Posted on 12/02/2009 6:13:27 PM PST by Colofornian
Most Mormons have long suspected what three political science professors have confirmed: Increased knowledge about Mormons and their faith helps remove stigma attached to them. That news comes as the nation's highest-ranking Mormon risks his political future on heath care reform.
Writing in USA Today, Professors David E. Campbell, John C. Green and J. Quin Monson, wrote "Americans still have a bias against Republican Mitt Romney, according to a study conducted during last year's election. Not a political bias, but a religious one. The good news: When people understood his Mormon faith, the bias melted away. The trio teach political science at the University of Notre Dame, University of Akron and Brigham Young University, respectively.
The researchers said this about Romney's possible 2012 campaign:
"(Romney's) candidacy, however, faces a major obstacle that should concern all Americans: religious intolerance. Mitt Romney's membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the Mormon church) clearly hurt him in 2008. Polls showed that anywhere from one-quarter to one-third of Americans openly said they would not vote for a Mormon candidate for president. Mormons are hardly the only religious group to face such overt hostility."
The column notes that as America grows more religiously diverse, candidates from a variety of faiths may do well to help provide more information about their faith during campaigns.
"And as America becomes more religiously diverse, we can expect still more candidates from faiths that might be unfamiliar to many Americans, or those who profess no religion at all. The good news is that accurate information about such unpopular religious groups can help the cause of religious tolerance in America."
In Romney's case "our study suggests that Romney's supporters would do well to encourage those who are troubled by his faith to become better informed about Mormonism. Such a discussion would likely help Romney: Information helps and ignorance hurts his chances. More important, it would help broaden religious tolerance in America."
The Mormon Media Observer believes that Romney tried to appear too generic about his faith during the 2008 race. He often referred questions about doctrine to LDS Church headquarters. A 2012 campaign should be prepared to answer questions straight up.
Other columnists say that the religious problem for Romney may be greater than ever. A variety of Christian leaders and groups announced the "Manhattan Declaration" in late November. In summary the declaration reads:
"We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are: the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife, and the rights of conscience and religious liberty."
Writing on CNN.com, columnist David Frum said:
"Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical Christian leaders last week issued a bold political statement. They intended to target the Obama administration. Inadvertently, they may have also hit probable Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney ought to rank atop the Republican candidates for president in 2012. He finished second in votes cast in the primaries of 2008. He is a candidate with immense private-sector economic expertise in a time of urgent economic debate. But Romney has a political problem: his Mormon religious faith.
"A Gallup survey in December 2007 found that 18 percent of Republicans would not vote for a Mormon for president. Romney has worked hard to persuade Republicans to think again. In the 2008 cycle, many conservative Christians showed support for his candidacy. But the important new statement by Christian leaders suggests that Romney may face even greater religious resistance in 2012."
At least one Mormon responded by writing, "Romney's religion problem is mine, too."
The Mormon Media Observer would like to think that the Manhattan Declaration strengthens Romney's chances. It spells out common ground where those of common purpose can unite. The fact that LDS leaders are not signatories should not be a concern. As a "restored' church there are irreconcilable doctrinal differences Latter-day Saints will have with the declaration, but that should not preclude unity of purpose in areas of agreement on marriage, sanctity of life and religious liberty.
High-stakes game for Reid
While the Romney debate plays on, it is interesting to note that a Mormon is leading one of the most high-profile political debates in recent memory. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is featured in many high-profile stories in that national media. (The fact he is LDS is mostly absent from reporting.) USA Today reports "Reid faces challenges at Capitol and in Nevada." The New York Times also reports about how the health care fight may define Reid's future. The story reads:
"If the Nevada Democrat gets a health care bill through the Senate by Christmas, his holiday stocking will be full of success and praise. If he fails, there will be nothing but coal and criticism. The stakes are huge for the Obama presidency and the Democratic Party. For Mr. Reid, the difference between winning and losing may be whether he retains his seat next year and his legacy as a legislative leader."
Let me get this straight: The more people understand about Romney's Mormon faith, including his worldview that he either thinks he's a "god-in-embryo" (lds leader language) or will become an after-this-life "god," problems "melt away?" Really?
So if Americans had certain problems with Obama's old pastor, and aren't sure where Obama stands on those issues. But if Obama came right out & was up front with those -- plus told them he was either a "messiah-in-embryo" or will be a this-life or other-life Messiah -- all O probs would "melt away?"
From the column: "The good news is that accurate information about such unpopular religious groups can help the cause of religious tolerance in America."
(You know, I'd think I might settle for a "baby step" among Romney & his fellow Mormons if they'd stop calling 75% of his base as "apostates." Note: The official Lds teaching is that between the first and third centuries, the entire church of Jesus Christ supposedly apostatized -- and the generations that followed were in like camp. So much for "religious tolerance" when your average Mormon & Mormon politician believes Christians are "apostate," "corrupt" and 100% of their creeds are an "abomination" to their god...Those aren't my words; those are Joseph Smith's word now "sacerdotally" embedded with Lds "scripture")
I'm not exactly sure why this columnist expects a "kum-bah-ya" moment when Mitt, if he's true to the faith of his fathers, is no different than a Muslim who tells me as a Christian that I'm an "infidel."
From the column re: the Manhattan Declaration: ...the important new statement by Christian leaders suggests that Romney may face even greater religious resistance in 2012."
