Comments on: Turning The Church Into A Partisan Tool http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/ Pragmatic Libertarianism Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:18:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Derek http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1864 Derek Mon, 23 Oct 2006 03:56:22 +0000 http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1864 Why can we believe the Church when it says it doesn't support any candidate? Are you implying that we should believe just because they <em>are</em> "The Church?" I'll believe them if the facts support their claim (which they may well do), but not for any other reason. Why can we believe the Church when it says it doesn’t support any candidate? Are you implying that we should believe just because they are “The Church?” I’ll believe them if the facts support their claim (which they may well do), but not for any other reason.

]]> By: Tyler Farrer http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1863 Tyler Farrer Sun, 22 Oct 2006 00:07:33 +0000 http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1863 The <a href="http://www.article6blog.com/2006/10/19/the-boston-globe/" rel="nofollow">Article VI blog</a> has already done a good job of exposing the inaccuracies presented in this article. Unfortunatly, staking out the Church Office Building, isn't an effective way to get the scoop on what happens behind it's doors. You can believe the Church when it say's it doesn't support any candidate, and you can be sure that Romney isn't dumb enough to imply that he has the Church's endorsement. The Article VI blog has already done a good job of exposing the inaccuracies presented in this article. Unfortunatly, staking out the Church Office Building, isn’t an effective way to get the scoop on what happens behind it’s doors. You can believe the Church when it say’s it doesn’t support any candidate, and you can be sure that Romney isn’t dumb enough to imply that he has the Church’s endorsement.

]]> By: Derek http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1861 Derek Sat, 21 Oct 2006 01:04:22 +0000 http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1861 I’m personally holding off any judgments on this story. I would not be surprised if the <em>Boston Globe<em> story is accurate, nor if the Church’s protestations are honest. At this point, it remains to be seen which to believe. If the news is true, I would be very disappointed and concerned. The LDS Church should avoid such blatant political dabbling (their involvement in the marriage amendment issue was bad enough). It would be ethically unbecoming, as well as fiscally disastrous (I’m certain their tax-exempt status would be threatened). I seem to recall in my study of history that many in mainstream Christian America were very concerned when Kennedy ran for President, worried that he would be a puppet for the Vatican. Such fears were unfounded. On the other hand, if <em>The Boston Globe’s</em> allegation is true, then America would have a very valid reason to wonder about Romney’s autonomy. Until the time of the LDS legend in which “The Constitution hangs by a thread,” (a situation which Conservatives seem hellbent on bringing to pass) I’d prefer that the Church avoid political meddling, and that we within the Church seek to elect the most qualified candidate, irrespective of religious affiliation. I’m personally holding off any judgments on this story. I would not be surprised if the Boston Globe story is accurate, nor if the Church’s protestations are honest. At this point, it remains to be seen which to believe.

If the news is true, I would be very disappointed and concerned. The LDS Church should avoid such blatant political dabbling (their involvement in the marriage amendment issue was bad enough). It would be ethically unbecoming, as well as fiscally disastrous (I’m certain their tax-exempt status would be threatened).

I seem to recall in my study of history that many in mainstream Christian America were very concerned when Kennedy ran for President, worried that he would be a puppet for the Vatican. Such fears were unfounded. On the other hand, if The Boston Globe’s allegation is true, then America would have a very valid reason to wonder about Romney’s autonomy.

Until the time of the LDS legend in which “The Constitution hangs by a thread,” (a situation which Conservatives seem hellbent on bringing to pass) I’d prefer that the Church avoid political meddling, and that we within the Church seek to elect the most qualified candidate, irrespective of religious affiliation.

]]> By: Cody http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1860 Cody Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:49:06 +0000 http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1860 "...we reaffirm the position of neutrality taken by the Church, and affirm the long-standing policy that no member occupying an official position in any organization of the Church is authorized to speak in behalf of the Church concerning the Church's stand on political issues." http://www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,3881-1-24209,00.html “…we reaffirm the position of neutrality taken by the Church, and affirm the long-standing policy that no member occupying an official position in any organization of the Church is authorized to speak in behalf of the Church concerning the Church’s stand on political issues.”

http://www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,3881-1-24209,00.html

]]> By: Cody http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1859 Cody Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:40:22 +0000 http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1859 I would think it wise for an LDS member running for president not to drag his religious beliefs into public eye, when many of those beliefs are not shared by the majority. He will lose the vote of many, and would gain the vote of only a few LDS members who didn't know he was running anyway. Considering the source, I believe the story to be at most 30% true. I used to work in the newspaper industry, and can spot a group of quotes and nuances pieced together in an attempt at a story pretty well. That's exactly what this looks like to me. I would think it wise for an LDS member running for president not to drag his religious beliefs into public eye, when many of those beliefs are not shared by the majority.

He will lose the vote of many, and would gain the vote of only a few LDS members who didn’t know he was running anyway.

Considering the source, I believe the story to be at most 30% true. I used to work in the newspaper industry, and can spot a group of quotes and nuances pieced together in an attempt at a story pretty well. That’s exactly what this looks like to me.

]]> By: Part of the Plan http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1858 Part of the Plan Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:32:35 +0000 http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1858 As the DesNews points out today, there is also the risk of losing their non-profit status. Looks like the Church is doing the right thing now and distancing themselves from the organizing team. I have mixed feelings. Why is the LDS church being singled out when all those fundie pastors and churches back east are immersed up to their necks in politics? Let's level the playing field. On the other hand, I believe separation of church and state is a bedrock founding principle. But then, I felt the same way about habeas corpus, when it existed. As the DesNews points out today, there is also the risk of losing their non-profit status. Looks like the Church is doing the right thing now and distancing themselves from the organizing team.

I have mixed feelings. Why is the LDS church being singled out when all those fundie pastors and churches back east are immersed up to their necks in politics? Let’s level the playing field.

On the other hand, I believe separation of church and state is a bedrock founding principle. But then, I felt the same way about habeas corpus, when it existed.

]]> By: Reach Upward http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1857 Reach Upward Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:53:39 +0000 http://www.themannings.org/soapbox/2006/10/19/turning-the-church-into-a-partisan-tool/#comment-1857 Don't be so quick to believe every negative thing published about the church, or any other organization, for that matter. Some have already given this story a thorough fisking. See the Oct. 20 <a href="http://www.utahpolicy.com/" rel="nofollow">Utah Policy Daily</a> for details. Don’t be so quick to believe every negative thing published about the church, or any other organization, for that matter. Some have already given this story a thorough fisking. See the Oct. 20 Utah Policy Daily for details.

]]>