The Religious Test: Film Exploring Voter Aversion To Mormonism

[BCSpace]

I think most of you will be very interested in this. Plus, some of you seem close enough Logan to actually attend. I hope the whole thing gets online eventually but it can be purchased:

Film exploring voter aversion to Mormonism screened locally

The public is invited to a free screening Tuesday of a film that explores why nearly 20 percent of the U.S. voting population admits they will not vote for a Mormon in the upcoming presidential election.

The Utah State University Religious Studies program is hosting the screening of the independent film, which will play at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday in room 130 of the Veterinary Science Building on the USU campus.

“The Religious Test” looks at “religious intolerance in contemporary America.” The screening and question-and-answer session with the filmmakers runs from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The screening comes on the eve of first presidential debate at the University of Denver between President Barack Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney — the first Mormon nominee for president.

In “The Religious Test,” independent filmmakers Trevor Hill and Michael Potter state that “one in five Americans say they won’t support a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the nation’s top office,” according to a USU news release on the film screening. Both men attended college at Utah universities.

Phil Barlow, the program’s director, said the film addresses good political and religious questions, and that attendees should follow-up and ask good questions of the filmmakers.

Barlow himself has become a popular source for major news outlets across the country for his analysis on the Mormon influence on the presidential race — and the fact that he was friends with Romney when they both lived in Cambridge, Mass.

http://news.hjnews.c...1a4bcf887a.html

Official Trailer (2:11):

First Chapter (20:43). Total runtime is 86 mins:

[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifsztWik9XU

[thesometimesaint]

Unfortunately religion has always been the red headed step child of American politics. Romney is qualified to be President of the US whatever someone thinks of his religious beliefs.

[DavidB]

A religious person views on things are likely formed inpart by that persons religion...I see nothings incompatible with the US Constitution in a voter using a religious test.

[BCSpace]

What would be interesting to see is what are all the reasons (have they hit all of them in the first 20 mins?) they consider why some have an aversion to voting for Mormons and how the film treats those reasons. Do they treat them farily? Fairly but inaccurately, or is it a hit peice against the Church? The first part is certainly interesting, but there is an hour more to go.

IIRC, John Dehlin is in this area. I find it likely he would attend something like this and perhaps some of you could go meet him.

Btw, DCP at 15:30.

[volgadon]

I could go, but I have something for one of my classes that begins at 7 sharp...

[thesometimesaint]

A religious person views on things are likely formed in part by that persons religion...I see nothings incompatible with the US Constitution in a voter using a religious test.

I see plenty wrong with it.

1. We have no way of knowing what if any religious views form a persons governmental ideas.

2. An individual may disagree with some part of the particular doctrines of their church.

3. An individual may disagree with the public's perception of that doctrine of their church.

4. To use a religious test even on a personal level is contrary to the spirit of the law. IE. Say you are a Christian. You have a choice to make between a candidate whom professes to be an Atheist. Further you agree with his/her ideas about governance. The other candidate is a professed Christian, but you disagree with their ideas about governance

Do you vote for the person because of their religion/lack there of, or do you vote for their ideas about governance?

[mtomm]

It seems those want to insult or demean or scare people about the current president they refer to him a Muslim. At least that seems to be the case from the emails forwarded to me from other Mormons. So maybe when Mormons complain about a religious test we should make sure we aren't involved in the same.

[BCSpace]

I see nothings incompatible with the US Constitution in a voter using a religious test.

I agree. It's an excellent place upon which to base righteous judgement. If a candidate disagrees with their religion's doctrine in a way that would affect policy (gay marriage, abortion, Socialism, or Sharia law for example), they ought to say so up front.

[DavidB]

Sometimesaint, in all my eligible voting life I have voted twice; I exercise my civic duty not to vote.

I do not have a problem with individuals using religious test in voting.

[Stargazer]

Sometimesaint, in all my eligible voting life I have voted twice; I exercise my civic duty not to vote.

