On Being A Mormon Democrat
Posted by Shawn L on February 1, 2008
Over Christmas break, I attended my in-laws’ ward in Logan, UT. The Gospel Doctrine class was filled to capacity with approximately 50-60 people of all ages. The lesson was on the Book of Revelations, which admittedly is not an easy subject. The teacher, a young guy no older than 25, handled it in a fairly rote fashion, leading a class discussion about the “signs of the end times” seen in the U.S.’s rapidly-devolving-into-pure-evil popular culture. He hit all of the usual suspects: abortion, gay marriage, naughty television shows, etc. Then, he held up a picture from the front page of the local paper showing a picture of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Photo in hand, he said something to the effect of, the fact that either one of these folks could lead this nation is surely sign of the latter days. The teacher said that while he wasn’t necessarily taking a partisan stand, the scriptures make clear that, in the final days, wolves in sheeps’ clothing would rise to power and we should be on guard. All heads nodded in knowing agreement.
This, unfortunately, was not an isolated incident. Over the years, I have witnessed numerous other instances of Democrat/liberal bashing in Church. You likely have seen a few yourself. I say, enough is enough! It is high time that those of us on the left of the politial spectrum make our voices heard.
The purpose of this post is neither to explain to you, dear readers, all of the reasons why I am a Democrat (you’ll have to buy me lunch for that rant), nor to sway you over to my side of the political fence (although, you do know that one of the Republican Party’s founding principles was anti-Mormonism, right . . . I’m just saying). Indeed, it has been pretty well established by now that (i) yes, Mormon Democrats are out there (heck, they have even infiltrated the Lord’s University), and (ii) yes, you can be a good Mormon and a good Democrat all at the same time.
What I am interested in discussing is how (and whether we should attempt) to curb anti-Democrat political bias in our Church meetings. Let me offer a few more examples to give a feel for what I talking about. By no means is this an exhaustive list:
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An Elders Quorum lesson last year, taught from the Spencer W. Kimball manual, about self-sufficiency devolved into a rant against the evils of “governmental programs” and reliance on “the Welfare State.”
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Just last Sunday, a member of our Stake Presidency (for whom, by the way, I have a lot of respect) taught the combined Priesthood meeting during Ward Conference. Speaking from the pulpit, he implored everyone to get off their rear ends and vote on February 5, a message with which I wholeheartedly agree. However, this charge was backed by all-too-typical scare tactics. He talked about the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the “increasing number of abortions in this country.”
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A few years back, my wife was asked to give a short lesson in a weekday Homemaking meeting about patriotism. Despite my valiant efforts, my wife is no left-winger. However, during the lesson, she expressed a very mild dissatisfaction with Pres. Bush. Out of respect for my wife, I’ll spare you the details of what happened next, but let’s just say, the RS sisters still talk about that crazy lesson and my wife has not been asked to teach again.
- I was in law school during the last few years of the Clinton presidency. Virtually every week in Gospel Doctrine class, there would be at least one or two comments from members about “Slick Willy” and/or references to the Monica Lewinsky affair.
As I see it, these comments have no place in worship services. Although we can quibble about how the policy is actually applied, the Church is officially apolitical. Similarly, our leaders counsel with politicians from both major parties regading moral issues. Nevertheless, many of us feel all too comfortable making, and agreeing with, conservative political/partisan statements made in lessons, talks and classroom discussion.*
The threshold question question is, am I (and others like me) simply being oversensitive? Should I simply let it roll off my back, and say nothing? I willing to consider the possibility that, in fact, I am overreacting. As a bearded, blue-shirt-wearing Mormon Democrat, I am often prone to feeling offense where none is intended.
If not, then the more interesting issue is, what do we do about it? In each of situations above, my reaction was the same: I did and said absolutely nothing, believing that if I piped up, it would likely derail an otherwise appropriate lesson. Thinking about it now, I have come to see such silence as tacit approval. Muttering to my wife on the way home on Sunday afternoon does absolutely nothing other than cause me to be resentful towards others.
There is a wide variety of possible approaches ranging from walking out of class in an angry huff (which is clearly the wrong answer) to responding to each and every perceived slight by taking time enlighten everyone on my political views (equally wrong). The more measured approach I hope to use when (not “if”) I find myself in a similar situation is to ask myself the following two questions: (i) what point is the teacher/speaker trying to make with this example/statement, and (ii) can I make a contribution that not only will balance out the comment in question, but will not take away from the Spirit of the lesson?
If the answer to the second question is “yes,” then I believe that it is my prerogative, perhaps even my duty as a member, to say something. I have little patience for complaints about lessons from folks who refuse to participate. This is my (our) Church, too, after all. I can’t expect the tenor of our discussion to change unless I am willing to inject an alternative (or contradictory) line of thought. So, fellow Democrats, I say stand up and make yourselves heard! Next time your Gospel Doctrine teacher expounds on the righteousness of Pres. Bush’s “war on terror,” take a deep breath, raise your hand, and then let ‘em have it! Only by doing so can we ensure that our worship is truly “fair and balanced.”
