Would You Vote For A Mormon?

[ThomWV]

I heard some talking head on TV cite a poll yesterday in which he said 24% of the people responding had indicated they would not vote for a Mormon for President. Would you?

[hippiechick]

1. I would have voted "it doesn't matter" but ...

... after seeing what the Bible Thumpin', Science-hatin' Christo-fascists want to do when they're in power, I have to pause and think.

[LostinVA]

2. Those saying it doesn't matter surprise me

Mormon doctrine is extremely sexist, even misogynistic, anti-gay, and teaches that LDS is the only real religion. There are other things, too, but these three things should be enough to NOT vote for someone.

Having said that, I think the OP is flamebait.

[pampango]

7. Catholic doctrine is pretty bad, as well, but many, many Catholics

are diverse people with a wide variety of personal beliefs. If you believe, and are right, that Mormons all march in lock step with their doctrine (which would make them pretty unique, as I don't know any Christians, Muslims or anything else that don't exhibit a lot of personal variability) then I agree with you that I wouldn't vote for such a person - though I wouldn't vote for anyone with those positions regardless of faith.

[rucky]

3. I'm the only "yes" so far?

WTF?

There's some decent people in every religion... and non-religion.

[bunkerbuster1]

6. I'm one of the Yessers.

For instance, I'm sure I'd be happy to vote for Harry Reid against any Gooper challenging him, were he my Senator.

[pitohui]

122. then vote for a decent person who is not beholden to religions of hate

if decent people are so easy to find there is no excuse for picking one who belongs to a cult that is already too powerful and that is already destroying lives

[ThomWV]

4. I Have To Confess - Until I Saw That PBS Show About Them I would have - not now

PBS had a documentary about the Mormons a month or so ago, on Frontline I think it was. I knew a little bit about their history but because I have no particular interest in any religion I never tried to find out anything about them. After watching that show it was clear to me that its not a religion, its either a scam or a home-grown form of Mafia. I could never vote for anyone who would be taken in by them. In my mind anyone who would believe that shit is an idiot and I do not want idiots running my country.

[SteelPenguin]

15. Yeah unfortunately I probably agree with you

If it was a mormon democratic candidate versus a republican, I'd vote for them, but do it holding my nose.

When I was young growing up in upstate New York we went to a mormon museum where John Smith had his "revelations". I was I think 12 and we watched a mormon film about the history. Their own film, not some anti-mormon documentary or anything. After it was over, and it was really my first exposure to mormonism, I couldn't help but laugh. I was kind of a prickish 12 year old and turned to the mormon guide there and full voice said "seriously?"

Later on in college I learned even more holes with the whole thing, from it's origins in common thought at the time believing the complex indian burial mounds like serpent mound in ohio, couldn't have been done by the savage indians, so they had to be evidence of the ancient lost hebrew tribe, etc. Basically it was a cult founded by a semi-convincing guy based on incorrect racist archaeological ideas which was unable to substantiate itself in any reasonable way.

Unlike the South Park episode which points this all out very humorously though, I just can't respect someone who can earnestly follow a religion so obviously false.

[earthside]

27. Very Tame Documentary

The PBS program was very tame, almost a whitewash about the actual theology of Mormonism.

There are many web sites that tell the truth about what Mormons believe and most public libraries have a few books on the subject, too.

Here is one very informative site: www.realmormonhistory.com

I wouldn't vote for a committed, true-believer Mormon for president (but I wouldn't vote for a similar Roman Catholic or Southern Baptist, orthodox Jew, Muslim, Hindu, etc. like that either).

[ThomWV]

39. If that was a tame version then it boggles the mind what kind of fools would embrace that religion

Because that was what kept running through my mind as I watched it. I kept thinking to myself - "OK, I sort of knew most of that but I had no idea that they bought all that other shit". Then now and again I would think "Jesus Christ! What kind of idiot would believe that?" Over and over as the show progressed it just got worse and worse. Then I wondered how other true believer Christians would think about them. It occurred to me that in the not too distant past anyone who spouted the shit they do would have been burned at the stake anywhere in the world - no kidding! After that a second aspect of the "religion" started to rear its ugly head. They really are just like the Mafia. Its a big family that believes it does not answer to the rest of the world, that it has no obligation to society as a whole, that the only obligation of the members is to the religion and its members - mafia style.

When I was told that Mitt is a billionaire I was not surprised.

[Coventina]

55. Ha ha! I had the same reaction to that documentary.

And I didn't even watch all of it!

At one point I turned to my husband (who did watch all of it) and said, "I didn't think I could possibly lose MORE respect for Mormonism, but I have!"

And "Mafia" was the term I used as well.

They are creepy, just plain creepy. I wouldn't vote for a Mafioso for president, and I sure won't vote for a Mormon.

[Flatulo]

5. There needs to be one more option...

If the candidate is able to separate mysticism from reality by understanding that the earth is in fact *not* only 6,000 years old, then I would give him a pass on religion.

Plus, anyone who has personal cconversations with God would not get my vote.

I don't think people who are disconnected from reality and reject well-established facts should be President.

[Champion Jack]

8. I wish we could have candidates on both sides who

don't believe in fairy tales.
Hard to believe this is 2007

[Eugene]

9. Yes I could, but Harry Reid isn't running running for President.

My problem with Mittens Romney is his lack of principles,
not his religion.

[JTFrog]

21. You would vote for

a pro-life candidate? Just curious.

