SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah's Mormons and non-Mormons are at nearly opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the war in Iraq, teaching evolution and banning support clubs for homosexuals in public schools.

A poll commissioned by The Salt Lake Tribune shows stark contrasts between how members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and nonmembers view several high-profile issues.

The sharpest difference is on the war in Iraq, with 73 percent of Utah Mormons saying they support President Bush's handling of the conflict, while just 30 percent of non-Mormons do.

Unlike most other major U.S. religions, the LDS Church has taken no official stance on the war. Nonetheless, support among Mormons remains high.

Utah residents were also divided along religious lines on gay support clubs in public schools. Among Mormons, 55 percent support a legislative proposal to ban such clubs, while just 24 percent of non-Mormons do.

They are split on evolution as well, with 60 percent of Mormons supporting a Legislative proposal that would require public schools to teach that evolution is a theory on which scientists disagree, and 40 percent of non-Mormons supporting it.

They are less divided on banning smoking in bars. Among Mormons, 41 percent support a ban on smoking in private clubs. Among non-Mormons, 27 percent do.

"In matters of politics and government, the church maintains a policy of remaining neutral institutionally," said LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills. "Latter-day Saints are taught to support their local and national governments, but the church does not endorse candidates, parties or platforms."

Irene Hamblin doesn't need anyone in power to tell her how to feel about the war in Iraq. She's come to her conclusions based upon a desire to support soldiers like her son, Ozro, a Utah National Guard member who just returned from a second tour in Iraq.

"If you say you don't support Bush, I think, it's as if you are not supporting the soldiers," she said. "The main thing is that you are supporting what they are doing."

Although Hamblin is an active Mormon -- and says the people of her ward appear to share her views -- the Cedar City woman doesn't think her opinions about the war are formed by her church.

Despite a lack of official direction from church leaders, Mormons have for years found a place on the side of warfaring patriots, said Robert Freeman, author of the book "Saints at War."

Freeman said Mormon support for America's wars in part may be attributed to the desire to establish Latter-day Saints as legitimate members of a nation that has not always seen their sort favorably.

"There has always been a great resolve to demonstrate the patriotic heart and fervor of the Mormon people," he said.

A recent Associated Press poll found that 58 percent of the nation disapproves of the president's war management, while The Tribune poll concluded that 59 percent of all Utahns are in support.

"This is strong GOP country," said Paul Peterson, chair of the Department of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. "This is the hotbed of Republicanism, the most conservative state in the nation."

But Peterson said he was surprised by the great difference on the issue between Utah's Mormons and non-Mormons.

In the anti-war activist community, though, Mormons are a minority within a minority.

"I'm always an outsider in that group," said Bonnie Tyler, an LDS member of the Peace and Justice organization, which organizes weekly protests against the war. "I don't drink coffee and when they get together, it's often over a beer. There is this sense that I am different from the group."

The polls were commissioned by The Salt Lake Tribune and The Associated Press, Jan. 3 through 5.