BLog 5: Political Identity

J.C. Eastwood

Professor Hawkins

PL SC 150

10 October 2012

Blog 5: Political Identity

            According to the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the LDS or Mormon church), the LDS church does not actively support/affiliate with any political party despite the fact that the church has taken a stance on a couple key issues and that according to the Salt Lake Tribune, an astounding 59% of Mormons consider themselves Republicans (well over twice the national average among non-Mormon voters where it is 27%).  This begs the question; does the LDS church have a distinct political identity in the United States?   

            First, let’s look at the term “political identity’.  In class, Professor Hawkins described it as “any idea that significantly shapes our political decisions.”  So, does the LDS church have a distinct political identity?  Just by looking at the numbers mentioned above in the Salt Lake Tribune, it may be easy to conclude that the church does have a political identity, or that at the very least, a majority of members of the church here in the United States can be counted upon to vote Republican in the upcoming elections.  Pundits may disagree as to the level at which the LDS church actually affects its members politically, but its important to first know the level to which the church has involved itself in taking an active stance on controversial issues because it is here in which the answer really lies.

            While the church may not have come out in support of a particular political party or candidate, the LDS church has taken a firm stance on a couple key issues that have dominated the national arena for the last few years.  For example, the church has staunchly taken up the cause against abortion except in certain cases of extreme circumstances.  While not entirely true, for the most part, this position (called “pro-life” by many) has been a mostly conservative viewpoint until now and continues to be.  This could contribute to a feeling of closeness to the Republican voters for many members who feel passionate about this cause and agree with the church’s stance.  Also, the church has firmly stood against the people and organizations behind the legislature trying to be passed that would result in the legalization of gay marriage.  In another socially conservative situation, this view on this divisive issue also heavily shapes the political mindset of many members of the Church.  Now, that being said, does this make an argument for primordialist or constructivist arguments about political identity?

            On a large basis, I believe that it could be said that this makes an argument for the constructivist side of the argument on whether or not people are born with certain political convictions or not.  While the church does not explicitly take a broad political stance, it has taken a conservative stance on some key social issues of the day and I believe that this may have an effect upon many of its members.  After all, many people are members of their church because they believe that it is true, so why not align your political beliefs with what your church says is right if it is a part of your personal convictions, right? 

            There remains one question though, and that is why are there so many LDS Democrats if the church has taken a conservative viewpoint on some major social issues?  The answer for this question lies in the answer for the question asking why are so many Mormons Republicans?  Because the church is a church that encourages political involvement among its members and does not expressly forbid or require one person to be a member of one party or the other.  By only taking an official view on a few issues, the church leaves the interpretation of the law largely up to its own members.

           

Works Cited:

·      http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/53110048-183/mormons-utah-lds-party.html.csp