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Talon Hansen

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Problems with the U.S Constitution

I think that one of the bigger problems with the constitution is a local problem here with

Utah and that is obviously the issue with separation of church and state. And although it

technically states in the first amendment "Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...". And although I don’t think

there is technically any specific laws or anything that interferes with certain things, but I think

there have been influences in certain laws that have been a result of LDS political leaders or just

LDS people in general and other small issues as well. For a quick most recent example, the law

that Restaurants or bars now have to put a sign specially stating if it is a restaurant or a bar. I just

think things like that are not necessary and are a waste of time, it does not really do anything or

help anyone at all and it is not hard to tell the difference between a bar or a restaurant. And

although once again this wasn’t said to be the result of the LDS church, you know that the reason

this law was passed was because of the LDs people, without the majority of them a law such as

that would probably never pass.

Another law that was recently signed by our Governor Gary Herbert to lower the blood alcohol

level to 0.05 instead of 0.08. This is ridiculous because it gives basically no room for anyone to

drink anything at all, and even though the point of it is to lower the amount of DUI’s and drunk

accidents, it will not work. The amount is way too low for anyone and is basically pointless,

more people will just go over that now and it will not help at all most likely. This law was passed

most likely due to the Signiant amount of LDS influence in the state, 60% of the state are
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members of the LDS faith including about 80% of Utah legislators. And although this is

technically not directly tied with the LDS church, you know this is still influenced by their

beliefs and practices and what is better for them.

Another case where the church is directly tied are the two bills SB89 and SB73, both bills are for

the use of medical marijuana. SB*9 was not as influenced by h=the church as SB73 but SB89

was still not passed due to the LDS members. SB73 would have allowed the whole marijuana

plant to be used by patients who get an ok from their doctor. It would also allow medical

marijuana use of products that contain THC and gives a bigger list of illnesses that qualify

someone to be able to use medical marijuana. After these two bills were introduced the church

released a statement saying “These two competing pieces of legislation take very different

approaches when it comes to issues like access, distribution, control and the potential harm of the

hallucinogenic compound, THC.” And “after the church issued that statement opposing

Madsen’s bill, the senator said one and perhaps two senators had switched their votes and were

opposing the measure.” The church has way too much power and it is shown right there, they are

only going off their beliefs and their beliefs only. It has been proven that the use of marijuana

can be beneficial to people with lots of diseases and issues, including Parkinson’s, Arthritis,

Tourette’s, general pain, migraines, epilepsy, seizures, asthma even and more. I am sure if they

could make alcohol illegal they would. Marijuana has had proven to have very little to no

negative effects on your body if used correctly and even then, you are most likely safe. It is much

safer than alcohol and it would most likely reduce the crime right like it had in Colorado since

they legalized it.

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Other small things that I have seen are just how many churches are on basically every corner

everywhere, if I drove from my house about 20 miles any direction I would see most likely 10+

churches, there are two on the street coming to my house alone. It isn’t free to build all these

churches and it gets ridiculous that there are that many. Another problem is the fact that

missionaries can just come door to door and try and convert people to the LDS church, and

although once again I know both of these technically are not breaking anything that is said in the

amendment, It makes me feel like we are not separated from them at all and they can just come

up to your door as they please to try and convert you. My friend has had them come to their door

multiple times even though each time they told them to go away, yet they still kept coming back

and trying to talk to them, it has happened to us to. It gets a little old for people who are not of

the LDS faith, I’ve never even seen Jehovah witness’ anywhere or come up to my door. I go to

other states and I can just feel and see the differences in small ways, like the people, the places

like restaurants and things, the laws that they have, my Uncle lives in Colorado and you see only

a few churches there and they are all different churches for all different types of religion and he

never gets people walking up to his door trying to convert him or anything. I do not mind LDS

members at all, they are generally nice and respectful people, but there comes a time where it

gets ridiculous having to deal with all of it all the time, and something needs to be done so the

church has less influence on the state and our laws.

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“ACLU of Utah - Students! Know Your Rights: Religious Freedom.” ACLU of Utah - Home,

www.acluutah.org/resources/articles-position-papers/item/513-students-know-your-rights-

religious-freedom.

Harrison, Peter. “The LDS Church and Utah Politics.” The Huffington Post,

TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Feb. 2016, www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-harrison/the-lds-church-

and-utah-p_b_9278128.html

PRESS, MIKE CARTER | ASSOCIATED. “In Utah, Separating Church From State Can Be

Nearly Impossible: Religion: Mormons dominate virtually every aspect of political life here. The

state has defied the church only once in the last 60 years.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles

Times, 21 Mar. 1993, www.articles.latimes.com/1993-03-21/news/mn-13641_1_church-support.