# 46% of Democrats Would Oppose Mormon President **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 8, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207 "2012-04-08T22:58:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/21 "2012-04-09T13:26:47Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > Leaving aside the LDS Church’s long history of white supremacy, sexism, polygamy, **human sacrifice** , and other horrible things Bolding mine. Cite for even one instance of human sacrifice, much less a long history? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/22 "2012-04-09T14:16:02Z")
Maybe he means the blood atonement thing. All I get is a bunch of super-crazy right-wing blogs talking about a long history of human sacrifice within certain families that are now part of the LDS church. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/23 "2012-04-09T14:16:21Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Sure, it says “Would you vote for a Mormon for President”, but because Mitt Romney, who is running now, is Mormon, people have him in their mind when the pollsters ask the question, so that’s going to skew the results. Yeah, I think this is a distinct possibility. At this point in time, I don’t think we can assume that people will divorce “Mormon” from “Romney” in such a poll. I’d like to see a poll that asked the same question about a Moslem. That, too, is a religion perceived by many to be antithetical to liberal ideas but is not currently associated with any prominent American politician (except Obama, of course. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/24 "2012-04-09T14:28:50Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Bolding mine. Cite for even one instance of human sacrifice, much less a long history? Even without it, their history is not the best. Murder was common back when the Mormons felt they had to defend their turf against those who they thought wanted to attack their religious practices. I believe part of the Powell expedition on the Colorado River fell victim to this. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/25 "2012-04-09T14:33:57Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Even without it, their history is not the best. Murder was common back when the Mormons felt they had to defend their turf against those who they thought wanted to attack their religious practices. I believe part of the Powell expedition on the Colorado River fell victim to this. I seem to recall that murder _of_ Mormons wasn’t uncommon either. That’s not to excuse anything, but it’s worth noting for the historical record. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/26 "2012-04-09T14:44:28Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Even without it, their history is not the best. Murder was common back when the Mormons felt they had to defend their turf against those who they thought wanted to attack their religious practices. I believe part of the Powell expedition on the Colorado River fell victim to this. You’ll note I didn’t query any of his other allegations. I’m not trying to start a Mormon fan club. I just don’t think it’s helpful to accuse a religion of human sacrifice. Jews are still accused of the [blood libel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_libel) today, and that piece of untruth was certainly a factor in the Holocaust. For that reason, I think it’s best to call out melodramatic nonsense when used to slander groups of people, even groups you don’t particularly like. ---
**Author:** ![charmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@charmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/charmstr)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/27 "2012-04-09T15:42:04Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > I believe that any person who thoroughly examines the claims of that Church would have to conclude that its claims are not true. If a Presidential candidate accepts those claims, this suggests something lacking in that candidate’s ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. The President of the United States must be able to distinguish truth from falsehood. This argument would disqualify any candidate professing just about any religion. Is that really what you mean? If so, you should probably say so. I don’t necessarily disagree with your sentiment, but I do think it flies in the face of reality. Most Americans profess some sort of religious beliefs and want their politicians to do the same. Would I prefer NOT to vote for a person who can stand up in public and essentially say, un-ironically and non-metaphorically, “I believe in magic”? Sure. But I will vote for that person if his or her politics most closely align with mine. So my answer to the OP poll is, yes, I would vote for a Mormon. It would have to be a pretty atypical Mormon though (or an incredibly right-wing field of candidates). ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/28 "2012-04-09T16:07:29Z")
> [@charmstr](#): > > This argument would disqualify any candidate professing just about any religion. Is that really what you mean? If so, you should probably say so. Indeed. **ITR Champion** , do you suggest that I as an atheist should use similar reasoning–i.e., rejecting any candidate who believes in supernatural entities that I think are pretty self-evidently impossible? Do you think that Christians ought to refuse to vote for Jews, given the self-evident messianic nature of Jesus? I’m perfectly capable of voting for someone who believes silly things I don’t believe, or doesn’t believe the silly things I believe, as long as said silly things aren’t going to result in them making the world worse for the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/29 "2012-04-09T16:20:44Z")
