Reader comments
'Religion card' not in play in Salt Lake mayor's race
28 comments | Read story
dan | 1:22 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Isn't it nice though - that since the candidates have NOT raised the
'religion' card - Deseret News has effectively raised it by publishing
this almost totally worthless story. One of these years we'll just run
elections on political positions, policy, and plans - not on media hype.
Surprised | 3:39 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
What no newspaper has the courage to report is the fact that Mormons vote for
Non-Mormons MUCH MUCH more than do the non-LDS vote for any Mormon. When it
comes to religous tolerance, it is the so called "liberals" who are
the ones rejecting people simply because of their religion. Becker doesn't
need to bring up the religion card, the media does it for him, and he gets all
those that think every Mormon is a puppet to vote for him. The Mormons just
don't care as much as the liberal activists in the city do.
South Carolinian | 5:37 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
As a former Utahn now living in Dixie, I check the Deseret Morning News web page
at times to keep up a bit with news in my childhood home. I must say I am
stunned to see how hostile SLC is to religion in general, and toward the LDS
church specifically. The LDS church seems to put a load of cash into the city to
make it beautiful and the only thing I see is complaints when the church wants
to have control over the use of their funds. I knew Ralph Becker only slightly
before I left in 1996. He had just been elected and struck me as a most
self-righteous, arrogant man. If you vote for him, you deserve him, SLC. Good
luck and may you have the wisdom to recognize the result of your decisions.
Comments continue below
peace, please | 6:24 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
I think your headline was incorrect. The religion card is in play; Rocky is
using it again in his support for Becker. I�m glad to see
Becker has more integrity than Rocky and is not using it. Maybe with Rocky out
of office the religious divide he widened to exploit for political gain can
start to mend.
lamonte | 6:35 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
If Mr. Bernick's facts and Dan Jones' polling information are correct,
then it would appear that it is Mr. Buhler, not Mr. Becker who is playing
"the LDS card." And of course, as dan states above, Mr. Buhler is
assisted by the Deseret Morning News in this ugly practice of pitting fellow
citizens against each other because of their religion. Hmm. I'm reminded
of Lilburn Boggs.
Camille | 6:37 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Why can't politicans run for politics and leave religion out of it. And the
media isn't helping the issue.
Ron | 6:43 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Isn't it interesting that the only time you hear about religion in a
political setting is when one happens to be LDS. If a Baptist were running
against a Methodist, its likely that religion would never be mentioned. But add
someone who is LDS into the mix and it always seems to come up. Anybody know
why??
Anonymous | 7:28 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
I agree
Gopherus | 7:44 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
The religion card is almost always played in this state. It is generally played
to the benefit of the Mormon, however that doesn't work in Salt Lake City.
Its nice to have one place in the state where being non-Mormon isn't bad
for your political career.
Sam Hofer | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Whether or not it gets mentioned, the issue of interference by the church is
always there. It's not about religion but rather is about interference. The
church is demonstrably willing to wade into issues that affect members and non
members alike, expecting to impose its' will on all.
se | 10:13 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Sam is wrong. The Church does not interfere in civic affairs, but the accusation
does get a lot of mileage for those who claim it does. Exploiting that non-issue
has gotten distructive bigots like Anderson elected time and again in SLC. When
will it end?
Henry Drummond | 10:26 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
I have worked on campaigns for both political parties in this state. Religion
is forever in the forefront of every campaign. I have heard prominent
Republicans dismiss potential candidates "because they are not LDS" or
even because they were converts to the LDS Church rather than long time
Mormons.
Meanwhile the Democrats openly talk about needing "more LDS candidates". In Salt Lake City and increasingly in Salt Lake County being a Mormon is now a liability.
The fact is that people do vote based on religion in this State. 70% of those who identify themselves as active Mormons favor LDS candidates and 70% of those who identify themselves as not being Mormons vote for non-Mormons.
In the meantime, I have yet to see the Mormon Church make their wishes known and have an active Mormons say "no".
I think what the State needs is for truly independent public officials that can demonstrate an independence of special interests including religious ones without being antagonistic.
Meanwhile the Democrats openly talk about needing "more LDS candidates". In Salt Lake City and increasingly in Salt Lake County being a Mormon is now a liability.
The fact is that people do vote based on religion in this State. 70% of those who identify themselves as active Mormons favor LDS candidates and 70% of those who identify themselves as not being Mormons vote for non-Mormons.
