Hey Mormons! You are being played by the Republicans!

Since 1988 and the Presidential campaign of Pat Robertson, the Christian Coalition has not only been a important part of the Republican Party, but many argue that they are driving force behind the party. Many can argue that 'Christian Values' Republicans have taken over the traditional "Lower Taxes, Less Spending" Republicans. This is totally understandable since it has been the Democrats that are showing that they are the party of less spending (but not nesseceraly less taxes).

One group of people that are for both "Christian Values" and "Less Taxes, Less Spending" are Mormons. Year after year, Mormon voters turn out in large numbers and usually vote Republican. Since the mid-1970s, Utah has been one of the, if not the, most Republican state in the nation. Prior to the mid-1970s, Utah was, well, a purple state!

So, let me ask the Mormons...why do you want to be Republicans when many of them do not consider you Christians?

Doug Kelly, former Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Montana flatout said "we do not considers Mormon a full Christian religion." Well, that pretty much says it right there.

So, what is all of the hub-bub about? Many people don't know why Mormons are not considered Christians by many Christians. It doesn't have anything to do with polygamy, Joseph Smith or any of the other things that one thinks of when the word 'Mormon' comes up.

I talked to the deacon of my church about it one time and he said that is has to do with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In most of Christianity (Catholic and all other Protestant demoninations), they consider these three to be one. As they say in the Catholic Church "one in substance and undivided." Mormons, on the other hand, think that these are seperate. As The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Section 130:22 says:

The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

So, if a Christian says the Father, Son and Holy Spirit must be one and undivided, then that Christian is correct, that Mormons aren't Christian.

But do Mormons think they are not Christian? No, and I agree with them. Yes, they might disagree on this 'techincality'. But they do think that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Isn't that enough?

So, Mormons, I ask again...why do you agree with a political party who has a leadership structure that doesn't consider you Christian? That would be like Democrats saying that minorities aren't really people. Do you think the minorities would stay with the Democratic Party? Hell no!

Another thing that I notice Mormons pride themselves on is helping others. The Church gives millions to developing countries (though sometimes it is to countries like Zimbabwe, which I HIGHLY disagree with). Individual Mormons give a lot of money and items to charity. Deseret Industries is bigger in Utah than the Salvation Army is in other states. They have a compasion for helping the poor.

So Mormons, I ask you again, why don't you want to be Democrats...a political party that most agree (even Republicans) are "Champions for the Poor". Instead you want to be associated with a political party whose presidential candidate takes millions from Enron (Bush's highest contributor) who, in turn, took their millions from their employees pay and retirement! Doesn't sound like something that would jive with your faith, does it?

And finally, the issues of tax and spending. Yes, Democrats support taxes. Democrats also do a poor job educating the public what taxes are used for. They don't tell people it is to build roads, put police on the streets, have a postal service, military, social security. The list goes on.

But we also support less spending. Reagan spent a lot, so have the two Bushes! But everyone knew that Clinton reduced the deficit and really cut spending. His government was the smalles government since when? Yes, another Democrat, Lyndon Johnson. So, when it comes to spending, Democrats are the only choice!

So, would you rather be associated with a political party that thinks you aren't Christian, doesn't care about charity and snuggles with people like Kenneth Lay and put our country into sprialing debt? Or would you rather be associated with a party that is surely 'conpasionate', is economically responsible and welcomes all religions? I think that is an easy one.

But, being a Catholic, all of this is just talk. In my three years in Utah, I have learned one thing, Mormons only listen to other Mormons. I could make the best argument on the face of the earth, but if I am not going to the temple every week, or whatever, they thing I don't know what I am talking about. If you haven't read the Book of Mormon (which most non-Mormons don't), you can't 'understand' them, many of them say.

I feel most religions have this problem, but I think it is more widespread with Mormons than the others.

But I know there are Mormons out there that feel the same way I do. The Democratic Party needs to recruit these people to talk to Mormons in a Mormon way and explain to them why they don't share the same values as the RNC.

Mormons are starting to become more and more powerful, and Democrats need to understand this. And, in reality, Mormons are more liberal than you think. Therefore, we don't have to sacrafice any of our key values to win religious voters. If there is any religious organizations that the Democrats can win over, it is the Mormons.

But I don't think the Democratic Party understands this! And, again, another lost opportunity.