Nelson Jones

Belief, disbelief and beyond belief

Latter Day Taint?

Evidence suggests that Mitt Romney's religion is less important to voters than it is to reporters.

By Nelson Jones Published 07 February 2012 12:44

As Mitt Romney continues his sputtering but probably inevitable progress towards the Republican nomination, his Mormonism continues to provide a source of endless fascination for commentators, if not for the majority of actual voters. It is widely seen as the most interesting thing about him -- more interesting even than his vast wealth, modest tax bill or centrist record as governor of Massachusetts.

The latter, indeed, may count against him in the remaining primaries more than his religious affiliation which, considering the torrent of media speculation, has been mentioned very little during the campaign by the major candidates. Evangelical votes may have cost him South Carolina. Mormon votes undoubtedly boosted him in Nevada. But Romney's opponents on the religious right are (publicly at least) far more troubled by his perceived liberalism than by his membership of a minority faith.

Indeed, while the Evangelical wing of the Republican party always makes for great copy, its home-grown candidates have flopped badly in the primaries. Michele Bachmann and, perhaps more surprisingly, Rick Perry proved to have limited voter-appeal. In their search for a Stop Romney candidate, Christian conservatives have turned to two Catholics, one of whom (Newt Gingrich) has less than compelling religious credentials. The other, Rick Santorum, has now widely been written off, although he is said to be doing well in Minnesota. Most Evangelicals prefer him to Romney, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't prefer Romney to Obama.

A generation or two ago, the thought of Evangelical Protestants lining up behind a Catholic candidate would have seemed as unimaginable as their support for a Mormon might today. There is some evidence of resistance among some such voters to the idea of a Mormon president. A survey last year showed that 47 per cent of white evangelical Protestants would be somewhat or very comfortable with a Mormon in the White House -- more than the 42 per cent of the general population who expressed a similar sentiment, but not dramatically more. And Mormons were viewed favourably by two thirds of the public, including by two thirds of Protestant evangelicals.

Mormons themselves, meanwhile, have mixed feelings about the relentless focus on their religion.

Romney's major problem with such voters is his image as a Massachusetts liberal. In the run up to the South Carolina primary, a leading Southern Baptist, Richard Land, even criticised him for being "not Mormon enough", contrasting his previously liberal stances on issues such as abortion or gay marriage with the conservative line generally taken by the Latter Day Saints. He seems to have taken the hint, launching a charm offensive aimed especially at Catholics. Last night, for example, he lambasted new federal regulations requiring that employee healthcare plans offered by hospitals, universities and other institutions include provision for contraceptives and morning-after pills.

Responding to Catholic fears that the rules would apply to them, Romney described the proposals as "a violation of conscience". "We must have a president who is willing to protect America's first right: our right to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience," he said. Similarly, earlier this week he urged supporters to sign a petition condemning "the Obama administration's attacks on religious liberty."

As ever with Romney, there's a subtlety in his choice of words: the reference to "the dictates of our own conscience" might have been aimed at those suspicious of his own belief-system. And his appeal to the First Amendment points to his continuing desire to preserve the separation of his own religious and political spheres. The overriding sense, though, is of someone determined to say whatever it takes to win the nomination. The question remains whether he can do so while saying little enough to stand a chance in November's general election.

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Tags: Mitt Romney Religion

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47 comments

Fri, 2012-05-18 05:43 — Lakers (not verified)

Your conclusion that pundits focus more on his religion than voters is almost certainly correct. The exceptions get all the attention, but for the most part Americans don't judge someone but their religion or skin color or other irrelevant traits. Romney himself talks about religion far less than many GOP candidates, it's obviously not a major part of his campaign in his view.

One thing this article didn't catch is that Romney's word choice closely matches one of Mormons' articles of faith- they say "we claim the privilege of worshiping God ACCORDING TO THE DICTATES OF OUR OWN CONSCIENCE, and allow all people the same privilege to worship how they may". So when he said that, he was saying something he really believes.

Mon, 2012-04-09 04:24 — John Cheese (not verified)

Much to discuss in the US Prez November election about religion. The Dems will actually cringe at in-depth Mormon review because it opens up 0bummers' Muslim school upbringing & his Rev Wright Critical Race theology exposure. Where's the popcorn?

Fri, 2012-02-10 17:29 — Des Demona (not verified)

'To become a God, do you have to answer questions?'

No.I provide answers my son. Usually in the form of tablets or golden books. Sometimes spoken. Depends what mood I'm in. I never actually appear in person though. A bit of mystery keeps people interested.

Fri, 2012-02-10 17:38 — Keir

'No.'

Then shut the fig up, and let Caydon answer. Let him suffer embarrassment, mirthful ridicule and oblivion. If he insists.

And stuff your tedious, sly propaganda where it belongs.

Thu, 2012-02-09 10:46 — Des Demona (not verified)

See.... I'm not really getting this Caydon. Though I did like Ken Follet's Pillars of The Earth.

You say you are not polytheistic and only believe in one god but at the same time say...
'The most exciting thing to me, as a Mormon, is that I may become a God'

I mean ..... that's a little contradictory is in not?

I do feel a little like I'm engaging in bear baiting now - I'm out.

Wed, 2012-02-08 15:14 — Des Demona (not verified)

Dammit - another religion I need to fake interest in or lose out on. This time for exaltation to godhood no less!

Quit raising the bar you guys!

Fri, 2012-02-10 19:05 — Keir

'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is *not* a cult.'

