Mormon Monopoly in Utah

[Sombeech]

This issue is mentioned from time to time. What do you think?

Does the LDS Church have too much influence in Utah politics?

Are they a political party of their own?

http://joebrower.com/PHILE_PILE/PIX/FR/can_of_worms.jpg

[Udink]

Though I often complain that religion has way too much influence on politics in Utah, I don't really think that it has an adverse effect on me. They can pass all the laws they want, but the U.S. Constitution is still the supreme law of the land, and that's good enough for me.

Sure, our liquor laws are messed up, but I'm halfway drunk right now so I don't really care. Our legislators, year after year, hold up my right to carry a firearm, my right to NOT wear a seat belt, and so many other rights that I hold dear. Not that I exercise all of those rights, but at least I'm not limited in what I can or cannot do in such a manner as to feel like my own beliefs are stifled.

[live2ride]

Here is an artical that I found interesting with the percentages of Mormons in utah,

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2886596

[DiscGo]

Despite the LDS church having polygamy, claiming to be the only true church, and several other items that have upset people over the years, it was the LDS political power that got them run out of every area in which they lived until they came to Utah.

It is hard to separate the LDS religion from politics because so much of the church's political views are based on it's religious beliefs. That is going to upset people.


I don't think the LDS church should innately or legally have control of the state (although it did found the state), I think that the voters should decide and the LDS church should be treated like any other big corporation would be treated by most areas.

[nefarious]

The church purposely stays out of politics as much as it can except on the issues of abortion and gay marriage, so I don't believe it wields undue influence in Utah for the most part.

I don't agree with the anti-gay thing, but the church is hardly unique in its stance. I won't give the church a complete pass on that, but it probably doesn't deserve special criticism for it either.

Anyway, asking about undue Mormon influence in Utah is fair, but to me it is like wondering if there aren't too many Jews in Israel.

[DiscGo]

Anyway, asking about undue Mormon influence in Utah is fair, but to me it is like wondering if there aren't too many Jews in Israel.

I think that is a good example. (Though I'll bet the Palestinians would say yes :haha: )

[UtahFire]

Anyway, asking about undue Mormon influence in Utah is fair, but to me it is like wondering if there aren't too many Jews in Israel.

I think that is a good example. (Though I'll bet the Palestinians would say yes :haha: )

The political situation in Utah is no different than in other areas which have a dominant religion or culture. I lived in the South for several years and the political influance of the Southern Baptists in the area I lived was just as acute as the LDS church in Utah. In many parts of the country Democrats don't seem to do as well in areas where there are lots of "church going folks".

[DiscGo]

When the Mormons came to Utah, they weren't sure if they were leaving the U.S. at first, and they didn't care because they were so fed up with being persecuted.

It bothers me when people in Utah complain that Mormons act like they own this place, when it was the Mormons who got Utah going. So I don't think that the Mormon church should getting special privileges, but I do believe that the Mormon faith should be treated with respect in Utah.