Mitt Romney's victory in the Iowa Republican caucus is not, by itself, very significant. But it does show Romney's strength among conservative activists, and it confirms that his candidacy cannot be dismissed. Many analysts across the political spectrum believe that Romney won' t have a chance to be a serious contender until he addresses the Mormon issue. Many political strategists have suggested that Romney make a move similar to the one that John F. Kennedy made when he went before the Baptists and essentially told them that his Catholicism would have no bearing whatsoever on his decisions as president. So should Romney make a similar declaration?
No. What Kennedy did was perhaps politically necessary to diffuse anti-Catholic prejudice. Yet this is not the correct meaning of separation of church and state, which as the founders envisioned it would merely forbid the establishment of a national church or official theological orthodoxy. (In fact the founders had no problem with states having their own established churches, and several of them did.) Nowhere did Washington, Adams, Madison or even Jefferson (perhaps the least devout of the founders) claim that presidents could not be influenced by their own religious convictions. They would rightly have recognized this as absurd. Of course what was absurd for the founders is not necessarily absurd in the Kennedy household. If President John F. Kennedy knew how to govern without his Catholicism, Senator Ted Kennedy's moral values are so private that he refuses to impose them even on himself!
Leaving aside our peculiar Camelot crew, most people cannot separate their religious beliefs from who they are. Romney has a wonderful opportunity to make an important distinction. The distinction is between Mormon theology and Mormon morality. Theology is the province of revelation, and it is in the nature of revelation to be outside the province of rational debate. I cannot, for example, give you reasons why I believe in the Trinity. Morality, however, may derive from religion but it is entirely defensible in terms of reason. I don't need to appeal to the Book of Daniel or Jonah in the belly of the whale in order to convince you why government policy should protect human life or support the family as the institution for raising the next generation. Moral argument is at the core of what democratic debate and democratically-approved legislation is all about, as the debates over slavery and the civil rights movement clearly show.
Mormon theology is, at least for us non-Mormons, very strange. But Mormon morality is not strange at all. In fact, it is generally the same morality espoused by traditional Christianity and also by traditional Judaism, traditional Islam, and traditional Hinduism. Mormons as a group are wonderful people: creatively entrepreneurial, thoroughly devoted to their families, law-abiding and decent. They are, in fact, exemplary Republicans and conservatives. Romney should argue that his Mormon theology is a private belief but Mormon ethics and values are precisely those traditional American principles that built this country and now need to be revived.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 8)
31. cdnbirch -
You are way off base....some story about a woman getting kicked out of the LDS Church because she refused to get a black kid out of the scouts? I can tell you this much - it was not the LDS Church that would have done that!
Talk to Gladys Knight, Thurl Bailey, Winston Wilkinson....or scores of other LDS African-Americans!
In fact, many African-Americans that escaped slavery in the 1800's sought and were given refuge by Joseph Smith and the LDS Church! Several African-American men were set apart as missionaries in the 1800's...and one was ordained as a high ranking authority in the LDS Church in the 1800's!
"If" there was anyone kicked out of the LDS Church because they refused to let a young black child into the boy scouts - then it was an isolated case and NOT a church sanctioned act. If the Church knew that such action had taken place, the Church would have immediately disciplined and / or excommunicated the people that supposedly kicked this lady out of the Church!
The LDS Church has fought racism and slavery since its existence! They believe that ALL mankind are brothers and sisters!
www.blacklds.org
Instead of spewing ignorance and fear....find out the facts first!
Jacosta at 5:19AM on Aug 15th 2007
32. ""My friend was kicked out of the Mormon church and shunned by the her own family and friends when she refused to throw a black kid out her club scout pack.
There is no question that pologymy, ie sexual slavery starting with minor girls, is going on right now in the USA with the Mormon church turning a blind eye. And I guess Mormonism is like Islam in this reqard, once a member, they do not let you walk away easly. I have another friend who has been hiding over 30 years from these people.""
I just want to say as a person who was born in Utah and raised a mormon my entire life; although I am no longer an active member, these statements are completely false. First off, NEVER has the church discriminated against people of different races or attempted to throw people out. As for the polygamy the mormon church is 100% against it and the people who still practice polygamy call themselves latter day mormons and give us regular ones a bad name. Also the person who had to hide from the mormon church I cannot believe. As I said I am not active in the church, my kids are not raised in the church and we have never had to HIDE from the church... ever. I occasionaly have neighbors who I run into casually who ask if theres anything they or the church can do to help us out and I politely decline and it's left at that with no questions asked.
I just wanted to help clear up peoples minds so they don't let silly things like that that aren't true stop them from voting for a good candidate.
Rebecca at 1:18PM on Aug 13th 2007
33. Dinesh can't explain why he believes in the "Trinity" but he thinks the rest of us should be RULED by a bunch of wackos who also cannot explain why they believe in the same Fairey tales.
Randy at 1:48PM on Aug 13th 2007
34. Morality is not derived from religion. American anti-theist Christopher Hitchens has issued the challenge to name a moral act or a moral statement that could not be made by an atheist. It can't be done. You slander Thomas Jefferson when you describe him as "least devout". Jefferson was not devout at all.
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear."-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787
Brandy at 2:17PM on Aug 13th 2007
35. Dinesh, you are a very clear thinking fellow. I believe just about everything you wrote in your books and your blogs. You are wonderful on BookTV, too.
