Mitt Romney's Evangelical Problem

Washington Monthly ^ | Amy Sullivan

[Old_Mil]

I wonder when they're going to publish an article titled, "Mitt Romney's homosexual problem" which is closer to the truth.

[Old_Mil]

Romney is our Kerry. Rudy is our Hillary. Let’s forget about these guys and nominate a Reagan instead.

[JohnnyZ]

By all accounts, he virtually raised his sons around the lake. He's also big on scouting.

That's right. Scouting. Mitt Romney thinks your kids should have a gay scout leader. Not that gays would ever, ever, do anything inappropriate with boys. Or set an example for them.

Not a hunting guy

Are you calling Mitt a liar? He's a "lifelong hunter"!

Mitt would never lie. You take that vicious accusation back.

[fishtank]

Wow.

Your FR page is awesome.

Keep up the good work!!!!!!

[JohnnyZ]

Really? I'll have to check it out some day.

At least get the picture of Miss USA and Miss Israel working again...

[George W. Bush]

Are you calling Mitt a liar? He's a "lifelong hunter"!

How dare you diminish his record!

He is a "lifelong Rodent Hunter". And I'll thank you to remember it in the future!!!!!

Don't force me call the mods.

---

I'm still laughing over that Rodent Hunter thing. The NRA needs to take this guy in hand and explain a few things to him.

[marron]

If he’s the nominee, I’ll vote for him.

My preference is Hunter, who is in my opinion the genuine conservative running. Thompson is my #2 choice.

But my only “not not but heck no” is McCain. Romney isn’t McCain, and so he is not disqualified in the general in my opinion, if he comes out on top in the primary.

My problem with Romney is that he is a “kinder gentler” conservative, and I’m looking for bold. I love Bush, but I’ve had enough of the “kinder gentler” conservatism, and I’m ready for a scrapper. More specifically, I’m looking for a war-president, as the war is my bottom line.

My opinion is that the “mormon/evangelical” problem is an invention. I don’t know any evangelicals that are opposing him on that basis. The only concern is that, maybe, he’s not conservative enough. But religion is as far as I can tell not a factor. I am therefor suspicious of writers trying to make it into one.

[Burkean]

I don’t think the Mormon church’s belief is a black/white as the Catholic church. The Mormon church shies away from making overt political stands or statements. Abortion is certainly considered to be an evil act, but it is not in my opinion equated with murder. The Mormon church has stepped forward to be very vocal about its opposition to same sex marriage. I suspect there would be some toleration for domestic partners. In my opinion the Mormon church is a little more Libertarian than conservative when it comes to such issues, though lines are certainly drawn when the Church elders feel the sanctity of the family is threatened (by the ERA or same sex marriage).

[aMorePerfectUnion]

CW, "The argument is that if we elect anybody that doesn't meet our definition of Christianity, we are somehow endorsing opposition to Christianity."

I'm going to disagree here with that point in this sense...

Evangelicals view Mormonism as a cult. There are plenty of threads on FR that detail why. That is quite different than someone like Reagan, who was a Christian Disciples of Christ. Or someone who is in a Christian church. Or someone who is Jewish.

Not all evangelicals will turn up their nose at Mitt - especially versus the Hildabeast. The problem is that millions will in fact stay home. We can argue that this is short-sighted, or stupid or whatever, but that probably will not change the reality of the situation. Bush II squeaked by last time. We will need the 4 million who stayed home the last time, to win this time, imo.

For many (not all) evangelicals, the choice will between voting FOR what they perceive as evil (Hillary or similar) OR voting FOR someone who shares many of their concerns, but is in a cult. This will be troublesome for many. It will certainly not be energizing to many in that block. There will, of course be those who hold their nose, trust God to work out the details, and pull the lever for the guy who shares many of their values, but is in a cult. But in the back of their mind, pulling the lever will be EQUAL to endorsing a cult. Some will make that leap. Some won't.

I suggest that if Republicans are planning on winning with Mitt, they're going to need one heck of an innovative strategy.

best, ampu

[ElectricStrawberry]

The REPUBLICAN group had a choice between Teddy the Democrat or the Republican and they chose the Republican.

What’s so hard to understand?

[Spiff]

THESE Evangelicals don't seem to have a problem with him.

