Members of strange or unusual churches need to make clear their position on the relationship of church and state: If they believe in a secular state that upholds religious freedom, what’s the problem? If they believe that the state should legislate morality, then there’s a big problem.
As a rule, Democrats, believing as they do in “social justice,” spill their religious beliefs into government. Republicans are confusing. Some would have the government attempt to implement a social conservative agenda, while others would have the government stay out of people’s private lives. We might suppose that Romney, who is a moderate on social issues, is the latter (a “live and let live” kind of guy). But, it is still necessary for him to address the issue. It is even a good opportunity to speak to the principle of limited government, in economic matters as well as personal matters.
As for one church condemning another, yes, the Mormons describe all Christians as apostate. That is a problem for Romney. Does he agree with this teaching of the Mormon Church? Even if he is a live and let live kind of guy, it is still creepy to think any person in the position of President of the United States thinks the majority of Americans are apostates. Can Romney say that the Mormon Church creeps him out with this doctrine? Can he ask the President of the Mormon Church to get a Word of Knowledge, even to ask all the people of the United States to pray for this, so Mormons can join in communion with Christians?
There is also the racial issue. He has spoken to this in the past, saying that when he was a boy or a young man (I don’t recall how he characterized his age), his family was thankful that the special limitations for black people were lifted by the President of the Mormon Church. O.K., but does expressing this recollection go far enough? Did he think the Mormon Church was wrong in its limitations on black people? Or, did he and does he think that black people used to be inferior to white people? Again, it would creep me out to think that the President of the United States was raised in a church that taught that any race was superior or inferior to another. The Protestant denominations that used to teach such things have apologized for this sin. Maybe the Mormons have. Mitt will have to tell us about this.
Finally, I will mention the polygamy issue. The Mormons used to allow polygamy and, then, after exhausting their appeals to the courts of this country when the Congress passed a law against it, they came down against it for practical reasons, so Mormons could live peacefully in this country. Some Mormons relocated out of the country, so as not to break up their polygamous families. Among these was Romney’s paternal lineage. Romney’s father was born in Mexico and never naturalized upon entry into this country. In my opinion, Mitt is an anchor baby and according to the strictest interpretation of “natural born,” is not qualified to be President. He would also be the first Hispanic President. All that to the side, what’s his position on polygamy?
Was the Supreme Court correct to uphold a Congressional law banning polygamy, where - in the U.S. Constitution - does the Congress get this power? And, how can the government discriminate between polygamous marriages and other forms of marriage? In the famous Texas sodomy case, the U.S. Supreme Court said that the State had no interest in homosexuality; and, Justice Scalia, in his opinion, asks what, then, is the State’s interest in incest, polygamy, and so forth?
Normally, candidates for President aren’t asked about polygamy. But, Mitt, by reason of being the grandchild of a polygamous family that relocated to Mexico rather than conform to the laws of this country, will have to address this issue.
Last time I looked, murder, theft, lying... are all things that the STATE looks disfavorably upon.
I believe Mitt is more removed than that...I believe Miles Park Romney, who towed his 4 wives & 30 kids to Mexico in 1885 when fed marshals were starting to go after bigamists, is Mitt's great-grandfather.
So I disagree with your assessment there.
There is also the racial issue. He has spoken to this in the past, saying that when he was a boy or a young man (I don’t recall how he characterized his age), his family was thankful that the special limitations for black people were lifted by the President of the Mormon Church. O.K., but does expressing this recollection go far enough? Did he think the Mormon Church was wrong in its limitations on black people? Or, did he and does he think that black people used to be inferior to white people? Again, it would creep me out to think that the President of the United States was raised in a church that taught that any race was superior or inferior to another. The Protestant denominations that used to teach such things have apologized for this sin. Maybe the Mormons have. Mitt will have to tell us about this.
Good Qs. One thing about "apogogizing" for his sin is that Lds have numerous racist verses in both the Book of Mormon & another sacred book, The Book of Abraham. (Kind of hard for them to "apologize" about their so-called "good books").
I'll give you specific references in another post.
As for one church condemning another, yes, the Mormons describe all Christians as apostate. That is a problem for Romney. Does he agree with this teaching of the Mormon Church? Even if he is a live and let live kind of guy, it is still creepy to think any person in the position of President of the United States thinks the majority of Americans are apostates. Can Romney say that the Mormon Church creeps him out with this doctrine.
Yes, not very "inspiring" for Christians to vote for somebody who privately deems them as "corrupt" apostates who embrace abominations for their creeds.