complicated, fascinating, and utterly American.

Do Mormons really want recognition as a 'mainstream' religion?

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:20:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: Review of an article that says, in part, "great days have unexpected consequences." To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who view Mitt Romney's successful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination as a significant step toward acceptance of the church as a mainstream American religion, respected Harvard professor Noah Feldman has these words of caution: "Be careful what you wish for."

In early 2008, Feldman, a professor of constitutional and international law at Harvard, wrote a long essay in the New York Times titled "What Is it About Mormonism?" in which he speculated that "the soft bigotry of cultural discomfort may stand in the way of a candidate whose faith examplifies values of charity, self-discipline and community that we as Americans claim to hold dear."

Is Mitt Romney's love for America a Mormon thing?

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:07:00 -0600

source: washingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: Some of the facts aren't exactly right, but the author does a good job of making connections between LDS scriptural belief and how that reflects on patriotism. Fascinating.

When it comes to American exceptionalism, Mitt Romney is going all in.

His book “No Apology: The Case for American Greatness” is a love song to the idea that this country merits “the protection of Providence” and has a singular “calling” to be a beacon for freedom. A major theme for him on the campaign trail is the nation’s divine destiny, a heritage Romney said has made him “stand a little taller, a little straighter” when overseas.

But what Romney doesn’t say is that, for followers of his made-in-America religion, Mormonism, exceptionalism isn’t political metaphor. It’s theology.

Washington Post: Why Mitt Romney shouldn't hide his Mormon leadership

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:50:00 -0600

source: washingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: Interesting read. This church member argues that Romney's leadership in the Church is crucial to understanding how authentic he is. Even after numerous political victories, years of public scrutiny and gigabytes of press, Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney remains an enigma to many. Is he a brilliant businessman or a ruthless capitalist? Is he driven by family values or by personal ambition? Is he a political moderate or a right-wing conservative? Just what kind of leader is he likely to be?

One of the reasons we can’t fully answer this question is that Romney doesn’t speak enough about one of the most formative influences on his leadership: his faith. Yes, he learned leadership theory at Harvard Business School and gained leadership experience founding Bain Capital, running the Salt Lake City Olympics and governing the state of Massachusetts. But fully unraveling Romney’s leadership identity requires delving more deeply into how he demonstrated leadership in his church.

{LDSL Blog} Best of: Stories of the Week, May 5-11

Sat, 12 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out which stories made up the best of LDS Living for the week of May 5 through 11, 2012.

We all love a good story. And what better way to find out the best of the best than seeing what people found most interesting? For the week of May 5 through May 11, 2012, these are LDS Living’s top online stories:

Top 5 LDS Living Stories:

1. Jon Stewart defends Mormonism on 'The Daily Show' {LDS Living}

2. {Food Dish} Best Dessert Bar: 4th Runner-up + Recipe {LDS Living}

3. {Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Modest Swimsuits 2012 {Kate Ensign-Lewis}

4. Photo Gallery: The Artwork of President Packer {LDS Living}

5. Blending Families {Jonathan Swinton}

Top 5 Mormon Report Articles:

1. LDS Church buys historical sites from Community of Christ {Deseret News}

2. A look at Connecticut Mormon temple plans {Farmington Patch}

3. Mitt Romney, Mormons brace for a mean political season {Deseret News}

4. Two writers use Book of Mormon to score political points {Deseret News}

5. Race, religion collide in presidential campaign {Associated Press}

Top Video:

'Have I Done Any Good?' Official Music Video ft. Alex Boye & Carmen Rasmusen Herbert {YouTube}

{LDSL Blog} Best of: Stories of the Week, Apr. 28-May 4

Sat, 05 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out which stories made up the best of LDS Living for the week of April 28 through May 4, 2012.

We all love a good story. And what better way to find out the best of the best than seeing what people found most interesting? For the week of April 28 through May 4, 2012, these are LDS Living’s top online stories:

Top 5 LDS Living Stories:

1. Photo Gallery: The Artwork of President Packer {LDS Living}

2. {Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Modest Swimsuits 2012 {Kate Ensign-Lewis}

3. {Poll} Public Displays of Affection at Church {Kate Ensign-Lewis}

4. {Food Dish} Muffin Tin Meals {Ashley Evanson}

5. FHE: Sacrifice {Shauna Gibby}

Top 5 Mormon Report Articles:

1. 'Time to shatter Mormon myths' column spreads across the country {Mormon Times}

2. Slate on how Mormons went from beard-wearing radicals to clean-cut conformists {LDS Living}

3. Women's Conference begins, new RS presidency debuts {Deseret News}

4. House candidate and rising GOP star is black, female - and Mormon {CNN}

5. Prince Charles and the Book of Mormon {Mormon Times}

Top Video:

'Have I Done Any Good?' Official Music Video ft. Alex Boye & Carmen Rasmusen Herbert {YouTube}

After doubts, some evangelical leaders put faith in Romney

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:09:00 -0600

source: chicagotribune.com

In October, Texas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress ignited a firestorm by calling Mormonism a "cult" and telling Republicans not to vote for Mitt Romney because the presidential aspirant was not a "competent Christian."