There is almost zero doubt that the result of this poll is 100% due to Mitt Romney’s presense as the GOP nominee. As evidence I give you [this poll](http://www.gallup.com/poll/148100/hesitant-support-mormon-2012.aspx) from 2011, in which 20% of GOP voters said they would not vote for a Mormon compared to 27% of Democrats. Certainly higher for Dems (likely due to perceived political differences) but not nearly the 46% cited in the OP’s poll. And I’ll just add that the Gallup poll once again shows who the true hated minority in the US is - atheists. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/30 "2012-04-09T17:52:52Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > … I believe that any person who thoroughly examines the claims of that Church would have to conclude that its claims are not true. If a Presidential candidate accepts those claims, this suggests something lacking in that candidate’s ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. The President of the United States must be able to distinguish truth from falsehood. Hence a Mormon candidate lacks one of the necessary qualifications for the Presidency. Have you arrived at some sort of evidence- based definitive proof for any religion, or do you only vote for atheists? FWIW, “their magic sky god is clearly untrue, he’s not true like our magic sky god!” is what this sort of logic looks like to outsiders. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/31 "2012-04-09T18:10:21Z")
This particular sky-god has a strong conservative bent. Son is widely seen as somewhat more progressive. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/32 "2012-04-09T18:25:50Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Maybe Mormons need to get the word out about Harry Reid. Or maybe the Momons need get out of politics or sacrifice their non-profit status. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/33 "2012-04-09T18:50:05Z")
I’ve never heard of either the website linked to by the OP, or of the pollster. So YMMV, but I personally would want to see a similar result from a more trusted source before going off about it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/34 "2012-04-09T19:21:11Z")
I would vote for a Mormon for President, if he or she were of good character, had sufficient experience and persuasively advocated policies that I supported. Mitt Romney, however, is not that person, so I would not vote for this Mormon. The candidate’s religion, as such, is pretty much a non-issue for me. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/35 "2012-04-09T19:40:38Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > This particular sky-god has a strong conservative bent. Son is widely seen as somewhat more progressive. “Widely”? I dunno about that: I look at that followers of the son, and I look at the followers of God Sr., and certainly the latter’s followers are a bit more progressive, at least here in the US. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/36 "2012-04-09T23:21:22Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’ve never heard of either the website linked to by the OP, or of the pollster. So YMMV, but I personally would want to see a similar result from a more trusted source before going off about it. [Poll Position](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poll_Position). Seems legit. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/37 "2012-04-09T23:29:18Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Poll results shown without exact question are worthless, but someone else in the thread posted a better link, where the question is claimed to be: > “Would you vote for a U.S. presidential candidate of the Mormon faith?” What’s the difference between “Would you vote for a Mormon candidate for president?” and “Would you vote for a presidential candidate of the Mormon faith?” The latter excludes lapsed or excommunicated mormons? It seems like they’re the same question. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/38 "2012-04-10T00:02:37Z")
Harry Reid is a mormon and I never heard any complaints about it. My amateur opinion of why that poll would say what it does is that: 1. People associate ‘mormon president’ with ‘Mitt romney’ either consciously or unconsciously. Most democrats would oppose a Romney presidency. 2. Devout Mormons (or devout christians in general) would probably not support the agenda of democrats such as social equality or economic liberalism. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/39 "2012-04-10T00:09:14Z")
Lots of Christians support a social equality agenda. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207/40 "2012-04-10T01:08:17Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > What’s the difference between “Would you vote for a Mormon candidate for president?” and “Would you vote for a presidential candidate of the Mormon faith?” … It seems like they’re the same question. Other folks have disagreed, > [@](#): > > … contrary to common newspaper usage, I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, who happens also to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me. … I might have missed it but I’m not aware that Romney has had a similar John F. Kennedy moment. Given his status as a human Etch A Sketch I’m not sure that it would, or should, be given much weight if he did. CMC fnord! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-of-democrats-would-oppose-mormon-president/618207.md?page=3)