* This is not (another) attempt to blast my Republican brothers and sisters. Of course, I fully support the idea that Church membership, and ward attendance, should represent a number of political views, even ones with which I disagree vehemently. But query, when was the last time you heard a Democrat/liberal make overtly political statements in Church? It may happen, but I have not seen it.
February 1, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I can imagine this is a very difficult time for members of the church. Please know that my own personal beef is not with you, as a member. My concern is about the leaders. The 12 and the 50. The lies, the secrets, the stealing of souls through proxy baptisms and so much more. More than all of that, I believe that Romney will carry the Antichrist torch for Bush. I know it my core. His lies to the fine people of MA. where I use to live. His money- on this campaign, when there are starving children. And worse: no military service for him or his sons, and yet he wants to double Guantanamo. His parrnership with Blackwater is the most telling. If he becomes the nominee, I won’t be alone in knowing that it is indeed the end. The sheep’s costume will come off the second he is sworn in.
February 1, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Uh, I think you might be missing the point of my post. I’m no Romney fan, but I certainly don’t think (i) he is the Anti-Christ, or even one of Satan’s minions, or (ii) the Church’s leaders are leading any us down the primrose path to destruction. All I want is a bit more representation for us lefties in Church meetings. Is that really so much to ask?
February 1, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I agree concerning too many liberal/Democratic slams by all too many well-intentioned LDS folks - but I’m also a bearded/white shirt wearing/shaved head politically liberal (not only Democrat) Mormon.
My car also sports a bumper sticker, “God - The Greatest Liberal of All”
Here in Southern Arizona it can feel lonely at times. When a comment goes too far in Priesthood I’ve been known to suggest there are other ways to see things. I’ve also found it personally needful to speak “No” rather than the conventional “Amen” at the end of a sacrament meeting talk which went too far into political dogma as celestial doctrine. (Most of the time when I hear something mildly bothersome I just stay quiet - neither “Amen” nor “No”
It’s to the point now that folks stop to talk - with a headshake - and say something along the lines of; “Yes, brother, I know your opinion.”
Don’t stay quiet - but neither should we enter into contention. We had an interesting conversation in Sunday School recently concerning contending ideas without entering into the spirit of contention. A fine line sometimes, but I love Harry Reid’s talk at BYU concerning his Democratic view based on his LDS values.
No, Romney isn’t the Antichrist. Though I had one member here during the 2000 elections - suggest I represented the doctrine of the Antichrist. Since he and I had periodic conversations, I just smiled and pointed out I saw him as an out-of-work fascist looking for a government to overthrow. Darned if he didn’t smile as well.
wilt
February 1, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I don’t like labels but I’m a Mormon, unofficial republican, and lean conservative. I’ll get that out front.
I haven’t observed the same kinds of episodes very frequently. I wonder if because I tend to agree with the comments, I don’t notice them as much. But I agree with you such comments are out of place, even if I agree with them. I especially think the teacher holding a picture of Clinton and Obama was way over the line. I find it a bit demeaning to me to assume that I must agree with those sorts of political positions (although frequently I do), just because I’m Mormon. And I find it deaming to the church to put faith and politics on an equal footing by mixing them in church. I cringe any time a talk or lesson starts to get political, although I don’t see that happening very much in my ward. I also think location plays a role (I’m in a liberal area).
Probably the best course of action if you really think your ward is turning out too much political talk would be to talk to your bishop. Not sure how receptive he would be, but if I were a bishop I’d have a talk with the teacher with the Hillary and Obama pictures for sure. Can you imagine if a democratic investigator, or less-active member, had been in that class?
February 2, 2008 at 2:54 pm
My bishop told my daughter that he couldn’t understand how our Liberal family could behave like such good Christians. She replied “Duh, bishop.”
February 4, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Wow, nice post Shawn.
In the spirit of fair disclosure, on the political spectrum I consider myself very conservative, especially economically. But, I am not affiliated with any political party.
Even though I lean right, your experiences reminded me of an email forward I received the other day that I found quite offensive (sent by a family member and church member). It spoke of Obama and his Muslim religion and how “radical Muslims have planted this Manchurian candidate to destroy the US from the inside.” This crap really insults me, even though I am not voting for Obama. I see similar emails and comments about Hillary. Although I won’t be voting for either Democratic candidate, I still believe that they want the best for this country and have actually come to respect them a great deal lately. We simply disagree (hopefully civilly) with the best approach to take.
Here is another point for the guy that held up that picture of Obama and Hillary and called them evil: I guess our Apostles are chillin’ with the bad guys: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/michelle-obama-visits-church-hq
I very much agree that political discussions are inappropriate in church. But they come up all the time because many people assume that all members lean to the right. Even if that was the case, I still don’t see how it could be appropriate.
The approach you take can be tricky. Like you say, you don’t want to distract from the spirit of the lesson. And we all know how Sunday school lessons can deteriorate into meaningless, spirit-less discussions. Political disagreements are probably a catalyst for these types of meaningless discussions (in church, that is. Outside of church they are very meaningful). However, I do believe you could make a comment that would contribute and still make people stop and think.
