This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Now, isn't that special. A lot of church chat in the punditsphere over the last few days...
— Utah religion numbers turn out not to be so odd — George Pyle | The Salt Lake Tribune
" ... At best, we will move to a nearly universal understanding that, while each of us may base our own moral choices on the teachings of a particular faith tradition, discussions over public policy will have to be made in the non-sectarian common language of reason, facts, logical arguments and appeals to positive emotions that we all should share, primarily empathy. ..."
— What is the future of organized religion? — Richard Davis | For The Deseret News
" ... When attempting to influence public policy, churches will not be able to assume a common ground of acceptance of religious positions or even the role of religion in public life. Ironically, the case for the church may have to be made on more secular grounds to appeal to a public that is increasingly disconnected from organized religion. How churches respond to this challenge may determine the role of organized religion in American society now and in the future."
— LDS Church influence drives mistreatment of wine sellers and consumers — Kristin Reese Winder | For The Salt Lake Tribune
"As a former wine representative licensed by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, I have read with interest recent articles and op-eds regarding the unfair treatment of wine store personnel and the new ordering system. The problems are much bigger and more pervasive than what is being reported. The reason is obvious. I am talking about the undue influence of the LDS Church. ..."
— Bright spots for evangelicals in Pew's Religious Landscape — Trevin Wax | Religion News Service via sltrib.com
" ... Evangelicals may be shaping Christianity like never before, but Christianity is no longer shaping American culture like it once did. And there's our challenge: While liberal and conservative Christians passionately debate the data, more of our neighbors checking 'none' say, 'Who cares?' "
— Will rise in nonreligious reshape U.S. politics? — Albert R. Hunt | Bloomberg View via sltrib.com
"Don't expect any official 'Atheists for Hillary' outreach, but political progressives are cheered by a study showing a rise in the number of nonreligious Americans. ... Republicans consistently do well among voters with strong religious beliefs, and Democrats score better with voters who don't express religious views. ..."
— Unaffiliated and Underrepresented — Charles M. Blow | The New York Times
" ... The issue in this country is less that Christians are persecuted as much as peevish. ..."
— Do Churches Fail the Poor? — Ross Douthat | The New York Times
" ... Anyone who tells you that America's pastors are obsessed with homosexuality or abortion only hears them through a media filter. ..."
— The GOP Is Dying Off. Literally. — Daniel J. McGraw | Politico
" ... There's been much written about how millennials are becoming a reliable voting bloc for Democrats, but there's been much less attention paid to one of the biggest get-out-the-vote challenges for the Republican Party heading into the next presidential election: Hundreds of thousands of their traditional core supporters won't be able to turn out to vote at all.
"The party's core is dying off by the day. ..."