Re: “Why I Believe”
Before Reid explains the “why” he needs to explain the “what”. What does Reid believe? And secondly, how does his life demonstrate that he truly believes what he says he believes? The Mormons I know don’t support the policies that Reid supports.
Well, I think we can gain some clues re: what Reid believes by paying attention to what he says when he's around his fellow religionists:
1. We know Reid in many ways is actually an orthodox Mormon (Lds leaders don't just let anyone become "home-teaching companions"): The Salt Lake Trib ran an article Oct. 23, 2009: ”Today, Reid, with his security escort in tow, likely will be making his home teaching rounds after his ward's three-hour service. Anyone who questions his Mormon credentials should see that, says Jim Vlock, his home-teaching companion. Source: Harry Reid: A Mormon in the Middle
(Reid appeared with other Mormon members of Congress a few days before Christmas to receive the local Mormon missionaries for a Christmas event).
2. As this article mentions, Sen. Reid received a warm welcome at BYU in October, 2007... At this event, he said: "I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon, not in spite of it." Source: Reid Gets Warm Reception at BYU Let's face it, LDS leaders just don't let anyone commandeer a wide-open all-invited, all-expected forum!
3. And I'm sure Lds leaders actually appreciated this comment spoken at that BYU event: "They [Evangelical Christians] are the most anti-Christian people I can imagine, the people from the Christian far right."
4. Beyond that, I'm still scratching my head as to why BYU would give this man a platform to utter other beliefs -- as he did -- like: "I think people in the church have to understand there are issues more important than abortion and gay marriage."