"I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon."

[Intangelon]

http://www.idahodems.org/component/cont ... le/279/587

Pat Jones is the first woman to attain a leadership role in Utah's State Senate. Given her state's demographic profile, people are never surprised to hear that she's a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But tell them that she's a Democrat, and that's a different story.

Jones was among the featured presenters at the 2009 Democratic National Committee Western Regional Caucus held August 7-9 in Worley, Idaho. She began her presentation by noting that although people often avoid discussion religion and politics, "I'm going to do both."

"There's kind of a minor debate, or maybe not so minor: Is it possible to be an active or good Mormon and still be affiliated with the Democratic Party?" she noted. "I can tell you I've had people ask me that question. And I always tell them, 'I'm a Democrat because I am a Mormon.'"

This article (and it's not much longer after the bit I quoted) is very interesting and brings up an interesting point: are there people out there who buck socio-political labeling trends? I know there are, but I'm asking NSG if any of you are, for example, Log Cabin Republicans, or religious, like the Utah Democrat in the link above, and associated with a party considered anathema (by many) to religion.

If you are, how do you get treated? How do people react to you, and what is your reaction in turn?

[Brewdomia]

My family is kind of rich, not enormously, but a little rich, my father makes a lot of money, most people think we are fiscally conservative, but when we say we are democrat, they freak out and say "you like taxes". He says if it is for the good of society, and if everyone gets an opportunity, and use it to their advantage. He says It's fine, shocking many people.

[Greed and Death]

One of my history professors is a Mormon democrat.
Given he leans toward the blue dog democrat camp from what I can tell.

[Lizardiar]

What? Religious and a Democrat? Is the world ending? How is it possible?1

[Bergnovinaia]

Heck I'm a christain and I'm a democrat.

[Greed and Death]

What? Religious and a Democrat? Is the world ending? How is it possible?1

I think after the prop 8 thing people think Mormons are ultra conservatives.

[Intangelon]

My family is kind of rich, not enormously, but a little rich, my father makes a lot of money, most people think we are fiscally conservative, but when we say we are democrat, they freak out and say "you like taxes". He says if it is for the good of society, and if everyone gets an opportunity, and use it to their advantage. He says It's fine, shocking many people.

I bet it does. And good on your father, by the way. Would that more thought like him.

I know plenty of underprivileged Republicans, so it's interesting to learn about the opposite-seeming incongruity. Thank you.

[Intangelon]

What? Religious and a Democrat? Is the world ending? How is it possible?1

Did you read the link? It's only a few paragraphs. Give it a shot, you might get the answer to your question, and it might prove to be something less than the apocalypse.

[Intangelon]

One of my history professors is a Mormon democrat.
Given he leans toward the blue dog democrat camp from what I can tell.

You ever ask him? If so, what does he say? I can understand why you wouldn't -- many consider that to be prying.

[Lancaster of Wessex]

Heck I'm a christain and I'm a democrat.

Hurrah for rational, reasonable Christian Liberals (in my case I use the term "Liberal" in the Canadian political party sense). Most of my older family vote Canadian Conservative, but not I, I buck the trend so to speak.

[Greed and Death]

One of my history professors is a Mormon democrat.
Given he leans toward the blue dog democrat camp from what I can tell.

You ever ask him? If so, what does he say? I can understand why you wouldn't -- many consider that to be prying.

Well he mentions being a democrat at the start of all his history courses. He says despite trying to be unbiased, his views will present a biased opinion. The religious issue came up in one of our private Bsing conversations. He is one of the professors that will write me a letter of recommendation, and is one of the most prestigious professors on campus.

[Maurepas]

Imll be honest...I thought this thread was demonizing Democrats...I originally read the title as "I am a Democrat because I am a Moron"...

But, there's plenty of room in the Democratic Party for Mormons....whether they should be is another matter entirely, however,

[Port Arcana]

Haha, this is only a shocker in the states. In some of the Scandinavian countries, many of the leftist parties have christian principles and ideals, based on the reasoning that Jesus would have advocated a more egalitarian society.

[Greed and Death]

Haha, this is only a shocker in the states. In some of the Scandinavian countries, many of the leftist parties have christian principles and ideals, based on the reasoning that Jesus would have advocated a more egalitarian society.

Traditionally in the US, the religious groups were tied with the socializing factions.
William Jennings Bryan the pro creationist side during the scope monkey trial argued teaching evolution encourages fascist and blind uncaring capitalism.

[Brewdomia]

I have wondered how hardcore Christians are lassiez-faire capitalists, when Jesus's teaching's were more egalitarian, correct me if i am wrong

[Greed and Death]

I have wondered how hardcore Christians are lassiez-faire capitalists, when Jesus's teaching's were more egalitarian, correct me if i am wrong

Normally I hear charity is voluntary, taxes by definition are not.