Today, Jeffress is endorsing Romney.

He is just one of many evangelical Christian leaders putting aside their suspicion of the former Massachusetts governor, a Mormon, to support him against President Barack Obama ahead of this November's election.

As politicians talk more about faith, voters seem to want less

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:26:00 -0600

source: cnn.com

Is Washington a holy city? It might seem that way, with all the talk about religion and morality in the 2012 election.

But all that God talk may be rubbing voters the wrong way.

"It's getting ugly out there," said Tim King, an evangelical Christian who works for the progressive religious group Sojourners. "There are a lot of Christians who are using their faith as a political weapon, which it's never meant to be."

Playing the Mormon card

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:40:00 -0600

source: nytimes.com

Mormon Life says: This author writes that politicians can't bring up religion, so it's up to the media to make Romney's religion look "weird." During the long Republican primary season, the highest-profile attack on Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith came in October during the Values Voters Summit in Washington, when the pastor who introduced Rick Perry to the assembly, Robert Jeffress of Dallas’s First Baptist Church, told reporters that “born-again followers of Christ should always prefer a competent Christian” for the presidency and dismissed Mormonism as a pseudo-Christian “cult.”

Writer suggests Democrats — not Mitt Romney — have a Mormon problem

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:00:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Do Democrats have a Mormon problem?

Peter Beinart, writing at The Daily Beast, argues that the 2012 campaign pairing — Mitt Romney against President Barack Obama — may tempt some Democrats to play on anti-Mormon bigotry. However he said, Democrats must avoid the temptation.

"The temptation comes in various forms," Beinart wrote. "The first is to mock Mormonism for its allegedly weird theology. I recently heard a political commentator mock Mormons for the underpants some wear under their clothing. But undergarments designed to remind a person of his religious obligations are hardly unique to Mormonism. In truth, every religion's practices and beliefs — if taken out of context — can seem nutty."

{LDSL Blog} When “Cult” and “Non-Christian” Cause an Uproar

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:08:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Religious scholars are intelligent people, but I sometimes wonder if they use words intending one thing and we misinterpret it to mean something slightly different.

The past few days, LDS news has been almost clogged with stories about the Rev. Jeffress comment about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There have been a lot of great stories, and many people have stood up for the Church with only good things to say.

Of the stories, one that interested me most was Jeffress's interview with Anderson Cooper, partly because I thought Cooper did an excellent job reporting the facts and standing up for the Church. The other reason I was interested was because Jeffress tried to clarify what he meant when he used the term cult:

“When I talk about a cult, Anderson, I’m talking about a theological cult, as opposed to a sociological cult. You know, theologically, a cult is a religion that has a human founder versus a divine founder. . . . Secondly, cults tend to look at other religious texts outside the Bible for their guidance.”

It was the first time I heard that description of the term.

First of all, Jeffress’s interview with Cooper is a spectacular example of backpedaling; he was trying to make it sound as if he didn’t really intend for people to take the word “cult” to mean the pejorative sense of the term, but I’m sure he knew the effect it would have. Since he is one who uses words to make a living and convince people of his beliefs, I find it hard to believe he didn’t intend to insult, and I doubt he would ever retract his comment for its effect.

Still, as I listened to him explaining cult academically, and later read an Evangelical's commentary on whether Mormons are "Christian" or not, it made me wonder if, when some academics use these descriptions, we misunderstand their meaning.

Jeffress is correct in implying that there is a “neutral” use of the term cult (in fact, academics are trying to neutralize the term for academic discourse), as well as a “negative” form of the word (which is what most people think of). This is also true for the classification “Christian” vs. “non-Christian”—when people say Mormons are not Christian, we typically think they don’t believe we follow Christ. But, as the evangelical I cited above (Richard Mouw) explains, academics use “non-Christian” to describe faiths with respect to historical Christianity (for example, belief in the Trinity). Mouw, in fact, does a great job of explaining from the get-go what he means when he says “Christian,” and even though he says he doesn’t know yet if he can call Mormons Christians, he acknowledges that we are genuine followers of Jesus Christ.

I’m not saying I agree with either of them in their classifications—obviously we believe that the Church was RESTORED by Joseph Smith, not founded by him, and if one looks purely at the way the Bible describes Christians, there should be no debate that Mormons are Christians, regardless of history or tradition. But understanding the terms from an outsider’s academic perspective, their use makes more sense than the common meanings of the terms.

