Can a Mormon be president? Two opposing views

World Magazine ^ | July, 2011 | The Editors

[Colofornian]

Even the 'Yes to a Mormon' side closes with this comment: From the editorial: The most persuasive argument against considering a vote for a Mormon is the idea that it could help spread Mormonism. The religion of Joseph Smith is so finely tuned to the desires of fallen man (you can become a god in the afterlife!) that it's amazing Mormonism hasn't grown faster. If having a Mormon in the White House would give cultural cachet to a false religion, then that might be a reason—the only one I can see—for evangelicals to vote against him on religious grounds.

From the editorial: ...the real question is whether supporting a Mormon for president promotes Mormonism. My answer to that is yes. Electing a Mormon to the world's most powerful political office would dramatically raise the profile and positive perception of Mormonism.

Here we have candidates like Romney & Huntsman adopting a mask of “family values” when it reality they adhere to an ideological belief that it’s direct contradiction to “family values!”

So why are some Republicans putting such a person up on a POTUS pedestal? If you have on the one hand someone from a faith who claims to be a “Christian” yet whose foundational belief labels such “Christians” beyond their churches as “apostates,” then what you have is a contradiction: You have someone wearing the “Christian mask” to gain the good will of voters--all the while adhering to the ideology of Joseph Smith that all Christians had universally apostatized—which is an anti-Christian bashing belief. You have the inherent contradiction of being both pro-Christian and anti-Christian all wrapped up in one!

[Colofornian]

From the editorial: I sometimes hear the related argument that we don't ask an airplane pilot his religion, only that he can fly the plane. But we do ask airplane pilots their religion—at least indirectly. A theologian friend is fond of saying, "There are no postmodern airplane pilots." He means that pilots do not merely push levers and twist knobs. They have a core set of beliefs and values about how the universe operates. They believe in the physical laws of the universe. Their behavior in the cockpit directly connects to their beliefs about the world.

What Warren Cole Smith is getting at here is that postmodernists are prone to relativism -- and if they operated an airplane utilizing a "relativist" approach to the physical laws of the universe, hey, that just won't do.

What I have also noted about people who try to separate out these things is they quickly shift the subject to some job skill ("duties" -- ability). Yet a POTUS goes beyond administrative duties. What I focus on is character traits. For example, vulnerability to deception. Discernment is a very important character trait...and that's not listed as a POTUS "duty."

[bgill]

Why not? A non-NBC is one.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Can an ineligible Kenyan-born illegitimate son of a 17-year old prostitute be President.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Can an ineligible Kenyan-born illegitimate son of a 17-year old prostitute be President.

LOL...You took the words out of my mouth.

[Colofornian]

Can an ineligible Kenyan-born illegitimate son of a 17-year old prostitute be President.

LOL

[relictele]

Mormon? Yes (or it doesn’t bother me).

RINO? Now we have a problem.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

[theDentist]

if a closeted Muslim can be President, then a Mormon can be President. That said, Romney & Huntsman (I believe he is Mormon) are RINOs and therefore neither will never get my vote.

[Happy Rain]

Except for Dingy Harry,I know no evil Mormon. Mitt is a mendacious self-promoting egomaniac and Orrin a sissy compromising RINO but neither registers on my nefarious perdition bound meter.
Glenn is nuts but he has done much good and I like him and as far as the LDS itself is concerned,sure it's an odd para-Christian cult with dubious roots,but it's followers are on average,like the RCC cult,decent well raised “Christians” who are generally conservative patriots.
So sure,I could vote for a Mormon presidential candidate—in 2020.

[alloysteel]

The fact of claiming membership in the Church of Christ of the Latter-Day Saints by itself neither recommends or acts as a liability on the capability to serve in office, even as President of the United States.

Both Mitt and Jon Huntsman have other liabilities that may adversely their capacity to serve in the office, the worst being a willingness to compromise with liberal Democrats on matters of serious social concern to evangelical Christians.

While not trusted everywhere, Mormons have has a relatively high profile going back to the days of the Eisenhower administration. In adminitrative positions, they have acquitted themselves rather well, but in policy matters, they may be too agreeable to compromise, when the need is not indicated.

Mitt LOOKS Presidential, but he is also a quintessential RINO.

[Flycatcher]

So why are some Republicans putting such a person up on a POTUS pedestal?

Well, because it's Mitt's "turn."

Duh.

[ravenwolf]

I don,t think i would like to have some one who believes in Mormonism in the white house, at the same time what does the one we have in there now believe in? so i suppose i would vote for Romney just to get the Muslim socialist out, at least we have an idea of who Romney is.

But i hope to have a chance to vote for one of the tea party candidates.

[P-Marlowe]

Mitt LOOKS Presidential...

What kind of look is that? A pasty faced used car salesman?

[reaganaut]

Romney’s Mormonism is an issue simply because it pervades his worldview and will affect how he does things as President.

Anyone who thinks Romney’s religion isn’t an issue needs to read “When Salt Lake City Calls” by Rocky Hulse.

Furthermore, I know to much about Mormonism to ever trust one as president.

[Flycatcher]

so i suppose i would vote for Romney just to get the Muslim socialist out,

So would you really vote for one filthy, detestable, seditious POS to replace another filthy, detestable, seditious POS?

[greyfoxx39]

This push by some in the media to whitewash mormon doctrine brings suspicions of what kind of money is being spread around. In '08 Romney made a substantial donation to a National Review affialiate and NRO has been in the tank for him ever since. While these people are saying "ho-hum" to the requirements of mormonism, voters should become informed of an oath taken by BOTH these mormon candidates in the mormon temple: "You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the law of consecration as contained in this, the book of Doctrine and Covenants [he displays the book], in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.

“The law of consecration,” said Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “is that we consecrate our time, our talents, and our money and property to the cause of the Church; such are to be available to the extent they are needed to further the Lord’s interests on earth.”

Link

[reaganaut]

Except for Dingy Harry,I know no evil Mormon.

- - - - -
I know several, most of them in leadership positions in the LDS church. (see tagline).

[Safrguns]

Anyone who can be fooled by Joseph Smith can be fooled by anyone.

But it would be preferable to someone who can be manipulated by Jihadists.

[Happy Rain]

Mormons aren’t all that numerous where I live—I knew an LDS family briefly over two decades ago and they seemed harmless enough.
I am loathe to condemn even an odd faith that is,other than the heathen beliefs before Columbus,totally American.
But you speak from experience so I give your views gravitas.