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LDS Church posts statement on alcohol
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Utah's prohibition laws are supposed to regulate all commerce on ethyl alcohol, and it can't! Folks can still manufacture their own (it's not difficult), and still get into trouble. Prohibition for the last 90+ years has not reduced drunk driving, abusive behaviors while intoxicated, or stopped teen alcoholism.
Finally, the money collected is supposed to go to the State's education funds; tens of millions of dollars worth. And STILL the UEA keeps complaining they don't get enough taxed money!
This whole prohibition thing isn't working at all.
Yes, you have to accept the Word of Wisdom on faith. In Franklin's time, or Joseph's, for that matter, smoking was thought to be healthy, too. Modern medical research puts the lie to that. Who's to say the WoW isn't just ahead of the curve on the alcohol thing, too? I've been a drinker and smoker, and I've since qualified for a recommend. Feel free to choose, guys, but the fight here is looking pretty silly to us non-Utahns.
Follow Joseph Smith's saying, "Teach them correct principals and let them govern themselves".
In other words, Let the LDS church teach its own members not to drink and any other people who will listen to them. But do not try by force of law to enforce religious doctrine.
Pass only those laws whose objective is to honestly regulate and minimize the bad effects that alcohol can have.
Is not allowing alcohol to be served in a resturant because it is offensive to those who don't drink, really isn't necessary to prevent the bad effects of alcohol. A better way would be for the resturant not to over serve their customers and to provide a breath test for those who may need it. And to provide stiff penalties, including loss of licence for life for those who won't be responsible.
If we use intelligence, instead of religious blindness, we can accomidate public safety, health without imposing religious will on others by force of law.
So, its a case of pick your poison?
Alcohol vs Ice And Anti-depressants? lol.
The LDS Church has a right to issue such a statement, however, our state legislatures decisions should not be based on statements of the predominant church. All of the issues should be looked at and these elected officals should determine the best course of action for Utah.
I know- ideal view, but good government.
I'm glad to see that the church is not an idle bystander when it comes to speaking out its mind against harmful practices.
It is an infantile point of view. There is a large segment of the population who do not share this view. I am one of them.
"A majority of the people in Utah are LDS. Maybe that has something to do with a good share of the elected officials being LDS. The state government should represent the majority who elected them. This isn't rocket science. People are always crying about LDS beliefs effecting state policy. Ummm... HELLO MCFLY this is Utah and a lot of LDS people live here. I'm thinking that is how a democracy works. I'm sure you non-LDS whiners vote for those who most reflect your values, why can't LDS people do the same?"
I think people are upset because only 60% of the population of Utah is Mormon but 95% of the legislature is. Can you see how they might think that the Church is running things?
With the problems that alcohol has caused to so many families/individuals lives.
It goes to feed the poor students - none of it is used for education.
Drinkers, lets meet at the local bar and have a cold glass of beer or glass of wine.
Mormons, meet at the local Chuck-o-Rama and eat more meat than the Word Of Wisdom advises you not to eat.
Solution met.
They think that everyone who drinks is an alcoholic, I have a news flash for them-
"Studies show that Alcoholic Beverages can be Consumed at a Moderate Level"
Please get an education and stop judging everyone as an alcoholic drunk driver, or I will start to judge all the LDS people as pill popping meth addicts.
Suggesting that churches and their leaders give up their 1st amendment rights to freedom of speech is a heinous attack on the free speech rights of everyone. There are christian pastors challenging that restriction even now. Clearly you do not understand the moral duty of churches to speak out on social issues of all kinds.
Cheers!
Re: @Mona: members of the LDS church & other mainstream churches do not enslave their people. We have a choice to keep or not keep the commandments & directives. Same with laws enacted by government. No one will force you to stop at a stop sign.
Alcohol on the other hand can be a habit difficult to break & that's the slavery aspect of it.
Water treatment was not waht it is now. And even now days every onve in a blue moon of placwe you get warnings not to drink water.
IN the 1830's there was no soda pop to drink.
So drank what available and safe.
Something that had been boiled like tea or it came from a fruit or grain like a lite wine or beer.
IT was safer! This is not so much true today.
It shows no sense at all to compare historical periods. And make justifications.
