Stone holm Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 No I cannot provide the link from this computer. But there are reports coming out on the net of a Stanford study which indicates political bias is the most influential bias which affects who we date and associate with. Indicates that in America it is a more potent bias than race. If that is the case what implications does that have on missionary efforts and the willingness of investigators to consider the Church, or for the Church to retain members? Does it mean the Church in America is likely to become more and more politically aligned with certain ideologies? What impact would that have on overseas missions?
Storm Rider Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 Perspective is everything. The Church does not align itself with a political agenda rather the Church states what it supports and over the years political agendas may align with it only to be replaced by another or different political group or agenda. I don't see the Church aligning with any specific group per se; however, I suspect for a time that it will have similar goals to those groups that are socially conservative. Much to the dismay of critics the Church is not blown about by every political party that spouts a socially conservative agenda. It remains constant. What does change is what doctrines are given a priority and what lose that priority. 2
Stone holm Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 Perspective is everything. The Church does not align itself with a political agenda rather the Church states what it supports and over the years political agendas may align with it only to be replaced by another or different political group or agenda. I don't see the Church aligning with any specific group per se; however, I suspect for a time that it will have similar goals to those groups that are socially conservative. Much to the dismay of critics the Church is not blown about by every political party that spouts a socially conservative agenda. It remains constant. What does change is what doctrines are given a priority and what lose that priority.I agree with the perspective part.
mikegriffith1 Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 No I cannot provide the link from this computer. But there are reports coming out on the net of a Stanford study which indicates political bias is the most influential bias which affects who we date and associate with. Indicates that in America it is a more potent bias than race. If that is the case what implications does that have on missionary efforts and the willingness of investigators to consider the Church, or for the Church to retain members? Does it mean the Church in America is likely to become more and more politically aligned with certain ideologies? What impact would that have on overseas missions? Well, the more the Democratic Party moves further and further to the extreme left, the harder it's going to be for Mormons to be Democrats. Now that the Democratic Party is openly supporting somethat that the Church has told us we should oppose--gay marriage--logically one would think it should be a lot harder for Mormon Democrats to rationalize and justify remaining in the party.
mikegriffith1 Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Well, the more the Democratic Party moves further and further to the extreme left, the harder it's going to be for Mormons to be Democrats. Now that the Democratic Party is openly supporting somethat that the Church has told us we should oppose--gay marriage--logically one would think it should be a lot harder for Mormon Democrats to rationalize and justify remaining in the party. I can't figure out how to edit my replies. So I'll just say that "supporting somethat that" should read "supporting something that." I'll have to type more slowly and proof-read every reply before I post it!
thesometimesaint Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Well, the more the Democratic Party moves further and further to the extreme left, the harder it's going to be for Mormons to be Democrats. Now that the Democratic Party is openly supporting somethat that the Church has told us we should oppose--gay marriage--logically one would think it should be a lot harder for Mormon Democrats to rationalize and justify remaining in the party. Incorrect; The Democratic Party says that it is none of my business who a legally consenting adult marries.BTW I'm not a member of any political party so have no skin in their games. So to speak.
Garden Girl Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I can't figure out how to edit my replies. So I'll just say that "supporting somethat that" should read "supporting something that." I'll have to type more slowly and proof-read every reply before I post it! Hello Mikegriffith1...When you post a comment or start a topic, your entry will have "Edit" at the lower right corner, along with "Report" and "Quote." Simply click on "Edit" and a box with your entry will appear and you can edit it... go then to the bottom of the thread where you will see a little box that says "Save changes" and click on that and your edited version will be posted. GG
3DOP Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Incorrect; The Democratic Party says that it is none of my business who a legally consenting adult marries.BTW I'm not a member of any political party so have no skin in their games. So to speak. I think the person to which you replied meant that it might be increasingly difficult for the faithful Mormon to "vote for Democrats". I think he was more concerned about the vote, than actual party membership. When his disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, Jesus gave them the very words. In them, we are admonished to pray that the Father's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So, those who believe in that prayer pray and work and vote to so as to see that God's moral codes are observed and honored in society, on earth.