[Eugene]

60. He wouldn't be my first choice among Democrats.

As the Democratic nominee against any Republican? Yes.

Even on an issue like choice. The Democrat who isn't everything
you want beats a Republican you just cannot trust.

[LiberalFighter]

10. My answer not there... Would not vote if candidate uses their religion as issue

[subterranean]

11. Yes, if Harry Reid was the Democratic candidate

Then I would vote for a Mormon.

[pampango]

20. I didn't even realize that Reid was a Mormon.

(Guess I have been living in a cave or am not religiously aware enough.) If he is, doesn't that prove that Mormons can be diverse and that we should vote for or against one depending on the individual's policy positions, not what church he does or doesn't go to?

[Warren DeMontague]

112. I wouldn't. Harry Reid is anti-choice.

No Sale.

[Kerrytravelers]

125. Doesn't he just abstain from any voting in regards to choice?

I don't know, he isn't my sentaor.

[Warren DeMontague]

129. Not mine, either. But if he were running for president, he would need to take a stand one way or the

other. And support for Roe v. Wade is a deal-breaker for me.

[Kerrytravelers]

142. This is true. He would have to, then.

[mmonk]

12. I would vote for a monkey if the monkey would restore

the constitution, ended illegal warfare, and ended the vile and inhumane sadistic practice of torture.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

13. Where have you been lately?

Look what this "monkey" did to our country!

[mmonk]

25. Not a chimp.

A monkey. A monkey that would restore the country. There is a difference.

[JTFrog]

14. They wouldn't let

me into their church because I've had an abortion.

My entire family on my mother's side joined the mormon church when I was 18. But I was never allowed to join. Apparently if I had been willing to sit in a room with 12 men that I had never met and begged their forgiveness, they might have reconsidered.

Why would I want a mormon president?

[nolabels]

70. So you were the lucky one then?

Forgiveness for taking control of you own bodily functions :shrug:

[onenote]

93. the catholic church wouldn't be too fond of you either

does than mean you would have fought against JFK or Bobby (or John Jr. if he had lived and gone into politics)?

[JTFrog]

106. No religion I am aware of

is fond of me. But thanks for the reminder.

I can't answer the hypothetical questions, but I voted for Kerry. Because he put his politics ahead of his church even tho he had to pay a very public price for it when he was refused communion. Does the church still believe he ex-communicated himself because of his support for abortion and gay rights? Just like Sonia Johnson who was excommunicated from the Mormon church for her support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

I guess my hypothetical question is; how long would they be allowed to remain members of their church if they openly embraced policy that went against the church's beliefs?

[onenote]

117. but that's the point I think

the question is whether one would ever vote for a Mormon. Anyone who answers no is either assuming that all Mormons believe the same things with equal fervor and would reflect those beliefs in their governance or is simply biased against Mormons for reasons unrelated to their beliefs.

I have know several Mormons who in no way fit the caricature by which Mormons are sometimes portrayed. In some instances, they were essentially "lapsed" Mormons, but they still identified themselves as Mormons.

Similarly, among the many people I know that identify themselves as Jews, I see a wide range of views on a variety of topics, both secular and religious. If someone assumed that all Jews thought and would vote the same way that Joe Lieberman thinks and votes, I simply direct their attention to Russ Feingold.

We should choose our elected officials by their public actions and positions, not their private beliefs.

[JTFrog]

128. Perhaps I should say that

I wouldn't vote for one unless they publicly opposed their church on abortion and gay rights. :shrug:

My gripe with the mormons obviously comes from personal experience. My gripe with religions in general is the fact that most of them want to dictate what is and isn't natural and what a woman is allowed to do with her body.

[Raksha]

124. I love telling the Mormon missionaries that my favorite Mormon

is Sonia Johnson. So on second thought, yeah...I guess I'd vote for a Mormon on the verge of excommunication or one who already had been excommunicated from that cult. But that's the only exception I can think of.

[MadBadger]

16. People, this poll doesnt say "Would you vote for Mitt Romney?"

So then I ask all of you who voted No, why the hell not?

[ThomWV]

18. See Answer Number 4. and the response to it for the reason.

[dropkickpa]

50. Because

The "Are you a mormon?" question that would come up in a Q&A with any candidate damn near equals the "Are you batshit crazy?" question I would ask of all candidates.

I would not vote for ANYONE that is devoutly religious, no matter what the religion is.

We've seen what batshit crazy religiosity has done to this country, I'm all for secular leadership from here on out.

[etherealtruth]

97. I voted for Jimmy Carter ...

... and would do so again

[spoony]

131. Secular governance does not mean

a government of atheists.

[dropkickpa]

158. I'm well aware of that

But I am just way too suspicious at this point of anyone who is overtly religious. How long is it going to take to get rid of the damage done to the SCOTUS by dimwit? He'll be gone in 2 years, but the damage he's done will continue until there's a turnover of his people. Fuck that noise, even if the candidate is on my side, I will be suspicious of them. Once burned and all that.

[chemenger]

17. Although I would have preferred to have voted

that a candidate's religion plays no part in my voting decision, the only two Mormom politicians I know of are Hatch and Romney.

'nuff said on that, I think.

[fishwax]

71. Dem. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is also a mormon

but I'm not sure how observant, and on the whole they tend very conservative. (Ezra Taft Benson, who was head of the church in the late 80s and early 90s, once said that he didn't think it was possible to be a good mormon and a good democrat.)

