Mitt Romney's Evangelical Problem

Washington Monthly ^ | Amy Sullivan

[greyfoxx39]

My opinion is that the “mormon/evangelical” problem is an invention. I don’t know any evangelicals that are opposing him on that basis.

I see this comment on various threads. My question is, "Just because you don't know any evangelicals opposing him vocally, right now, are you certain that won't be a factor in the voting booth?"

I know a lot of kind Christians that would not badmouth someone based on their beliefs, because it isn't a Christian thing to do, but I sure don't know what's in their hearts regarding same.

[redangus]

One big difference is Mormonism is spread by clean cut young people doing missionary work. Islam was spread at the end of the sword and is still a horrifically violent religion. When was the last time you heard of Mormon suicide bomber?

[greyfoxx39]

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.

Good observation, and very well put.

[HoustonTech]

In my opinion Romney’s biggest problem is that he has a liberal past, and used that liberalism when needed to get elected. Now that he needs conservative votes, he has changed tunes.

There is no doubt that his Mormon membership will cause some to question him, it will also cause others to support him despite his past. My guess is his Mormonism is a wash. In fact if anything it gains him votes, and probably explains why he his pulling most of the numbers he has now. Otherwise he would be in the tank with most of the other GOP hopefuls.

[Colofornian]

That's why he restored his Church and priesthood power to earth, to bless all people.

Wanna explain why if the so-called Nephite disciples are wandering around alive, and if John the apostle is still alive somewhere (3 Nephi 28:6-7 "ye shall never taste death"; D&C 7:2-3), how it is that the church fully disappeared? These disciples aren't the church? Why did God need Joseph Smith if He had these folks still alive in His employment?

[AD from SpringBay]

Gazoinks!! Someone discovered that not everyone gets to be right at the same time?! What in the heck!! Guess I should vote for the man from New York since he doesn’t seem to believe in anything.

[redangus]

“the ever changing book of Mormon”

If you have some time read up on the Council of Nicea and see how much thought went into getting the Bible and Catholic Dogma in ine with what best suited the Roman Empire. I am a Catholic, but I am ashamed of all the stuff that was deemed unworthy of inclusion by the Council. I think you will also find that most mainstream Protestant religions have made “adjustments” to their beliefs to stay in tune with the times.

One of the few religions that has stayed true to their original doctrine is Islam and we all know how progressive and in tune with 21th century reality they are.

[MEGoody]

Evangelical Christians consider Mormonism a threat in a way that Catholicism and even Judaism are not.

Not this evangelical Christian. But hey, Ms. Sullivan must just be one of those that like to use a broad brush.

[I'm ALL Right!]

I have to respectfully disagree. If they think Mormonism is a cult, why would they elect him? I definitely would not vote for a Hari Krishna candidate, because I think someone who would buy into that is just not right in the head. That, along with the idea that Mormons have perverted Christianity is good reason to make such a decision.

Personally, I don't know much about Mormonism, so I cannot make any comment or educated decision about it right now. I do know that the Mormons I know are extraordinarily kind and faithful people.

[MEGoody]

Guess I should vote for the man from New York since he doesn’t seem to believe in anything.

Yeah, he does. He believes in government funded abortion.

[Colofornian]

John L. Smith, a Southern Baptist who runs Utah Mission--an organization that tries to convert Mormons--told Christianity Today: "Mormonism is either totally true or totally false. If it's true, every other religion in America is false."

No middle ground position. No neutrality.

If the LDS are right--that what a mid-teen saw and heard as a 14 or 16 yo--then every church is an apostate church and every church member is an infidel (every church save the LDS church).

If what Joe Smith heard is correct: That we are to "join none of them" (other churches); "for they were ALL wrong...[AND] ALL their creeds were an abomination in his [Personage that appeared to him] sight; that those professors were ALL corrupt..." then the Baptists, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Wesleyans, charismatics, Assemblies of God, etc. have no business being in business of the gospel.

This is not merely a "dark corner" position of the LDS church. What is quoted above is LDS scripture--the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith - History, verse 19. This is mainstream and foundational LDS doctrine. The LDS as a church can only stand with the 100% default of every other church.

[tabsternager]

I personally know a couple of Christians who’ve already told me they’d never vote for Romney strictly because he’s Mormon.

