Mitt's Mormonism
Anyone who peddles his thoughts in public will have experience of a column so misrepresented he knows not where to begin. I wrote one such column on Mitt Romney and the assertion that his church is a "cult." Now I find myself accused of having argued that the Constitution forbids people from imposing their own criteria, rightly or wrongly, on candidates.
Manifestly the people who say this and cavalierly invoke the word bigotry cannot have read the column. For one thing, I deliberately did not employ the word bigotry, which I think cheap and overused. From the first sentence, I believe I made clear that I was specifically directing my advice to GOP candidates, suggesting they would be better off not allowing themselves to be dragged into a long-standing and contentious theological dispute whether members of the LDS are Christians or not. To members of the press trying to trap them, I proposed they offer this simple answer: "the Constitution imposes no religious test for office and neither do I."
Of course, the candidates are free to ignore this sane advice and offer up to the NBC, NPR and the New York Times their own theological understandings of the issue. I think that highly foolish. Not unconstitutional, not theologically wrong, just plain foolish, because the whole reason the press is raising this issue is to bait Republicans into saying something that will offend other Republicans.
My other points, in rough order, are 1) that the surveys show that a Mormon candidate would indeed have a harder time getting the votes of white evangelicals, an important bloc in the Republican Party; 2) that lo and behold, that same survey, so often cited by the mainstream press, shows that Democrats are less likely than Republicans to vote for a Mormon -- and that liberal Democrats have the greatest animus (even with the liberals I did not use the word bigotry) against voting for a Mormon.
Finally, it went on to note that the truly serious attacks on religious liberty that Mormons have experienced of late -- in California in 2008 during and in wake of the successful campaign for Proposition 8, the successful public referendum that banned same-sex marriage -- were largely carried out by the left. LDS property was defaced; LDS members lost their jobs simply by exercising their rights as American citizens; and many still fear getting involved because of that experience. It struck me as somewhat cynical that a press obsessed with a Baptist who called Mormonism a "cult" have largely been silent on these truly disgusting efforts to intimidate and silence one segment of our population.
The irony is that this National Review post ignored those same attacks in favor of attacking a point I pointedly did not make.
The greater irony is that I do not support Governor Romney for president because I oppose many of the policies I know about, and because I wonder in many of other areas where he really comes down.
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Jun '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Rush Limbaugh contends (on good authority he says) that Romney is the White House's first choice for opponent. And I don't think it's just because it tends to neutralize the healthcare issue. I suspect it's also so that they (the Left) can subtly (and universally) portray the LDS Church as just a "social club for old right-wing men, each with a dazed Stepford wife on his arm." That'll be the underlying message of what's reported about Romney's Church.
Aug '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
As a Catholic, who has more than once been verbally attacked as "not a Christian," I have great sympathy for those of the Mormon faith. Mormons are often rebuked by evangelicals, and I find it repugnant. I also find the representations of Catholicism in some Evangelical communities offensive as well.
I grew up in Nevada and have lived and worked in Mormon dense communities my entire life. While I believe they are wrong in some of their tenets, I do believe that they are faithful and good people.
In large part, I agree with your NRO post. I do wish you had structured parts of your argument in a different order, as that might have overcome some of the misunderstandings that seem to be coming your way.
We as individuals can, of course, use religion as a personal test for who is qualified for office. We want those who share our believes. That's a good and natural thing.
On the other hand, as you point out here, there has been genuine bigotry against Mormons from the left here in California.
Apr '11
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
I can see how the invocation of the Constitution as persuasive moral authority could be confused by some with its invocation as binding legal authority, although it does seem a shame to see a legal blogger, particularly a conservative legal blogger, making that mistake. I don't mean this sarcastically (you were my wife's introduction to seriously awesome republican intellectualism, so I may still be a little easily awed), but less sophisticated and precise minds than yours might think that either the Constitution governed the candidate's just course or it didn't, either it's law or an irrelevance.
Happily, while I agree that Huckabeeing is not merely permitted but protected by the Constitution, the bigotry seems to be more present in deep red and deep blue states than in purple, Iowa being the chief exception.... possibly Virginia. North Carolina isn't going to vote for Obama again, and exciting far leftist hatred in California may even be an electoral asset. The Midwest and Southwest are where this will be decided, and I believe that the campaign thought that it wasn't a problem there in '08, although I'm going by memory of campaign worker gossip alone.
Mar '11
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
I think Hugh Hewitt wrote a book on this in 08.
Clearly, Mr Romney's religion (or cult, if you prefer - it's a fine line) will be one of the Alinsky-inspired attacks against him. The others will be that he is one of the Wall St 1%, not paying enough tax, and laying off workers.
So I agree with etoiledunord and Rush that Mr Romney is probably Mr Obama's preferred opponent. On the other hand, why would Mr Obama endorse Mr Romney today for inspiring Obamacare?
Either Mr Obama is a brilliant Machiavellian strategist, or not - hard to tell the difference.
Edited on Oct 11, 2011 at 5:47pmMay '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Nathaniel, I'm going to push back ever so slightly. I'm Baptist. I'm not sure I fit in the evangelical category, but I know plenty who do. I just want to caution you against painting with too broad a brush here. As for the people who libeled your Catholic faith as not Christian, I don't consider them evangelicals. I consider them idiots.
Dec '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Bill, this is actually a very sophisticated issue hiding behind the usual banal debate. Of course, Mitt Romney and the Mormons deserve respect. The attack on Kennedy descended down to implying that he would be controlled by the Pope an absurd and repulsive claim.