[w13rd0]

19. (flamesuit on)

I would not vote for a Mormon for President, or any other elected office. The Mormon religion is a cult, and a rather goofy one at that. At least a vote for an elected official of any of the major denominations is one I can rationalize as a vote for someone that professes belief in the great sky god for political expediency. I imagine I would have to take cultural and historical factors into account (for instance, someone that grew up in a predominantly Islamist nation I would not object to their being a Muslim), but revelations of Jesus among the native Americans, bestowed by a glowing salamander? I'd no sooner vote for a Scientologist. My tolerance for goofy superstitions and mythology only goes so far.

[Raine]

22. Yeah sure

if the Mormon that's running is a Democrat.

[Marie26]

23. Sure

When you come right down to it, Mormonism isn't any weirder than most other religions. And they're so nice!

[JTFrog]

24. To all that voted yes.

Please name one Pro-Choice mormon.

Or is that no longer an important issue?

[Marie26]

26. Well, Romney, for a while. nt

[JTFrog]

29. No, I don't believe that at all.

He's been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly.

[Marie26]

31. OK

*shrug* You asked for an example. Romney's a flip-flopper, but his past pro-choice stance does at least prove that it's possible to be a Mormon & pro-choice.

[Breeze54]

51. No, it proves Mitt the Shit is a first class liar!

;)

[mmonk]

30. There are pro choice Catholic politicians.

So I guess there can be pro choice Mormons. The question posed no reference to the person's political leanings.

[MadBadger]

32. I would support a Pro-life person

its not a deal breaker for me.

[wicket]

34. Harry Reid is an anti-choice mormon & he runs the Dems in the Senate

:shrug:

[fishwax]

78. The Udall cousins are both pro-choice and both democrats

Although I'm not sure the extent to which they are mormons v. jack mormons.

Mark Udall, a representative from Colorado, is a pro-choice democrat and the son of Mo Udall (who was a poltician from Arizona and a professional basketball player in Denver and elsewhere). Mo Udall was very funny and very progressive. While he came from a mormon family and was raised mormon, Mo was, I'm quite sure, very much a Jack Mormon--in fact, if I'm not mistaken, he stopped being an active member of the church because of the racist policy which prohibited blacks from attaining the priesthood (which, unlike in other denominations, is basically just full membership status) until the late 70s. I don't know for sure about his son, though.

Tom Udall, a rep from New Mexico, has a 100% rating from NARAL and is also a democrat. He is the son of Mo's brother Stewart. I'm not sure if Stewart left the church like Mo did, and I have no idea about his son's level of observance.

Incidentally, conservative republican and anti-choice senator from Oregon Gordon Smith is also related--his grandfather was a brother of Mo and Stewart's dad. He's one of the very few republicans in the Udall political dynasty, which I guess makes Gordon Smith the black sheep of the family :rofl:

[annarbor]

99. Or...

Name one, just one, Black, lesbian, pro-choice Mormon and I'll start campaigning for her right now!!! Not to mention one that's had an abortion.

I'm not guranteeing that Hilary or Obama would vote for me, but I'm pretty damned sure Romney wouldn't. By the way, former Michigan Governor, George Romney, was a far better man than his son...

Ann Arbor

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

28. Anyone Else Here Disturbed By The Inherent Hypocrisy Of Voting No? It's There, Ya Know.

When issues of church and state arise so many here are so adamant about keeping even the slightest whiff of religion away from politics. But isn't it the epitome of hypocrisy to declare that one wouldn't vote for another based on their religion? I ask the question, but I actually already know the answer.

If we are to take a position of strict separation of church and state, then that same concept should apply here. If we condemn a politician for injecting their personal beliefs and religion into their policy, then shouldn't it also be condemned if we judge one's capability to govern on their religion?

From where I'm sitting, voting 'no' based solely on the religion of a candidate is extremely hypocritical if those same people would also support condemnation for religion entering politics. Ya really can't have it both ways. Either religion should be kept out of politics and kept personal, or religion should be allowed to be intertwined with politics. I do agree with the former, but I also wouldn't dare vote no in this poll. I hope those that have voted no will rethink their position and stance after now being made aware of the inherent hypocrisy that comes along with it.

[Jim Warren]

33. Sticky wicket, isn't it?

"If we condemn a politician for injecting their personal beliefs and religion into their policy, then shouldn't it also be condemned if we judge one's capability to govern on their religion?"

What if one believes a candidates religion WILL determine policy? A fundy, a moonie?

[Marie26]

36. That's the thing

It's sort of reminiscent of people's bias against Catholics in office - wasn't the Pope supposed to have a direct pipeline to John Kennedy? Now most people don't have that kind of prejudice, but the worries about Mormons sound the same. I'd tend to give people the benefit of the doubt & judge them as individuals.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

38. Then They're Being Ignorant.

It would be monumentally ignorant to put forth a premise that just because someone is of a particular religion, that means they will inject that religion into their policy.

If you meant it however, not as broad scale stereotyping but instead as an individual statement, along the lines of "well candidate joe shmoe has a history of injecting his religion into politics, so I wouldn't vote for him", then that isn't even related to my reply to the OP anyway since the question was generic and based on the religion itself, not any specific individual and their behavior. So along those guidelines of the OP, there is massive inherent hypocrisy in declaring an answer of 'no' overall, regardless of candidate, based on religion alone.

[Jim Warren]

43. I see your point

of course and believe it is sound.

