From Deseret News archives:

Mormon Media Observer: Looking for American tolerance

Published: Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 12:55 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
In January, 1987, my wife and I were working in staff positions in the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. when we attended a service at the Washington National Cathedral to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Amid the grandeur of the gothic architecture, the voices of a choir echoed and attendees listened to the interfaith readings that represented the universal goodness and equality of humankind. A rabbi read from the Torah, an imam from the Koran, a pastor from the New Testament and an LDS leader from The Book of Mormon. As idealistic college students, it was an image and an associated feeling of peace we remembered as a model for a tolerant America. It was an America to which we felt included.

Fast-forward to 2008. In many quarters my faith is under attack as Americans consider a Mormon for president, and I wonder about that inclusion. One recent author said he felt marginalized if Mitt Romney is denied the presidency simply — or primarily — because of his faith. Another has explained that it seems like it is �open season on Mormons�.

Story continues below
The LDS rhetorical landscape today is filled with mean-spirited words. Words like �cult,� �un-Christian,� �weird� and �racist� grate on anyone�s inclination toward civility and tolerance. However, many LDS members take it in stride, a recent AP story shows.

Along with the oft-referenced polls that say many would not vote for a Mormon president, there is a more troubling misunderstanding about religious freedom in the United States. Just 56 percent of Americans believe that the freedom to worship as one chooses extends to all religious groups, regardless of how extreme � down 16 points, from 72 percent in 2000, according to the �State of the First Amendment 2007� report released in September 2007. Americans seem to have a problem with religious tolerance and a basic understanding of the religious freedom clause of the First Amendment.

Recent comments

Questions for Christians who are thinking of voting for
Mitt Romney...

Tom | Feb. 4, 2008 at 8:19 p.m.

Mormonism is a cult.

Anonymous | Feb. 4, 2008 at 7:57 p.m.

Thanks for the interesting article and all the other articles...

Mar | Jan. 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

From reading about this incident on another site, I learned that what the BYU...

Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges

Comparing the two different cases is like comparing apples and oranges. In...

Bitter hateful nasty.....but donate to charity....just one step above a liberal!

S.L. vote pending on gay protections

Creating discrimination protection for one group is inherently...

I did not know poor people ate less? Thanks GOP leaders for your thoughtful...

he took his mistress to the crystal inn in salt lake city. the police never...

You THunder Chickens are gonna get rolled, won't even be close... You guys...

Re: Little Brother Get your facts straight before you mouth off. Since...

Is this the pagan webpage or is this the DNEWS....who gave this guy the free...

Senators want food tax restored

Two leading Republicans propose another $140 million food tax on the poor. Is...

Advertisements
Advertisement