Most recently I've noticed it is hard to decide who is doing the most Political Campaigning, The Church or The Politicians. Every place I turn, I see millions of dollars being poured out to advertise the position of various Churches, especially the LDS and Catholic. No longer can they be looked upon as a Church, but as a Political Party. Looking back in history, England, France, Germany and many other Countries, this is exactly what happened to those people who came under the rule of 'one certain' Religion.
The most recent battle is Proposition 8 in California, regarding same sex marriage and another major campaign of the Christian movement for control and demanding respect for the beliefs of these certain individuals. The list of Church (Religious) battles put on our Society as a whole is endless. Issues from Abortion to Zoning Laws, with each issue being pushed and argued through that all mighty Book of Many Books, the Bible. Unfortunate for the Church, they have forgotten the foundation that even allows them to practice as they wish, organize and assemble as they wish and to avoid payment of taxes on property or income. They have forgotten that we have a far greater power in this Country, a series of papers that are the very Fabric and Foundation of this Country. They are the words which give them the grace to exist as a Body, to thrive and practice within their own beliefs and interpret the Bible according to their own understanding. What I am speaking of is the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Without this, they would be under the rule and order of whomever was the most powerful.
The first thing that we all need to keep in the forefront here is the Constitution. This Document is the sole Document which allows any of the Churches to exist. Remember, this country was founded on the first principle of Freedom of Religion. Our Forefathers came here to escape the tyranny and oppression of the English Church. To escape the CONTROL MECHANISMS that Churches still exploit today. Not surprising that Freedom of Religion is the first on the list. The Puritans, Angelicas and Presbyterians all flocked to America, to escape the dominion of the Catholic Church.
Today, each person individually has a right to Freedom of Religion and a group of people have a right to Assemble and practice their Freedom of Religion collectively. Those rights however, do not Trump the US Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Since the Constitution provides the right, then each and every Religion within our USA must give this sole document first consideration. In not doing so, they abolish their very existence.
Now a lot of Christians are not going to like what I just said here, but it is a matter of fact. Religious freedom in this Country cannot exist without the US Constitution; therefore it takes precedence over any Leadership of a Church, the Bible, the Koran or any other writing that any of you hold in your hand. Not a single one of these books could exist in this Country without the US Constitution. Unlike the Bible, our forefathers were smart enough to establish a system and method of interpretation, so no single man or select group of people can juggle the words around to fit their own purposes. They defined a process in which to follow in order to make these interpretations and allowed the people as a whole to select those who would debate and decide a final meaning.
Today, especially the LDS and Catholic Church, want to be selective as to what parts of the US Constitution should apply and what parts do not. This is simply because they want to CONTROL as many people as possible and place them all in their little niche. These people have lost their path and respect for their own Bible and the very Document that placed them here in the first place. I look at the Far Right and wonder if they will ever understand their own treason.
INVITATION TO ALL MORMONS TO VOTE THEIR CONSCIENCE
LDS Church encourages member involvement in political process
By Carrie A. MooreDeseret News
Published: Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 12:28 a.m. MDT
While the LDS Church has long affirmed its political neutrality regarding political parties, platforms and candidates, it is reminding its members of their duty to vote and of the church's right to speak out on political and social issues.
In a letter sent to priesthood leaders dated Sept. 11 to be read from the pulpit in LDS congregations nationwide on Sunday, the church's First Presidency titled its message "Political participation, voting and the political neutrality of the Church."
Church leaders each year read a statement of political neutrality from the pulpit and encourage members to get involved in the political process, but this year's letter differed from previous years in the urgency with which it encourages individual political participation.
"As citizens, we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future," the letter reads.
"Latter-day Saints as citizens are to seek out and then uphold leaders who will act with integrity and are wise, good, and honest. Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties."
"Therefore, in this election year, we urge you to register to vote, to study the issues and candidates carefully and prayerfully, and then to vote for and actively support those you believe will most nearly carry out your ideas of good government," the letter said.
As in the past, the letter affirms the church's "neutrality regarding political parties, platforms, and candidates. The Church also affirms its constitutional right of expression on political and social issues."
In June, the First Presidency sent a letter to church leaders in California — also to be read from the pulpit — asking church members to "do all you can" to uphold traditional marriage. The move came following a ruling earlier this year by the California Supreme Court that overturned a previous referendum outlawing gay marriage.
Voters there will decide in November whether to approve the proposed amendment, and opponents have grown increasingly vocal in their criticism of the church's stance and the political involvement of its members.
E-mail: carrie@desnews.com
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First Presidency Issues Letter on Political Participation
SALT LAKE CITY | 22 September 2008 | The following letter was issued by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 11, 2008, to be read to Church congregations throughout the United States: Political Participation, Voting, and the Political Neutrality of the Church As citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future. Latter-day Saints as citizens are to seek out and then uphold leaders who will act with integrity and are wise, good, and honest. Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties. Therefore, in this election year, we urge you to register to vote, to study the issues and candidates carefully and prayerfully, and then to vote for and actively support those you believe will most nearly carry out your ideas of good government.The Church affirms its neutrality regarding political parties, platforms, and candidates. The Church also affirms its constitutional right of expression on political and social issues. Sincerely yours,
Thomas S. Monson Henry B. Eyring Dieter F. Uchtdorf The First Presidency
Greetings!LDS Members are invited to join Mormons for Obama!This is a group dedicated to bringing together members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormon) who support Barack Obama.We encourage all people to participate with their local Obama groups (i.e. Utah for Obama).Please read Obama's speech on faith.Also, please use the blog feature for discussions, and make announcements over the listserv. The listserv is now moderated.The Mormons for Obama email discussion group can be found here.Visit the Mormons for Obama Store!Some other Mormon groups for Obama:Oregon Mormons for Obama 08AZ Mormons for ObamaLatter Day Saints (Mormons) for ObamaDFW Mormons for Obama
Greetings!
LDS Members are invited to join Mormons for Obama!
This is a group dedicated to bringing together members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormon) who support Barack Obama.
We encourage all people to participate with their local Obama groups (i.e. Utah for Obama).
Please read Obama's speech on faith.
Also, please use the blog feature for discussions, and make announcements over the listserv. The listserv is now moderated.
The Mormons for Obama email discussion group can be found here.
Visit the Mormons for Obama Store!
Some other Mormon groups for Obama:
Oregon Mormons for Obama 08
AZ Mormons for Obama
Latter Day Saints (Mormons) for Obama
DFW Mormons for Obama
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this or not. I just found this site and am very excited that it really exists! My wife and I are both in our 20's, democrats, and an active LDS church memeber. I would really like to orgainze an event for LDS members who support Obama, but I am not sure how to go about doing it. If anyone out there would like to help me out, let me know. I have a house and a big backyard we could use. I am very into politics and would like to be more active but just not sure how. Anyone interested in getting together? I live in SE Portland.
How Hillary has crossed them and how Barack is bridging them, Jennifer's take on lines in the sand in this Democratic primary campaign might push a few of your own boundaries. She discusses Hillary's recent gaffe in the context of addiction, power & control, and the Clinton marriage. Hillary doesn't represent her. Obama offers real hope and will bring prosperity to America, she says. Listen to this episode...48:39 min.
Via Crooks and Liars:
Man, Bush really is losing his base. This was the last polling group to actually mostly approve of Bush's Iraq policies. Can't imagine what it will be like in a Friedman unit.
The Salt Lake Tribune had an article a couple of days ago citing a poll in January that says LDS support for the Iraq War has dropped sharply, to 44 percent.