And Jim Robinson has stepped it up as well!
IMO, this sidesteps a much more fundamental issue.
The man is a big government liberal. He should be disqualified as a head of state long before the subject of his religion can even be brought into the discussion.
LOL!
I dunno.
Anyone who has delusions of godhood should be disqualified on that alone.
From the column: The good news: When people understood his Mormon faith, the bias melted away.
Let me get this straight: The more people understand about Romney’s Mormon faith, including his worldview that he either thinks he’s a “god-in-embryo” (lds leader language) or will become an after-this-life “god,” problems “melt away?” Really?
- - - - - - -
Only because the LDS PR machine is hiding what the LDS really believe, “milk before meat” and sadly, most Christians will go “oh, ok, I guess they really AREN’T all that different”.
It is only when you study their history and doctrines do you see things like godhood, the white horse prophecy, a desire to return to theocracy.
Another factor is the “i am going to prove I am not a bigot by voting for a minority” attitude. That tactic got the Obamanation votes.
Rose color glasses, PR version.
Got hand it to them they have perfected the art....
I am no big fan of Romney, but don’t you think everyone should be giving Ried the business about being mormon? Na, why? because he’s a lib moron who happens to be mormon and he gets a pass. I think we should be more concerend with the muslims and thier so called religion, no?
Something LDS Inc. reveres above Joe Smith himself.
And they hold Smith in higher regard than Christ so...
“In Romney’s case “our study suggests that Romney’s supporters would do well to encourage those who are troubled by his faith to become better informed about Mormonism.”
Oh my gosh! ... gasping for air, laughing!
It’s because people aren’t “informed” about mormonism!!!
Reporting for this mission, Sir!
In short, mormonism believes more bizarre things than any religion I know of, including scientology. There is, however, less couch jumping than scientology...
Who says they aren’t?
We are in a multi front, multi faceted battle here.
“(Romney’s) candidacy, however, faces a major obstacle that should concern all Americans: religious intolerance. Mitt Romney’s membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the Mormon church) clearly hurt him in 2008.
___________________________________________________
Editor Nana to the rescue...
“(Romney’s) candidacy, however, faces a major obstacle that should concern all conservative Americans: political intolerance. Mitt Romney’s life long liberal stance on the issues that are important to conservatives clearly hurt him in 2008.
(Note to Joel: add the following)
“Romney was intolerant of the conservative base of the Republican party and their feelings about abortion, gay rights, the Second Amendment, big government, mandated universal health care, cap and trade, illegal aliens, the military, the war on terror, and the economy.”
There, Nana fixed it for you, Joel...
You’re good to go...
:)
Kid do ya see anyone here running out to vote for Reid ???
or asking you for money or your vote for him ???
or calling you a pig, or a Nazi or a bigot or the anti-Christ cause ya wont ???
Or swooning over Harry’s big hair and Botoxed and strangely “tanned” face and wanting to be his first second wife for time or eternity or both ???
Well ????
Merry Smithmas!
That if the above was the case, FR & similar sites would be swarming w/tens of thousands of electronic Mormon "missionaries" -- "cluing" us in on Mormon "realities." As you astutely sized up: Reporting for this mission, Sir! (Or at least, if not now, that's what we have to "look forward to" in 2010 thru 2012). But, no, I somehow don't think that'll be the case. And why is that? Well, you nailed it on the back end, too:
In short, mormonism believes more bizarre things than any religion I know of, including scientology.
You see, that's where it gets a bit "dicey" for the Mormon online "missionary" who's trying to "red-carpet" Mitt. You see, if you're a door-to-door Lds missionary, it's always easy to hit the escape button & exit to the next doorway. It's also "easy" to engage in hit&run soundbites.
But online? Where you might actually be challenged as not conveying what Mormons really believe 'cause online citations of what Lds leaders have said actually exist & can be readily pulled up?
I mean, how many Mormons really want to try to openly defend Mormonism by reporting to the e-Bizzaro frontlines by raising their Boy Scout hand & saying, Reporting for this mission, Sir!???
I think the answer is found in how Greg West, the Lds spam guy, reported how much fewer Lds FR postings dropped off this summer. (Gee. What a time to falter. Right when the "research experts" are calling for Mitt missionaries to report to the frontline!)
When people understood his Mormon faith, the bias melted away?
Shouldn’t that be more like “When people heard Mormons spin and obscure the truth about his Mormon faith, the bias melted away”?
On what planet?
Your post doesn’t make a lot of sense.
I don’t really know anything about Reid, and I don’t know that he’s getting a pass for being a lib mormon when Romney is a lib mormon and doesn’t.
Who’s giving Reid a pass?
I am more concerned about muslims and their so-called religion. Mormons are not in the habit of blowing people up and slitting their throats in the name of their god. They have enough sense to realize that would be bad PR and that the family values thing works better. I can live with them for neighbors better than I could with a muslim.
I need look no farther than the big "D" behind his name, Mitt on the other hand, pretends to be a Republican and a conservative one at that.
May the big # 22 bestow on reid at the blackjack game of life!
“In Romney’s case “our study suggests that Romney’s supporters would do well to encourage those who are troubled by his faith to become better informed about Mormonism.”
Be better informed about Mormonism, from former Mormons:
http://outofmormonism.libsyn.com/
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