I will be the first to admit I have some bias when it comes to Mitt Romney’s religious background. It may shock some of you to know, I was raised Mormon. Though I haven’t been active in church for quite some time, I still have a lot of values in my life based on that upbringing. Be that as it may, I have frequently pondered how much religion plays into my vote for president.
Reading some of the blogs online regarding Romney’s faith background, I have been forced to wonder why this is such an issue. Perhaps because I was raised Mormon, I don’t have as much curiosity about the religion. I forget how obscure the faith is to the general population. I can’t help to wonder, even still why this is a subject of controversy. Would people be as uneasy if he were a Jehovah’s Witness?
I think, individually, we would be hard pressed to find a value or element of morality that wasn’t somehow influenced by faith/spirituality/religion. Hasn’t religion helped form the very core of social decency? The Ten Commandments have been a resource for laws all over the world. Those commandments came straight down from God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Call me nuts, but I think those commandments were pretty good guidelines to live by. Does it matter to me that it came from an alcoholic that wandered the desert for 40 years? Probably not. My point is, for the most part faith based practices typically encourage individuals to live better lives.
I watched a little bit of Bill Maher today and found him to be over the top on the subject of Romney’s religion. I’m going to finish watching the episode later, but the opinion of Maher is no secret. He’s fundamentally against any form of organized religion. OK. I get it. But, he goaded one of his guests to bash the religion (which I was happy to see him avoid) to the point of obnoxious. Overall obnoxious and Bill Maher are synonymous, but I digress. What’s the big deal?
President Obama has defined his faith as Christian. He has identified himself as a man who wants to lead his life as his brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, and abiding by the Golden Rule. He believes we’re saved through the grace of God.
Mormonism believes the same thing. Perhaps more people should ask a Mormon about the church instead of rumors and get to the bottom of the truth. I’m not the authority on Mormonism. But, I am pretty darn familiar with the doctrine. I welcome the opportunity to explain things to one willing to hear the answer without an argumentative disposition. Religion is a personal thing and extremely subjective.
It doesn’t bother me at all what religion any one person is engaged in. So long as that individual doesn’t force their theology on me. I’m of the opinion that as long as you’re doing what works for you and helps you engage your life with honor and civility, you’re doing us all a favor. I was curious if we’ve ever had a president that wasn’t affiliated with any religion. It was pretty profound to see only three unaffiliated. Andrew Johnson, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. If you’d like to see who was affiliated with what see this link: Presidential Religious Affiliation
When JFK was running for office, there was a general concern about his relationship to the Catholic faith. People wondered if the Pope would be running the United States or JFK. I think it’s fairly safe to say, he ran it. Nixon was a Quaker. But, it didn’t stop him from dropping some bombs on Cambodia. I think we have seen a decent balance in the White House when it comes to personal faith based convictions. Do I have a problem knowing my President prays? Hell, No! I hope he or she does! I would have a larger problem knowing major decision making was done without deep contemplation. Prayer is just that. Deep thinking and talking things through. Asking for clarity. Its meditation. However one defines it, I’m not going to tell anyone how to do it.
Are Mormons different? Sure. Every religion has its quirks. If we took the time to dissect each religion, we’d find some pretty strange stuff, theology-wise. But, as I mentioned earlier; what fundamental values are in our lives that aren’t in some way shaped by spiritual influence? On the whole, religion helps keep society healthy. There are certainly extremes. I’m not a fan of those radicals that bomb abortion clinics. They’re the best example of hypocrisy. But just as there are extremes inside religion, you’ll find equal amounts of extremes to the contrary in the form of Atheists.
I appreciate Romney hasn’t made a spectacle of his faith. Though I’m sure it feels sort of like betrayal for him. Ignorance is frustrating and leads people to make irrational choices. If any one person decides not to vote for him or any candidate for that matter based on their faith practices, they’re doing themselves a disservice. I feel that the second we have a President in the White House who isn’t humbled by the existence of a higher being, we’ll be in trouble.
I’m voting for Romney for a number of reasons. Maybe I’ll write a blog about why in the future. But right now, he’s my guy. Mormon or not. But his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, doesn’t hurt.Presidents' Religious Affiliation
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