Still, a lot of room for stealth in practice as witnessed in bush's agenda with SCOTUS appointments.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

48. Yeah, But That Distinction Is Easy...

...just don't vote for the republican. :)

[Jim Warren]

54. That covers it

[wicket]

44. I am pretty sticky

But it's humid and I haven't had a shower yet! j/k :P

[Jim Warren]

49. Back at ya

You'd be ok with me babe after a jog around the park in June.:P

[Clark2008]

35. Wow - I agree with you.

I think the anti-religion bigotry on this board sometimes reaches the same zealotry as the right's anti-gay or anti-choice positions.

There's not a thing wrong with being religious - or OF any religion - as long as it doesn't cause one to attempt to indoctrinate the millions of others who don't share that religious belief. My leaders can be as religious as they want - but they'd better not write policy based on their belief and attempt to force it on me.

For example, Jimmy Carter, Wes Clark and John Kerry are all firm believers of their faiths - but I would trust that any one of them wouldn't write policy to force all Americans to believe as they do.

[ThomWV]

42. Some religions are simply too outrageous to take their followers seriously

If the religion requires one to believe things that simply are not or can not be true and you know a person professes complete belief in that religion then it follows that the believer is probably not a person you would vote for.

Some religions are simply too outrageous to take their followers seriously. The question is then, is the Mormon Religion one of them?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

46. That's False On Its Face And My Initial Reply Stands Firm.

Either you believe in keeping religion out of politics or you don't. What one chooses to believe as their faith is personal and should not be a criteria WHATSOEVER on whether they can govern, REGARDLESS of which religion that is. That's a logical fact. Their ability to govern should be solely judged by their politics and capabilities, on an individual basis. Ruling out full classes of people based solely on their religion would be an ignorant practice regardless of which religion it was.

If you don't want religion mixing with politics, then to avoid utter hypocrisy you simply can't disqualify a candidate based solely on any given religious preference. You can't have it both ways.

[ThomWV]

65. What does religion in politics have to do with assessment of a candidate's ability to reason?

I am not talking about religion influencing government or government influencing religion. What I am talking about is assessment of an individual running for office. If that person tells me they believe in the second coming of the tooth fairy and also belong to a criminal organization then maybe that is not the person I want to vote for. That is a much different thing that voting for a person because you believe they and their religion should have sway in Government (as in the people who would only vote for a Christian).

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

68. Look, If Ya Don't Get It, Ya Don't Get It. But It's Still There.

I'm surprised you can't see it. That's ok though, I didn't expect everyone to get it. I'm sure most do though.

[jberryhill]

57. No hypocrisy at all

If we are to take a position of strict separation of church and state, then that same concept should apply

No. The Constitution is a document for running a country, it is not a document for running your own mind.

The question isn't "Should a Mormon be allowed to run?"

The question isn't "If a Mormon is elected, should he/she be barred from office?"

The question is "Would you vote for a Mormon?"

Individual Americans are entitled to make their individual decisions on any basis they wish.

Your statement that this is hypocritical is as dumb as asking everyone, "Would you marry a Hispanic man?"

No. I would not marry a Hispanic man. Aside from being already married, I prefer women. So, my disinclination to marry a Hispanic man is not any sort of statement about Hispanics or men generally.

I am sure there are people who would vote *for* a politician because he/she is of a particular faith, just as there are people who would vote *against* a politician because he/she is of a particular faith.

The question is artificial, since the only defining characteristic of this hypothetical candidate is that the candidate is "Mormon". Any individual candidate would have characteristics that would likely be more important to just about anyone.

In the abstract, people felt the same way about an un-named "Catholic" until JFK ran.

Peronally, I always make my voting decisions on which candidate has the hottest spouse. That makes me a Kucinich voter. Deal with it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

58. Oh There Absolutely Is. It's Glaring In Fact.

Just because you aren't perceptive enough to see it, doesn't mean it isn't there. Deal with it.

[mudesi]

105. Somebody disagreed with you (nm)

[fishwax]

73. well, it could be hypocritical, but it isn't necessarily so

If you think religion doesn't belong in politics, it isn't hypocritical to decide not to vote for someone who brings their religion into politics.

If you say that religion and politics should be separate, and then refuse to vote for someone based on what their religion is because you think the fact that they have a religion is a deal breaker, that's not hypocritical. If you think religion doesn't belong in politics, and so you vote to keep religious people out of political power, that's hardly hypocritical.

If you say that religion and politics should be separate, and then refuse to vote for someone based on what their religion is because you think their religion is unholy (in other words, your rationale is based on a religious disagreement) that would be hypocritical.

[hfojvt]

91. in this hypothetical case, they may not bring it in

Suppose they are running for office. Wouldn't the press dig it up that 'so and so is a Mormon'?

It seems kinda odd to me to make a choice that way. So a person who loves Kucinich's policies, and then suddenly finds out he's Catholic, or whatever religion, and then will decided to switch to a candidate that does not agree on as many policies. I think that smacks of bigotry, smacks very hard, in fact. 'Well I thought they were a good candidate, but then I found out that they are one of THEM'

[fishwax]

102. well, they likely bring it in because they likely play on it for votes

it's natural to do so, and almost all candidates talk about their faith in one way or another.

I agree with you that the situation you describe--a person who loves Kucinich's policies and then suddenly finds out he's Catholic, and so switches to another candidate--would probably smack of bigotry, but I was addressing hypocrisy rather than bigotry.