[greyfoxx39]

This process of divide and conquer over Romney’s religion will not start in earnest until he gets the nomination, if he gets it. The DNC is seeking any means to smear religious conservatism so their brand of religious posturing will win the day,

This message needs to be repeated often. A primary vote for Romney could be a general election vote for Shillary. I don't want to waste my vote.

[LukeSW]

Theologicaly, to me it's a big stretch to call Mormonism "Christian" unless one is speaking of "general moral values."
Christians proclaim the Cross, Mormons hide the Cross

Mormons proclaim the living, resurrected Christ, the son of the living God. Mormons do not worship instruments of torture. But we are deeply grateful for the atonement Christ achieved both in Gethsemene and on the cross. But we choose to focus on and worship the living, resurrected Christ, the son of the living God.


We feel we do not need to worship images of death. We do declare the Christ lives and that he continues to speak to living prophets and apostles, stake presidents and bishops. In other words, we proclaim that Christ reveals his will through the gift of the Holy Ghost and revelation to his servants here on earth today. What could be more Christian than that?


As for John L. Smith's quote at the top of the page, there is a much more optimistic implication. If the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints is true, that means that God really lives, Christ really lives, and that both of them really love all on the earth and welcome, encourage and invite all to come to them. Where particular individuals and organizations happen to be on the spectrum of possible degrees of coming unto Christ isn't particularly relevant. He loves all, and invites all to come.

What Christ doesn't particularly like are political documents that merge pagan philosophies into religious doctrine under political control. I speak of the Nicean creed and all of the resulting Protestant and Christian creeds, which Christ declared to be an abomination. Nevertheless, Christ loves all people, Muslim, Protestant, Catholic and aetheist. That's why he restored his Church and priesthood power to earth, to bless all people.

[Colofornian]

Christian Voters: All or Nothing End up with nothing.

So that's why the two Bushes won. Christians only voted for an "all" candidate and therefore wound up with "nothing."

[Calpernia]

You are the one not following. Support and endorsement are two different criteria with the Log Cabin Republicans. An endorsement has to be applied for. That application process then goes to their review board. The candidate has criteria to meet and a contract is signed. There are terms in their contract and the candidate is then assigned a campaign council from the Log Cabins.

I want to know what criteria was met by Mitt Romney. I think that is a fair question since he is seeking our support.

[greyfoxx39]

But Matt’s “nice guy” face couldn’t overcome the questions about mormonism, low name recogniton, and a lackluster campaign.

In my opinion, if Mitt wins the primary and Hillary is the dem candidate, we’re looking at another 4-8 in the slammer with a President Clinton! I didn’t do anything wrong to get prison time and that’s what America will be under her watch...

Napolitano's campaign would look like softball compared to the Hillary/Obama/media bombardment.

[Colofornian]

Mormons do not worship instruments of torture.

Way to go. Way to offend millions.

Way to just label every Christian as some pagan that worships a death instrument.

Where are the legions of LDS who are quick to point out "anti-Mormon" statements now? Where are they to highlight this "anti-Christian" statement?

Wanna explain the difference between the angel blowing a trumped upon a certain building in Salt Lake City and the cross on any given Christian church? Are they all just "objects of worship?"

[Mr. Jeeves]

I suggest that if Republicans are planning on winning with Mitt, they're going to need one heck of an innovative strategy.

They have one - he's the most physically attractive candidate, which is good for taking several million shallow voters away from the Democrats right off the top. ;)

[Mr. Jeeves]

"Mormonism is either totally true or totally false. If it's true, every other religion in America is false."

There is a third alternative, which given the angry, ego-fueled rhetoric from both sides seems the most likely.

[Colofornian]

But we are deeply grateful for the atonement Christ achieved both in Gethsemene and on the cross.

Only in Mormonism do we find this peculiar doctrine of the atonement being carried out in part via the sweat glands of Jesus (sweating blood in Gethsemane). Yes, the sweating blood happened, but no other historical documents or commentators that I'm aware of link this to an act of atonement or reconciliation.

I guess the more attention taken away from Calvary--and projected onto other locations, the more the enemies of the cross are satisfied. And the more attention that is taken off of the cross, the more its enemies are satisfied.