Mormon Anomaly: Harry Reid

In my circle of Mormon friends I know three people that I would qualify as liberal and one that qualifies as a Democrat. (Don't get me wrong; outside of Mormon circles I know plenty of both breeds). Whenever I meet up with the liberals I ready myself for an intense debate. Whenever I meet up with the Democrat I make sure to wear my Rush Limbaugh tie; that pretty much settles the matter.

All kidding aside, I haven't had dinner with Harry Reid so I can't tell you which camp he falls in, but I can give you some insight into this strange anomaly: the highest ranking Mormon ever in Congress is a liberal Democrat. (keep reading)

"Is He Really a Member!"
"Member" is the euphemism we Mormons sometimes use when referring to each other. We sometimes refer to you as "non-members". We frequently discuss how we can get you to change your title. Such was the case with Senator Reid and his wife who are both converts to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It should be noted that conversion is the rule rather than the exception in the Mormon Church these days. With over 12 million members and more than half of these living outside the United States, my four-generation chart of Mormon ancestors is increasingly anomalous, in its own rite.

Mormons and Politics
As Peter Jennings was tallying up the electoral votes for George Bush (41) during the 1988 Presidential election, I can recall feeling a bit slighted. Said Jennings: "Utah has voted Republican for as long as anyone can remember." I was only 16 years old at that time, but I recall a certain grit and assumption in Jennings' tone that led me to think: Is it really a given that Mormons vote Republican?

History has borne out Jennings' remark and for good reason. Republicans, or more broadly, conservatives, share many of the same values as Mormons. Both groups tout solid traditional family values (no jokes please), limited government intervention, and entrepreneurial thinking. Utah voted overwhelmingly for the President in 2004. Mormons will likely lean Republican for the foreseeable future. I'd like to think this fact keeps the Left up at night, but I doubt it.

On the other hand, perhaps it should? Mormon representation in American politics has grown beyond demographic equilibrium. With over five million members living in the United States, Mormons account for 1.6% of the U.S. population, but more than 5% of elected representatives in congress. (Please don't tell Jesse Jackson.)

Senator Reid
Returning to Senator Reid, there is certain bewilderment among conservative Mormons. Occasionally, the subject will come up and some questions: "Is he really a member?"

This may seem absurd on the face of it. After all, no one faints at the notion of Senator Kennedy being a Catholic. But in terms of odds: you have to swing a lot of dead cats around before you hit a liberal Mormon. It is, frankly, an anomaly.

However, there is no ecclesiastical litmus test for holding specific political beliefs. Even if those beliefs were seemingly at odds with Mormon doctrine, this alone would not be cause for excommunication. On the other hand, if those contrary views are publicized by the individual to harm or lead members away from the church, then excommunication would certainly be on the table.

On social issues, he could be called moderate or even conservative. Senator Reid is "Pro-Life" but he has a mixed record, receiving full marks for his pro-abortion stance by NARAL in 2001 but voting mostly "Pro-Life" since that time. Harry Reid is against homosexual marriage but he is also against a constitutional amendment.

On social economic issues Senator Reid is decidedly a liberal being a key proponent of traditionally entitlements. I disagree with Senator Reid on many issues and I frequently am dismayed by his rhetoric (e.g. calling the President a "loser" and a "liar"), but none of this disqualifies him from being a Mormon.

Still, Harry Reid is in a difficult and unenviable position, belonging to a party that does espouse views that are contrary to Church Teachings (e.g. homosexual marriage). "Difficult" because he is a leader in that party and a very public figure; "unenviable" because many Church members misinterpret his views and pre-judge him as a Mormon.

The question still lingers: How does Reid reconcile his liberal associations with his Mormon beliefs? Here's an exchange recounted in a 2002 interview with the Las Vegas Review. Said Reid:

"Look at the programs we've pushed: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. Republicans opposed those, every one of them. ... I don't see how a person who cares about their fellow man could oppose these programs."

To which fellow Mormon Republican Senator Orrin Hatch replied: "Let's put it this way. I think that's pure bunk."

Admittedly, there is a certain congruity to Reid's logic. After all, Christ taught us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and the Mormon Church itself has a robust welfare program.

Conservative Mormons are quick to point out that the Church's welfare program is steeped heavily in "self-reliance" usually weaning recipients off the dole in a year's time. And any conservative will tell you that bloated and inefficient government programs doomed to almost certain failure (i.e. Social Security) do not equate to Christian charity.

The Mormon Church does not pick sides in this fight. In fact, the church works very hard to remain politically neutral. Yes, there have been a few notable Mormons who are both liberals and Democrats, but in the end, they are mostly exceptions to the rule.

I've met Harry Reid before and I know many people who know him well. Politics aside, he is in honorable person and even within politics, he is respected by both parties. His rhetoric is frequently misguided, but it is wholly political, which is not one of the deadly sins. Senator Reid seems very comfortable with this supposed dichotomy even if his fellow Church members may not.

My recommendation to Senator Reid if he ever gets lonely: work on Chris Dodd (whose wife is a Mormon). I'll fill up the baptismal font.