Mar 29
Irreligion…and, Religious Convicton.
2009 at 9:21 pm | posted by Rep. Craig Frank 10 comments
This speech, by Neal A. Maxwell at Brigham Young University, is even more pertinent today than it was the day it was delivered…thirty years ago.
“… irreligion as the state religion would be the worst of all combinations. Its orthodoxy would be insistent and its inquisitors inevitable. Its paid ministry would be numerous beyond belief. Its Caesars would be insufferably condescending. Its majorities—when faced with clear alternatives—will make the Barabbas choice, as did a mob centuries ago when Pilate confronted them with the need to decide.
Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. M. J. Sobran also said, “A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it” (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, pp. 58–59).
This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.”
Read the entire speech, A More Determined Discipleship.
10 Responses to “Irreligion…and, Religious Convicton.”
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March 30th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Scary stuff, isn’t it? Another line from that talk is this: “Discipleship includes good citizenship”. It seems that apathy has swept our state, if not our country. Apathy and a sense of fatalism…
Then again, I just was reminded yesterday that it was only 15% of the population of the 13 colonies who were “actively engaged” in the Revolutionary War. What a difference they made….
Thanks for not being ashamed of being religious.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:04 am
Speaking of apathy, I found an article published in the Ensign, 1976: Beyond Voting – Some Duties of the LDS citizen http://tinyurl.com/d63b9k
“Political life, whether on the level of school board member, “pressure group” leader, or state governor, refines the political skills of reasoning, persuasion, organization, and negotiation. As the active citizen develops these skills, he also takes the greatest possible advantage of his precious gift of free agency. When one leaves the burden of active political participation to others, he loses the opportunity to affect directly many of the decisions that will shape his world. He abdicates a degree of control over his life and his community which he might otherwise have exercised. The Lord has often indicated his opposition to kingships and other autocratic forms of government that take the opportunity and responsibility for decision-making out of the hands of the people. He surely cannot be pleased when those of his children blessed with a democratic form of government refuse to grasp the opportunities it offers for active civic participation and allow their potential for gaining greater understanding and mastery of self-government to atrophy.”
March 30th, 2009 at 7:39 am
With respect to religion, this is what the Utah Constitution has to say:
Article I, Section 4. [Religious liberty.]
The rights of conscience shall never be infringed. The State shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office of public trust or for any vote at any election; nor shall any person be incompetent as a witness or juror on account of religious belief or the absence thereof. There shall be no union of Church and State, nor shall any church dominate the State or interfere with its functions. No public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or for the support of any ecclesiastical establishment.
Calling secularism or the absence of religion a “religion” is absurd. That would be like calling baldness a hairstyle. Our national and state constitutions provide for the freedom of religion. This also means freedom FROM religion in state and national affairs. Legislators are free to worship and believe whatever they choose, but that does not entitle them to impose their religious beliefs on others through legislation. When governments remain neutral as they should, they are neither for or against any religion.
That a currently serving legislator would put an LDS Church official’s talk on a public political blog entitled “Under the Dome” is evidence of the fact that many in this state do not yet understand the separation of church and state.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Jon: The beauty of a “blog” is that it’s my blog…it doesn’t cost the taxpayers a dime…this is MY free-thought forum-zone…with the occassional input (first amendment input I might add) from “guest” commentors (who can be approved or unapproved at any time).
When, at any time, did you hear or read that this blog was an “official site” of any kind. If you want access to my official House Page go to my blogroll and click on “Rep. Craig Frank House Page.” That site will give you my home address and you can write a GRAMAable correspondence and slip it in an US Postal Service mailbox just like any other citizen in the Great State of Utah.
Your argument, I believe, illustrates Mr. Maxwell’s point precisely.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:15 am
John T,
If Rep. Frank is so frustrating to you, why in the world do you read/comment on his blog?
You are not going to change who he is or his values etc. nor are you going to change yours.
Why add so much frustration to your day? Leave it alone.
As for Rep. Frank, his neighbors/constituents (of which you are not) apparently agree with him more often than not…he keeps getting re-elected.
I am a constituent and I appreciate his blog, it gives me an opportunity to see who he is as a person, religion al all. I’ll keep supporting him.
March 31st, 2009 at 8:59 pm
To those who think it is just fine to have a “state religion” I give you Iran as a shining example of that scenario. To Mr. Taxpayer and others, I think it is important that the LDS Conservative Republicans be reminded from time time that they are not the only ones here and that they do not have the only point of view that exists in our state.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I never siad, any of the above, once again you are putting words in my mouth.
I simply asked why you subject yourself to Rep. Franks blog if it frustrates you so much?
Why don’t you go find a blog that is more aligned with your beliefs?
Why is it ok to be biggoted against Mormonism or expect politicans to abandon their beliefs just because you don’t like it?
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 am
Now, now. Let’s be careful and respectful of each others views. This is still a free-speach zone (for the time being, until the government closes down the internet). I don’t necessariliy agree with all the points presented on my blog; however, you’ll notice I haven’t edited or elliminated a single post by anyone (I guess there was that one guy’s….#@*&%!…no profanity, please, and no namecalling) from any side of an argument. That’s one of the beauties of a free society: healthy debate and exchange. No matter who you are.
So, let’s have some fun!!! Shall we?!
May 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 am
I think it is important to note here that the “Barabbas choice” was not made by “irreligious” people, but was made by religious ones, leaders (Mt 27:20), who reasoned from their religious convictions (Jn 11:47-50).
I don’t think religious convictions are being discounted, being pushed to the back of the “secular bus”, and disallowed as such. Its that people are realizing that opinions and decisions based on “religious convictions” are often wrong and anti-Christian, and yet are nominally being done in the name of Christ and being declared as “the” Christian position.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
You have got to be kidding me. I know this is your own personal blog and so you can post whatever you want – but it is frightening to read how little you respect the wishes and needs of your non-Mormon constintuents.
One day, it is my hope that representatives will find it in their able hearts to limit how much pandering they do to their religious base and consider the fact that this is a secular country – not a theocracy.
Thanks for all the enlightenment. I know now why I vote against Mormons and republicans in this state – their religion has corrupted their ability to fairly represent ALL of the people.
So, now moderate this right off the blog.