Dec 18 2007
Politics and Religion
As the presidential race continues to heat up it seems the focus of, at least the Republican race, is the subject of religion. Mike Huckabee, the former Baptist minister, has surged ahead of Mitt Romney in many states where Romney once had a comfortable lead.
My personal opinion on the matter is that it really isn’t important what religious faith a candidate belongs to. The President, when inaugurated, vows to defend the U.S. Constitution, and our system has the necessary checks and balances to ensure that our government continues to follow it.
Many people have said that Mitt Romney will never be elected because he’s a Mormon. He’s even made a speech stating that his religious beliefs will not come before his duties if elected President. Here’s an excerpt from his speech:
“Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin.
As Governor, I tried to do the right as best I knew it, serving the law and answering to the Constitution. I did not confuse the particular teachings of my church with the obligations of the office and of the Constitution – and of course, I would not do so as President. I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law.
As a young man, Lincoln described what he called America’s ‘political religion’ – the commitment to defend the rule of law and the Constitution. When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office, that oath becomes my highest promise to God. If I am fortunate to become your President, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest. A President must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States.”
I believe him and I would vote for him if I thought he would do the best job as President, despite what I may think of his personal religious beliefs. That said, I do think that it’s fair for others to consider a candidate’s religious beliefs when determining whether or not to vote for him or her. After all, a candidate’s religious beliefs can affect how they feel on certain topics such as abortion, immigration, welfare, defense, and other issues.
Fox News has submitted 21 Questions to The Church of Latter Day Saints (the Mormon faith) representing some widely held beliefs and misconceptions of the church, including this one that I’ve often heard and wondered about:
Q: Is there such a thing as Mormon “underwear”? if so, are all Mormons required to wear it? What does it symbolize?
A: Like members of many religious faiths, Latter-day Saints wear religious clothing. But members of other faiths — typically those involved in permanent pastoral ministries or religious services — usually wear religious garments as outer ceremonial vestments or symbols of recognition. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, garments are worn beneath street clothing as a personal and private reminder of commitments to God.
Garments are considered sacred by Church members and are not regarded as a topic for casual conversation.
You can read the rest of the questions and responses here.
My personal belief is that Romney will not get the Republican nomination, and his faith, sadly, will have something to do with it. I also think his flip-flopping on certain issues won’t help him either. I still think Rudy Giuliani will get the nomination.
What do you think?
I’ve heard so many people say the same thing about Romney. But, people also said Kennedy would never be elected into office because he was Catholic. We all know how that turned out. Hopefully, the American people can focus on what the candidate will bring to the office, and what he or she will do for our country…instead of purely focusing on their religious beliefs. We’ll see…
I could understand the major focus on religion if one of the candidates was a satanic cult leader, but (as far we know) none of them are.
His statement was very eloquent and I believe that what he says is true, or at the very least, that he believes it’s true. It upsets me that so much of a politician’s personal life is examined during a campaign although I must admit I, myself factor it in. In regard to how I personally feel his religion impacts my perception I would say that I worry with a lot of religions, but particularly what I’ve seen in my Mormon friends, that there is such a blind faith and a discouragement within the community to question or examine it. Personally, that aspect would be the most influential in knowing his religious beliefs.
Great post! I tend to agree with your prediction of Giuliani getting the nomination, but it’s still early. The next 4 months will tell us a lot. As you already know, the organization with the most money come March will come out on top. $-religion at work in US politics!