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In reply to the discussion: Former Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson running for President. A progressive alternative to Obama [View all]FreeState
(10,570 posts)If only all Mormons were like him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Anderson
Anderson was raised as a Mormon, and was a practicing member of that predominant religion in Logan,[20] but he has described his disagreement with certain doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ, particularly the denial, before 1978, of the priesthood and temple ceremonies for African-Americans, whose dark skin, according to the Mormon Church, was "the mark of Cain,"[21] and the teachings of Brigham Young that "a white person who 'mixed his seed' with a 'Negro' should be killed."[22] Anderson has described his belief, from a young age, that the L.D.S. teaching of personal moral abdication through obedience to people in positions of authority was dangerous and counter to the principle of personal moral responsibility,[23] in which Anderson deeply believes.[24]
Anderson studied ethics, political philosophy, and religious philosophy[25] in college. He also explored theological issues in depth[26], including the unique doctrine of the Mormon Church that worthy men and women can become gods and goddesses[27], and determined that the best course for him was to intensely consider ethical choices, then set certain moral guideposts for his life, and focus on trying to live accordingly, without regard to the doctrines of any organized religion.[28]
While expressing the importance of some fundamental moral lessons he learned as a young member of the Mormon Church, and while describing the value he places on his Mormon heritage,[29] Anderson has spoken out about the L.D.S. Church's discrimination against gays and lesbians,[30] comparing its public campaigns against equality for members of the GLBT community with its history of racial discrimination. Anderson has written about his views on this issue[31] and appeared in the documentary film, "8: A Mormon Proposition."[32]
During high school, Rocky played lead guitar in a rock and roll band, The Viscounts, and worked at a cabinet and roof truss plant. He also shingled roofs during his high school years.
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Anderson received a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, graduating magna cum laude.[35] After reading existentialist literature and several works on ethics, religious philosophy, and political philosophy, he had a "powerful epiphany. We can't escape responsibility, there's no sitting out moral decisions, and whenever we refuse to stand up against wrongdoing we're actually supporting the status quo."[36]