Segment 1:
The gridlock in Washington has many citizens shaking their heads about the divisive nature of the debate and the polarization of modern politics. Mormon scholar Richard Bushman says the deadlock stems from basic contradictions in our national values and asks if religion can help bridge the gap. Can Mormonism specifically – a religion that is authoritarian by nature – help solve the problems of democracy? On Tuesday, Bushman joins Jennifer to talk about Mormonism and the public good.
Guest:
- Richard Bushman, professor emeritus of history, Columbia University and author of “Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling”
Dr. Bushman will deliver the Gardner Lecture in the Humanities and Find Arts sponsored by the Tanner Humanities Center at the University of Utah. The lecture is Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m., Saltair Room, University of Utah Union.
Segment 2:
Union members across the country are rallying tomorrow to support the Postal Service as we know it. How do local letter carriers feel about proposed changes to the USPS?
Guests:
- Chad Mortensen, State Legislative Liaison, National Association of Letter Carriers
- Amie Gallo, National Association of Letter Carriers
Save Our Postal Service rallies are happening across the country today.In Salt Lake City: 2261 S. Redwood Road, 4-5:30 p.m. In Provo: 51 S. University Ave., Provo, 4-5:30 p.m.
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4 Comments
I dislike the label “authoritarian” which is often used to describe the leadership of the LDS church. As an active LDS, I feel I have full freedoom of choice in matters political and otherwise. (In fact, women are the glue that holds the Church together and we have a lot of say in our lives, so to characterize us females as being somehow less than the men in the Church is so far from the truth.)
Also, we are also encouraged to be an active part of the commnunity through service and volunteerism. This spirit of volunteerism is very beneficial to communities throughout the country and the world. Quite often it’s Church members who are the first on the scene of disasters.
It is better to refer to the LDS Church as authoritative rather than authoritarian. We are encouraged to find out for ourselves and follow the Spirit in the attitudes we form and the decisions me make. We are never required or even encouraged to believe anything that is not true. Church leaders are helpful guides but there is no “you will do this or else” kind of ethos in the Church. Those who claim that the Church requires blind obedience or pressures its members to do such and such simply does not understand the Church correctly.
Phillip C. Smith
Not being familiar with your website or radio station, you’ve left no links, times, places, etc… to listen to this interview.
“On Tuesday, Bushman joins Jennifer to talk about Mormonism and the public good.”
I’d like to listen or read, but don’t want to spend 15 minutes searching your website to see if it is available in text, what time it is, what show it is part of, whether it will be available via podcast later, etc…
On authoritarian: Bushman’s words, not mine.
@CB: Audio is now posted above.
Thanks for listening and contributing to the conversation!