At the same time, a candidate's religion is hardly irrelevant--if it were, candidates wouldn't spend so much time talking about it. A person's religion (being, as it is, a choice they make of their own free will) offers insight into how they view the world. Finding out that Kucinich is a Catholic might naturally lead a supporter to investigate how Kucinich addresses those issues upon which the church's views differ from the supporter's. That's only natural. I can't imagine voting for, say, a devout pentecostal not because I'm bigoted against Pentecostals, but because their vision for how things should be would likely not mesh well with mine. (Not to say it couldn't ever happen, I suppose ...)

To extend the analogy to mormonism, I wouldn't automatically switch my vote upon finding out someone was mormon, but I do think it's legitimate to question certain church policies and the candidate's relationship to those policies. In an era when many of his peers were marching for Civil Rights, for instance, Mitt Romney went on a two-year mission to proselytize for a church that explicitly refused to fully admit black members, a church whose doctrine held that African Americans were inferior to white people until 1978. (Compare that to another Mormon politician--Mo Udall--who left the church because he found that policy unconscionable.)

[Warren DeMontague]

114. My vote agrees with you- I voted "Yes"- but I think given the overreaching the relgious right has

done in our public square, people can be forgiven for believing that for some fundamentalists, it is impossible for them to separate their personal beliefs and public policy.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

118. I Agree, But Your Latter Statement Would Be On An Individualized Basis Rather Than A Broad Brush One

I have no problem if someone looks at a candidate of a certain religion, and based on that candidate's tendencies or past chooses to determine that they would absolutely inject their religion into their policy. But the question in the OP is an overall broad brush question not an individualized one, so there could be no weight given to whether a specific candidate would find it impossible to separate their beliefs from public policy. Instead, the only weight is simply "are they mormon or aren't they".

[Warren DeMontague]

130. And that's why I voted the way I did.

I'm just extrapolating as to why others might not have. I don't think the poll was all that well worded, frankly.

[libnnc]

150. I'm a lesbian. Mormons don't like my "lifestyle".

Why then should I vote for one to be my Commander In Chief?

[trashcanistanista]

152. Yes, that's why I voted yes,

My vote would be based on a myriad of qualifications. If someone's religion over influenced their political thinking that would be considered but to use only one criteria of one religious belief as a determining factor is somewhat bigoted in my view. The OP is flame bait.

[yy4me]

37. The religion of my presidential choice will be of no concern to

me 'IF' that person does not try to foist his religion upon the American people. Our religious beliefs or non-beliefs should not be allowed to become part of the national political agenda. These beliefs are private and should remain so.

Attn politico's: Remember separation of church and state????

[iamahaingttta]

40. Mitt Romney...

...is running for president,
Dum dum dum dum dum.

He wears some silly underwear,
Dum dum dum dum dum.

[Breeze54]

41. I don't vote based on religion, hair color, sex... etc. but

I don't think there are that many Mormons that are true democrats
or even close to liberal. So, based on that, probably not!
They overwhelmingly voted for * and I would never vote for Mitt the Shit!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Found this.....

Mormon Democrats link up in Congress

http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600108572,00.html

Caucus aims to show that LDS, Demos a good mix

By Jerry Spangler

Deseret Morning News

WASHINGTON —

They are not large in number, but the Mormon Democratic Congressional Caucus is determined
to dispel the perception that the words "Mormon" and "Democrat" cannot be used to describe
the same person.

Under the direction of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a member of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints from Nevada, three of four members of the caucus met earlier
this week to discuss issues relevant to the LDS community and to discuss how to raise the
profile of Mormon Democrats.

Joining in the meeting were Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M.
Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, a nonvoting member of Congress from American Samoa, was not able to
attend but plans to participate in the future.

"Legislation is the art of compromise, and a strong two-party system is fundamental to our
democracy," said Reid, who as leader of all Senate Democrats is the highest-ranking LDS member
of Congress. "I believe strongly that Democrats have many of the same issues at heart as do
membership of the church."

That is a tough sell in Utah where Republicans turned out in droves, giving President Bush
his largest margin of victory of any state.

more........

http://media.www.dailyutahchronicle.com/media/storage/paper244/news/2004/04/14/Opinion/Im.A-Democrat.Because.Im.A.Mormon-659584.shtml">I'm a Democrat because I'm a Mormon

[rexcat]

45. I would vote for a Mormon if they were liberal and shared the same...

values as I do. That said liberal Mormons are not plentiful. Over the years I have met one liberal Mormon and that was in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah Medical Center.

On Harry Reid, he is moderate to conservative in his views. I have a lot of respect for Reid but I do disagree with him on some issues. He also has been a good Minority Leader and Majority Leader for the Democrats. I also need to look into his voting record but that is not high on my list of things to do.

[treestar]

47. If his stands on the issues were compatible

I would.

Now whether that is likely is another question. But I wouldn't say no just because of any particular religion or lack thereof.

[More Than A Feeling]

52. Sure would, if I liked their style and their policies.

If I refused to vote for people of all the religions I disagree with, I'd have no one to vote for, unfortunately.

[LeftishBrit]

53. Yes, I would vote for a Mormon but not for a moron

As I understand, Mitt Romney is both!

Not likely to become an issue in Britain; but in general I don't really care about a politician's religion, so long as (s)he doesn't shove it down my throat, and is reasonable on the issues.

[Rosemary2205]

56. I will not vote for an overly devoutly religious person of any kind.

GW sack of crap Bush taught me these people cannot be trusted to not force their religion on the rest of the country. Anyone who I even remotely suspect thinks they get personal direct instruction from any sort of spirit being is automatically disqualified. I'm talking the "God told me to invade Iraq" variety - not the "Bible says love thy neighbor" variety.