If a teacher is consistently guilty of “holding up pictures of those evil people Hillary and Obama”, I would think a private discussion (don’t we call them Golden Spoon discussions?) would be very appropriate.
Regarding your bullets, here is my take:
•I can see why many church members call “doles” evil, as it has been preached from the General Conference pulpit. Although, most of these quotes are fairly old, the main one from a 1936 talk by Heber J. Grant on welfare. Maybe Double-A, our resident General Conference expert, can find a more recent GC talk that supports or refutes this idea. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=84010fd41d93b010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&hideNav=1&query=evil+dole&bucket=GeneralConference&submitSearch=Search
•This one is interesting: Encouraging to vote? Seems appropriate. Commenting on Roe v. Wade, as if to make one’s point be the church’s official stance? Seems inappropriate. Speaking against abortion (within the current stance of the church)? That one seems appropriate to me.
•This one is hands-down stupid. Over the last few years, I have started to witness the same type of infallibility-expectation that we place on our church leaders (which is wrong) placed on the US President. This one really confused me….how could anyone think W. Bush is infallible? I think he has had good moments and bad moments, but I noticed that church-members who disagreed with him (and I for one disagreed with him at times on economic, spending, and other issues) were derided. Three cheers for Mrs. Shawn!
•Again, seems a little inappropriate.
Thanks Shawn, and let us know how your efforts are received.
February 5, 2008 at 11:14 am
As an earring-wearing, politically-left member I find that I’ve had many of the same experiences. In my ward- because there is an inordinate number of very wealthy individuals- there seems to be an air of implied political commonality; that we all think the same. Comments are frequently made where it is to be understood that we all think the same because we’re all of the same religion. That one irks me to no end. That stance is almost always framed in political statement. Dumb, unthinking comments such as the recent, “We’d like to hear any ideas from you brethren on how we can improve Brother Romney’s chances in the election.” Or the equally ignorant, “He was obviously a drug dealer or criminal because he had long hair and tattoos.”
My opinion is that, because nobody ever says anything in opposition to those comments, the idea that we all think the same is perpetuated. I think it would just slay the whole room full of Priesthood holders if I stood up and said I didn’t like Mitt Romney and wouldn’t be voting for him. It’s simply understood that, if one is Mormon, one is Republican or, at the very least, conservative.
The reasons are many: social, cultural, habit. The way to combat it, I believe, is to speak out but to do so in a measured, constructive manner. Otherwise you end up being labeled as the kooky member who might say “penis” in a talk. We don’t want that.
Instead, I have found that a calm disagreement has actually worked. “I’m sorry Brother X but I believe we should be careful in generalizing people’s political opinions,” I’ve said to good effect. Another equally left-leaning member once said, “Well, I appreciate your position but let’s remember that we don’t all feel the same way even though our faith in the Gospel is equal.” I thought that was a well-put remark.
So the effective tack seems to be vocal disagreement in a calm manner to assuage the fears that left-leaning members are really minions of Satan. If we don’t speak up, I submit that the ridiculous comments will continue and will even proliferate.
As a final thought, I think members that are “out of the ordinary” should be encouraged to teach and to speak. I find the opinions, views and angles expressed by those members are often the most refreshing in the church. I get tired of hearing the same ol’ tithing lesson. A little interesting debate is a healthy and much needed element in church teaching.
My 2 cents.
February 11, 2008 at 3:52 pm
First of all it is clearly stated in the scriptures and in plenty of GC’s that all Demos will one day burn in hell. Sorry Shawn. And quit your cryin. Holy crap…if you’re going to support the devil’s party, then you should expect this.
For those of you not astute enuf to know, that was a joke.
I agree. And although I’m a registered Republican, I find myself agreeing with most democratic topics. And abortion itself is such a serious topic that it is above and beyond any one party “owning” the subject.
I personally feel abortion should be legal. Just like anything else, there will come a day to pay for our deeds, and if someone wants to do it, then have at it.
I for one will start to stand up for our disenfranchised brethren who have strayed to the dark side but whom I still love.
And you are not the only one Shawn that has noticed the higher amount of demo-bashing. Hang in there. At least your mom loves you.
My 5 cents
February 11, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Just this past Sunday, I got an earful from two folks about my views. A buddy of mine (whom you know, Aran), said to me, without a hint of sarcasm or irony, “you know, you’re only person I know with any sense that actually votes Democratic.” Oh well.
That comment was balanced by something another blue-stater in my ward said to me: “Once McCain names Huckabee as his VP choice, I’m going to stand up in Priesthood meeting and say, ‘brethren, welcome to the Democratic Party. It’s either that or vote for an anti-Mormon. You choose.” That warmed my heart a bit.
P.S. My mom is a Democrat, too. My dad, on the other hand . . .
April 9, 2008 at 8:05 am
[...] A “Theology Of Peace”: I’ve written at length in other places about the travails of being a Mormon Democrat, a role which often puts me at odds politically with [...]
June 5, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I wouldn’t have let that newspaper incident stand. Guest to the Ward or not. I would have objected at the inappropriate nature, and invited anyone who wanted to know my take on it to come over to my place anytime.