Stone holm Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 I think the person to which you replied meant that it might be increasingly difficult for the faithful Mormon to "vote for Democrats". I think he was more concerned about the vote, than actual party membership. When his disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, Jesus gave them the very words. In them, we are admonished to pray that the Father's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So, those who believe in that prayer pray and work and vote to so as to see that God's moral codes are observed and honored in society, on earth.Actually, the implications of the study, which unfortunately I can't seem to post (anyone else who has and can post it, I would be grateful) although it does not discuss religion, would be that political principles may drive people away from the Church if the Church remains politically active and only emphasizes certain issues in doing so. It also would seem to suggest the importance of expanding the Church's marriage mill, the BYU system, to brick and mortar campuses outside Deseret. Mormon singles are likely to find it increasingly difficult to find mates with compatible political auras.
Brian 2.0 Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 (edited) Here it is, it think... http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/october/dems-gop-polarized-10-08-14.html Edited February 16, 2015 by Brian 2.0 1
Calm Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Hello Mikegriffith1...When you post a comment or start a topic, your entry will have "Edit" at the lower right corner, along with "Report" and "Quote." Simply click on "Edit" and a box with your entry will appear and you can edit it... go then to the bottom of the thread where you will see a little box that says "Save changes" and click on that and your edited version will be posted. GG He is only at 5 posts, once he reaches 25 he will be able to do as you say…as well as start threads in the main forum (added for mikeg's benefit)
Paddy Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 American political and cultural ideology have been a problem for the church and its relationships with other countries and people for a long time. It's slowly getting better. In some cases it's has been a great blessing to other people.
Calm Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 What about those of us who just hate politics in general?
Calm Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 (edited) That's great news about racism though.So now we need to start busing Democrats into Republican schools and the reverse... Edited February 16, 2015 by calmoriah 2
strappinglad Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Prior to the 1890s the members voted strongly Democrat, so much so the Church leaders had to ask that some members hold their noses and vote Republican. Even in the 1930s the members favored FDR over republican candidates. It wasn't until the 1980s that there was a strong movement to support republicans among LDS. It is obvious now where political loyalties trend but that can change as parties change .Still I think it is a unique US problem. In other countries the pattern is not so stark.
Stone holm Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 Here it is, it think... http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/october/dems-gop-polarized-10-08-14.htmlYes, thank you! It's interesting the amount of polarization involved in present day politics, although it would, I think be improper to say this state of affairs is unprecedentated.
Stone holm Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 Prior to the 1890s the members voted strongly Democrat, so much so the Church leaders had to ask that some members hold their noses and vote Republican. Even in the 1930s the members favored FDR over republican candidates. It wasn't until the 1980s that there was a strong movement to support republicans among LDS. It is obvious now where political loyalties trend but that can change as parties change .Still I think it is a unique US problem. In other countries the pattern is not so stark.Well there was good reason for the prior stance because of the persecution the Church underwent during the Grant administration over our non traditional views on marriage. But there was a massive shift of Democrats to Republicans generally during that period.
Robert F. Smith Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 That's great news about racism though.Yeh, what do you want first, the bad news, or the worse news? Choose your poison.
Robert F. Smith Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Well there was good reason for the prior stance because of the persecution the Church underwent during the Grant administration over our non traditional views on marriage. But there was a massive shift of Democrats to Republicans generally during that period.Is that like the Dixiecrats in the South becoming Repubs?
Robert F. Smith Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 So now we need to start busing Democrats into Republican schools and the reverse...Yeh, but I wouldn't want my daughter to marry one. 2
mikegriffith1 Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I need to clarify one of my statements. I said that as the Democratic Party moves further to the extreme left, one would logically think that it would be harder for Mormon Democrats to justify remaining in the party. What I meant to say is that as the Democratic Party moves further to the extreme left on moral issues. . . . When the Democratic Party labels as "divisive and discriminatory" all state-level efforts to maintain the traditional defintion of marriage, and when the First Presidency strongly endorses such efforts and even urges members to get involved in those efforts, I don't see how a faithful Mormon could continue to be a Democrat. The "divisive and discriminatory" label came from Barack Obama and was heartily endorsed by all prominent Democrats. Certainly no party is going to agree with the Church 100% of the time, but when a party is diametrically opposed to the First Presidency on such a core, crucial issue as the definition of marriage and rejects such a fundamental LDS doctrine, I just don't see how a faithful Mormon could feel comfortable belonging to that party. Furthermore, I am very disturbed by the efforts of some Democrats to use the courts and legislatures/councils to try to force churches and Christian businesses to host or service gay weddings against their will. The Democratic Party has done nothing to discourage those efforts. And it is in response to such efforts that the Church has begun to talk about threats to religious liberty and freedom of speech. Now, all that said, I happen to be an Independent who agrees with the Democrats on some issues. I think Obama's decision to expand our relations with Cuba was a good move. I think the compromise bill on tax rates that Obama and Congressional Democrats agreed to support was reasonable (and it was much more conservative than Democrats in some earlier generations would have supported). I think the immigration bill that Senate Democrats passed with the support of some Senate Republicans--the one that Obama wants the House to pass--is a credible, reasonable compromise that would be a big improvement over the current status quo. And I, frankly, like much--not all, but much--of Obama's foreign policy, especially his skepticism about the wisdom of sending large numbers of U.S. ground troops to the Middle East. But, just speaking personally, I could never belong to the Democratic Party as long as it officially opposes and condemns the Church's position on the definition of marriage, as long as Democratic activists seek to force churches and religious business owners to host/service gay ceremonies against their will, and as long as the party continues to defend elective abortion at all stages of pregnancy. If there were a Democratic candidate, for any elective office, who rejected the party's stands on those issues and who were a fiscal conservative and a man of integrity, I would not hesitate to vote for him if I thought he were a better person than the GOP candidate and/or if I thought he would be more effective than the GOP candidate. But such Democrats are becoming increasingly rare.
