Embryonic stem cell research is one of the hotly contested issues of the contemporary culture wars. Even within the Republican Party, a division exists over this issue. Prominent Republicans such as Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research while others, such as former President George W. Bush and former… Continue reading Stem Cell Research is Pro-Life
Author: Aaron
A Renewed Call for Civility from LDS Church Leadership
During the most recent LDS General Conference, we heard yet another call for civility in our public dialogue. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “many in this world are afraid and angry with one another. While we understand these feelings, we need to be civil in our discourse and… Continue reading A Renewed Call for Civility from LDS Church Leadership
LDS Church Going Green
Lest one thinks being environmentally-conscious is only a “liberal” idea, the Church recently announced a pilot program where the roofs of new chapels are fitted with solar panels. In announcing the program, Bishop H. David Burton of the Presiding Bishopric stated, “for decades we have looked for innovative ways to use natural resources in our… Continue reading LDS Church Going Green
Complications with Criminalizing Abortion
In the previous post, I demonstrated the LDS Church’s political neutrality on the debate over the government’s role in regulating and criminalizing abortion, even as the Church emphasizes the sanctity of life and counsels its members not to obtain elective abortions. Those who believe in criminalization of elective abortion (the pro-life position) should consider the repercussions… Continue reading Complications with Criminalizing Abortion
LDS Church Neutrality on Abortion Legislation
While a student at BYU, I encountered an incredible amount of misconceptions on the political issue of abortion. It seemed that anyone who spoke to me of the issue assumed that Democrats and liberals “believed in” abortion, meaning that those who were pro-choice thought abortions were good things, and not something to be avoided. Over… Continue reading LDS Church Neutrality on Abortion Legislation
Sean Hannity Scams Injured Vets, Children
Conservative blogger Debbie Schlussel revealed that Sean Hannity’s “Freedom Concerts,” which are ostensibly for raising money to pay for college tuition of the children of fallen soldiers and to assist wounded military veterans, spent less than “20%–and in two recent years, less than 7% and 4%, respectively” for these causes. This is based on information… Continue reading Sean Hannity Scams Injured Vets, Children
“The Rage is Not About Health Care”
Frank Rich stated what I was trying to point out in my previous post, “Right-Wing Terrorism,” in a much more eloquent and straightforward fashion than I did. (That’s probably why he’s a NYT columnist and I’m not.) Here are some of the best parts: In fact, the current surge of anger — and the accompanying… Continue reading “The Rage is Not About Health Care”
Texas Textbooks- Don’t Let Your Kids Read ‘Em!
Recently the Texas Board of Education undertook efforts to significantly revise Texas’ history, social studies, and economics curriculum along unapologetically ideological lines. No historians, sociologists, economists, or other experts were consulted at the meetings in which the revisions were debated and approved. Here’s a humorous look at the way the changes were made. The Daily… Continue reading Texas Textbooks- Don’t Let Your Kids Read ‘Em!
Glenn Beck Called Out By Mormon Leaders
Glenn Beck, who recently demonized churches that preach social and economic justice as communist and fascist, caused some LDS church leaders to become so uncomfortable that they personally apologized to a reverend whom Beck had attacked. More specifically, Glenn Beck said, “I beg you, look for the words ‘social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your… Continue reading Glenn Beck Called Out By Mormon Leaders
Right-Wing Terrorism
The news over the past few days has demonstrated that elements of the Tea Party and others on the far right have resorted to blatant bigotry and threats of violence in the run up to and in the aftermath of Sunday’s House vote on the landmark heath care reform bill. As some Democratic lawmakers were… Continue reading Right-Wing Terrorism
The Conservatives’ Waterloo
David Frum, President George W. Bush’s former speechwriter and a conservative political pundit posted the following on his website yesterday. I highly recommend the entire article, but here are some key points: Conservatives and Republicans today suffered their most crushing legislative defeat since the 1960s… A huge part of the blame for today’s disaster attaches… Continue reading The Conservatives’ Waterloo
Glenn Beck vs. the First Presidency
On March 12th, the First Presidency of the Church issued a statement encouraging all Church members in the United States to participate fully in the 2010 census. “We urge all members to respond to [census questionnaires] in an accurate and timely manner. It is an important obligation for all citizens to be counted in the… Continue reading Glenn Beck vs. the First Presidency
Just to clear it up once and for all…
In 1998, Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the First Quorum of the Seventy gave a lengthy interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, in which he explained why the First Presidency of the Church issued a letter to all LDS congregations encouraging members to participate in the functions of government in their communities. Part of the… Continue reading Just to clear it up once and for all…
“Beware of Those Who Stir Us Up to Anger”
To start the blog, I would like to link one of my favorite LDS General Conference talks from the past few years given by Elder Robert S. Wood of the First Quorum of the Seventy. In observing the political climate in 2006, Elder Wood noted: We appear to be living in an era in which… Continue reading “Beware of Those Who Stir Us Up to Anger”