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Gabriel Silva
Jessie Szalay
English 1020
10-19-2016

(Lack of) Separation of Church and State in Utah

Utahs biggest problem isnt the obesity, suicides or even child molestation very big
problems that shouldnt be avoided but all this is topped by LDS believers combining religious
conduct with their political agendas. Utah is notoriously known for its religious conduct and how
Mormonism is one of the biggest religions in the world and it just so happens that Mormonism
runs Utah and is a very big contributor to its national laws. Despite of what the United States
Constitution says (Separation of Church and State) religions such as Mormonism have found
loopholes of how to influence their beliefs into the nation. In 1993 an article in the Los Angles
Times a man by the name of Mike Carter wrote about how the Separation of Church from State
is nearly impossible and he says [1]Almost 72% of Utah's 1.8 million residents are Mormon, as
are 90% of the state's religious adherents. In contrast, Catholics are the second-largest religious
group, 3.8% of the state's total. No other religion encompasses more than 1%. (Mike Carter,
1993). (As the chart says) The number of LDS residents in Utah have diminished but also that

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the religion has expanded to other states too. With this in mind that means not only does Utah is
trail mix bag of various religions but that the Mormon religion may have a bigger influence now
than compared to what is was in 1993.
Also another quote from Mike Carter [2]Newly elected Gov. Mike Leavitt, a Republican and a
devout Mormon, vowed in his inaugural remarks that he would seek divine guidance on
important issues. (Mike Carter, 1993) This statement from a Governor should never be uttered
not because its about religion but because Mike Leavitt will be deciding that the betterment of
the states people will be judged through how his religion sees fit and this isnt an ideal outcome
for the population who isnt following the LDS church.

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(LDS population in 2013 by The Salt Lake Tribune)

In 2008 there was a state wide ballot passed to ban Same-Sex marriage in California
and its widely known that the LDS church tipped the scale for the ban to pass, a clear subject
that the LDS church has found a loophole against the Constitutions Separation of Church from
-State and Derrick Shore a Mormon from the Huffington Post says [3]The sometimes-blurry
lines between the LDS church and politics can be illustrated by the 2008 passage of Proposition
8 in - - California, which amended the states constitution to ban gay marriage. (Derrick Shore,
2012). In 2012 there was the big election between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama and its no
coincidence that Derrick wrote his article in 2012 he was writing particularly on Romney. Mitt
Romney, during the elections in 2012 had ignored all questions on his religion as to say it
wouldnt be of matter during his presidency and during Californias prop. 8 in 2008 Mitts PAC
(Political Action Committee) made a $10,000 donation for the ban on Same-Sex marriage.
Another article in the Huffington Post by Sam Stein, he says
[4] Romney eventually made his donation, he did so quietly, and through an unusual channel.
Records filed by Romneys Free and Strong America PAC with the Federal Election Commission
did not include details of that $10,000 donation. Nor did NOMs public 990 form. (Sam Stein,
2012)

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As clear as day it says that Romney wanted to hide the fact that he didnt advocate same-sex
partnership and to help his presidential campaign. Another example (besides the $10,000
donation) of religious view ignoring the betterment for his fellow human being. The $10,000 from
Mitts PAC is a great example of how a political candidates view can be warped because of their
beliefs and disregard equality for the population. In Derrick Shores article his final sentence
says [5]Mr. Romney has said repeatedly that his religion would not get in the way
of his presidential responsibilities, but the simple fact is that his presidential responsibilities
would get in the way of his religion.(Derrick Shore, 2012). This quote is the ugly truth for every
LDS follower in a political seat you cant decide whats right for the people without breaking your
religious rule.

Today we are still veiled by LDSs influence on Utahs community an article on Utahs
problems which Gary R. Herbert Utahs governor is talked about thoroughly and the article says
[6]But just two months ago Governor Herbert made international headlines declaring
pornography to be the statewide health crisis. (Justin Utley, 2016) The article continues to
point about problems that start piling. Justin Utley is the author of the article and he says that;
[7]Porn is a bigger health crisis than the dangerous levels of air pollution or Utahs rapidly
increasing obesity rate? How about Utahs serious drug abuse problem, and escalating teen
suicide rates? What about tackling the nations worst childhood sex abuse problem, exacerbated
by Utahs Priest-Penitent Privilege law? (Justin Utley, 2016)

