If you’re in the SLC area, don’t miss David Campbell tomorrow night at the SLC Library. David is an engaging, fun speaker (besides being wicked smaht!) Details below:
|
| How do Mormons fit into a society where once-sharp religious distinctions have blurred and secularism is on the rise? With their high levels of religious devotion and solidarity, Mormons in America are increasingly “peculiar.” Does their peculiarity come at a price? And does that price include a “stained glass ceiling” in presidential politics? In other words, did Mormonism cost Mitt Romney the White House?David Campbell is Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame and the founding director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy. His most recent book is Seeking the Promised Land: Mormons and American Politics (with John Green and Quin Monson). He is also the co-author (with Robert Putnam) of American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us.ABOUT MCMURRIN LECTURE
Founded in 1992, the McMurrin Lecture supports the serious and knowledgeable study of religion. The McMurrin Lecture honors beloved scholar and teacher Sterling M. McMurrin (1914-1996), who served as U.S. Commissioner of Education during the Kennedy Administration. For more information, please call (801) 581-7989 or visit thc.utah.edu. |
By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog 
I wish I could go hear this. Does anyone know if there will be a podcast (or, preferably, a transcript) available afterwards?
Tangentially related, this phrase – “How do Mormons fit into a society where once-sharp religious distinctions have blurred and secularism is on the rise?” – put me in mind of a conversation I had with our ward’s missionary sisters, both of them lifelong members and natives of The Hub, not too long ago. They’re having trouble getting traction in an area where testifying of Jesus Christ gets you the response, “Yes, we’re Christians too.” Having been brought up on the One True Church, I think they don’t understand that this concept is foreign to people who live in a mostly Christian area with a lot of denominational diversity. 200 years ago, when there wasn’t “a” true church, the adversary could get people fighting over “which church was true,” but post-Restoration, he switched tactics. Now, “all churches are true, all religious leaders are ‘prophets,’ all roads lead back to the Father, it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you love [one another/Jesus/God/your neighbor].” But we still raise our kids, and to a certain extent train our missionaries, as if Joseph’s question – “What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” – were still relevant to most people.
We might need to take a different approach, or at least think about this a little bit as a people. It would be interesting to see if Professor Campbell’s lecture gives us any insight.
Here’s to hoping they record it too.
I’m from the “Bible Belt” myself and see what you mean by people wanting to stop denomination wars. Still have a Mormons aren’t Christian fever here though. :p