Deseret News | Rocky is anti-LDS Church

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Readers' forum: Rocky is anti-LDS Church

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Anonymous | 10:31 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

So much hate for such a peacful people.
What is the motivation????
How long before the lds church is mobbed out of town again?
First nauvoo, then Missouri, Salt lake next?

HA! | 10:34 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky Rocks!

Bob Taylor | 10:41 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I have very little to say that is positive about Rocky, however, he is right about the separation of church and state. It is what our forefathers intended. Mountain Meadows and Islamic havoc are examples of radical theological thinking run amuck.

Comments continue below

James | 10:45 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

HA! I also like Rocky!

Just adding to the fire | 11:24 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Blah blah blah I hate Rocky.
Blah blah blah Mormons.

Moessers | 11:36 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I will say this... in the last decade or so, the LDS church's strangle hold has dwindled in Utah and I see more and more exMo's and neverMo's. I just went to the Walmart in American Fork this Sunday morning and business was booming. The place was packed. Coffee houses such as Starbuck's can be found flourishing even in places like Utah County for heavensake. I love living in Utah and I'm thrilled to see the old fashioned ways of the LDS church starting to fade. Give it time, and we'll have a lottery and casinos!!!!

Jeff | 11:37 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Hey Bob, I agree that there is very little to say about Rocky that is good, but I am wondering if you, or anyone else out there, can show me the "separation of church and state" clause that is so often quoted. I won't hold my breath. People should really read the Constitution.

Jerry | 11:50 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky is a great embarrassment to the citizens of Utah. He is at best a miserable bigot who abuses the office of Mayor to advance his personal politics!

He makes all of us look like a bunch of schmucks to the rest of the country. It's amazing to me that the anti-Mormon crowd rallies to such a shrill, shallow political leader.

I hope the next Mayor has an all-inclusive agenda and looks for concensus that does not reflect hatred for any particular religion.

Anonymous | 12:01 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I for one did move my famile to Utah, because I believe it is a good place to raise a family.

nothing else to say | 12:16 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Both sides are a bunch of cry babies. Just get over it and have a peaceful Sundy.

washcomom | 12:20 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Personally, I hate Utahns in general. I lived there for two years, and let it stand the fact that "God-fearing, law-abiding" people is to be refuted. After driving up I-15 recently, I felt like I was going to be killed for driving the speed limit. Even going 5 MPH over the limit is not enough for you people. You have to drive like maniacs to survive! Guess what? You won't have me as a neighbor. and yes, I am LDS 2!~ Don't hold your breath on those casinos, MOessers. Having grown up in NV, they make slime of the whole area. It just attracts vermin.

LDS in Idaho | 12:27 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Nicely said Quin!!!!! You people can all stay down there and honk and scream at each other in that traffic all you want. SLC is a nice place to visit but i would'nt want to live there (and I have lived there in the past) Give me my small town and my pine tree covered mountains for my backyard anyday!!! Just don't discover Idaho still has what the wasatch front used to have----please!!!!

Abby | 12:35 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

It is simply ignorant to claim you know exactly what another faith, culture, etc. believes in and exactly how they conduct their lives. As outsiders looking in - we can all make observations with one another and choose if we agree with that type of life style or not. This is human nature, and isn't wrong. But it's not classy for any person to look at and judge an individual for their beliefs and standards. Whether from homosexuality to "Mormonism", we choose to conduct our lives in different fashions based on what we believe to be best and true. It is NOT the LDS belief that we are perfect, and admonish everyone to look at our "perfect" example. It's not fair to make abrupt assumptions. Now I am LDS, but I also have family members and friends that are not... even one that is homosexual. I choose to live differently than he does, and he chooses otherwise as well... but there is love, kindness, and dear respect for each other, even though we are different. This is the true LDS faith. It is the Christian way, as we ARE devout Christians. Now, to those who would reply "well then why do you have missionaries?" They are simply proclaiming what they have come to know in their hearts to be true. You can choose to not listen - you can choose to not agree - and you can also choose to not be critical and hateful. To do so is absolute hypocracy. Spending every minute of everyday for 2 years devoted to a cause you believe in, is noble. Do this and maybe you will have a more ligimate arguement. We should embrace and be grateful for our differences and the diversity it brings to us all, and our cities.