I wonder if some people use these words in a more academic aspect ("cult" is simply something founded by a person, and "non-Christian" simply describes the religion's relationship to historical Christianity), and the general population misunderstands their meaning.

The take home message: I think some people use these terms and are not trying to be as insulting as they seem to be.

A few notes in closing:

(1) I’m sure some people use those terms because they COUNT on people misunderstanding them and either hope to cause a stir or hope to scare people into following their edicts.

(2) I think academics who don’t mean to cause problems either need to start using other non-pejorated terms to describe these circumstances to the general public, or they need to explain themselves fully whenever they DO use them in an academic sense (like the evangelical listed above who describes what he means when he debates whether Mormons are Christians in the traditional sense).

(3) I acknowledge that I might be giving people too much credit. Either way, though, I think we can take something from this: when this happens, we do what we can to inform others about the truth, and then we TAKE IT IN STRIDE. (Michael Otterson just wrote an excellent column for the Washington Post on how we respond to these claims.) This won’t be the last time someone says something like this—and rather than spend a lot of time getting upset and offended, we can work toward a time when most people really understand that we follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and the son of God.

News roundup: Media weighs in on Mormon cult comment

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:13:00 -0600

source: ldsliving.com

Mormon Life says: Here's another round of articles on Pastor Jeffress' cult comments.

Deseret News: Local clergy weigh in on LDS 'cult' claims, Christianity

A long-time Utah evangelical pastor is parting ways with some of his national colleagues when it comes to opinions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Reverend Myke Crowder, pastor of Christian Life Center in Layton, one of the largest evangelical congregations in Utah, took issue with Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of the 10,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, for his remarks last week during the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., in which he said that the LDS Church is a non-Christian cult.

Washington Times: Anti-Mormon comments are ‘hate language’

Former New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg, who recently endorsed Mitt Romney in the GOP presidential race, said Tuesday that those who have said they can’t support a Mormon as president are guilty of “hate language.”

Wall Street Journal: The Cult of Anti-Mormonism

Here's some advice for Republican candidates appearing at Tuesday's presidential debate at Dartmouth College. When you are asked, as you will be asked, what you make of the Christian pastor who called the Mormon faith a "cult," there's only one appropriate answer.

CNN: Huntsman: Pastor is a 'moron'

GOP presidential hopeful and Mormon Jon Huntsman had some choice words on Monday for the Dallas pastor who's repeatedly described Mormonism as a "cult" and a "false religion" this weekend.

Huffington Post: Mitt Romney Silent On Mormon 'Cult' Controversy

Mitt Romney doesn't want to talk about religion. In New Hampshire on Monday, the Republican candidate studiously avoided reporters' questions about his Mormon faith, CNN reports. As reporters shouted questions, Romney remained silent as his aides responded with, "No questions."

NPR: A Look At Mormons And The GOP

On Friday, at the Values Voters Summit here in Washington, where many GOP candidates spoke, the pastor of a Dallas-based mega church called the Mormon faith a cult. Robert Jeffress introduced Texas Governor Rick Perry at the summit, and his comments were aimed at another GOP candidate, Mitt Romney, a Mormon, who has largely avoided talking about his faith in public.

Salt Lake Tribune: Mormon question

Jon Huntsman is right. The question of whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult or is Christian is a political sideshow. The race for the Republican presidential nomination should be about important policy issues, not about which candidate or which denomination is Christian.

Deseret News: Mormons beliefs once again under attack

When one of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's supporters publicly denounced the faith of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman as a non-Christian cult, he was just the latest in a long line of people who have damned Mormonism.

{LDSL Blog} Common Ground

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:26:00 -0600

by Jamie Lawson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Politics can be a polarizing topic — even, or perhaps especially, among Latter-day Saints.

With Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Jr. garnering national attention for their anticipated 2012 presidential runs, it’s almost impossible not to stumble across a news story discussing the impact of the LDS faith in the political arena. And then there are the articles that compare and contrast Romney and Huntsman to determine which “type” of Mormon they are.

At LDS Living, we decided to explore the challenges Mormon politicians face as they serve in public office. While working on this story, entitled “Faith in Politics,” for the July/August issue (click here to read), I had the privilege of interviewing several politicians—Republican, Democrat, and everything in between. Each had his or her own ideas for how to best solve certain issues. And each had his or her own thoughts on how those ideas aligned with gospel principles. It was fascinating to speak with them, and I found that while they all had different approaches, they were all passionate about serving their countries and making the world a better place.

