When my grandfather was born there was a debate going on in
this country about whether or not people should be allowed to
own other people as property. There were intelligent, educated
people on both sides of the debate.

When my father was born there was a debate going on in this
country about whether or not women should be allowed to vote.
There were intelligent, educated people on both sides of the
debate.

When I was born there was a debate going on in this country
about whether or not black children should be allowed to go to
the same schools as white children. There were intelligent,
educated people on both sides of the debate.

Now there is a debate going on in this country about whether or
not same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. There are
intelligent, educated people on both sides of the debate.

By my viewpoint the Mormons were wrong on 3 of these 4 great
moral debates since my grandfather was born--they supported women suffrage.

Don't let them off so easily; Utah opposed the Equal Rights Amendment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

Excellent post. What will be the next issue... (after the current one is resolved and the LDS corporation sole permits same-sex temple weddings)?

From the Church's website, http://www.mormonsandgays.org:

"Few topics are as emotionally charged or require more sensitivity than same-sex attraction."

Translation:

"Our position on homosexuality is illogical, discriminatory, and hypocritical. Therefore, we have to spin it very carefully in order to not come across as prejudiced bigots."

Allowing women the vote in 19th century Utah was a very
unusual situation. Mormons dominated the population and
Gentiles were just beginning to make their presence known.

There were a few jurisdictions where the Gentile population
had reached sufficient numbers to become a significant
voting block -- and they seldom voted for people and for
propositions that were compatible with Mormon norms.

The day finally came when it was obvious that Gentile voters
could put their own people into office, in a few Utah towns.

Brigham came up with a solution, to extend the period of
Mormon power -- let the women vote. Had the female Gentile
population equaled or exceeded that of the Mormons, then
Brigham would have never supported female suffrage.

So, we can draw a red "x" through that presumed liberality.

For a somewhat more egalitarian example, look to Wyoming
and not to Utah Territory, for female rights advancement.

UD

Yes the Mormon acceptance of women suffrage was not due to some
magnanimity on their part, but the realization that their women
would vote their way. Oh, and by the way, back then there was
not a secret ballot in Utah.

This is why I find it so laughable when religulous folk try to argue you can't have morality without religion - time and again religion is on the wrong side of morality.

Nearly every civil right we have has been wrested away from religious oppressors, often by violent force.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/2013 07:46PM by donbagley.