Posted on 11/28/2005 11:20:38 AM PST by JZelle
There are exceptions...but then you would not hold up Kennedy or Kerry as the example of what the majority of catholics believe.
Irrespectiove of what you may think of their theology...and in most cases their belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior is as strong as any Protestant, Catholic, or other Christian, the LDS church votes almost as a block conservative like no other organization I am aware of.
That article gives no indication that the LDS Church gave Mr. Hernandez "access to the U.S." He was almost certainly already in the U.S. when LDS missionaries came knocking on his door, and he converted.
I am going to stat a church (Congregation size: 1 and growing) and ask the Government to write a shield law letting me rob grocery stores since the groceries and money will be used to help the poor.
Perhaps he was referring to LDS leaders ignoring the laws against polygamy, even after issuing their "proclamation".
this thread is DUM DUM DUM DUM DUM
Frankly, I think few of us would really object if the LDS Church suddenly decided to ignore the laws of Islamic-theocratic nations, and blanket them with missionaries in violation of those nations' laws. But if they aren't willing to do that, they shouldn't be willing to knowingly break our laws either.
What part of 'There are no paid ministers or missionaries' didn't you understand? It doesn't make one bit of difference where you are or where you are from, you don't get paid. Also, missionary work is something you volunteer for. You have to ask to be sent and anyone who asks and meets the requirements gets to serve.
Missionaries do not get welfare or other government money. They are expected to pay their own way, or get help from family or other members to cover living costs.
Lastly, the Church IS respecting the law. Asking for a change in the law is not flouting it.
Oh yeah, certainly..... It just stands to reason that he was converted as an already illegal alien in Pennsylvainia....then he went on to serve a mission there.
It would make no sense that he was converted in Valpraiso Mexico, then sent by the Church to serve a mission in Penn. < /sarcasm>
Then again, it's highly questionable whether they federal government has ever had the constitutional authority to force any particular marriage laws on unwilling states. Among other things, it's pretty tough to square the "no establishment of religion" clause, with laws limiting marriage in contravention of the beliefs of a number of religions.
"Funny, but the LDS Church has a policy of absolutely toeing the line when it comes to respecting all the laws of other countries, including foregoing any missionary work in countries where it's illegal (including most of the Arab world). Isn't it a bit hypocritical of them to play fast and loose with U.S. laws? "
Since when is trying to get a law changed playing 'fast and loose' with the law?
LOL! I figure only about 3.7% of the readers will get this...perfect.
I think you need to read up a little on various aspects of the LDS Church and its missionary program. There is little reason for the Church to be illegally bringing Mexicans into the US to do missionary work, when they have plenty of converts among illegal immigrants already here. And the proposed law doesn't provide any exemption for BRINGING illegal aliens into the country.
Why would the LDS allow an illegal immigrant to serve an LDS mission here in the US?
Does the word RINO ring a bell for anyone?
Well, if that's the case, then one can argue that ANY act is part of their religion and can't be infringed upon.
Sounds like something out of L. Ron Hubbard.
I get it! But I'm a ex-mo South Park Republican.
Dum dum dum dum dum
They're not asking that the law be changed so as to make it legal for these people to be here. Just to be exempt from certain aspects of the law. Now if they're just talking about exemption from liability for UNKNOWINGLY using illegal aliens in volunteer work, on the grounds that it isn't customary for any religious organization in the US to conduct that sort of scrutiny on casual volunteers, that's reasonable. But if they're talking about full time volunteers who are being supported by the Church (per the article, a spokeswoman for the Senator who drafted the legislation is quoted as saying that would be included), then I have a problem with it.
Sweetjustusnow wrote:
"For the most part Mormons are far from Conservative and they are definetly liberal on social issues."
Simply not true.
One of the finest essays on constitutional conservatism ever written was by a Mormon politican:
The Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson
Address:http://zionsbest.com/proper_role.html
Fifteen Principles Which Make For Good And Proper Government
As an Independent American for constitutional government I declare that:
(1) I believe that no people can maintain freedom unless their political institutions are founded upon faith in God and belief in the existence of moral law.
(2) I believe that God has endowed men with certain unalienable rights as set forth in the Declaratioth in the Declaration of Independence and that no legislature and no majority, however great, may morally limit or destroy these; that the sole function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property and anything more than this is usurpation and oppression.
(3) I believe that the Constitution of the United States was prepared and adopted by men acting under inspiration from Almighty God; that it is a solemn compact between the peoples of the States of this nation which all officers of government are under duty to obey; that the eternal moral laws expressed therein must be adhered to or individual liberty will perish.
(4) I believe it a violation of the Constitution for government to deprive the individual of either life, liberty, or property except for these purposes:
(a) Punish crime and provide for the administration of justice;
(b) Protect the right and control of private property;
(c) Wage defensive war and provide for the nation's defense;
(d) Compel each one who enjoys the protection of government to bear his fair share of the burden of performing the above functions.
(5) I hold that the Constitution denies government the power to take from the individual either his life, liberty, or property except in accordance with moral law; that the same moral law which governs the actions of men when acting alone is also applicable when they act in concert with others; that no citizen or group of citizens has any right to direct their agent, the government to perform any act which would be evil or offensive to the conscience if that citizen were performing the act himself outside the framework of government.
(6) I am hereby resolved that under no circumstances shall the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights be infringed. In particular I am opposed to any attempt on the part of the Federal Government to deny the people their right to bear arms, to worship and pray when and where they choose, or to own and control private property.
(7) I consider ourselves at war with international Communism which is committed to the destruction of our government, our right of property, and our freedom; that it is treason as defined by the Constitution to give aid and comfort to this implacable enemy.
(8) I am unalterable opposed to Socialism, either in whole or in part, and regard it as an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a denial of the right of private property for government to own or operate the means of producing and distributing goods and services in competition with private enterprise, or to regiment owners in the legitimate use of private property.
(9) I maintain that every person who enjoys the protection of his life, liberty, and property should bear his fair share of the cost of government in providing that protection; that the elementary priing that protection; that the elementary principles of justice set forth in the Constitution demand that all taxes imposed be uniform and that each person's property or income be taxed at the same rate.
(10) I believe in honest money, the gold and silver coinage of the Constitution, and a circulation medium convertible into such money without loss. I regard it as a flagrant violation of the explicit provisions of the Constitution for the Federal Government to make it a criminal offense to use gold or silver coin as legal tender or to use irredeemable paper money.
(11) I believe that each State is sovereign in performing those functions reserved to it by the Constitution and it is destructive of our federal system and the right of self-government guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to regulate or control the States in performing their functions or to engage in performing such functions itself.
(12) I consider it a violation of the Constitution for the Federal Government to levy taxes for the support of state or local government; that no State or local government can accept funds from the Federal and remain independent in performing its functions, nor can the citizens exercise their rights of self-government under such conditions.
(13) I deem it a violation of the right of private property guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to forcibly deprive the citizens of this nation of their nation of their property through taxation or otherwise, and make a gift thereof to foreign governments or their citizens.
(14) I believe that no treaty or agreement with other countries should deprive our citizens of rights guaranteed them by the Constitution.
(15) I consider it a direct violation of the obligation imposed upon it by the Constitution for the Federal Government to dismantle or weaken our military establishment below that point required for the protection of the States against invasion, or to surrender or commit our men, arms, or money to the control of foreign ore world organizations of governments.
These things I believe to be the proper role of government.
dum-da dum, dum, dum!
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