In the meantime, I have yet to see the Mormon Church make their wishes known and have an active Mormons say "no".
I think what the State needs is for truly independent public officials that can demonstrate an independence of special interests including religious ones without being antagonistic.
RE: Drummond | 11:07 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007
So Mr. Drummond, why is it wrong for a religious organization to present a view
to its members, particulary on moral issues, and for voters of that religion to
concur by supporting candidates that espouse those same views?
People might not like the fact that the LDS religion is predominate in Utah, but it is what it is and ALL Utah citizens have the right to choose how and for whom they vote. You know as well as I that the LDS church does not "hold a gun" to our heads when we vote, does not know how we vote, and in fact, is mostly concerned that we DO vote - whatever our views might be.
The political process is alive and well in Utah.
People might not like the fact that the LDS religion is predominate in Utah, but it is what it is and ALL Utah citizens have the right to choose how and for whom they vote. You know as well as I that the LDS church does not "hold a gun" to our heads when we vote, does not know how we vote, and in fact, is mostly concerned that we DO vote - whatever our views might be.
The political process is alive and well in Utah.
No one noticed.... | 12:26 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Pretty lazy reporting. This was a non-event. Way to go News. Slow day in the
office?
Let's report on the non-earthquake in Utah. Or maybe the non-fires in SLC too. I'm sure that by not getting out and finding out what's important to readers and the community you can publish more non-events.
Oh wait. I don't care, so this non-story about a non-event doesn't matter.
Maybe my non-vote will not count? (Oops, double negative.)
Let's report on the non-earthquake in Utah. Or maybe the non-fires in SLC too. I'm sure that by not getting out and finding out what's important to readers and the community you can publish more non-events.
Oh wait. I don't care, so this non-story about a non-event doesn't matter.
Maybe my non-vote will not count? (Oops, double negative.)
Mase | 12:27 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
I am so disgusted with grown adults complaining about how the LDS church tries
to control the city and state. Well hello!? It was founded by Mormons and
don't expect it to change! And the so called ex mormons becoming bitter
against the church are guilty of their own wrong doing and use the LDS church as
an excuse. Grow the heck up! or SHUT UP! And if you don't like the strict
laws or LDS influence? Then move on to another state that suits your guilty
pleasures! Maybe the norteast is your region of the country to be miserable in!!
Oh Please | 12:47 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Give me a break Mase. You sound like a junior high student with such an
attitude.
Anonymous | 12:53 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Mase, perhaps you need a little growing up yourself. The Catholics were first
in California. Should that give them the right to try to control it for all
time?
You are disgusted with anyone who doesn't bow down and kiss the feet of the "prophet" constantly. Well, others are equally disgusted with those who think nobody else has any rights. For your information a great many of those who are complaining about the idea that Utah should be a strictly mormon state with everyone else told to leave are actually mormons. Just not so narrow-minded. You also need to know that a great many people leave the mormon church and are NOT bitter about it, just want to be treated equally.
You are disgusted with anyone who doesn't bow down and kiss the feet of the "prophet" constantly. Well, others are equally disgusted with those who think nobody else has any rights. For your information a great many of those who are complaining about the idea that Utah should be a strictly mormon state with everyone else told to leave are actually mormons. Just not so narrow-minded. You also need to know that a great many people leave the mormon church and are NOT bitter about it, just want to be treated equally.
Phoenix Roberts | 12:58 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
The question of religious membership and influence in a community are idiotic. I
grew up in a county with a large Jewish population, large enough that some
school districts closed on major Jewish holidays. This was no kowtow to
religious inlfuence, it was simply a practical response to a major segment of
the population.
Being LDS in Utah is like being Catholic in Rome. You are in the majority, you should have more influence. Being a Catholic (Jewish, etc.) in Utah is like being LDS in Italy, you are in the minority and you should expect that the majority will do things that annoy you. Why? Because this is a DEMOCRACYand the majority is SUPPOSED to get it's way, as long as they are respectful of the minority (which the Church is).
By the way, what has the LDS Church over the past 160 years that so ticks off guys like Anderson? Founded the city? Built the infrastructure? Created Zions Bank, IHC and many other great businesses so vital to our economy? Invested half a billion that no one else was willing to spend on downtown? Organized the Tabernacle Choir?
