Now that Romey has lost

I am glad, very glad, that the republicans did not prevail, and I don’t think Romney or mormonism had anything to do with losing: There is a plurality of people that recognizes how screwed up the economy and nation were after Bush43, and don’t want a return of neocon insanity. Regardless, let’s leave politics aside.

I do think that romney put a spotlight on mormonism, giving voices like those of Joanna Brooks a say in the public dialogue. This helped some in the middle who thought they were alone, and put a spotlight on the diversity of people who claim mormonism…that is a good thing.

But now, the mormon moment comes to an official close. I am not sure what happens next. The church is a lot smarter about the Middle Way movements, and is actively defending itself from what it sees as the wolves in sheep’s clothing. if you search on Mormonstories with any other search terms, for example, you get mormon.org coming out on top, saying to me that LDS Search Engine Optimization is alive and well.

I gotta think that there are those of the brethren that can breathe a sigh of relief now. The church can retreat into its own, tightly controlled world at the fringe of society. Members can grumble and complain about the evil world, and can absolve themselves of any responsibility because their man didn’t make it. Doomsday types can talk of how the judgments of god are coming because the majority of the people didn’t choose righteousness (as if…). Most importantly for us, there won’t be press stories about disaffected mormons, and the church can rein in or expell us dirty apostates who aren’t uncompromisingly loyal.

Alas, the “mormon moment” is indeed over. Thank heavens!

It is the end of: The world, democracy, the country, job prospects, economic recovery, the Repulican party, and any hope for our children or grandchildren.

At least that is what my facebook page says.

There were many people I know who have never taken the slightest interest in politics who were passionate about this election. I hope that passion continues and expands instead of just dying out. In general I think that the idea of voting has been on a big upswing, and I hope that continues.

First, living in the states, I’m glad it’s over regardless of who won. It’s been difficult to get any real news lately and I feel that economic and political progress have been on hold for the last year.

To answer the question – I think that some of the more unpopular church positions might have changed or softenend with an LDS president. In the next few years I believe that some church stances will become increasingly unpopular in the US and around the world. An LDS president might have provided positive pressure for the church to change. That being said, if Romney were elected and if he turned out to be highly controversial or ineffective then perceptions of Mormons would likely be more negative.

In my view, Romney’s loss is probably net neutral for the church.

To answer the question – I think that some of the more unpopular church positions might have changed or softenend with an LDS president. In the next few years I believe that some church stances will become increasingly unpopular in the US and around the world. An LDS president might have provided positive pressure for the church to change. That being said, if Romney were elected and if he turned out to be highly controversial or ineffective then perceptions of Mormons would likely be more negative.

So, for those who believe that the Lord is in control of why everything happens the way they do, would it be fair to say that he didn’t want Romney to be the first LDS President and recognize his hand in the defeat? Just wonderin’? 😯

So, for those who believe that the Lord is in control of why everything happens the way they do, would it be fair to say that he didn’t want Romney to be the first LDS President and recognize his hand in the defeat? Just wonderin’? 😯

This points out the fundamental flaw in the standard omniwhatever definition of god. No matter how intelligent god may be, it is impossible to manage or predict all possible outcomes of random events. Nature — the power of god if you will — works by tendency, not by determinism.

Either the principle of agency exists, in which case determinism must be set aside, or we are just acting out a predetermined drama already complete in the mind of a timeless god.

When we deliteralize mormon doctrine, we realize that the answer to the choice between free will and determinism is clearly taught in the LDS premortal existence drama: the plan of determinism was rejected in favor of free agency, tendency, and messy outcomes.

For those who believe that, it would be the only logical conclusion – but logic doesn’t dictate most human conclusions.

I don’t find the god-appointed conclusion logical at all. The truth of the Way of nature — aka “the power of god” — is that poop happens. It can be no other Way.

To answer the question – I think that some of the more unpopular church positions might have changed or softenend with an LDS president. In the next few years I believe that some church stances will become increasingly unpopular in the US and around the world. An LDS president might have provided positive pressure for the church to change. That being said, if Romney were elected and if he turned out to be highly controversial or ineffective then perceptions of Mormons would likely be more negative.

So, for those who believe that the Lord is in control of why everything happens the way they do, would it be fair to say that he didn’t want Romney to be the first LDS President and recognize his hand in the defeat? Just wonderin’? 😯

In a few months time there will be a rumour that a GA had said in a priesthood leadership meeting that heaven sent the east coast storm to turn voters back to Obama because

Mitt had (insert heinous sin here).

Similarly, I’ve already heard grumblings about President Obama’s re-election being the will of the Lord. It will speed up the 2nd coming.

http://www.canada.com/Despite+faith+Mitt+hasn+necessarily+nailed+Mormon+vote/7489520/story.html

Despite his faith, Mitt hasn’t necessarily nailed the Mormon vote

“How will you feel if Romney wins?” I asked a woman I met on a bench outside the Holy Temple, a 35-year-old communicant named Erica Eastley who had come on a bus from Virginia.

“I’d be disappointed,” Ms. Eastley replied, “because I’m voting for Obama.”

“Well, there goes the monolith!” I quipped in my surprise.

“There are more Mormon Democrats than you think,” Sister Erica explained. “But there are a whole LOT of Mormon Republicans”…

I just got home to DC from Ottawa, Canada, after being in Warsaw, London, and Amsterdam. As well, I just finished a conversation with my guy in Riyadh. Everyone abroad is sighing relief that Obama won. Abroad, Obama has like an 85% approval rating among our allies.

When we set aside the fear-mongering, we have to realize the importance of moderation and the Middle Way in political discourse as well. There is no real liberal party in the US, not like in Canada or Europe. We have conservative politics, and a few centrists. But a real social agenda and liberal activism? Not in elected office we don’t…well maybe al franken might qualify…