I do not have a problem with individuals using religious test in voting.

Neither do I, but I prefer they would make the decision from knowledge and not from ignorance. If a person understands what the Latter-day Saints believe, and still cannot vote for one for public office, then fine. Otherwise I feel they are making a mistake.

[thesometimesaint]

DavidB:

I've voted in every election since 1972, and persons religion has never been a factor in my vote. In fact if a candidate feels they have to appeal to religion to get my vote that's a strike against them in my book. Did the fact that Nixon was a Quaker have any bearing on how he served as the President? Did being a Catholic have any bearing on Kennedy's Presidency? Tell me what a candidate wants to do to, and for my city, county, state, country and I'll determine for myself whom I'll vote for.

I'm for the absolute separation of Church and State. That way I protect both. So I can vote for whom I feel is the best candidate be they Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jew, Mormon, or any other religion/lack there of in clear conscience based solely on their political positions.

Ps. Not voting just gives the decision to those that do.

[The Nehor]

It seems those want to insult or demean or scare people about the current president they refer to him a Muslim. At least that seems to be the case from the emails forwarded to me from other Mormons. So maybe when Mormons complain about a religious test we should make sure we aren't involved in the same.

You left out socialist, communist, liberal, foreign, and freedom hater. Sadly he is none of them.

They reported and I decided they were all insane.

[thesometimesaint]

You left out socialist, communist, liberal, foreign, and freedom hater. Sadly he is none of them.

They reported and I decided they were all insane.

That gives them as excuse I'm not willing to give them. I have more pungent words.

[theplains]

Do you vote for the person because of their religion/lack there of, or do you vote for their ideas about governance?

I would vote for someone whose faith would dictate how he would live his life in and out of politics. An atheist or

agnostic could not honesty stand behind some words in the Declaration of Independence. If I were American

I could see myself voting for Romney. It may speed up the return to Missouri to build up the New Jerusalem

before the Second Coming. See the prophecies written in The Coming of the Lord. The key chapter starts on

page 86.

Regards,

Jim

[thesometimesaint]

I would vote for someone whose faith would dictate how he would live his life in and out of politics. An atheist or

agnostic could not honesty stand behind some words in the Declaration of Independence. If I were American

I could see myself voting for Romney. It may speed up the return to Missouri to build up the New Jerusalem

before the Second Coming. See the prophecies written in The Coming of the Lord. The key chapter starts on

page 86.

Regards,

Jim

Why? Did being a Deist and the father of our country, in more than one way, negatively effect how George Washington governed? Did Thomas Jefferson's rewriting of the Bible, deleting all references to miracles, and the divinity of Christ some how make him a worse President? Did being a Quaker make Nixon a better President than Kennedy being a Catholic? If Senator Reid were running for the Presidency of the US. Would him being a Mormon make him better/worse than Gov. Romney being a Mormon?

No American has stood behind the words of the Declaration of Independence since March 4, 1789 when the US Constitution was ratified.

The Lord will do his own work in his own time. I feel it is a blessing and a joy just to be able to serve him. Further I have no desire to move to Missouri. While the Missouri Ozarks are the best part of the state. I prefer looking out my front window into 12,000+ ft Mountains.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

I think most of you will be very interested in this. Plus, some of you seem close enough Logan to actually attend. I hope the whole thing gets online eventually but it can be purchased:

Official Trailer (2:11):

First Chapter (20:43). Total runtime is 86 mins:

[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifsztWik9XU

Yesterday, a National Radio show had a guest, who said that Romney was polling 90% approval rating on Kolob. The host said "WHAT"! The guy said "never mind". I know we allowed to discuss Romney as it relates to Mormonism...this sly tactic meets all circumstances. Now 1,000's are doing google search on "Kolob". The same guy said that when Romney spoke of his five "boys" that it was his was of calling the President "boy" because of our past restrictions concerning the Priesthood. If he wins, how much will anti-Mormon attacks increase?

