Thursday, August 12, 2004
Religion in Politics
A guy I know has started a new political organization called Fight4Right. Its mission, from what I have learned on its website, is essentially to promote LDS values in politics. To that end, it seems that the number one goal of the organization is to elect or appoint LDS people to public office.
All in all, I'm impressed with the motives of the organization's two founders (two guys who moved into my apartment in DC after Dan and Peter and I left). I hope they have some success. But I don't necessarily agree with their seemingly unquestionable premise: that an LDS public official will advance the values and the positions of all LDS people. Although we share religious beliefs, not all LDS people share the same views politically. While it's true that most Mormons tend to be Republicans, I know quite a few very strong Democrats who are active, worthy Mormons. Senator Harry Reid is a Mormon and the minority whip--the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate. Many--I dare say most--Mormons would disagree with him on many issues. In fact, he voted against the constitutional amendment on marriage that the First Presidency endorsed.
It's good of these guys to try to get "LDS Values" into politics without regard to partisanism. But I think a better idea would be to identify a platform of positions on important issues, and work to elect people who agree with those positions. It probably won't be hard to find a non-Mormon who agrees with you, or a Mormon who disagrees with you.
All in all, I'm impressed with the motives of the organization's two founders (two guys who moved into my apartment in DC after Dan and Peter and I left). I hope they have some success. But I don't necessarily agree with their seemingly unquestionable premise: that an LDS public official will advance the values and the positions of all LDS people. Although we share religious beliefs, not all LDS people share the same views politically. While it's true that most Mormons tend to be Republicans, I know quite a few very strong Democrats who are active, worthy Mormons. Senator Harry Reid is a Mormon and the minority whip--the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate. Many--I dare say most--Mormons would disagree with him on many issues. In fact, he voted against the constitutional amendment on marriage that the First Presidency endorsed.
It's good of these guys to try to get "LDS Values" into politics without regard to partisanism. But I think a better idea would be to identify a platform of positions on important issues, and work to elect people who agree with those positions. It probably won't be hard to find a non-Mormon who agrees with you, or a Mormon who disagrees with you.
Comments: Post a Comment