Ing | 1:18 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

"Personally, I hate Utahns in general."

The world needs more people like you, washcomom. I want to be like you. I used to think I liked Utah and the people in it, even if they occasionally irritated and infuriated me, but now I see the light. I think I want to hate Utahns in general now too, just like you. Will you let me be like you, please?

Just tell me what "LDS 2~!" is, and I'll join.

Or not.

Anonymous | 1:20 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Don't you people ever get tired of this played out discussion? It's worse than race relations in the southern US. Isn't the west supposed to be relaxed and more down to earth? Chill out people!!!!! Live and let live.

roaming reader | 1:21 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

As an outsider moving to the state of Utah, I've found it to be a great place to live especially for my kids. Mormons here are a little different, not in a bad way, but they seem more religiously involved which hints how often I'm at service. As for the politics and religion argument, we all say there should be a distinct separation of the two yet know that a persons spirituality sometimes or most of the time guides our individual decision making process. I do agree with a few of the readers, some Utah drivers don't have a clue of their surroundings or common driving etiquete.

BB | 1:31 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Dear Anonymous Sept 2, 1:20 p.m.

Do you live in the southern U.S.? Have you ever? Do you know about race relations there? I live there. I have lived in Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and Tennessee. Race relations in Seattle between Asians and Caucasians were horrible. Relations in Denver between the Hispanics, Blacks, and whites are always of the egg shell type. Relations in OKC between American Indians and white are pretty decent and almost always friendly. Relations in Tennessee between Hispanics, blacks and whites are normally friendly, sometimes very much so. Even in Dixie, it is much better than it is in places like Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. Have you ever heard of a black family trying to make a go of it in Fargo? SLC is a decent place to live. The West is too liberal to be relaxed and chilled out.

UTAHN | 1:37 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

This is to "Non-Utah LDS" that is possibly the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Hey but if your way of proving that you don't like Utahns is by reading their local news paper then go for it. But if you are LDS it doesn't matter where you live. You think you will live seperatly in Heaven? Get with the program :)!

Just wondering... | 1:38 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

To Moessers (and anyone who thinks like him/her):
The "LDS church's strangle hold" you say? I work with many people who live out of state who comment on how "different" (in a good way) Salt Lake is compared to other cities they frequent. Why, Moessers, is it that conforming in the same way all of the other cities in the world have gone will make Salt Lake City, and Utah for that matter, a better place? Can't different be good? Can't we have some uniqueness that draws people here, things that they aren't experiencing anywhere else? I have a good friend (non-LDS) who loves coming to Salt Lake from San Diego because when he drives down the main parts of town he isn't constantly bombarded with businesses bent on destroying his character and ruining his marriage. There is much to be grateful for (partly because of the influence, not "strangle hold" as you put it, of the LDS Church), for the foresight and courage of our past public officials and the influences that have made Salt Lake what it is today. Those who live in SLC, I believe, have a responsibility to continue to fight for the things that make this great city unique in the world. There are becoming very few places like it anymore.

Leonard J. Douglas | 1:47 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

The Good Old US Of A was founded upon religion, But then we did,and still do, send lots of atheists to Washington. But does it really matter who we send? If they have the welfare of the people in mind. So put aside your "RELIGIOUS-BIGOTRY". And vote for the candidates principles, not his religion. A little more LDSism in our Godless nation might really just be what our morally sick nation is in need of these days.

Just adding to the fire | 2:28 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

You know, my opinion was one thing. But after reading all of these comments, all of my opinions have completely changed! Good thing I read these hateful comments.

