August 11, 2026

Pew Polls Mormons About Being Mormon.

January 12, 2012 by

With the contest for the GOP Presidential nomination leaving the more tolerant American northeast (New Hampshire) and heading back into evangelical territory, Mitt Romney’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (“LDS” for short) faith (aka “Mormonism” or the “Mormons” in the popular press) is back in the news. The Pew Research Center, in anticipation, has released a new poll on Mormons.

…or rather, of Mormons. As in: how do Mormons see themselves?

I know. Interesting, right? Who doesn’t love a good case of ompholaskepsis? I mean, besides the Kardashian sisters and the Jersey Shore crew? (Yes, I did just manage to get a ten-dollar word in the same line as a reference to the Kardashians and Snooki. There’s got to be some kind of blogger bingo reward for that). [cont…]

Filed Under: First Amendment Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Nationwide Poll: Most know that Mormons are Christians, but especially Republicans.

December 22, 2011 by

Most people consider Mormons–members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–to be Christians, says a new nationwide poll by the Salt Lake Tribune. That’s interesting, and it’s also probably good news to Mitt Romney, whose biggest liability is not the health care reforms he signed as Governor of Massachusetts but his religion.

What’s more interesting, at least to me, is who questions Mormons’ Christianity. It’s not those “crazy” conservatives; rather, it’s the Democrats and Independents.

Filed Under: Article VI Tagged With: , , , , ,

Such a thing as bad press for Mormons after Jeffress?

October 11, 2011 by

A political consultant I once worked with, after we saw our candidate’s name appear prominently in a less than flattering newspaper article, made the following comment: “Did they get his name right? We’ll take it.” In other words, there’s nothing wrong with free press. (A caveat might be carved out for when that press involves […]

Filed Under: Article VI Tagged With: , , ,

Anderson quotes Mormon.org, Jeffress has “grintegrity,” & religious bigotry rears its ugly, cowardly head.

October 10, 2011 by

Newsflash: Baptists are a part of historic Christianity, but Mormons are not. I wonder what the Catholics think about that. I’d certainly like to see Politifact fact check Jeffress and his historical revisionism.  Here’s the clip: The best part comes when Cooper tries to nail Jeffress on why he doesn’t think members of the “Church […]

Filed Under: First Amendment, Republican Politics Tagged With: ,

When the LDS Church shows up for a press conference, does it jeopardize tax exempt status?

March 16, 2011 by

I’m expecting an Utah paper editorial separation of church and state any day now. I’d bet dollars for donuts that it’ll be in the Salt Lake Tribune, too. The Deseret News just doesn’t roll that way. Yesterday, the LDS Church openly supported Governor Herbert’s signing of HB 116 by sending Presiding Bishop H. David Burton to […]

Filed Under: First Amendment, Utah Legislature Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What I’m reading: Whittaker Chambers’ “Witness”

September 21, 2010 by

A passage from the book I’m reading, “Witness” by Whittaker Chambers, in the opening pages, that I found evocative in its comparison of Communism and religious faith: [Communism] is not new.  It is, in fact, man’s second oldest faith.  Its promise was whispered in the first days of the Creation under the Tree of the […]

Filed Under: Books and Reading, Nothing to do with the law Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Christianity and the Common Law

February 23, 2010 by

Of all my posts, the question I tweeted a few weeks back about Christianity and the common law has gotten the most views, much to my surprise.  Despite the attention, I have no idea whether Christianity is a part of the American legal system’s common law.  Justice and mercy, and crime and punishment, the language […]

Filed Under: First Amendment, SCOTUS, The Common Law Tagged With: , , , , , , ,