[spoony]

134. I'd love to see someone

start an "I will not vote for an atheist" thread and see what the response is compared to the remarkable silence that meets your remark, but I'd rather not get banned.

[Lil Missy]

59. I'd vote for a dogs asshole if it were the Democratic nominee

[triguy46]

87. I second that nomination.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

61. Not any I can think of.

[Matsubara]

62. Sure, if it was a viable progressive Mormon.

There must be a few of'em.

[gollygee]

63. I'd have a hard time voting for a Scientologist

so I guess I do have some issues with religion. But Mormons - I don't care. Yeah there are some pretty odd beliefs in that religion, but whatever. So long as they don't expect me to believe along with them, I don't care. I'd vote for someone of just about any religion.

But I do have an issue with Scientology so I'm not consistent.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

64. oops I misread that one (moron not Mormon!)

aagh!

[Solo_in_MD]

66. I could vote for a mormon, but not Mitt Romney

[Cerridwen]

67. I already have...

I had the option of voting for an anti-choice, Mormon convert Democrat - or a republican.

I have years of experience holding my nose and voting. I also have years of experience watching the state Democratic Party selling its membership down the river for a few pieces of silver knowing full well we'd either vote for them or not vote at all - some choice, huh?

Just in case anyone was wondering why I don't see the Democratic Party as the coming messiah to save the country; now you know. They couldn't even be bothered to save the localities of my state much less my state. The only difference with being sold out by a bunch of Democrats rather than a bunch of republicans, is that there is still; even after all these years; a feeling of betrayal when "our own" party does it.

So, yeah, I'll hold my nose and vote for whatever Democrat The Party decides we get. Because as Aaron Sorkin said through Josh Lyman on West Wing, "who else ya gonna vote for?"

Some choice, huh?

[KansDem]

69. What's wrong with you "no" people? Can't face the prospect of having two or more First Ladies?

Hi! I'm First Lady No. 1!


Hi! I'm First Lady No. 2!


Hi! I'm First Lady No. 3!

...and so on.

Actually, it may not be a bad idea. The First Lady could attend several public functions at the same time!

[stirlingsliver]

72. Isn't Harry Reid A Mormon?

I thought Harry Reid was a Mormon.

To all who voted "No": Would you suggest that we boot Harry Reid from his position as Majority Leader -- simply because he is a Mormon?

[Raksha]

133. I wouldn't boot Harry Reid from his Senate majority leader position,

but neither would I want him in a position to appoint Supreme Court justices...so no, I wouldn't vote for him for president.

[Hamlette]

74. honestly, Mormons are sane compared to fundamentalists

its because they want social acceptance more than anything.

[fishwax]

75. I don't feel comfortable with any of the poll choices

I certainly can't sign onto the "A Candidate's religious belief plays no part in my voting decision," even though it seems to be the feel-good answer. For instance, if someone were a follower of Christian Identity, that would certainly play a part in my voting decision.

I wouldn't refuse to vote for any mormon out of principle, but at the same time I have a hard time imagining an observant mormon running for office who would win my vote based on the issues. If I lived in Nevada, I'd vote for Reid, sure, precisely because the stances he takes on issues are often opposed to the church. Morriss Udall would have been a great presidential candidate back in the day, but he was definitely a Jack Mormon.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

76. What fresh hell is this?

Shall we start a "would you vote for a muslim" poll? How about Jewish? African-American?

[uppityperson]

77. I would NOT vote for a Fundamentalist of any sort.

edited quickly because I didn't mean to imply Mormonism was fundamentalism, but that I would NOT vote for any sort of Fundamentalist, that is my stopping point. I've known some decent people of all and no religions, and some jerks the same.

[triguy46]

88. So is that determined by individual action or church membership?

Because both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were Southern Baptists.

[uppityperson]

90. Individuals. As I said, I know people of all religions and non that are nice/jerks

It is individual. I don't take a person's religion or spirituality as the guiding light (so to speak) on who to vote for. However, since Fundamentalismness permeates what an individual believes so severely, and how they act, that I do take into consideration.

[Javaman]

79. I have no problem with saying, "first ladies". nt

[TwilightGardener]

80. Have to admit I'm appalled at all the "No" votes--

I'm a Catholic, and lived in Utah for a year, and there is nothing wrong with LDS followers. I don't get their religion, they tend to be clannish and I didn't exactly make a lot of friends there, but still...they seemed like very decent people, who raised their kids well, kept their communities clean and orderly, and in general I didn't feel too unwelcome. I have also personally known quite a few Mormons outside of Utah (the Air Force seems to have a lot of them)--extremely nice folks. I don't think they have any kind of insidious agenda--just living their religion. One could rip equally giant holes in Catholic beliefs (come on, the Immaculate Conception? The Communion Host is REALLY the body of Christ? and so on) if one were so inclined--AND there was a time when Catholics were considered to have a "papist" agenda. But Catholics are certainly more accepted nowadays--I expect Mormons will be too. At least I hope so.

[Warren DeMontague]

132. Yeah, well, most Americans would sooner vote for an axe murderer than an atheist.

If the Mormons want to complain about being discriminated against at the ballot box for what they believe, they need to get in line behind us.

[spoony]

136. And do you think those people are prejudiced?

And do you think there's a connexion between them and those voting no in this poll?