I believe the state should base it's laws and legislature off of logic and experience, not religious or mythological beliefs. Not all people who drink are drunks, like most followers of the faith like to believe. Believe it or not, science and research has proven those who drink about 4 oz of alcohol a day actually outlive those who totally abstain from it.
The pretentious followers of the LDS religion need to stop oppressing their religion on other people and need to learn how to approach things with a more open mind. Prohibition doesn't cure anything - it causes more crime, wastes tax dollars, and puts us one step away from the constitution and one step closer to the totalitarian aristocratic government the republicans dream of.
A fun fact is that more than half of the kids who get into drinking and drugs in Utah come from LDS families. Go. Figure.
I'm happy to be a member of a church that don't shy away from expressing its opinion againts drinking alcohol.
It's true not all drinkers are drunks, but every drinker I know has a story he believes to be hilarious about the time he got drunk and did something stupid.
Why should we lower barriers and encourage stupid, irresponsible, dangerous behavior?
Since drinkers are seldom responsible enough to be fully accountable for their actions, the "hospitality industry," -- which makes millions encouraging the dangerous and irresponsible behavior that kills more than 75,000 people every year -- should be held fully accountable, at least financially, for the true cost of the abomination they wreak on innocents!
Politicians -- are you listening?
The government shouldn't have to take on the burden of policing the drunks. That burden should fall on the backs of those that make billions by catering to and enabling them, the "hospitality industry," including the brewers, distillers, and distributors.
The full cost of "hospitality" must be borne by the industry profiting from it. That gives the industry incentives to prevent, rather than encourage the carnage on the roads.
Only then will we make a dent in the useless slaughter of 75,000 people a year -- all in the name of "having a little fun."
...considering the fact that they ELECTED that 95% of the legislature, they can't complain. Everybody votes according to their personal beliefs and morals, that's how it works. Of course somebody who is LDS is going to vote in line with LDS principles. Those who don't wish to live by the rules the local legislatures pass are more than welcome to elect somebody else in the next election who will pass different rules. Simple as that.
Bashing and arguements about an opinion from a church organization or any other enity is just ridiculous. It is a freedom we all have a right to. Now if you have a BETTER idea on what our government should do regarding the current drinking laws......I am all ears, and lets debate that.
As to the crowd crying "freedom" over all of this, shouldn't we just legalize everything and let people exercise their better judgement? I'm sure someone can smoke crack or pot responsibly, shoot heroine in moderation, or, heaven forbid in modern society, smoke a Marlboro in public.
Cigarettes are practically illegal because they became socially unacceptible. That came from both a public health AND public morality stand. I'll bet most of you who are screaming about booze were applauding over smoking restrictions. Either admit that you don't mind when the bias matches your view (ie. morals), or drop the bias all together. You're being hypocritical otherwise.
The Church isn't making law, it's expressing a moral opinion. That's what churches do. Get over it.
The church has a major role in the community, they developed this state!! let us not forget the members were led to Utah, by Christ, to settle the valley and were taught how to make it livable for them and for future generations (us). They brought water to valleys, constructed places of dwelling... And all this was done through the inspiration of the Lord. He is very intelligent and all those who listen to his council will be made like wise. What a wonderful place we live in!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints is true! The church belongs to Christ himself. He is the only perfect person who walked the earth. Much good will come from his council to any one who wants to listen!
I think more people need to be educated about what our government is.
No other problems to be concerned of.
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It was about 40 years ago that the LDS church considered shopping on Sunday as a moral issue and successfully lobbied to get a law passed in Utah to make it illegal. The law has since been changed because of opposition.
Many Moslems still consider not letting girls get educated a "moral" issue, and of course (they say) god wants women to be completely covered. That is a moral issue from their point of view.
Catholics consider not using birth control a moral issue, Jehovas witiness say its immoral to transfuse blood.
It simply isn't right that religions put their peciluar laws on all people. Many of their rules are quite arbitrary. Religions aren't always the best judges of what is moral and what is not. If they were, why don't they agree? What does shopping on sunday have to do with morality?
Since the LDS church can't keep religion out of morality, it is best to leave what is moral up to people willing to think through the issues on a rational basis.