He'd vote Republican, according to James Dobson and his minister friends.
Yes, I know, this isn't news. It annoys me, though, to see people taking something as personal and meaningful as religion and turning it into a political tool. The Religious Right discourages good Christians from voting for a Democrat even when the Democratic candidate might be the one who most closely matches that individual's values, and they discourage good thinking people from voting for a Republican even when the Republican candidate might be the better choice, because who in their right mind wants to be associated with the Religious Right?
I respect the LDS church for refraining from endorsing specific candidates or parties--I've never heard anyone cross that line over the pulpit, and I've had some pretty politically-biased bishops. I'm perplexed by Mormons who align themselves with the Religious Right, ignoring the fact that James Dobson, George W., and their ilk would no sooner sit down to dinner with a Mormon than with a homosexual.
I'm embarrassed to say that the first time I voted was in 2004, and even more embarrassed to admit that I didn't do my research before hitting the polls--in many cases, I didn't know anything about the candidates, so I blindly voted for the Democrat, which makes me no better than the BYU student who was quoted in the New York Times as saying that she only voted for Bush because he seemed like a good, religious person, not because she knew anything about the issues. Foxy and I sent in our voter registration forms earlier this week, and I've vowed to repent of my lazy ways. I don't know if my vote will make a difference, but at least if I read up on all the people and things I'm voting on, I can feel morally superior to those who don't.
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ReplyDeleteWow. That you say it merely annoys you says more about your moral character than anything (note: that is a compliment.) It makes me frothing-at-the-mouth angry when I hear political agendas being pushed in the name of doctrine. And I heard plenty of that in TX. So we moved.
ReplyDeleteI'm duly reminded to request my absentee ballot so that maybe we can take Chris Cannon out of the 3rd Discrtict already.
ReplyDeleteDubya did have breakfast with the LDS First Presidency on his recent trip to Utah. I know I'm missing the point, but I think you overstated yours.
ReplyDeleteI despise our current pres. for many reasons, but mostly because he cannot pronounce the word "nuclear" correctly. I realize this is trivial--nonetheless, I maintain, one who says "noo-cue-lur" is despicable. That is all.
ReplyDeletePoint taken, Bawb. And you'll notice he didn't have dinner with them, just breakfast. :)
ReplyDeleteAccording to Optimistic and others in attendance, Samantha, you must now despise me.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
I would disagree with your phrase "good thinking people" in the first paragraph. A good thinker is independent. I find most people to be very lazy voters. They think that if they are passioned then they are good without thinking that they have to be passioned about truth.
ReplyDeleteI dispise both parties because they work to divide us. United we stand, divided we fall? One can bet on it.
And, it is very sad that Jesus or Gandi or anyone who is "politically non-aligned" is dragged into these discussions. They can not defend themselves!!!
Politics is about the redistribution of wealth and power by force and about making money while doing it. Religion, in many cases at least, is about voluntairly sharing wealth and caring. While they both have money in common the two have nothing else in common.
I could go on but this is your blog, Masterfob, so I will refrain.
I didn't know voting was about feeling morally superior. I thought it was about the right to have your voice heard.
ReplyDeleteShows what you know, Skye. Obviously you've been living in an undemocratic country for too long.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me to register.
th.--I will only despise you if you say it in my presence or spell phonetically incorrectly....and....just stop it.
ReplyDelete*shudders*
Mely . . . I think you should get your ballot so you can vote for Burridge. I've met him a couple times. I like him. I think he would be a great replacement. Unfortunately, knowing Utah County . . .
ReplyDeleteIsn't dismissing all of the good that James Dobson does and has done in standing up for righteous principles and family values in a 'society' that seems hell-bent on destroying them, a bit extreme - simply b/c you disagree with his political tactics.
ReplyDelete(Have you ever heard or read any of James Dobson's talks regarding people who are homosexual. Do you know whether or not he distinguishes between the person and the behavior, or whether or not he would gladly sit down to dinner with either? I don't know his stand on Mormons, but I still respect him because he doesn't just agree with, but actively works, for the values that I, as a Mormon, believe in!)
Yes, I agree with you about churches not endorsing candidates and parties. And it doesn't seem to me that simply being a Republican makes one a good Christian OR the best candidate.
But why am I getting the feeling that this judgement placed on people who are part of the Religious Right is kind of like fighting 'black and white' thinking with 'black and white' thinking? Regardless of which direction it's going, I tend to be kind of leary of extremes.
Whoa - hope that doesn't sound too judgemental! :) Please know that I'm still smiling - if that helps any.
At our family reunion this summer, my sister (who lives in Utah) told me she actually believes that all Democrats are not worthy of a Temple recommend because their platform includes abortion. Pretty sad to see the narrow-minded thinking being perpetuated by members of the church...just another reason I choose not to live in Utah.
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