Or is this issue mostly just an "I'm more an outcast than you" contest?

[Warren DeMontague]

155. Yes, yes, and no.

And for the record, I voted "Yes" in the poll. Here is my response, I see no reason to write it twice:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1138092&mesg_id=1141593

[Beelzebud]

81. I can't support Mormonism in any way. It's a cult with more money and influence than most cults.

Their doctrine is that the Garden of Eden is located in Missouri, and that Jesus lived in America...

No thanks. We have enough insane people running things as it is...

[Arugula Latte]

82. I have no respect for people so blinded by superstition, mythology, irrationality, and lies.

That goes for Mormons, fundies, extremist Catholics, hardcore Muslims, etc.

[spoony]

137. You'll have to explain your definitions then.

Because what about a liberal Christian doesn't also, according to atheists, involve "supersition, mythology, irrationality, and lies?"

These charges are leveled at all believers, so what is the line you're drawing, exactly?

[Quixote1818]

83. So no one would vote for Harry Reid? nt

[Beelzebud]

84. After witnessing his spineless leadership in congress? Hell no...

Him being a mormon would have less to do with me not voting for him than his track record in the senate...

[Quixote1818]

119. But if he was running against a conservative Republican

You still wouldn't vote for him?

[Beelzebud]

127. No I wouldn't. Democrats do not get my vote by default!

What in insane proposition. If the Dems best candidate was Harry Reid, they wouldn't be worth voting for at all!

If my choice was Reid and a right winger, and pencil in Ralph Nader.

[Orsino]

85. Depends upon the candidate's views.

A candidate who wasn't a Republican, who called for peace on principle and who promised to alleviate economic inequality would have my full attention. Is it possible that someone running as a Mormon would also advocate for gender equality? That would be cool.

[Marrah_G]

86. No, I have yet to meet a really liberal one.

[triguy46]

89. Time for the Mormon church to come clean about Mountain Meadows massacre. n/t

[onenote]

92. Mo Udall

I'm sure some of the posters saying that they'd never vote for a Mormon are too young to remember Mo.

He was LDS.

[fishwax]

110. he left the church, though, over

(I believe) the policy which held that blacks were inferior to whites all the way up until 1978. Mo was, as I understand it, very much a jack mormon. BTW, Mo's son is a U.S. representative from Colorado, and he's a progressive too :)

[LSK]

94. I dont know, it depends on everything else

[tjwash]

95. I would vote for a existential wookie in a grass hula skirt if it was running against a neo-con.

But I sure as hell wouldn't vote for Mitt Romney.

[Alexander]

96. My grandmother was a Mormon. So yes.

[Radical Activist]

98. Of course. I'm not a bigot

and I understand that there are Mormons who come from all sides of the political spectrum.

[Name removed]

104. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Radical Activist]

107. Like all stereotypes and generalizations

my experience is that the one you just made is often untrue. The Mormon church does better job preaching acceptance of all people than a lot of protestant churches in this country.

[bigwillq]

108. Not from what I have read

and seen in news programs...maybe I will have to do some more research.

I think the Mormon religion, like most religions, is nothing more than a glorified cult. It disgusts me.

[onenote]

153. so I take it most of the Democratic candidates -- and past Democratic presidents -- also disgust you

Since they generally identify themselves as members of one "cult" or another.

[Forkboy]

100. It would depend on the Mormon in question.

[Tom Rinaldo]

101. Beliefs DO matter, so I chose Yes I would ,out of your choices

...but I would look at that candidate long and hard first. But yes, it is certainly possible I would vote for a Morman.

[bigwillq]

103. No I would not.

I believe most Mormons are sexist, racist and homophobic. That is something I do not want to vote for.

[Warren DeMontague]

109. I would vote for a Mormon, or a Jew, a Catholic, a Zeus-Worshipper, or a Satanist, just as long

as he or she understood the Constitution, and the Separation of Church and State, and could keep his or her personal religious beliefs out of our secular government. As long as that person supported a woman's right to choose, the right of the citizenry to make their OWN decisions about their OWN bodies, the teaching of SCIENCE in public school SCIENCE classes, was against censorship, etc. then their personal religious beliefs wouldn't matter to me any more than the color of their underwear.

[Balbus]

111. Better than voting for a Jew or a woman...

What the hell kind of poll is this?

[spoony]

138. A revealing one.

[Nikki Stone1]

113. Maybe Donny and Marie. :)

:evilgrin:

[LeftishBrit]

115. I have to admit that until I got interested in American politics...

Donny and Marie were the only Mormons I'd ever come across!

[Nikki Stone1]

116. LOL!!

At least they are very good looking. Even now.

Seriously, I had Mormon friends in high school and college, and they varied like anyone else.

[sanskritwarrior]

120. I would vote for anyone if their views reflected mine

mormon, muslim, satanist, I don't care as long as their views matched my own.......Religion is not a basis to exclude a candidate, people that do so might want to review their decision making paradigm........

[pitohui]

121. no, a person whose v. religion states i am a second class citizen would not get my vote

someone who was born mormon but who provably repudiated their religion is fine, but if they are a "saint" in good standing, it should be illegal for them to hold public office in my view

same should be true for any sect that holds that women are lesser than men or that gay is lesser than straight or otherwise preaches hate and division

[Raksha]

123. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! No ands, ifs or buts. And no apologies either!