[thesometimesaint]

I think that ANYONE running for President has an more than ample supply of hubris.

I don't know if Romney's statement was a "dog whistle" or not. Some whites are that naive as to what they say. I do think it is demeaning for anyone to knowingly refer to a man over the age of 18 as "boy". Given the US racial history to refer to a black man as "boy" isn't what I'd call a term of endearment.

I don't foresee any real increase or decrease in the amount of Anti-Mormonism. But nobody gave me that crystal ball.

[Damien the Leper]

You left out socialist, communist, liberal, foreign, and freedom hater. Sadly he is none of them.

They reported and I decided they were all insane.

We Communists who are not poorly modeled after Maoism, Stalinism or Castro are not the evil company some may presume. It is my mission to fight mean spirited, openly racist, misogynist ultra-conservative demands for their brand of ethics and moralism. The evil organizations are those that attempt to impose their religious values on secular citizens. That is a no-no.

[Damien the Leper]

I would vote for someone whose faith would dictate how he would live his life in and out of politics. An atheist or

agnostic could not honesty stand behind some words in the Declaration of Independence. If I were American

I could see myself voting for Romney. It may speed up the return to Missouri to build up the New Jerusalem

before the Second Coming. See the prophecies written in The Coming of the Lord. The key chapter starts on

page 86.

Regards,

Jim

Again, atheists and agnostics are not the problem. We are fully aware of the religious liberties granted to religious practitioners. However, we have every right to live without the rule of religion and an evil theocracy.

[Damien the Leper]

Why? Did being a Deist and the father of our country, in more than one way, negatively effect how George Washington governed? Did Thomas Jefferson's rewriting of the Bible, deleting all references to miracles, and the divinity of Christ some how make him a worse President? Did being a Quaker make Nixon a better President than Kennedy being a Catholic? If Senator Reid were running for the Presidency of the US. Would him being a Mormon make him better/worse than Gov. Romney being a Mormon?

No American has stood behind the words of the Declaration of Independence since March 4, 1789 when the US Constitution was ratified.

The Lord will do his own work in his own time. I feel it is a blessing and a joy just to be able to serve him. Further I have no desire to move to Missouri. While the Missouri Ozarks are the best part of the state. I prefer looking out my front window into 12,000+ ft Mountains.

Not to forget that the New Jerusalem is a myth largely ignored, from my experience, by members of the church.

[Damien the Leper]

Yesterday, a National Radio show had a guest, who said that Romney was polling 90% approval rating on Kolob. The host said "WHAT"! The guy said "never mind". I know we allowed to discuss Romney as it relates to Mormonism...this sly tactic meets all circumstances. Now 1,000's are doing google search on "Kolob". The same guy said that when Romney spoke of his five "boys" that it was his was of calling the President "boy" because of our past restrictions concerning the Priesthood. If he wins, how much will anti-Mormon attacks increase?

One wrong move and the CARMites and Walter Martin drones will be on the LDS posters like flies on crap.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Not to forget that the New Jerusalem is a myth largely ignored, from my experience, by members of the church.

There will be a New Jerusalem, it will happen, many just hope it does not come in their lifetime...because it means goodbey to worldly things, something too many are attached too. Not to mention that the Church owns enough land to build the city, in addition to the land recently purchased the property near Independace, MO, to build the largest family research center on earth. This is not only going to happen (the building of New Jerusalem) it is already happening, a friend of mine has already served there in MO, to work the land.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

One wrong move and the CARMites and Walter Martin drones will be on the LDS posters like flies on crap.

True...Of course I am the same far too often. Hopefully I grow out of it some day.

[mtomm]

Billy Graham Endorses Romney Then Scrubs Website Calling Mormonism A ‘Cult’

It appears this will be less of a factor as it gets closer to election day. The troops are rallying.

[thesometimesaint]

Archives are wonderful things.