The LDS church has long had an influence in the political decisions of Utah law makers. For decades, the decisions made on Capitol Hill have ran through through the heralded gates of angel Moroni's temples. It too often seems that comprehensive bills on policies regarding things like sexual education in schools and liquor laws are doomed to fail without the sponsorship or abstinence on the part of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Utah residents are currently living in a time that the moral compasses of Utah lawmakers mirror those of the church; and decisions are made accordingly.
As a practicing Methodist, I'm not one to argue against faith and its values. However, I will argue for the upholding of certain democratic values that this country was founded upon. Our founding fathers fought long and hard to establish a strict separation between our legislative system and religion. But, in Utah and across the country, it seems lawmakers are still making their decisions with religion as a large influence.
Take the recent fight for LGBT rights as an example. Recently after the Supreme Court's ruling allowing the marriage of gay and lesbian couples nation-wide, a slew of politicians weighed in on the new law of the land. "Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage" said Jeb Bush, former Florida governor. Bush cited his faith more than once as a reason he stood opposed to the Supreme Court's decision. Apparently being guided by his faith was more important to him than the voice of the 57 percent of his Floridian constituents that were in favor of same-sex marriage.
Bush was not alone, either. Many politicians across the country stood in opposition of the allowance of same-sex marriage citing the bible and their faith as reasons for their opinions on "traditional marriage". So what happened to that whole idea behind a separation between religion and policy making? The first amendment to the United States Constitution clearly protects individuals from practicing their religion as they so please, but, it seems the line between practicing and imposing is becoming thinner and thinner.
In Utah, the LDS church frequently sends lobbyists to our House of Representatives advocating for bills and legislation that uphold their moral idea of what is right and wrong in the light of their gospel and teachings. Former Utah House member Carl Wimmer recently weighed in on his experiences with LDS church lobbyists stating that "...his ecclesiastical leader [had] contacted him directly to pressure him to vote for a bill favored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...".
Wimmer also claimed that in 2008 "the church supported a ban on so-called 'alcopops' from grocery stores, believing they were enticing young people to drink". Wimmer opposed the bill on the basis of a free market but says that he got pressure from an LDS lobbyist to change his mind because the lobbyist's position came "directly from the top" presumably referencing the position of the church's hierarchy.
It is here we find the biggest issue with the LDS church's influence in Utah's politics. A large portion of Utah lawmakers happen to be Mormon, so, when lobbying efforts come from an organization that is closely tied to their private life and not just their political career, those requests may hold a bit more weight than they usually would. When someone closely involved in Carl Wimmer's religion contacted him about legislation efforts, that thin line between practicing and imposing is finally crossed.
These elected officials are in office to represent the views and opinions of their constituents regardless of religious affiliation. This is especially true when just over half of Utah residents are actually LDS, leaving the rest of us to sit and watch as legislation after legislation fails simply because a church we are not a part of disagreed with it.
According to the Utah Policy Institute, a recent Dow-Jones and Associates poll showed that "three-fourths of faithful members of the LDS church say their church has just the right amount of influence on state lawmakers political decisions". But what about those of us that don't practice Mormonism? According to the same poll, 79 percent of Catholics and 84 percent of Protestants believe that the LDS church has "too much influence" in Utah politics.
It's a troubling and frustrating reality that may be far from resolution. The LDS church's influence in Utah politics might be starting to cause harm to Utah voters.
A comprehensive education is banned from being taught in Utah public schools due in part to the Mormon church's opposition. Utah educators are not allowed to teach of any contraceptive or safe sex methods in schools. With the support of the church, teens are being taught a strict abstinence-only sexual education with no information regarding how to prevent STDs or pregnancy. This remains a reality, even as an estimated 47 percent of high school students are sexually active and STD and STI infection rates in Utah teens are on the continual rise.
So, as our own Governor Herbert guided by his faith recently declared pornography a "public health crisis", maybe someone should remind him of the STD and teen pregnancy rates in our state that are actual health crises. Let's take the opportunity to vote in November and reestablish a separation between religion and our political system.
