A Los Angeles LDS bishop says Harry Reid isn’t worthy of entering a Mormon temple because of his support of Democratic issues.
LDS bishop Mark Paredes conceded Friday that, in retrospect, he could have worded his concerns about Reid, a fellow believer, “more artfully.”
Writing on his long-standing blog at the Jewish Journal, Paredes began by describing one of the “temple recommend” questions (meant to gauge adherence to Mormon beliefs and practices) that asks members if they “support, affiliate with or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the [LDS Church].” He then detailed his beliefs that Democrats’ support for same-sex marriage and abortion rights — along with Reid’s shilling for the gambling industry — ran in opposition to the church’s positions on those issues.
“I have no problem with an average Mormon in the pew who supports the Democratic Party because one of its issues or positions appeals to him,” Paredes wrote. “However, occupying a national Democratic leadership position is an entirely different matter.”
Reid may be a “wonderful man,” Paredes added, but not “a man of serious religious faith.”…
In response to the column, LDS Democrats cried foul over Paredes using his lay position as a bishop to judge a person for his political beliefs, especially given the church’s efforts to remain politically neutral.
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