Mitt Romney and Mormonism

[blueerica]

Again, I agree with Alex.

This was brought up in a class discussion this Summer, and the distressing thing for me is that many objected to his religion because they didn't think he (and Mormons) believed in Jesus or God. I am not Mormon, but a good portion of my family is. Heck, I'm Agnostic. But... they do believe in the same God of the Christians, the same God of the Catholics, they believe in the same Jesus. It just goes to show how clueless so many are.

There's a lot (IMO) to disagree with the LDS church over, but what many have voiced their disagreements with Mormonism over is simply stupid.

[3894]

Originally Posted by blueerica

But... they do believe in the same God of the Christians, the same God of the Catholics, they believe in the same Jesus. It just goes to show how clueless so many are.

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

What I find interesting (and somewhat comical) is how his running is putting so much focus on this (often and very) misunderstood religion.

If the Mormon Church were a lot more transparent about what the beliefs are ... but that is not the case.

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by 3894

If the Mormon Church were a lot more transparent about what the beliefs are ... but that is not the case.

The church provides a website where everyone can go and learn all about the beliefs. All the scriptures are made available free to the public, on the website or in print.

The only thing not made public are the more sacred parts of one of the temple ceremonies. But nothing in that ceremony is new information to those who participate. In other words, all of the doctrines and beliefs taught in the temple are in the scriptures or other public references.

So I really don't know what you're talking about.

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

The only thing not made public are the more sacred parts of one of the temple ceremonies. But nothing in that ceremony is new information to those who participate. In other words, all of the doctrines and beliefs taught in the temple are in the scriptures or other public references.

Would that be the part where they get anointed with oil on their privates and baptized in a huge tub on the backs of 12 oxen? Or is there something more secretive than that?

But really, the mormons I know are great people. My only concerns lie in the separation of church and state. As far as which religion... doesn't matter.

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Would that be the part where they get anointed with oil on their privates and baptized in a huge tub on the backs of 12 oxen? Or is there something more secretive than that?

Nobody gets anointed on their privates (not even if you wanted it). Not every temple has a baptismal font on the backs of 12 oxen. But baptism is also done in most of the church buildings and anyone is welcome to watch. Nothing secret about baptism.

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by 3894

If the Mormon Church were a lot more transparent about what the beliefs are ... but that is not the case.

I don't think it's all that difficult to find information on the LDS church in this day and age of teh intrawebs. Perhaps once upon a time the mystery over what they believe could be a credible argument for the people I was referring to, but it simply isn't the case. Anyone, save for those so hopelessly in the boonies they have access to nothing, can go to mormon.org or even Wikipedia to get some reliable information on the Latter-Day Saints. Heck, even in my church-going dying-to-believe in something days at a Baptist church in Michigan, we covered LDS and they said they believed in God and Jesus, but they were wrong about Joseph Smith, or some such thing.

Maybe my earlier post didn't clarify enough what these people were in disagreement over, but the people quoted in the article from over the Summer disagreed with Romney because he "didn't believe in the same God" and some equated Mormonism with "Devil Worship." What distresses me is how many in the general population make assumptions and become vocal without becoming informed, even on the most basic level. The general population's treatment of those whose religious views, lifestyles, and whatever else that is different from themselves is disappointing at best - which is commentary on the public, and not-so-much Romney.

Toward the original post, religion plays a factor in my decision to vote. It clues me into how he may or may not react to things that are important to me. I would vote for a Mormon if his beliefs and how he may vote align with my own preferences, just as I would vote for a "regular" Christian, a Catholic, a Jew, a Hindu, a Muslim. To that end, what has disappointed me about Romney was his pro-choice stance that changed due to Republican/Conservative pressures. As much as LDS has blended church and state (take a trip to SLC and take a look for yourself), for the most part I got a "freedom of religion" and "freedom of lifestyle" vibe from Romney early on, but of course he's flipped on that, too. Or so it seems.

Religion aside, he seems like someone who I wouldn't vote for on account of his flip-floppiness and general phoniness.