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  •  Having lived in the NW (4.00 / 2)

    I have deep respect for Mormons. Their theology may be almost as fantastical as Scientology's, but their common sense is grounded in a beautiful landscape, and the typical American Mormon today is about as lapsed as the typical Catholic -- that is, respects the religion, but doesn't really follow the dictates. They are good people to drink with.

    That said, they've put up some horrendously right-wing politicians -- but mostly of the Western, "leave us alone" sort. And look at the current mayor of their capital, organizing a rally against Bush.

    Nor do they have any delusion that people following their creed "founded America." In fact, they have pretty specific family memories of the "good Christians" giving them a treatment generally reserved for witches and Satanists. We could do well to court them.

    by wytcld on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 08:51:47 AM PDT

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    •  In my experience, (none / 0)

      the Mormons out west, where they have bigger and stronger communities that enforce proper Mormon behavior and thought, tend to pretty doctrinaire.  Not people you'd even think of asking to drink with.

      by corvo on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 08:54:45 AM PDT

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      •  But: (none / 0)

        We could go for the Harry Reid types. There is a Mormon in my community; he is really big on giving out ideas to improve the community.

        Conservatism is Dead!

        by Eternal Hope on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 09:00:51 AM PDT

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        •  Yes! Go for them! (4.00 / 2)

          I've also heard tell of politically moderate Mormons in places like Canada.  Oh, wait, irrelevant example.  But Reid is a good example, and I know a few myself (around here they tend to be, not surprisingly, women . . .).

          by corvo on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 09:03:34 AM PDT

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          •  Clearing a few things up... (none / 0)

            Mormons are not republicans.  Mormons are not part of the Christian Right.  The LDS faith does not endorse any political party.  The church stays completely out of the members political choices.  Orin Hatch does not represent the Mormon faith.  Hatch's politics are strictly his own.  There are plenty of left leaning Mormons, especially outside of Utah.

            Go Reid!

            by firebush05 on Sat Sep 10, 2005 at 09:27:59 PM PDT

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            •  All true, but (none / 0)

              fundie Christians and Mormons tend to have the same enemies, which is probably what's kept them tending to vote in the same block and for the same party for so long.

              Same goes for the Zionists and the fundie Christians.  Wouldn't confuse the one group with the other either.  

              by corvo on Sun Sep 11, 2005 at 01:53:42 PM PDT

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              •  Big difference... (none / 0)

                The LDS religion doesn't lobby, nor do they give funds to any political party.  They have no common enemies as the fundie Christian groups.  Abortion for instance is viewed as immoral, but not a centerpiece on which to ignore all other issues of the day.  

                Mormons believe in seperation of church and state, something the Christian right detest.

                by firebush05 on Mon Sep 12, 2005 at 09:52:25 AM PDT

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