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Undoubtedly these are very big problems but to fix these problems we have to fix the occurring
problem which is our political leaders ignoring morally situations and focusing on their religious
problems. You may be asking How is having a religious view bad when youre a political seat?
Which is great that you asked because the Priest-Penitent Privilege law;
[8](This state law protects churches from sex-abuse lawsuits and absolves them of the
accountability of its clergy in sex abuse cases, even in repeat offenses by the same person.
Additionally, the LDS Church doesnt require its clergy to report cases of sex abuse to the
police, and does not do background checks on its local leaders who work with children.). (Justin
Utley, 2016)
This state law mind you prevents child sex-abuse lawsuits which if there was ever a reason to do
an investigation on the church for sex-abuse there would no grounds for such an investigation
because of the Priest-Penitent Privilege law and with all this in mind lets say (hypothetically) A
detective wants to investigate the church chances are he wont get a warrant because maybe a
judge or a chief is Mormon and sees the detectives investigation application for a warrant as a
gross violation of the church.
Regardless of my hypothetical outcome, ignoring the rights of the people is a gross
violation of Human Rights. Ending about Gary Herbert Justin writes, [9]Yet Herbert maintains
pornography is the problem, and coincidentally, viewing pornography is strictly forbidden by the
Mormon faith.(Justin Utley, 2016) Gary Herbert is a governor, which Im sure isnt a complete
fool so I assume hes purposely ignoring every other problem because of his religion. Religion is

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not bad it can do great things but my from my perspective I think its too much to ask to ignore all
religious responsibilities when youre in a political seat. Only time will tell if people get fed up
with all the ignorance flowing through Utah.

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[1] Almost 72% of Utah's 1.8 million residents are Mormon, as are 90% of the state's religious
adherents. In contrast, Catholics are the second-largest religious group, 3.8% of the state's total.
No other religion encompasses more than 1%.
[2] Newly elected Gov. Mike Leavitt, a Republican and a devout Mormon, vowed in his inaugural
remarks that he would seek divine guidance on important issues.

March 21, 1993 |MIKE CARTER | ASSOCIATED PRESS

In Utah, Separating Church From State Can Be Nearly Impossible: Religion: Mormons
dominate virtually every aspect of political life here. The state has defied the church only
once in the last 60 years. By Mike Carter
Read the full article at: http://articles.latimes.com/1993-03-21/news/mn-13641_1_churchsupport

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[3] The sometimes-blurry lines between the LDS church and politics can be illustrated by the
2008 passage of Proposition 8 in - - California, which amended the states constitution to ban
gay marriage.
[5]Mr. Romney has said repeatedly that his religion would not get in the way
of his presidential responsibilities, but the simple fact is that his presidential responsibilities
would get in the way of his religion.

Derrick Shore, Multimedia journalist

09/19/2012 07:13 pm ET | Updated Nov 19, 2012
Mormons and Mitt: The Myth About Separation of Church and State by Derrick Shore
Read the full article @: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/derrick-shore/mormons-and-mitt-themyth-about-separation-of-church-and-state_b_1898659.html

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[6] But just two months ago Governor Herbert made international headlines declaring
pornography to be the statewide health crisis.
[7] Porn is a bigger health crisis than the dangerous levels of air pollution or Utahs rapidly
increasing obesity rate? How about Utahs serious drug abuse problem, and escalating teen
suicide rates? What about tackling the nations worst childhood sex abuse problem, exacerbated
by Utahs Priest-Penitent Privilege law?
[8] (This state law protects churches from sex-abuse lawsuits and absolves them of the
accountability of its clergy in sex abuse cases, even in repeat offenses by the same person.
Additionally, the LDS Church doesnt require its clergy to report cases of sex abuse to the
police, and does not do background checks on its local leaders who work with children.).
[9] Yet Herbert maintains pornography is the problem, and coincidentally, viewing pornography
is strictly forbidden by the Mormon faith.

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Justin Utley Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter and Human Rights Advocate. Celebrated LGBT
Icon and Ex-Gay Therapy Survivor. As seen on TV.
06/09/2016 03:08 pm ET | Updated Jun 09, 2016
Church, State and the Utah Problem by Justin Utley
Read the full article @:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-utley/church-state-and-theutah_b_10370254.html

[4] Romney eventually made his donation, he did so quietly, and through an unusual channel.
Records filed by Romneys Free and Strong America PAC with the Federal Election Commission did
not include details of that $10,000 donation. Nor did NOMs public 990 form.

Sam Stein Senior Politics Editor, The Huffington Post

03/30/2012 01:59 pm ET | Updated Mar 30, 2012
Mitt Romneys PAC Funded Anti-Gay Marriage Group Under The Radar by Sam Stein

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Visit to read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/30/mitt-romney-gaymarriage_n_1391867.html