I consider the differing political views of Church members (whether serving in office or not) as being on opposite sides of the same coin. We may be Republican or Democrat, conservative, or liberal, but we all share common ground—love of the gospel. There is so much more that unites us than divides us, and it was refreshing to focus on that for a while.
-

Jamie Lawson is managing editor of LDS Living magazine. She loves traveling internationally, meeting fascinating people, and listening to 80s music. She enjoys tasting new foods but does not like to cook. She has two adorable boys who help her stay up to date on the latest technology, fashion trends, and catch phrases.

Abstinent Mormon Farmers Grow Barley for Beer

Sat, 09 Sep 2000 10:07:00 -0600

by John Miller - Associated Press
source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Editorial Note: Article talks about the moral dilemma of being involved in a legal industry that you don't personally support. Editorial Note: Article talks about the moral dilemma of being involved in a legal industry that you don't personally support.

BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo might seem like an unlikely person to be pushing a bill to cut federal taxes on small beer-makers: A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he abstains from alcohol.

But Crapo's effort, with senators from Oregon, Massachusetts and Maine, illustrates the deep bond between Idaho Mormons and the beer industry.

Mormon farmers raise barley for Budweiser and Negra Modelo beers, and last year, Mormons in the Idaho Legislature helped kill a plan to raise beer and wine taxes to fund drug treatment, fearing it could hurt farmers.

Crapo touted the tax cut for brewers during a recent appearance at the Portneuf Valley Brewing Co. in Pocatello and said his position is simple: He won't impose his own religious beliefs on others, especially when it could affect a growing industry.

"The (Idaho) wine industry is growing, too," he told The Associated Press. "I'll probably get asked to help the wine growers out. And I probably will."

Most Idaho barley is grown in the southeastern part of the state, where more than 70 percent of the population belongs to the Mormon, or LDS, church.

Church founder Joseph Smith offered this revelation in 1833, "Strong spirits are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies," and members have practiced abstinence since.

But the church, which declined to comment for this story, doesn't demand everybody quit drinking.

While teaching members to avoid alcohol, it urges public policies that establish "reasonable regulations to limit overconsumption, reduce impaired driving and work to eliminate underage drinking."

In Utah, the Mormon heartland to Idaho's south, policymakers also appear to be softening. Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Mormon, and the Legislature normalized liquor laws last year, breaking up a 40-year-old system in which private clubs were one of the few places patrons could buy hard liquor.

Even so, Idaho's Mormon barley farmers acknowledge an ambiguity in what they grow.

"I've often wondered about the correctness of doing it," said Scott Brown, president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association and a Mormon who grows barley on 5,000 acres near Soda Springs. "But somebody is going to grow it, whether members of the LDS church do."

Idaho is the No. 2 barley growing state behind North Dakota, and three-fourths of the nearly 50 million bushels produced by its farmers last year went to malters - and beer.

Crapo's bill would cut the federal excise tax on brewers' first 60,000 barrels of beer in half to $3.50, saving brewers up to $210,000 a year. While Idaho has just 17 craft breweries, signs of its beer industry are impossible to overlook.

Anheuser-Busch's barley malting plant outside Idaho Falls juts into the sky, and Grupo Modelo, Mexico's largest brewer, completed an $84 million malting facility in Idaho Falls in 2005. Great Western Malting Co. has operations in Pocatello that supply brewers and distillers worldwide.

Coors has bought barley from Idaho's Mormon growers for going on four decades.

Many are descended from Mormon pioneers who pushed north from Utah after the 1850s and put down roots near the upper Snake River, in the western shadows of the Grand Teton mountain range. With cool nights and a short growing season on land a mile above sea level, the area is suited for fast-growing, hardy barley.

Idaho farmers also use ample irrigation, which makes their crop more predictable for brewers than barley from Montana or North Dakota, where many farmers don't irrigate.

With the brewers offering good prices, the crop just makes sense, said Kelly Olson, Idaho Barley Commission administrator.

"I know of some LDS growers who won't raise malt barley, because they know it's ultimately destined for malt brewers," she said. "But by and large, most farmers make planting decisions based on economics."

Still, Mormon scholars said there's a tension for those aiming to balance LDS principles and economic pragmatism.

The ethical question, said Armand Mauss, a professor emeritus in sociology and religious studies at Washington State University, is this: "As long as the personal behavior and beliefs of the church member are in accordance with the teachings of the church, is he free as a church member to engage in commerce which is legal but which has the effect of promoting behavior that the church disapproves of?"

Clark Hamilton, a Mormon farmer originally from Utah, was harvesting 3,000 acres of barley near Ririe last week. The golden, rice-sized cereal grain was destined for companies that make Natural Light and Corona beers. He's heard the question before.

"People will look at me and say, 'You're a Mormon, why do you grow barley?' " he said. "I just don't have a problem with it. I don't think people who drink beer are bad."