Richard G. | 2:34 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

If Rocky is so anti-LDS, why did he sell our constitutional rights to the church during the Main Street Plaza debacle?

Regardless, he's great just because he drives so many right-wing religious fruitcakes crazy.

Amused. | 3:29 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

if Rocky dislikes Mormonism so much, why is he mayor of its home city: the city that it itself founded?

Lynne | 4:38 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

This is addressed to Richard Decker. How do you know Rocky "believes the church is the worst thing that ever happened to the city". Did he tell you that or are you a mind reader? My rule of thumb - don't assume anything.It isn't fair to anyone.

Lynne | 4:47 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I am no fan or Rocky's, but I think he is correct in saying that a practicing LDS mayor will cave to what the LDS general authority's want.

Anonymous | 4:51 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

rocky is odd and weird.

Strangely familiar... | 4:51 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I can't help but chuckle when I read some of your rants about Rocky using the SLC mayoral office to advance his personal political aspirations at the national level.

Reading your comments gave me a severe case of deja vu, because I read them, almost verbatim, a couple of weeks ago. Then I remembered that those comments were actually from residents of Massachusetts, ranting about Romney spending all of his gubernatorial time not in Mass. but outside of the state, laying the groundwork for his presidential campaign. And then I remembered that great photo of Romney campaigning against gay marriage with almost vein-popping adamancy, in opposition to the laws passed by his state legislature and angering many of those who elected him in that bluest of states.

I'm pretty certain that close to 100% of we who despise Rocky for being "more interested in national politics than in the city he was voted to run" are also planning to vote for Romney. Talk about seeing things through tinted glass! If it's selfishly advancing personal political aspirations for Rocky, then apply the same standard to Mitt. If we view Romney's nationally prominent position against gay marriage to be an appropriate expression of his devotion to the principles he believes in, then we ought to allow Rocky the same privilege, even if we disagree with his principles.

FTR, I am a Mormon who opposes gay marriage, looks forward to voting for Romney, and agrees that Rocky is divisive and a poor leader. But the mirror image parallels here were just too striking and too funny to go unmentioned.

Jon | 4:54 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Amy Bjorge, you can't be "offended" because you learned about Joseph being a mason from SouthPark. It's not any sort of hidden history the church tries to hide - it's just your own fault for not having read up more about him.
--
I agree that both (the Church and Rocky) are trying to do the right thing, and they just don't always agree as to what that is. Take it for what it is.

Having My Say | 5:19 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky IS the worst thing that ever happened to the city. Rocky does NOT care about SLC, Rocky cares about Rocky. The reason Rocky was elected is because SLC has one of the lowest percentage of Mormons of any other city in the state AND one of the highest percentages of gays.

The Wasatch front is a great place to live BECAUSE of the LDS church, and if you don't agree, try living in Milwaukee where the largest "industry" is the brewing industry. If you don't think they have an impact on the community, culture, laws, or environment you're wrong.

People don't have to be LDS to realize what's good or what's bad. Family Values - Good; Rocky Anderson - Bad.

Marvin | 5:25 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I understand some of the comments that people are saying but in the end people just want to make a diffrence in the enviroment they live in, I thought I could do that living in Australia but people are stubborn and pig headed but I really love living in Australia and I try and take what is good about Australia in my home,maintaining a positive attitude but keep aloof from the negatives.I guess in contrast Mormons are seeing a gradual change of non-mormons who are making a major influential change that in Mormon eyes are bad for the Mormon community.but in the end you really cannot control the masses when you become the miniority of the SLC community.Its up to the Church to be self sufficient in the sense that they should provide LDS run private Primary and High Schools for Mormon parents who want their kids to be around that environment then go to LDS run colleges ...then from there be involved with their non-mormon counterparts to build on a city that they can build together with the same common beliefs and values that most humans live by.Harmony is what is needed and compromise, not Church dominance.

