Andrew Sullivan is at the forefront of discussion about Mitt Romney's potential presidential bid. Romney is Mormon and will have to answer questions about how his religious beliefs would guide his decision-making as President.
The discussion has been interesting, and covers a couple of weeks, so here is a summary and some links:
The Mormon Question: Covers the likelihood of a Mormon being elected president and includes this delicious bit: "Live by fundamentalism; die by fundamentalism."
Mormons and Christians: Are Mormons Christian? "..the inspiration for Mormonism's radically innovative understanding of the message and life of Jesus - Joseph Smith's "discovery" - is so alien to mainstream Christianity (and so transparently loopy) that I don't consider Mormons Christians."
Romney, Mormons and Race: Mormon attitudes toward blacks and their sudden about-face. "The first statement linking priesthood denial with the curse of Cain is dated February 13, 1849. It was given by Brigham Young in response to the question, "What chance is there for the redemption of the Negro?" Young responded, "The Lord had cursed Cain's seed with blackness and prohibited them the Priesthood." "
Underwear? The beginning of controversy. A reader mentions that Mormons wear different underwear. How could be not be fascinated?
Mormon Sacred Underwear: Photos of the underwear.
Underwear Prejudice: From a reader: "Many of us consider posting photographs of Mormon undergarments to be sacrilegious and offensive." From Andrew: "My policy on this site is to publish reality, within certain boundaries of religious respect. If I can publish a cartoon of Muhammad, I can sure publish tasteful pictures of Mormon underwear."
America's Divine Founding: Mitt Romney believes in American's "divine founding" which leads to serious questions for a potential world leader. In a later post, Andrew says that Romney was misquoted and said "inspired" instead.
Black and Mormon: About the book, written by a black professor at Brigham Young University who was fired for his outspoken remarks.
Mormons and Race, Ctd: How/why the Mormon church changes its attitudes towards non-whites. "So common sense (rather than "Divine revelation") mandated the theological change."
I've skipped a couple of the posts which were mostly about South Park or not relevant. Now to the conversation over at By Common Consent, which are fairly thought-provoking:
"What should mormons in general, or the Church and/or Mitt Romney in particular, do about someone like Andrew Sullivan?"
Comment #1 "I am quite sympathetic to the irony inherent in Sullivan’s posts. Remember he’s a Brit, and Brits do irony very well. "
#4 "...why is posting a picture of garments mocking them?"
#8 "The American people are entitled to do due diligence on Romney if they’re going to allow him to run their country."
#19 "I always try to be careful about judging other people’s religions, because I know how crazy ours sounds."
#25 "If Romney’s political leadership would reflect obedience to religious leaders in Salt Lake City, voters ought to realize that and consider the kind of messages likely to come from SLC before they make up their mind."
#31 "This sort of live-by-the-sword-die-by-the-sword justification makes sense only if you think Romney represents Mormonism in an official capacity–which he clearly does not."
#33 "But the church as an institution does seem inclined to favor him, which makes his representation of Mormonism semi-official in any case."
#46 "I for one think this will help the Chruch members to follow more closley the admonition to be in the World and not of the world. Maybe this is part of the Lords plan to spread the Gospel to a wider audience."
#72 "It’s not the fact that Romney is a Mormon that terrifies those of us who want the separation of church and state to be honored — it’s the fear that Romney would use religious dogma as his governing principals."
#110 "No, Mormons are not generally homophobes or racists or anti-feminists; we are followers. We are told to jump, we prayerfully ask how high."
And before the flamers jump in, yes I picked and chose comments. You are all free to go look at the original context, which is why I went to the trouble of including the comment link.
What I loved about the whole discussion is the frank, fairly respectful tone of it.
Diane, I am glad that the candidicy of Romney gives a chance to have this frank, candid discussion about an oft-misunderstood religion.
As a practicing Mormon, I welcome the discussion. While it is a little uncomfortable to see pictures of the Mormon underwear, the discomfort comes because devout Mormons consider these garments as a symbol of sacred promises and we worry about such things being mocked or made profane.
Some of the promises include a commitment of complete fidelity to one's spouse. The fact that these promises are tied symbolically to clothing is a practical way of helping us remember those commitments. I mean if you are going to be unfaithful to your spouse, the process would involve the shedding of these garments, symbolically casting off your promises to God and your spouse.
The clothing is also of such a design as to encourage modest dress - hard to wear a low cut dress or tube top with these - not that I look that great in a tube top anyway:)!
Romney was here in Utah during the Olympics. I know he did a masterful job salvaging a terrible mess and turning a disaster into an incredible and profitable event. I think he is a great executive. I don't believe he would be a puppet to the LDS church, just as I don't think that Harry Reid, a Democrat and the Majority Leader in the Senate and also a Mormon is a puppet for the LDS church.
Thanks for the chance to have the discussion!
Posted by: Tim Stay | December 7, 2006 2:55 PM | Permalink to Comment