Then there are no cults. A cult is a discrete organisation, with a street address, that claims to be the sole means of spiritual success. The ridiculously named 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' falls into that category.

'This proves that Testimony #1 is true.'

It does no such thing.

'This proves beyond a doubt that we may become Gods'

Either you're lying, or you need psychiatric treatment.

This is the UK, Caydon, not Nevada. We are not lobotomised here. One of our humorists (WS Gilbert) long ago wrote:

"I know he is a great and good man. He told me so himself."

Now people in Ohio and Alabama probably don't see any humour or even humor in that. But we do. And your posts deserve to suffer embarrassment, mirthful ridicule and oblivion, because they are not intended as humour. If shining sea met shining sea, the global economy would receive a shock, but global culture would not suffer.

Tue, 2012-02-07 19:22 — Keir

Of course not. Many people will lie through their teeth if the alternative is obedience to the hard sayings of Jesus.

Now what would be worth inspection is those golden plates, complete with special spectacles.

As well as an explanation of why the 19th century BoM is written in early 17th century English, of course.

Maybe Mitt will reveal these mysteries on the hustings.

Wed, 2012-02-08 16:36 — Keir

'There is more proof for what Prophet Joseph Smith taught than any other religion.'

Then why did Smith borrow the language of the 'King James Bible'?

Wed, 2012-02-08 17:19 — Des Demona (not verified)

@ Caydon

Then explain it to me.

Who exalted god as a mere man to god?Was there an earlier God? Or was it his own exaltation? In which case how did anyone know he had exalted himself. Unless he was the only man? In which case where did he come from?

A few toughies in there I know but do your best if you will?

Wed, 2012-02-08 17:20 — Keir

'we too have the hope of being exalted to be gods'

By what means?

Tue, 2012-02-07 21:24 — Hugh Markey (not verified)

Still can' fathom how a rich Mormon can afford only one wife.
And for Mitt to protest he is a champion of 'small' government when his Mormon antecedents claimed to believe Native Americans were the descendants of a branch of the Israelites and then entreated the government of the United States to give their followers' title to Native American land is a little hard to 'swaller'.
"White Man speak with forked tongue!" Kinda familiar.

Zane Grey

Thu, 2012-02-09 20:48 — Keir

“You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves.”

Can that be done without joining a cult?

Thu, 2012-02-09 23:34 — jankaas (not verified)

@Caydon

"The most exciting thing to me, as a Mormon, is that I may become a God. This fact alone is more exciting to me, personally, than anything that is taught in the Protestant or Catholic church."

and if there was a version of Christianity that taught you that you would become 2 gods, would that fact be more exciting to you, personally, than anything that is taught in the Mormon church?

Wed, 2012-02-08 00:32 — Keir

'It is well known to historians that Christian doctrine changed over time and across different Christian groups.'

Are all Mormons so crass?

Protestantism famously asserts that Christian doctrine has not changed at all since apostolic times. All historians know that. Perhaps others pretend not to.

Mormonism is doctrinally akin to Roman Catholicism, that is diametrically opposed to Protestantism. It arose among the educationally deprived of a still primitive nation as a substitute for Catholicism, that could make only limited headway due to an unsympathetic, non-peasant culture.
Like Catholicism, Mormonism is for the less mentally able, and is organised to exploit them. There is a case for making it illegal, like other cults.

Wed, 2012-02-08 20:31 — Claus-Erik Hamle (not verified)

www.mcremo.com Darwin 0 Religious Nutters 0. It seems we blow it all up now and then, maybe only 300,000 years ago.

Mon, 2012-02-13 08:11 — Kimpatsu (not verified)

Romney's rekligion is very important. He was an elder in the Church when they finally overturned their ban on black people in the 1970s. (Just in time for the Supreme Court ruling.) We have a right to know where he stood on this issue, and whether he believes in magic underwear, because do we really want a president who thinks Jesus can save the USA through special pants?

Wed, 2012-02-08 22:00 — Keir

'He was a man before he became a god'

How did he become a god?

Fri, 2012-02-10 12:17 — Keir

To become a God, do you have to answer questions?

Wed, 2012-02-08 23:13 — Des Demona (not verified)

@ keir
''How did he become a god?''

Through exaltation I believe? But I have learned that Mormons must be polytheist if they believe in more than one god (being that is apoparently what they are all aiming to be)

And @ Richard

I believe that people can believe whatever the heck they like, what gets on my tits is this 'my religion is better than yours' bollox as evidenced by Caydon at 03.18
'Protestants and Catholics completely misunderstand and will miss out on exaltation'

And so it goes on.....

Wed, 2012-02-08 23:18 — Keir

'Through exaltation I believe?'

Oh, right. Can you get that on the NHS?

Better let a Mormon explain. It may be some time.

Wed, 2012-02-08 23:22 — Des Demona (not verified)

Oh, right. Can you get that on the NHS?

Probably not if the reforms go through ( or shoiuld that be reformation?)

Wed, 2012-02-08 23:25 — Keir

Deformation. But this is off topic. We await Caydon.

Wed, 2012-02-08 10:58 — Keir

'If Christianity never changed, then why did the Reformation happen?'

One of the disadvantages of modern Western education is that people don't realise how dumbed down they are. An internet available to all is some sort of a joke.

Wed, 2012-02-08 12:53 — Keir

Small? No. Cults can be huge, like the Vatican's crazy outfit.

Excessive devotion? Straw man.

Unethical techniques? Try asking Mormons to talk with you one on one.

Strange? Crackpot. Really. Mitt is mad. Or bluffing.

Evasive? See this thread.