Ed | 5:28 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

As a Mormon living in Las Vegas, I can't make the casinos and strip clubs close. Likewise, why do anti-mormons complain about Mormons living in SLC. Salt Lake exists only because of the Mormons. Do you think any other developer other than Brigham Young would try to make a city out of nothing. In central Nevada how many huge cities are there? Most of the cities in the Intermounain West were founded by Brigham Young, including Las Vegas. Stop complaining about where you live. Make the best of where you chose to live. The Mormons aren't leaving, will never leave, and until people who hate the church get this through their heads they'll continue to drive themselves crazy thinking that writing to a newspaper will make the Mormons leave. Most Mormons are tolerant and open to people not of their religion. Ranting helps no one. But knowing personalities, what I wrote won't change anyone on either side of the fence.

Jack | 5:29 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

There must be a separation of Mormon religious beliefs and political matters. The Board of Directors of the Mormon Church has no right to make decisions on political matters, they only have the right to make decisions on religious matters within their church, especially since Salt Lake City has more Non-Mormons. This is the reason I cannot justify voting for Mitt Romney as the President of the United States. Mormons in general, just don't know how to separate their religious beliefs from political matters. The United States has more Non-Mormons than Mormons. Therefore, Mitt Romney should not base his political decisions on his religious beliefs. If Mitt Romney becomes President of the United States, mark my words, the Board of Directors of the Mormon Church would be running the United States not Mitt Romney. Heaven bless Rocky Anderson!

Rachel | 5:30 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

That's ironic because with out the church there wouldn't be a SLC.... hmmmm. Which came first???

CG | 5:32 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

My family and I live in a neighborhood that has a great diversity of Religions represented. We live in peace with one another. We have parties together, we respect each others space and property.

"Sugarhouse" was right, Rocky Anderson is a divider and does nothing to unite the community. Almost everything I have ever read seems to have Rocky pitting one group against another causing people to immediatley be ready to fight one another.

I have no idea which religion the mayor in my city has choosen and I don't care. I only know he hasn't done anything to cause the city to want to kill one another. It seems the area under Rocky has more hate and contempt than the rest of the state combined. Who lives in this area and why do they choose to act this way? Why do the people in this area choose to base everything on "which religion" a person is?

There are certain rules that we should all consider living by, I believe they would help us all to get along better. First- the Ten commandments (not suggestions) Second- The Golden Rule.
We all should want to have peace in the communities we live and we can do our part by taking care of our own houses and not be so critical of those neighbors that may see things a little differently than us.

Heber Stohel | 5:46 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I have read several comments here about 'if Salt Lake City is so LDS why was Rocky re-elected?'. Did you know that Salt Lake City is less than half LDS? It is true. I don't like Rocky. Not because of whether or not he is anti-LDS, but because he seems to be more concerned with everywhere else than Salt Lake.

Son of God | 6:00 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Just remember, when Gordon gives the signal, we all pack up and move back to Jackson County, MO. Say what you want about how you think the City doesn't need the church, but you will miss us when your gone.

lame | 6:05 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

All of you spend too much time on here, this rant and rave session isn't going anywhere. Their are facts and opinions in this life. This is all opinionated mumbo-jumbo that everyone is too interested in for their own good, people just want to get their say in, how their right, and always try to sound more intelligent than the last guy. All of you are LAME and need to go spend more time with your families, work, or whatever it is you do. This is such an insignificant little clash, all you people need to step back and think for a minute how small this really is compared to much greater things in this world. Stop complaining get off your high horses and do something with your life.

victim | 7:08 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

A mormon did create the mountains. ha ha, eat that.

Will Roger's Fan | 7:11 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I bet Will Rogers never met Rocky.

Zappy | 7:24 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky is the worst thing for Salt Lake. With his ban on bottled waters, it shows he really doesn't care what the public really needs. The conservatives know how it is.

Texas Ute | 7:26 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Go Rocky. Down with the cult of Utah. Separate Church and State.

