The Uncovering of Saintly Power and Control

posted on 12/6/2018 by the Salt City Sinner

A consistent theme present in many events from about 2008 until now can be summed up as “things as they have always been, but stripped of pretense and nicety.”

Whether you’re talking about the racial politics of the GOP or Jerome Corsi admitting (on camera!) that a lie isn’t really a lie when an evangelical tells it to a heretic*, these are things that we’ve all known were true all along yet more-or-less mutually agreed to bury beneath a blanket of bullshit, nonsense, and euphemism.

Ever so has it been, yea verily, in Zion. Anyone who hails from the land of Life Elevated knows that the LDS Church wields more cultural, political, and economic power than any other entity ever has (or probably will). Given our state’s history, the Church’s grip on Utah is understandable (if unconstitutional and colonialist) and has been the subject of much ink and many pixels from irritated, impotent nonbelievers such as myself. Having lived in both Utah and the Bible Belt, however, let me tell you: the way that the LDS Church used to exercise power here has, if not changed, become much more naked.

For those of you unfamiliar with the background levels of theocracy, however, here are a few examples of how power used to be exercised – and then two examples of how it’s done in 2018.

Seminary in Public Schools

When I was but a young, saucy spark of a lad not yet even fully sworn to Satan, I got in some serious trouble once by doing a paper on the Seminary (or “Released Time”) system in Utah public schools and why I thought it was a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.

Since time immemorial (the early 20^th century) students at public schools in Utah who sign up for “released time” spend one school period a day receiving religious education in a small building adjacent to the school (often with matching architecture and a paved path leading from one to the other).

Does this constitute sneaking right up to the line that separates church and state? Does it, in fact, constitute sneaking a big hairy leg right over that line? I believe so, yes. But at least the appearance of the separation of church and state is maintained.

Liquor Laws

While liquor laws did liberalize somewhat in 2009, Utah’s liquor laws have always been unique. They are, in fact, zany enough that they’ve made us a bit of a national punchline on more than one occasion. While it’s good that bars don’t have to be private clubs anymore (for an explanation of our previous, completely insane system, check here), there are still many regulations that stand out – perhaps none more so than the infamous “Zioncurtain.”

See that thing? That’s to stop children from witnessing the preparation of alcoholic drinks by bartenders. I’m not kidding (I wish I were). I guess the logic was that witnessing a snappily dressed professional blend a daiquiri would turn kids into raging alcoholics? But, again, these arguments were couched in “family” this and “public health” that. The illusion of separation of church and state – the polite agreement Saints made with the Sinners they rule over – these were maintained.

Usually, the political power of the LDS Church has chosen – wisely, in my opinion – to remain a power behind the throne, an obvious, ubiquitous, but SILENT power.

Enter this crab-faced PR flack for the Almighty.

Who is this guy?

He’s the former Speaker of the House of Representatives – and current chief lobbyist for the LDS Church! What, he couldn’t find more honorable work, like, say, playing the piano in a brothel? Its fine, let go of your pearls – for Marty has earned my ire:

“Follow the prophet,” Marty Stephens, the chief lobbyist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said during a South Jordan stake conference involving multiple congregations in the area. … “Some have even criticized members of the church for following the words of the prophets by saying they’re like sheep, simply doing what they’re told. To this, I plead guilty,” Stephens said, continuing by quoting remarks made by apostle Neil L. Andersen earlier this year: “Don’t be surprised if at times your personal views aren’t initially in harmony with the teachings of the Lord’s prophet. These are moments of humility. These are moments of learning, of humility, when we go to our knees in prayer.”

Now – congregations (Evangelical and Catholic ones, in particular) often engage in electioneering from the pulpit. It’s arguably the second-worst-kept secret in America, right behind white supremacy. Technically, this should mean that said congregations get their tax-exempt status yanked in a firm and sexy manner – but the IRS hasn’t enforced the no-politicking rule in decades, and some signs indicate that that’s a fight the Christian Right has been spoiling for since desegregation.

But, as I said, there are significant differences between how the LDS Church has traditionally understood and approached power and how the Christian Right and Evangelical communities more generally do. A subtle, softer, behind-the-scenes approach. 2018 has proven to be a marked departure from that tradition (as the Church’s involvement in the gay marriage fight in California previously did). 

Perhaps the most blatant and jaw-dropping move on the part of the Church didn’t happen before the vote on Proposition 2 this year, butafter it:

Medical marijuana advocates say they are exploring legal action challenging the Legislature’s move to replace Proposition 2 “at the behest” of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Although Utah voters this month approved the medical cannabis initiative by about 52 percent-48 percent, lawmakers are expected to meet in a December special session to overwrite the measure with a marijuana proposal acceptable to Prop 2 opponents, including the church. In a Thursday letter, an attorney representing a faction of the medical cannabis community argued that the church’s fingerprints are all over the push.

Folks, if a church literally meeting with legislators to rewrite laws doesn’t constitute a state establishment of religion, I would ask you; what does?

The word “apocalypse” comes from the Greek apokalupsis: apo (un) and kaluptein (to cover). The power of the LDS Church in Utah politics might be entering its apocalyptic phase. Those of us who do not believe in the teachings of the Church (nor in its god) should watch very closely right now. I have no doubt that there is much, much more yet to be uncovered.

If I have any predictions for right now, it’s that this fits nicely into a larger, national trend of conservatives – and in particular, religious conservatives – completely abandoning the pretense of not only separation of church and state, but of the legitimacy of other institutions central to democracy. Ultimately, I believe they are abandoning the pretense of democracy itself.

This is a naked, ugly game of power and control.

* Re; Jerome Corsi, professional charlatan, late of WND – you’re out of your goddamned mind if you think I don’t have a much longer post about him coming down the pipeline.