However, about 1000 years ago both Judaism and Christianity endorced monogomy. Only Islam held out, regulating the number of wives at four with the number of concubines only limited by your ability to pay for them. The Mormons are a Christian sect who have a problem with monogomy. In the middle east there are small Jewish sects who also have a problem with monogomy. Foolish modern social science talks only about norms and statistics. We have lost site of the importance of moral values. Monogomy was taken for granted for so long that we forgot that it is a moral value not just a norm. Mitt may be forced to face this. I think he is a splendid fellow but I can't protect him from this.
It's a tough year but I think we are up to it. I think we need to face things head on and let Gd sort it out.
Aug '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Actually Mormons have embraced monogamy for about 120 years now...
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Small consolation, I suppose, Bill, but drinking my morning coffee over the paper today, I thought your column made sense from beginning to end.
Oct '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Bill, thanks for a sober and sane view on this. Whether a particular religion is Christian or not may be appropriate for a theology class or a Sunday sermon, but it should be out of bounds for any political discussion. I have many problems with Romney's positions, but his religion is not one of them.
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
I think it boils down to this: All this press attention on the cult remark is completely phony. It is not about concern for Mormons. It comes from the same press that celebrates this disgusting play on Broadway -- the Book of Mormon -- that makes baby rape jokes and uses the vilest 4-letter words in its lyrics, all directed at a completely safe group to attack.
The questions being asked of Republicans about Christianity are intended solely to create discord.
Jun '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Mr. McGurn’s article addressed its point well. I have no problem there. However, I do believe that a candidate’s faith matters. If I were a strong adherent to any religion which does not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, would it make sense for me to vote for someone who zealously holds that Jesus is God, the Creator and Judge of the universe? No, religion is a matter of life and death. How could I desire someone running the country whose ideas about the purpose of life are so opposite my own? I would be, and am, much more comfortable with someone who is whatever religion he is in name only. If I can have confidence that we share a general respect for similar values, then I can move on and look at his stands on economics, foreign policy, and so forth.
Jun '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
cont.
So, what kind of Mormon is Mr. Romney? In name only, or does he truly believe Mormon doctrine? If the latter, how can any Christian, Jew or Muslim, take him seriously for even a minute? If his faith is limited to family values (other than polygamy), great! Then, he should get his act together as a great conservative candidate and go win the election. But until I know for sure about his faith, I’ll stay in the anyone-but-Romney camp. Thank you very much.
Jul '11
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Based on the comments on this post, I think there are some misconceptions concerning Romney's faith and the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormon church).
If the definition of Christian is someone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then Mormons are Christian. I have seen many people impose additional doctrinal requirements to qualify as a Christian, Trinitarianism being the most common. To be clear, Mormons accept the divinity of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as a co-equal Godhead united in purpose, but not in substance. If that is the basis for not classifying Mormons as Christian, then people need to be clear that it is because of a rejection of trinitarianism, not a rejection of a divine Christ.
While polygamy was practiced during the early decades of the church, it has been against the laws of the church for 120+ years. While there are off-shoots that still practice polygamy, they are not associated with the Mormon church and considered apostate. This is strictly enforced, and anyone practicing it is excommunicated.
For more info, you can visit official websites or a good unofficial site.
-E
Jun '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
CandE,
One test they'd offer is the (small-c catholic) Nicene Creed:
From Wikipedia:
"The Nicene Creed has been normative to the Anglican Church, the Church of the East, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox churches, the Roman Catholic Church including the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Old Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and most Protestant denominations."
Aug '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
etoiledunord: CandE,
One test they'd offer is the (small-c catholic) Nicene Creed:
From Wikipedia:
"The Nicene Creed has been normative to the Anglican Church, the Church of the East, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox churches, the Roman Catholic Church including the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Old Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and most Protestant denominations." · Oct 12 at 9:17am
Etoil,
We Mormons prefer scripture to man-made creeds for our doctrine. I don't want to hold Sunday School here but I could show you several verses in the Bible that support our view of the Trinity vs the Nicene Creed.
Religion is not a democracy where the majority rules. When its comes to doctrine we believe that revelation supersedes voting.
Jun '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
CandE,
It works both ways. I could call myself a Mormon, but if every Mormon bishop in the world tells me that I don't qualify yet, because I don't believe and won't believe in living prophets, then I don't qualify to join. I can live with that.
Jun '10
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
"When its comes to doctrine we believe that revelation supersedes voting."
And, how does that play out in the POTUS? He's going to follow revelation (whose?) over voting?
That's my point. What level of religious faith do we want in any president, regardless of his religion?
Jul '11
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
etoiledunord,
Acceptance of the Nicene creed is a litmus test for Trinitarianism, not Christianity, regardless of how many denominations embrace it.
You could call yourself anything you want, but until you have satisfied the qualifications it's meaningless. The qualifications for being a Christian are to receive Christian baptism or be a believer in Jesus Christ and his teachings. Incidentally, those are some of the requirements to be Mormon, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, etc. Beyond that, each group imposes additional qualifications for joining their specific sect.
Jul '11
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
Sister: "When its comes to doctrine we believe that revelation supersedes voting."
And, how does that play out in the POTUS? He's going to follow revelation (whose?) over voting?
That's my point. What level of religious faith do we want in any president, regardless of his religion? · Oct 12 at 10:44am
The answer is in the words you quoted; it's about doctrine, not politics.
The only influence that the church would have on a president (Mormon or otherwise) would be to offer civic support and to inform values. It would not lobby, advise, or guide.
-E
Jul '11
Re: Mitt's Mormonism
BTW, Bill, thank you for your excellent post. It very nicely summarizes my feelings on this issue and the ensuing kerfuffle.
-E