What? | 7:27 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Jack, what are you smoking? According to you Mitt would let the Church leaders dictate to him, just like Jack Kennedy let the Pope dictate to him. You may be too young to remember that never happened. You don't know your head from a hole in the ground when it comes to how the Church operates. Don't blather and make yourself look stupid. People like you is why we have a United States. The closed minded people in England drove out those who wanted to have religious freedom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is politically neutral. The Church does not endorse any political candidate. They encourage the people to vote their conscience then act on that decision. Apparently you also think that a person who has religious values must check those values at the door and disassociate themselves of anything which has become part of their moral fiber. Does it mean you also believe that only those who have no religion should be in a political office. I know of no Church who does not have leaders which are always telling people what they should do or don't. There maybe some who put pressure on their elected officials to do a certain thing, but this Church has not done that.

Daniel Masterson | 7:27 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

My Aunt Jemima never said that.

Sid | 7:41 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Jack ... Are you that simplistic idiot? It's like claiming JFK as a Roman Catholic and having "board of director" (the papacy) to rule US? Give me a break. Mitt has been doing a good job defining his position as his own religious belief and position as a governor. That's why we're in America ... The freedom of our beliefs and using common sense involving with politics. I most definitely will vote for Mitt because of his honest and straight-forwarded person of all presidential candidates I know. I can't wait for Bush to get out of White House and have a honest Republican back in the White House!

I dont get it | 7:46 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Aaron said, LDS are Utah, stop with the self-righteousness.

I agree with the comments by LDS are Utah. Interesting that you judge him to be self righteous based on a couple of comments. Careful there.....

Like it or not the SLC area was settled by the LDS as a place where they could practice their religion, having been forced out of other places. Now that right is being challenged again. I would add that if you really hate where you are at it might be easier for you to make a change than to attempt to change the foundation of an entire state. You must have known that Utah had mormons when you moved there.

Oregon | 8:05 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Everywhere I have lived there has been a different culture to adapt to. I have not once tried to make the society fit to me, but I have tried to find a way to be a part of that society. There have been groups considered a minority. There have always been minor clashes between a few people within all the groups. The majority of people though are always civil regardless of where they fit in. The rants and raves of the few will always be there, but the rest of us will just continue to make our trip to the movies, mow our lawns, buy another loaf of bread, and do our favorite past time. Oregon is much more liberal than my taste, but I love it here and get along well. I will eventually move again, adjust to that culture, and live my life well there also. When I lived in Utah, I saw the clashes talked about, but it was a minority of people on both sides of the fence. A majority of the mormons and non-mormons got along well.

Jeff29 | 8:10 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Jack wrote, "Mormons in general, just don't know how to separate their religious beliefs from political matters."

Neither did George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or many of our other Founding Fathers.

Why in the world would you separate your faith and moral convictions from your politics?

Bob | 8:52 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky is very divisive and creates bad feelings between LDS and Non-LDS. Salt Lake desperately needs someone that can work well with both groups. Anyone that thinks Rocky is not anti-LDS is just kidding themselves. Salt Lake is a wonderful place to live. This very discussion is representative of the bad feelings that Rocky has created and will take us years to recover from. I look forward to a mayor that is willing to represent all of the people and not divide our great city.

Anonymous | 9:00 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Wyoming:
I agree totally with Jeff29 Sept 2,2007.

Perhaps if people feel so strongly about the Mayor they could all show up at the voting booth and vote in the person of there choice. Too many people do not go to the polls and mark their choice. So the peson get in by default.

Slade | 9:19 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Visiting in November as I have (had to) each year for 8 years going. I like to read a little before I visit. You people scare me. There's a reason the only successful businesses in Utah are those that demand obedient, low-salary workers. Anything requiring a bit of ingenuity or professionalism never seems to stay in your happy state for long. I see real intolerance each time I drive in your state. I see cheap tackiness everywhere I look. Your mayor seems to be tireless at efforts to make Salt Lake City a habitable place. You might respect him for that.

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