Thursday, September 28, 2006

Mitt Romney. Politics. Religion. And All That.


"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

That's from Article VI of the United States Constitution. There's been a lot of activity lately at Article 6 Blog, where I write with my evangelical blogging partner John Schroeder of Blogotional (easily one of the more inspired blog names in the blogosphere - pun intended!). A few highlights:

  • John has a philosophical post at Blogotional that I recommend to anyone who's interested in the interplay between religion and politics generally. If you're interested in the Mitt Romney - evangelical - Mormon collision, it's an absolute must-read. Excerpt:
I'm sure you remember Jimmy Carter. I have never been more sure of the right standing before the Throne of Grace for any other president, or candidate for president, than for Jimmy Carter, and yet he was one of the most consistently poor decision makers the office has ever seen. Mohler quotes Martin Luther in the segments as saying something like "I'd rather be ruled by a competent Turk than an incompetent Christian."
  • We explored in depth (and quite vigorously, too) a recent radio program by Albert Mohler, an influential evangelical, in which Mohler considered two questions: (1) Will evangelicals vote for Mitt Romney, and (2) should they vote for Romney? The discussion of question (2) was by far the more provocative. Mohler wonders if he has a duty of Christian discipleship not to vote for a Mormon. Provocative stuff. I'll leave the rest for you to read at Article 6.
  • We also got into an Economist article, "Mitt Romney's problem," subtitled "Religious prejudice may yet undo the Republicans' latest favourite." Read that here. An excerpt from our commentary on the article:
Many who are either sympathetic to the view that voting for a Mormon presents at least a moral dilemma for evangelicals (Al Mohler comes to mind), or who actually take the position that an evangelical could never vote for a Mormon (I believe this is a minority within the evangelical community) probably resist the notion that such views are outright religious prejudice. I think it's undeniable, however.

The rejoinder from the anti-Mormon evangelical camp may be that Mormonism is so wrong, so far out of the mainstream, that it is an evangelical's duty to vote against a Mormon for fear of "mainstreaming" a dangerous sect by electing one of its adherents to the highest office in the land. Al Mohler hasopenly suggested this. In that regard, I found Dr. John Mark Reynolds' analysis compelling . . . .

Anyway, if those subjects interest you, there's no better place to be on the blogosphere than Article 6 Blog.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is somethiong America is going to have to work its way through. "Nixon was a Quaker" was a criticism at one point and JFK led the way for Kerry to deny his religion (abortion) to attract votes. The left is making a concerted effort (however insincere)to appeal to religious voters. The next election (08) should be loaded with this issue. If Romney is elected or defeated, I hope it isn't because of the religious issue -I do hope however, whoever wins is voted in because of haveing a strong moral character and an understanding and support for the foundations of our nations as having been built upon judeo-Christian tenents. 

Posted by DL

Friday, September 29, 2006 3:43:00 AM  
Blogger SkyePuppy said...

I realize there are evengelical Christians who are too short-sighted to see past the end of their non-Mormon noses, but I sure wish it weren't true. Let's pretend Romney gets the Republican nomination and those short-sighted folks refuse to vote for him because he's (gasp!) Mormon, then what will they do? Not vote for president? Vote for the Democrat (who will most likely be non-religious, even anti-religious)?

Focusing on stupid things like somebody's religion in the political world will make us lose sight of whose policies are going to be best for our country. It's exasperating! 

Posted by SkyePuppy

Friday, September 29, 2006 1:23:00 PM  
Blogger Ken Howell said...

Okay, what’s the fuss over Romney and the Mormons? After a little research, this is what I found of their beliefs. Lions and tigers and Mormons - oh my! Oh come on people. Heck, I would love to have neighbors like these.

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Friday, September 21, 2007 11:05:00 AM  

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