[Brewdomia]

I have wondered how hardcore Christians are lassiez-faire capitalists, when Jesus's teaching's were more egalitarian, correct me if i am wrong

Normally I hear charity is voluntary, taxes by definition are not.

Yes, but if you are a christian and you found out those taxes were going to welfare to help the poor, wouldn't you accept a slight increase in your taxes?

[Greed and Death]

I have wondered how hardcore Christians are lassiez-faire capitalists, when Jesus's teaching's were more egalitarian, correct me if i am wrong

Normally I hear charity is voluntary, taxes by definition are not.

Yes, but if you are a christian and you found out those taxes were going to welfare to help the poor, wouldn't you accept a slight increase in your taxes?

If it is not voluntary it ceases to be charity. This means it is not a part of good works if it comes from taxes.
You donate to a charity it comes from the heart.
You pay your taxes, it either comes from a sense of nationalism, or a fear of going to jail for tax evasion.
By taxing all I could donate you deny be the ability to give from my heart.

[Braaainsss]

If it is not voluntary it ceases to be charity. This means it is not a part of good works if it comes from taxes.
You donate to a charity it comes from the heart.
You pay your taxes, it either comes from a sense of nationalism, or a fear of going to jail for tax evasion.
By taxing all I could donate you deny be the ability to give from my heart.

By banning murder we disallow people from not murdering simply out of the goodness of their hearts.

[Ryadn]

Haha, this is only a shocker in the states. In some of the Scandinavian countries, many of the leftist parties have christian principles and ideals, based on the reasoning that Jesus would have advocated a more egalitarian society.

I would urge you not to lump the Mormonism in the U.S. with the Christian-based principles of Scandinavia.

[Land of greed]

If it is not voluntary it ceases to be charity. This means it is not a part of good works if it comes from taxes.
You donate to a charity it comes from the heart.
You pay your taxes, it either comes from a sense of nationalism, or a fear of going to jail for tax evasion.
By taxing all I could donate you deny be the ability to give from my heart.

By banning murder we disallow people from not murdering simply out of the goodness of their hearts.

I fail to see how preferring to donate to a charity rather then paying taxes for social programs somehow equates to murder.

[Ryadn]

I have wondered how hardcore Christians are lassiez-faire capitalists, when Jesus's teaching's were more egalitarian, correct me if i am wrong

Normally I hear charity is voluntary, taxes by definition are not.

Yes, but if you are a christian and you found out those taxes were going to welfare to help the poor, wouldn't you accept a slight increase in your taxes?

Not necessarily. People often don't mind charity so much as welfare because they can choose to donate to "their" kind of people. They don't want to think of their money going to people of different religions, different ethnicities, different sexualities, etc.

[Greed and Death]

Normally I hear charity is voluntary, taxes by definition are not.

Yes, but if you are a christian and you found out those taxes were going to welfare to help the poor, wouldn't you accept a slight increase in your taxes?

Not necessarily. People often don't mind charity so much as welfare because they can choose to donate to "their" kind of people. They don't want to think of their money going to people of different religions, different ethnicities, different sexualities, etc.

Yes the Christian children's fund(now child fund int.) is renown for only giving aid to white people in Africa and in the 3rd world.

[Surote]

My family is kind of rich, not enormously, but a little rich, my father makes a lot of money, most people think we are fiscally conservative, but when we say we are democrat, they freak out and say "you like taxes". He says if it is for the good of society, and if everyone gets an opportunity, and use it to their advantage. He says It's fine, shocking many people.

One of the smart rich people

[Buxtahatche]

I have wondered how hardcore Christians are lassiez-faire capitalists, when Jesus's teaching's were more egalitarian, correct me if i am wrong

Read the Parable of the Talents.
God loves those who USE A GIVEN OPPORTUNITY. He does command us to be charitable, but He also has no real problems with punishing those who misuse and abuse that charity by removing the opportunity. Also, He says that charity should be a personal, private matter- one that is according to one's love for mankind, rather than by government mandate.

That's why I believe that welfare, medicade, government health care, and pouring billions down the tube on foreign aid to countries that make no effort to improve is outside the realms of Christian charity. That is why I'm a lassiez-faire capitalist (to the point that I hear the dreaded 'N' word everytime I open my mouth in a liberals-only area).

God says that you should forgive your brother wronging you 'seventy times seven' times... and that's a lot. But the Bible is also very clear on the fact that, even though you should forgive those who do you evil and abuse your good nature, some people just cannot be trusted to do the right thing- an you should just flat-out avoid them.