Can you be a good Mormon and a good Democrat? No. A good Mormon and a good Republican? No. A good Mormon and a good Socialist/Green/Libertarian/Whig/Whatever? No.

But those are the wrong questions. Can you be a good Mormon and a Democrat? Yes. A good Mormon and a Republican? Yes. A good Mormon and a Socialist/Green/Libertarian/Whig/Whatever? Yes. But you really can’t be a “good whatever” and be a good Mormon. Why do I say this? The answer is rather easy:

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[Follow-up to the discussion on Richard Dutcher's "Christianity Today" interview--separated into a second post so we don't have a fractured discussion thread]

One aspect of the “CT” interview deserves further discussion: concerning the segment from “States of Grace” where the missionaries take a transient into their apartment. A large section of the interview is Dutcher lamenting the fact that mission rules “prevent [missionaries] from doing acts of Christ-like service.”

Gee, let’s think about this: why do you think there’s a rule that missionaries can’t have anyone other than other missionaries into their apartment?

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As a follow up to February’s analysis of LDS cinema:

Richard Dutcher was interviewed last month in “Christianity Today” following the DVD release of “States of Grace”. (Link courtesy of BCC)

(My full analysis of “States of Grace” is here–I gave it a B+–see also Ben’s discussion thread from last year here as well as the above BCC link)

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Normally, I prefer focused articles on a specific topic than sharing personal stories, but with my wife’s permission, I’d like to share some of the events occupying most of our attention these last couple of months. Many of you may not find this interesting at all, but I think there are a couple of issues that could be inviting for group discussion.

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Today in 2006, no one cares that the Methodists had segregated congregations until 1968.

No one.

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Within the Church, there are two groups of people: Us and Them.

Who are ‘Us’ and ‘Them’? Why, we are Us, and they are Them…and there are many fundamental differences between the two.

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Question: How should a faithful Latter-Day Saint view the conflict between literal and figurative readings and interpretations of scriptures? How far can one carry ‘figurative’ views of scripture before it becomes difficult to maintain a testimony of the gospel?

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It’s August, so it must be wedding season, as “The Baroness” and I experienced this last weekend travelling down to California for my cousin’s wedding.

Other than myself, my extended family has virtually no participation in–or relationship to–organized religion at all. In fact–as I discovered over the weekend–I’m now largely known among my uncle’s family and friends as the “Mormon Nephew” thanks to my ‘unconventional’ beliefs. (Discovered through a number of conversations where people said, “Oh, you must be the Mormon Nephew…”)

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Here’s an interesting article/book review from Megan McArtle (aka Jane Galt) about the positive aspects of being wealthy. (Positive aspects other than…you know, having more money)

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“Now Closed Sundays!” read the store marquee located prominently along the side of the road. A seemingly odd choice for a message…

Store owners make decisions about adjusting opening and closing times frequently, of course, and etiquette would suggest that it’s polite to inform store regulars of the new schedule for their convenience upon future visits. But that’s usually accomplished through a small note posted to the door as patrons enter, not on a huge public sign normally reserved for special sales or other important announcements aimed towards non-customers. Add in the curious use of the word “Now” appended to the front and you have a message that strikes a tone seemingly better suited for something such as “Now Open 24 Hours!”–one aimed at attracting new customers through some new product or service. It is a odd store, indeed, that would present a message as to when it is NOT open using a forum and phrasing better suited for advertisements rather than public service announcements.

Unless, of course, this store is located in Utah County, and it IS, in fact, an advertisement…

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