I hate, loathe and DESPISE all patriarchal religions and believe they are responsible for a great deal of the evil and injustice in the world. Mormonism is one of the absolute WORST that way. Hell, they even CALL themselves patriarchal and are actually proud of it. It gives me great pleasure to tell any Mormon missionary who is unfortunate enough to come to my door exactly what I think of the patriarchal focus of their religion.

There is absolutely no way a Mormon president wouldn't work to erode the feminist advances of the last century, however covertly.

[spoony]

140. I do so prefer when people

announce the groups they hate so I don't have to waste time figuring it out.

[ISUGRADIA]

143. I suppose a Muslim is right out also then for ya

[Kerrytravelers]

126. I wouldn't want someone not to vote for Romney because he's Mormon.

I wouldn't want people to vote for him because he's nuts.

[Bozita]

135. I was skimming thread titles. Thought I saw "Would You Vote For A Moron?"

My bad.

[Jed Dilligan]

139. No.

I'm not fond of any of the religions professed by "viable" candidates. But Mormonism is worse. It has a cultlike structure. The members of the church are actively ordered to rise in power toward the goal of Mormonizing the world.

I would no more want a Mormon in high office than a Scientologist, Moonie, or Satanist.

[lanlady]

141. I'm with Sam Harris on this

We ought to be able to scrutinize the religious beliefs of our candidates for high office. Any candidate who believes in the preposterous nonsense of Joe Smith cannot be trusted to lead the country.

[ISUGRADIA]

144. I'm really surprised at the amount of religious predjudice here

[tammywammy]

147. Really?

edited to clarify:

I see you've been a member here a while, I'm surprised that this is the first time you've noticed the religious prejudice on DU.

[ISUGRADIA]

148. I suppose I did not expect _this_ much ignorance

There's Orrin Hatch....and then there's Morris Udall (an his relatives now in politics)

It's like thinking every Catholic politician is the equivalent of Rick Santorum so I won't vote for any.

EDIT: I guess I thought the nos would be a lot less than 60% or so of the total.

[tammywammy]

149. Well, that I agree with

It's just like Kerry's Catholic, but he's pro-choice. :shrug:

It pretty much to me seems like the exact same thing as freepers equating all Muslims to terrorist.

[tammywammy]

145. Yes, I'd vote for one

There's is no religious test to be president. Now where they stand on the issues is the important part.

[ikojo]

146. If a person is a commited Mormon then they most likely

are too conservative for me, so I would be unlikely to vote for them. Not because they are a Mormon but because they are conservative.

[goddess40]

151. I wouldn't vote for anyone that says their religion is number one

anyone that has to spout their private religious beliefs in public doesn't think for themselves and won't earn my vote.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

154. Those who vote NO are using religion as a reason to vote against someone

That's religious discrimination. It's wrong. It's shameful I think.

I would vote for a Mormon, a Protestant, a Jew, a Buddhist, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Bahai, a Sikh, a Unitarian, an Atheist, a Catholic...as long as they support an agenda that I support.

[Sapphocrat]

156. I should vote for someone...

...committed to a church whose "ex-gay" program applies electroshock "therapy" to a man's penis in order to "cure" him of homosexuality... Uh... Why, exactly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeMKmnMfNUo

"You go into a little room, they give you this little device that is a very fine little clamp element, they have you place it around the shaft of your penis. Then they hook it up to another machine that measures circumference. They sit you down and hook up electric bands that look like blood pressure cuffs all the way up your arm. Then they set the shock and it's enough that it hurts. For the first little while the doctor did it, because I didn't have the guts to do it. Then they turned the lights down and they showed a very graphic homosexual video, incredibly graphic, more than I had ever seen in my life at my tender age of 21. Of course I became physically excited, the little ring separated, and the machine shocked me. This happened several times in a ten minute period. Then after about ten minutes, while trying to 'turn off the feelings,' they suddenly flipped it over to a heterosexual video. Once again, a very graphic sexual film. They said 'now enjoy it.' Ten minutes later they switched back over to the homosexual video and resumed the shocks.

"I did this about once a week for almost two years. Because they promised me I would be better. They promised me."

http://www.affirmation.org/voices/singing_a_new_song.shtml

[JVS]

157. I thought I'd make a poll to see where the rubber hits the road

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1144485

[SarahB]

159. How many Mormons are running for a Democratic seat in anything?

:shrug:

[ThomWV]

160. When Republicans start losing in mass Mormons will become Democrats in name

Look at Liberman. The assholes go where the votes are and there are enough voters dumb enough to take Party affiliation to mean something.

[Radical Activist]

167. Many

Once you get outside Utah and Idaho, Mormons are much more politically diverse.

[Mass]

161. I did not realize there was so much bigotry on DU.

There are many reasons not to vote for Romney, the first of which is that he is a Republican, but what the f* does his religion has to do with that.

[JVS]

168. When I posted a specific question about Harry Reid the results were backwards and the thread was...

locked. My conclusion is that DUers can be cool with bigotry in a theoretical sense but specific applications of the bigotry are not embraced as firmly

[WinkyDink]

162. No. I can't think of the Angel Moroni....

without singing, "I've got an angel named Bony Moroni."

SORRRRRRYYYYYY!!

[Perky]

163. No... I do not trust anyone who does not drink coffee (eom)

[WinkyDink]

165. Awww, you can trust ME! I just drink my caffeine cold!

AKA, Diet Coke!

[Perky]

166. "I tried it once, but I didn't swallow"

[Hubert Flottz]

164. No...and I never voted for the Moron...