Garden Girl Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Good morning mikegriffith1...This thread will probably be shut down if it continues to be so political... as a new person to the Board, you will want to read the Board Guidelines if you haven't already... it's very clear that threads should not be overtly political and they will be shut down if they are or become so... GG
Nofear Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Well, before it is shut down, the Pew Forum study showed a similar result in 2014. It is indeed getting worse. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/06/12/7-things-to-know-about-polarization-in-america/ 1
thesometimesaint Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I need to clarify one of my statements. I said that as the Democratic Party moves further to the extreme left, one would logically think that it would be harder for Mormon Democrats to justify remaining in the party. What I meant to say is that as the Democratic Party moves further to the extreme left on moral issues. . . . When the Democratic Party labels as "divisive and discriminatory" all state-level efforts to maintain the traditional defintion of marriage, and when the First Presidency strongly endorses such efforts and even urges members to get involved in those efforts, I don't see how a faithful Mormon could continue to be a Democrat. The "divisive and discriminatory" label came from Barack Obama and was heartily endorsed by all prominent Democrats. Certainly no party is going to agree with the Church 100% of the time, but when a party is diametrically opposed to the First Presidency on such a core, crucial issue as the definition of marriage and rejects such a fundamental LDS doctrine, I just don't see how a faithful Mormon could feel comfortable belonging to that party. Furthermore, I am very disturbed by the efforts of some Democrats to use the courts and legislatures/councils to try to force churches and Christian businesses to host or service gay weddings against their will. The Democratic Party has done nothing to discourage those efforts. And it is in response to such efforts that the Church has begun to talk about threats to religious liberty and freedom of speech. Now, all that said, I happen to be an Independent who agrees with the Democrats on some issues. I think Obama's decision to expand our relations with Cuba was a good move. I think the compromise bill on tax rates that Obama and Congressional Democrats agreed to support was reasonable (and it was much more conservative than Democrats in some earlier generations would have supported). I think the immigration bill that Senate Democrats passed with the support of some Senate Republicans--the one that Obama wants the House to pass--is a credible, reasonable compromise that would be a big improvement over the current status quo. And I, frankly, like much--not all, but much--of Obama's foreign policy, especially his skepticism about the wisdom of sending large numbers of U.S. ground troops to the Middle East. But, just speaking personally, I could never belong to the Democratic Party as long as it officially opposes and condemns the Church's position on the definition of marriage, as long as Democratic activists seek to force churches and religious business owners to host/service gay ceremonies against their will, and as long as the party continues to defend elective abortion at all stages of pregnancy. If there were a Democratic candidate, for any elective office, who rejected the party's stands on those issues and who were a fiscal conservative and a man of integrity, I would not hesitate to vote for him if I thought he were a better person than the GOP candidate and/or if I thought he would be more effective than the GOP candidate. But such Democrats are becoming increasingly rare. The question is what and whose religious principles must be part of voting?http://www.pastors4huckabeeblog.com/the-biblical-case-against-voting-for-a-mormon-for-president-why-christians-who-support-romney-actualy-violate-scripture/ This is a thread about political bias. Not political parties. Not politicians. If the names of either show up in posts the thread will be closed.
Recommended Posts