The idea that many Christians won’t vote for him no matter what is probably not exaggerated — and quite unfortunately, as far as I’m concerned.

[Colofornian]

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.

I agree.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen on these threads the idea that our '08 vote is all about who we vote AGAINST. Whatever happened to who we vote FOR?

Whatever happened to a focus on the primaries before we become overly obsessed about Fall of '08--more than a year and half away?

Here's the biggest irony in all these threads: I keep hearing this "anti-Mormon" drumbeat raised by both the media, some Republicans, and some LDS folks. But a good chunk of this discussion is raised by folks who are bound and determined to cast an "anti" vote in the Fall of '08...an "anti-Hillary" vote; or an "anti-Democrat" vote. Who are the real antis among us?

If folks are going to get all wound up about their "anti" vote in the Fall of '08, well one way for them to make a difference much sooner is to switch to the Democratic party in time for the primaries. That way they can vote "anti-Hillary" all they want.

[Loud Mime]

The focus on religion amazes me.

The president is limited in what they can do. There’s virtually nothing to fear from a president when you have a hostile congress.

[BillyBoy]

I'm a Catholic and I don't consider the LDS church to be Christian either. Their argument seems to be that they accept Christ as their savior and believe Jesus is a prophet, therefore they are Christian. If that was true, then we'd count every Muslim on this planet as "Christian". There are basic doctrines that all Christians (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, etc.) hold like a belief in the trinity, and Mormons do not share those basic beliefs.

That said, I also have no problem voting for Romney if he was the GOP nominee, and among the "big three" the media are pushing, I'd prefer him over McCain or Giuliani. IF it comes down to those three, I'd vote for Romney in the primary. I have some problems with his flip-flops, but not on his personal background.

What seems to missing here is that Romney is to Mormonism what Kennedy was to Catholicism. All these anti-Catholic bigots were panicked that if Kennedy was elected, he'd be a puppet for whatever the Pope wanted, and in reality Kennedy was as divorced from Catholic beliefs as you could be and still be a nominal "practicing Catholic". Kennedy didn't give a hoot what John XXIII thought, or any other pope. I'd say the same is true with Romney. Yeah, the guy was baptized Mormon, fulfilled all the basic requirements, and did Missionary work in France as a teen, but I don't think he spends his daily life contemplating about the angel Moroni. Mitt Romney does not strike me as a hardcore Mormon at all and I can't see him sitting in the Oval Office calling up Gordon Hinkley with advice on how to run the country.

I don't get the "Evangelical issue" either. You guys keep saying "Evangelicals think this", "Evangelicals will do that". As a Catholic, I can't tell the difference between "Evangelicals" and regular Protestants. I lump them all in together. A Protestant is a Protestant. Are Evangelicals supposed to be "born again" (Jimmy Carter was a born again Christian, means nothing to me). Are Evangelicals supposed to be more passionate and open about their faith? Harriet Miers is "evangelical" and she sure seemed pretty secular to me. Someone help me out here. I don't see "Evangelicals" dealing with Romney any differently than other devout Christians. I seriously doubt any faithful Christian is going to say "oh darn, we have a Mormon as our nominee, we better vote for Hillary instead"

[BobS]

I've visited an LDS Church for services once. Just nice people there. I am a Catholic. I visited a lot of different Churches and Synogogues because you are always welcome there. Orthodox Churches are an endurance test.

Just visit other churches. If my pope doesn't fire Cardinal Roger Mahoney in L.A. I will become a Southern Baptist. The Bishops that run the Missions in San Fernando and Santa Barbara don't like him.

[meandog]

I recently re-read “No Man Knows My History” by Fawn Brodie (historian who also outed Jefferson and Sally Hemmings). An LDS member and related to the church at the highest levels, she was ex-communicated for writing the accurate history of Joseph Smith. I would recommend it for anyone considering voting for Romney.

[JohnnyZ]

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.

Sounds like a cult member talking.

Just my impression ....

.... certainly not a Christian though.

[applpie]

I would doubt most LDS folks know the rest of their theology which I believe includes aliens and people becoming gods themselves.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“...I can’t see him sitting in the Oval Office calling up ...”

better fix that for you...

“I can’t see him sitting in his holy underwear in the Oval office calling up...”

This is because the holy underwear is under the suit...

ampu