While we disagree with some of the tenants of Mormonism, we do applaud the strong words of Gov. Mitt Romney today.
He began his seminal address by setting the table.
"A person shouldn't be elected --- or rejected for their faith. A president must first serve the common cause of the people of the United States."
True. But he didn’t back away from how his faith will affect his decision process.
But he really turned it on when he said this.
"I cannot disavow my religion – it’s not just a tradition….I believe it and I will live by it…Some have said that a confession of my faith will sink my candidacy? If this is true, then so be it."
Can we do the same thing with our faith? That we it live out and not be afraid of the consequences? He turned his scorn to secularists, who want people of faith "to keep it private – to keep it out of the public arena."
"We are nation under God," Romney reminded us.
While we don’t endorse him or his religion, we do thank him for not being afraid to be known as a person of faith and for elevating the discussion.
Click here to see his speech.
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14 Comments so far, click here to add your own:
I thought it was a great speech. I disagree with his faith, but I respect his view of religion in America. This is the first time any of the candidates looked and sounded like a statesman. I go back & forth between Huck & Mitt - to be honest I think they would be a great team.
Romney-Huckabee '08!
Romney has got guts and conviction to stand up for his religion the way he did. He's obviously got the moral integrity and values needed in this country. Just look at all he's accomplished in his life; his family, his successful career, his devotion to God, and his political success all go to show he really has what it takes. It's really too bad that so many americans are bigoted enough to reject all this in large part because of his religious affiliation.
It gives me hope for America when people who disagree about important things can find common ground. Thank you for your fair and balanced blog.
As a Mormon, I am very curious about why evangelicals would be afraid to have a Mormon as president. Even if you don't believe in some of the doctrine, could you give some examples of what would make you nervous. The beauty of our country are the three separate branches of government that create checks and balances. Also, as a Mormon it is very offensive to be considered "non-Christian." Everything we do in our church centers around Jesus Christ. I deeply respect evangelicals but wonder why all the animosity?
James, my guess...and I may be totally off here (and I know I'll be corrected if wrong) is there are two things:
1) Many people who view the Mormon faith as hertical at worst, and silly at best, wonder how someone who could be so "fooled" could be Commander and Chief.
2) I think many true Evangelicals fear that electing Mitt Romne - or voting for him - "legitimizes" his religion and could be a cause of greater coversion rates to Mormonism.
I am a Mormon, and obviously think both views are unfounded and silly. I don't think many Evangelicals would admit it, but I think those two reasons above would be some underlying causes.
There is some angst over this faith -- which for so many years sought to minimize Christianity (see Joseph Smiths "first vision") now wants to cozy with evangelicals.
But-- the bottom line is that the president is not a theologian and that having a man or woman of principle is important. He doesnt have to agree with my theology, but he better share my values.
Well...I'm not Mormon. To be honest, aside from what I've read (at a high level) or seen on a documentary about the Mormon faith, I cannot say I've studied it. I can say what I've observed -- and it is very impressive. There is a visible 'devoutness' amongst those practicing the faith. I think that is a wonderful thing. I fear though, that Mitt Romney is guilty of the same things that Catholics were guilty of before Kennedy. The guilt of simply being born and raised in a faith tradition that is not fully understood and, therefore, feared. Fear is an amazing tool for many politicians. It is used to position and protect a party from losing 'single issue voters' -- like what the Democrats with a conservative on the issue of abortion. Or what a union will do to a 'pro-business' candidate. In this case, the fear is what 'moral values' Mitt will force on the American people.
I'll vote for him if he gets the nomination for much of the same reason why I voted for other candidates like him (Bob Dole, for example). I want a President that I can trust and believe -- not that I agree with every time. In the end, all with have is our character and our willingness to do the right thing (integrity). The fact that he stood up to be counted is something that even Peter failed to do (three times, if i recall correctly :-) ). And that is something that should go a long way -- Mormon or not.
Hypocrisy: Sorry to move the discussion away from politics and mormons, but recent pain has caused me to doubt the larger premise that it is valuable to broadcast your beliefs in the work place.
I recently served a client that was very vocal with his Christian faith. For business reasons not related to my performance, he abruptly terminated my contract outside the terms of our written agreement. He did not have the courage or courtesy to notify me directly--even by voice mail or E-Mail. Instead, he told a rival co-worker who leveraged this information to undermine and damage my reputation with my consulting firm.
Normally, I could write this off as "just business", but his "red letter" words set higher expectations of his behavior and deepened the injury inflicted. Although the experience gave me a deeper understanding of Psalm 54:12-14, I would have preferred not to know he was a fellow believer.
If you cannot act ethically or treat people with dignity, please just blend-in!
It was an amazing speech. Good post.
I'm very surprised and happy to see the actual fair appreciation that many bloggers have had towards Romney's Faith In America Speech.
To Eric:
There are millions who have converted to the Mormon faith that have the same testimony as those who have been lifelong members. Furthermore, lifelong members definitely have trials of faith. I can guarantee that Mitt Romney questioned his own religion in the beginning before gaining a firm testimony. That is what the Mormon faith teaches. It has been said many times to seek out the answer for yourself. Nobody can tell you what to believe in the Mormon church, they tell you to find out for yourself through prayer and study. No forcing by any means. In conclusion, I don't think it's fair to say that someone is weaker or lacks knowledge for being a lifelong member of any religion, union, or even party. Just my thoughts. To see more of what I believe you can check out my blog here: http://www.eliteeternity.com. I'm only 17 by the way.
3 questions:
Why are there still absolutely no Wyoming polls?
Who are Romney's top 10 picks for VP?
How successful was the Dec. 7 fund-raising?
No Wyoming polls....hmmmm, having come from Wyoming, there's very little at stake there. Not worth the cost of polling.
I am not supporting Mitt Romney in the Iowa Caucus. It isn't because he is a Mormon. It is rather flip flopping that he has done in the past. He was pro-life, and then was pro-choice when running for Governor of Massachusetts, and now he is pro-life again as he runs for President... that seems fishy to me.
I am supporting Huckabee because he has been consistent. I will vote for Romney if he does win the the nomination though.
Regarding his speech it was a good overview regarding faith in civic life. I don't think it will make much of an impact though.
Shane
http://shanevanderhart.wordpress.com
As person who is excited more about doctrine than fitting in, it is easy for me to not see the man for the Mormonism. However, as this post points out, the man's message at least in this particular speech should make all people of faith assess there own commitment.
I agree with Shane's comment about the flip flops. I have no problem with a man changing his mind. As a recovering fundamentalist, I have been forced to take a new look at a lot of issues. I can even see one's opinion doubling back to its original place. But without a good explanation, these changes seem too convenient, and certainly not in accordance with the man's faith that he "cannot disavow."
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