Let's take an imaginary candidate for the presidency, who has proven he was born in the U.S. of American citizen parents ... but his family's religion is Islam and he is devoutly Islamic. Now, would I oppose such a candidate based upon his chosen religion? Well, not per se. What I would do is look very closely at the tenets of that religion and decide if believing in and offering fealty to that religion is a threat to America if this candidate is elected.
Islam is not a religion of peace, albeit George Bush pounded that specious claim into citizens' minds during the days following an Islamic slaughter of Americans, Americans of a whole lot of different religions--including Moslems we might note. Such a religion is a definite danger for America because a fundamental tenet of Islam is world domination under Islamic law with Allah-as-the-ONLY-god belief allowed freedom to grow. We have numerous examples of Islamic murderers slaughtering people around the globe in the name of Allah and they are allowed and in some notable cases even funded by Moslems, by Saudis, and Afghanis and Pakistanis and ... well, you get the picture, Islam is an enemy of the entire civilized world!
Would I vote for such a man who believes that religious tent of world domination under allah? Absolutely not. BUT, we have millions of fellow Americans who have voted for such men, many of whom are rabid racists, too! We currently have a not so closeted racist in the White HOuse!
Now, replace Islam with Mormonism. Is Mormonism a threat to end freedom of religion in America? I don't think so, nothing in their recent past (after the Joseph Smith character and his immediate successor, Young, left the scene) points to a lust to kill in order to achieve world domination for a 'Kolob oligarchy'. In fact, most every follower of Mormonism is a solid American citizen and many of their young men and women have served most honorably in government and the military branches.
So would opposing Romney based upon the religion to which he has sworn fealty be a rational approach? Not really. Yes, there are strange tenets in Mormonism and a man believing them might be questioned on rational grounds, but there is nothing in Modern Mormonism which would preclude voting for a man who adheres to that peculiar religion, on religious v free America grounds.
Lastly, are there tenets in Mormonism which have fashioned Romney's liberal perspectives? To the contrary, I would argue it has been just the opposite, he is not a good example of a conservative Mormonism adherent. In fact, he is an embarrassment to Mormons friends I have had for decades. And we have seen at FR that there are numerous Mormonism apologists who could not in good conservative conscience vote for liberal Mitt Romney.
There is only one consideration for Romney...... he was governor of Massachusetts.
That is all that is needed for disqualification. If he was acceptable to the loyalist yankees, he is unacceptable as President.
Exactly! Romney is the antithesis of mainstream Mormonism on nearly all political issues.
Thank you for sharing your insights, dear brother in Christ!
Very well said MHG. I appreciate your sentiments. You & I disagree on many things, including Romney, but I respect your opinions & views expressed on this subject. Very thoughtful post.