Bob at 2:29PM on Aug 13th 2007
36. Well regardless of the brandy, I think Romney would make a good president.
I am Roman Catholic and do not know much about Mormanism, but I agree with D'Souza that the difference between theology and morality is important.
I want a president who has decent morals, and is otherwise well qualified for the job, and by these criteria, Romney fits the bill.
Since this is a prmiary contest, it is important to compare Romney to the others Republicans candidates:
McCain - A very good man, but is now getting on in years.
Giuliani - Too liberal and his private life is too chaotic
Thompson - Would be on his one or as good running mate for Romney.
Ron Paul - Is not a serious contender
Huckabee - Another good man, but I am tired of southerners running things. He would make someone a good running mate though.
Brownback - A good man and possible running mate for whoever wins the primary.
Tancredo - A good guy, but too loud and grouchy on what to do about Mexicans.
Thompson - Maybe a good running mate for someone.
I like the fact that Romney was a governor, and so he has experience in the executive branch of government. The fact that he was a mayor also helps Giuliani, but he will not win for other reasons (noted). Since generally we hold the executive branch more accountable than we hold the legislative branch, senators and representatives are accustommed to finger pointing and the blame game, while governors try to actually get things accomplished.
For now then, in my book as far as the Republicans are concerned, it is Romney or Thompson.
Ken Berg at 2:42PM on Aug 13th 2007
37. Story Quote: "I cannot, for example, give you reasons why I believe in the Trinity."
Although the word "Trinity" is not mentioned in the Bible, the concept certainly is - in the "Great Commission" of Jesus: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the *Father* and of the *Son* and of the *Holy Spirit*."
Bruce at 2:50PM on Aug 13th 2007
38. -- As hypocrites the Repubicans really cannot be beat. --
The Democrats are just as good as the Republicans at being hyporcrites. It's just that the liberals are better at spinning their hypocracy (if you know what "is" is).
I believe it was candidate Bill Clinton who promised to make abortion "safe, legal, and rare."
I guess two out of three ain't bad. Of course he never intented to make abortion "rare."
But the one thing Clinton could never promise, was to make abortion *moral*.
Bruce at 3:02PM on Aug 13th 2007
39. I don't vote for someone for his/her religion. I vote for someone because of his or her political positions plus his/her morality, which, I agree, can be separated from religion. My brother is an atheist, and he is one of the most moral people I know. I am a Mormon for 41 years, and I don't think I'll vote for Romney because he's not a true conservative. I don't think there is a candidate out there who is conservative enough for me. I may have to settle on the most conservative one on the final ballot, but I doubt it will be Romney.
Mary at 3:13PM on Aug 13th 2007
40. Dinesh and others of his ilk continue this fantasy of quoting the founding fathers and that nonsense that this country was built upon a higher calling. What drivel. Why should Romney pander to the fundamentalist? Because, if he wants to be President he nneds to define the similarities of his faith and diffuse the differences. It;s that simple. Enough with all that other American Mythos.
Frank at 4:15PM on Aug 13th 2007
41. Church of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormon church, or Baptist church, or Catholic church makes little difference to those who believe:
The Apostle Paul said, “If we are dead with him (Jesus), we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him, if we deny him, he also will deny us. If we believe not, yet he abides faithful he cannot deny himself. “
Whether of believe or not, Christ abides faithful and cannot deny himself. If we deny Christ the only begotten Son of God, He will deny us. Romney believes and so do millions of evangelical born-again Christians. You may also attach other names/labels as conservative, Republican, person of faith, but always the name of Jesus the Christ.
Alan Klaus at 4:23PM on Aug 13th 2007
42. Hey Bruce # 37 - Bush has made abortions more rare? Actually they have increased under Bush. At least the Democrats are up front about supporting abortion rights (which the majority of Americans do, by the way - with restrictions, yes).
Perhaps Bruce you need to hold your own party accountable. Not one elected Republican has called for abortion to made illegal - not one. It is easy to scream "Pro-life" with nothing to back it up. If you truly believe abortion is murder, have the guts to say so. Call for jailing women to be jailed who get abortions - then see how many elections Republicans win!!
David S. at 4:35PM on Aug 13th 2007
43. Pertaining the comments by cdnbirch: Your lack of real knowledge about the beliefs and practices of the Mormon church comes through in your prejudicial and senationalizing sound bites. Try speaking with a practicing member of the Mormon faith (especially women) before slinging the mud of ignorance. Some of your comments remind me of the nonsense spewed at the Salem witch hunts.
speakthetruth at 4:41PM on Aug 13th 2007
44. I for one (and I don't care if I'm the only one) believe Ron Paul is contender. He's been in the legislature for decades, has sound fiscal, foreign and domestic policy ideas and experience.
If it appears Romney is a little too perfect - heed that thought and take a minute to ponder why that is.
I also like Fred Thompson and believe he could enhance any ticket.
Kity at 4:40PM on Aug 13th 2007
45. Joanna,
Am I out of date about the Morman church? I thought they relegated women to second class status. Women don't even get their own planet. Don't women in the Mormon tradition obey theiur husbands, and have lots of babies and be good housekeepers? Can the Phrophet now be a woman?
And what percentage of the mormon church in the usa are people of color? I know all blacks were banned until the Pac 10 schools refused to play BYU because of the racial discrimination. It took about 2 weeks for God to contact the Prophet and say blacks could join. But they are hardly welcome, isn't that right?
cdnbirch at 5:56PM on Aug 13th 2007