Posted on 03/03/2008 11:08:00 AM PST by greyfoxx39
Religious and cultural traditions collide in odd ways.
• Is it right to tell election poll workers, assigned to Mormon church meeting houses, to not bring coffee, sodas or anything else caffeinated to refresh themselves during their long day tending to voters?
-SNIP-
First, let’s look at the polling place duties and sipping Maxwell House in the meeting house.
Longtime Tempe poll worker Mary Ann Hemmingson has signed up to work the polls for the March 11 election. She’ll spend her 14- or 15-hour day in a church, but no longer one that belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I never sign up to work at a Mormon church because the board workers there are not allowed to have any caffeine on the premises,” she said. “That means no coffee in the morning and no Diet Coke in the afternoon. ... You don’t want to see what I look like without my daily dose of caffeine. It’s not a pretty picture.”
“The Word of Wisdom” portion of the Doctrine and Covenants, put forth in 1833 by church founder and prophet Joseph Smith, says that “hot drinks are not for the body or belly.” Add to that what H. Burke Peterson, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, said in 1975: “We know that cola drinks contain the drug caffeine. We know caffeine is not wholesome nor prudent for the use of our bodies. It is only sound judgment to conclude that cola drinks and any others that contain caffeine or other harmful ingredients should not be used.”
Advising followers to restrict what they take into their bodies is one thing, but applying that mandate to those people who perform a public job inside their buildings in a one-day stint seems to be taking things too Far.
(Excerpt) Read more at eastvalleytribune.com ...
Some of Utah's smartest political prognosticators say Mitt Romney's exit from the Republican presidential campaign could have many Utahns, including Mormon Republicans, crossing the political no-man's land and voting for Democrat Barack Obama in November.
This is no joke. And there's polling that backs up what seems like an unlikely scenario....
One poster said:
As a politically active Mormon from Utah, I have been looking for the best candidate in each party for over a year. I was a fan of Tom Vilsack before he dropped out (anyone remember him?) and I have been a supporter of Obama since long before Romney dropped out. That being said, I also thought Romney was the best candidate among the Republicans who had a chance.
Another poster said: So yes, Obama would have my vote in November.
While another stated:
If you are a Mormon and you can choose between McCain and a historic vote for Obama, why not?
And, finally:
I'm Christian and belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'm a huge Mitt Romney supporter and I gave him $2,300. I'm voting for Obama in November. The GOP should be scared that Mormons will leave the GOP. Huckabee is such a religious right winged Bigot (capital B). I think Mormons should leave the GOP. I'm going to register as a Dem, but I'll vote Mitt in 2012 and probably give him more money.
Just how why spread is th Mormon support for Obama, OMm and any other Mormon who may know)?
And doesn't Obama's political policies conflict with Mormon doctrine (abortion, homosexuality, etc.)?
Interesting, the mormon facility opens itself for a secular/governmental operation. Does not that act in itself infer that it should be open to those non-mormon practices too? I suspect that the voting is in a fellowship hall and not the actual sanctuary - thus eliminating some of the safety/cleanliness concerns. If a poll worker is suppose to be on station the whole time, why shouldn't there be reasonable accommodations made? IIRC, the caffeine restriction applies to mormons and would be a problem if the mormons partook of the caffinated beverage too.
This is different from a site at a Catholic parish, since there too it would be doubtful that the actual sanctuary would be used, however even if, genuflecting is not a requirement for non-Catholics (and many Catholics don't do it too), so that is not a good comparison.
AFA theological implications go, there is the appearance of religious restrictions being placed on non-mormons present for an extended time for a secular/political function that the mormon facility has made available to the whole community of voters. As I stated above, the caffeine prohibition is the consumption by mormons - not its simple presence or consumption by non-mormons. Thus this may by pushing the boundries of religious interference into governmental affairs. Either they relax their 'rule' for the polling period or have another facility selected for use.
Such assertions on an open thread that claim a conservative would vote for the extremely liberal, anti-military Obama or Clinton, since their Mormon candidate has been rejected should be taken with a huge dose of salt ... the democrats are notorious liars and try to manipulate people with such deceits, often.
As you may or may not know, we are encouraged to vote for the candidates that best suit our conscience. The Church does not take a stand on who I vote for.
Personally, I consider myself an anti-social-ist. Historically, I can recall a couple of presidents of our Church being strong anti-communists. However, we don’t mix politics with worship.
Cheap shot coming:
We leave that to Baptists!
Sorry, I could not resist! Y’all don’t take it personally, I wasn’t trying to start a war or anything.
Well, it is our facility and if we don’t want coffee or caffinated beverages in it, that is our privilige. After all, the local government did NOT pay for the building. We did. Whether they stay or go is entirely beside the point.
My Southern Baptist next door neighbor has been campaigning for Obama.
Given the polling trend in Utah, I wondered what our Mormon friends could tell us, here.
I know that you don't mix politics with worship...but I wondered what you inside perception was related to the alleged trend of Mormon's going toward Obama?
To be perfectly honest, I haven’t heard a thing beyond mucking around with the democrat primaries just for fun.
There is no sanctuary per se in Mormon Ward Houses.
however even if, genuflecting is not a requirement for non-Catholics (and many Catholics don't do it too), so that is not a good comparison.
Caffine is also an "optional" requirement of Mormonism. Many Mormons DO partake of coffee, tea or cola beverage, many choose to follow the Word of Wisdom.
What about the clothing restrictions I mentioned. Mormon women would not be allowed to enter the ward house in shorts. Would you agree to a like restriction on voters or poll workers based upon this particular LDS taboo?
What kind of heel would ever do that?
What does the law say in regard to this issue?
Then you would support the Muslims requiring that all women precinct workers in their Mosques to cover their faces and break for prayer 5 times a day?
It is a yes/no question.
Yes. Their building. Would I support putting a precinct in there? No, because I would not wish anyone to feel intimidated. If you use their building, you have to take their rules along. That’s the way it is in a place that has property rights, like, say, The United States of America.
Point noted, thanks.
Fact filed away.
What about the clothing restrictions I mentioned. Mormon women would not be allowed to enter the ward house in shorts. Would you agree to a like restriction on voters or poll workers based upon this particular LDS taboo?
First one BIG question - is the ban on caffeine for ALL mormon facilities used for polling, or just this one?
With that said, a clothing restriction would be slammed in a heart beat if they (mormons) tried to impose that upon non mormons either as workers or voters (that is pretty safe to say). Seems that there may be a selective enforcement of 'rules' if that is your point?
Then you would support the Muslims requiring that all women precinct workers in their Mosques to cover their faces and break for prayer 5 times a day?
A small price to pay for working in a Detroit precinct, eh?
OMM: Yes.
Thank you.
I don't think the voting part would be a problem for anyone. The issue that the article is bringing out is is it OK for non-mormons to be prohibited from drinking caffeinated drinks while serving as poll workers? Do poll worker requirements stipulate staying on post the whole time or do they allow for adequate breaks to coffee-up? As colorcountry noted, there are dress requirements for women entering these ward houses that appear to be waived for the poll workers. If this religious requirement can be waived, why not the coffee/coke requirement too?
I would not choose to work in such a precinct. I would not choose to live in Detroit. I would not think any sane Christian woman would submit to those conditions for employment.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.