Yup, those Mormons really are a crowd of scumbags.
Being LDS in Utah is like being Catholic in Rome. You are in the majority, you should have more influence. Being a Catholic (Jewish, etc.) in Utah is like being LDS in Italy, you are in the minority and you should expect that the majority will do things that annoy you. Why? Because this is a DEMOCRACYand the majority is SUPPOSED to get it's way, as long as they are respectful of the minority (which the Church is).
By the way, what has the LDS Church over the past 160 years that so ticks off guys like Anderson? Founded the city? Built the infrastructure? Created Zions Bank, IHC and many other great businesses so vital to our economy? Invested half a billion that no one else was willing to spend on downtown? Organized the Tabernacle Choir?
Yup, those Mormons really are a crowd of scumbags.
not se | 1:00 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
The LDS church does not interfere in civic affairs? Really? Want to explain
that to the former owners of the Dead Goat, who were driven out of a legal
business in a legal zone simply because the big brethren didn't like that
kind of business near Temple Square? And no, that was not members acting on
their own behalf, it was the church legal department deliberately interfering in
the rights of a businessman.
Anonymous | 1:47 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Why is there opposition to the skybridge? Does it negatively impact the
surrounding businesses? I honestly have no idea, can somebody tell me why
anybody would oppose it.
DEAD Goat | 2:36 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Any church has the right to take a stand and exert whatever influence it can
muster on ANY moral issue. My guess is that most people, of any religious
persuasion, wouldn't want the Dead Goat in their backyard either.
RE: not se | 3:07 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Does a so called business man have the right to go on to land that could be
considered private property and have the right to do whatever he darn well
pleases even if that means attacking the beliefs of the owner of that property.
I think not. LDS people have the right to chose what is on their property just
like every other person. This is the United States of America, land of freedom.
My question to you is would you allow someone to come to your house and insult
and demean you and not try to get him off your property? All the LDS church is
trying to do is make downtown a better place for EVERYONE not just its members.
Don't judge people cause of what their religious belief is look at what
they are trying to accomplish for the state of Utah.
Terry | 8:44 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007
Religion has, and always will, be influenced in the predominant mormomn state of
Utah. Although the mormon church does not go on record to support or advocate
their candidates, it is easy to see from outside of Utah how the members follow
so easily and blindly to whatever "influence" the "elders"
have to say (or not say). It's sad to see how provincial the population is
as a whole. I wish it were different.
Cheryl Amazeen | 11:22 a.m. Oct. 28, 2007
The so called "religious right" in this country has publicly told
it's members to vote in certain ways and to git rid of anyone that
disagreed with them on any issue. The Mormon Church has never done this and I
know first hand that I have never been told how to vote on any issue, Never!
To Ron | 10:44 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Isn't it amazing that religion is a topic in a political race? Only here in
Utah is it so combative!!!! While living in other states we had good neighbors
that happened to be Catholic/LDS/Baptist/ ect.. Here I hear about the Catholic
neighbor or the Baptist neighbor ect.
Maybe that's why religion is part of the political race here in Utah. Maybe it is the lack of acceptance of non-LDS that spawns this debat. You would never see this in any other state!!!!!
Maybe that's why religion is part of the political race here in Utah. Maybe it is the lack of acceptance of non-LDS that spawns this debat. You would never see this in any other state!!!!!
To Phoenix Roberts | 11:00 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
They may have brought IHC but I believe it was the Carmilite nuns that brought
St. Marks, Jordan Valley Medical Center. And before it was Judge Memorial High
School, there was a Judge Memorial Hospital. So I would say that maybe the dang
Catholics had some say in the infrustraucture as well.
Maybe since Utah is part of the UNITED STATES we should all have to live under the religious rule of the Pilgrim Fathers or other Puritain groups since they were the first settlers of the U.S.
Maybe since Utah is part of the UNITED STATES we should all have to live under the religious rule of the Pilgrim Fathers or other Puritain groups since they were the first settlers of the U.S.
An American living in Utah | 11:57 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007
Good post. I see that there was no response though.
Baby Susan | 1:53 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008
I really enjoy how boring some of your thoughts are. You people actually love
when the church card gets played in Utah, so you have something to complain
about. Then if it isn't brought up, you bring it up, then accuse the major
players of using it.
Get jobs.
Hobbies.
Something...
Get jobs.
Hobbies.
Something...
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