If Romeny runs in 2012...

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by BYU71

Interesting poll over on CB. It asked something like, if the leaders of the church asked you to vote a certain way, would you. A large percentage said they would.

Does anyone else find this a bit frightening? How again are we different from a cult?

Disclaimer: I'm not claiming that anyone who votes with the Prophet didn't seek and receive some sort of individual confirmation. But that's not part of the hypothetical.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

Does anyone else find this a bit frightening? How again are we different from a cult?

Disclaimer: I'm not claiming that anyone who votes with the Prophet didn't seek and receive some sort of individual confirmation. But that's not part of the hypothetical.

Oh give me a freakin' break. The vast majority of Mormons followed the Prophet's counsel to vote for Prop 8 because they agreed with him. Do I deny that the fact that it came from the Prophet carried a lot of weight? No, of course not.

But the church laid out a case--a strong one, IMO--for voting in favor of it. They didn't just issue an edict from on high.

The Prophet asks people all the time to bring people to church, read your scriptures, attend all your meetings, do your home teaching, pay your tithing ... some do, some don't.

This idea that LDS are a bunch of mind-numbed robots is as silly a caricature as that missionary Prop 8 ad yesterday, and equally as laughable.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Tex

But the church laid out a case--a strong one, IMO--for voting in favor of it. They didn't just issue an edict from on high.
...

This idea that LDS are a bunch of mind-numbed robots is as silly a caricature as that missionary Prop 8 ad yesterday, and equally as laughable.

The most disturbing thing for me was not the manner in which it was pushed from SLC, but the manner in which it was interpreted and discussed by the members. Look at the backlash against Steve Young and his wife, for example.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

The most disturbing thing for me was not the manner in which it was pushed from SLC, but the manner in which it was interpreted and discussed by the members. Look at the backlash against Steve Young and his wife, for example.

I agree that some of the reaction was over the top. Nonetheless, my point is, this is not unique to Mormons, nor is it indicative of a Borg mentality.

It's just normal politics.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Tex

I agree that some of the reaction was over the top. Nonetheless, my point is, this is not unique to Mormons, nor is it indicative of a Borg mentality.

It's just normal politics.

I wouldn't say it's normal politics. I'd say it's normal religion.

[RockyBalboa]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

The most disturbing thing for me was not the manner in which it was pushed from SLC, but the manner in which it was interpreted and discussed by the members. Look at the backlash against Steve Young and his wife, for example.

But conveniently you're not disturbed at the backlash and mean spirited reactions towards the church and those who were for Prop 8?

Remember. This is a Yes or No question.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

But conveniently you're not disturbed at the backlash and mean spirited reactions towards the church and those who were for Prop 8?

Remember. This is a Yes or No question.

Disturbed? Yes. Surprised? No.

When you get involved in politics at that level, things get ugly. Precisely one of the reasons I wish the church would stay out of politics.

[RockyBalboa]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Disturbed? Yes. Surprised? No.

When you get involved in politics at that level, things get ugly. Precisely one of the reasons I wish the church would stay out of politics.

I understand where you're coming from.

Mostly I agree when it comes to staying out of politics, but when it comes to a moral issue...and this is just my personal opinion, then I think The Church and it's members (regardless of which side the members are on) have the right to express themselves.

For the most part the church has stayed out of politics.

I've never heard a mandate from the First Presidency telling the members who or what they have to vote for.

[Goatnapper'96]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

The most disturbing thing for me was not the manner in which it was pushed from SLC, but the manner in which it was interpreted and discussed by the members. Look at the backlash against Steve Young and his wife, for example.

I got a bit peeved by some of the ecclesiastical pressure. I went off the first time I was drug into it and then decided to bite my toungue in the future because I believe loyalty is important. Now that it is over, it left a bad taste in my mouth. We were asked to donate to the cause and I was against it. Principally as a regulated company I feel it innappropriate to use universal service funds for politics and I am convinced that when regulators audit our books they are likely to feel likewise, regardless if they wear similar underwear. However, I was outvoted by my partners who feel strongly about heeding the call of obedience. Well we finally got the checks signed we called the Stake President back we were told "not to worry about it the Stake had already donated its quota." That only pissed me off more as I would like to think it was about principles more than just obedience. Once the SP had the GA happy he didn't seem to care a great deal about the root issue. I guess I don't blame him if he wanted to deal with issues like that he probably wouldn't be a spud farmer in the Snake River plains.

Regardless it is over....in time I figure my sisters in law will allow their kids to go near Uncle Goat but right now one better beware of the marginal apostate. It could be contagious.

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by Tex

Oh give me a freakin' break. The vast majority of Mormons followed the Prophet's counsel to vote for Prop 8 because they agreed with him. Do I deny that the fact that it came from the Prophet carried a lot of weight? No, of course not.

But the church laid out a case--a strong one, IMO--for voting in favor of it. They didn't just issue an edict from on high.

The Prophet asks people all the time to bring people to church, read your scriptures, attend all your meetings, do your home teaching, pay your tithing ... some do, some don't.

This idea that LDS are a bunch of mind-numbed robots is as silly a caricature as that missionary Prop 8 ad yesterday, and equally as laughable.

You are exactly the reason I included the disclaimer.

I really wish you would try reading the whole post before just reflexively responding.