Most traditional barriers to religion in presidential elections have toppled, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll has found. Uneasiness about some religions persists. Thirty-seven percent of those questioned said they would not vote for a Mormon presidential candidate, and 54% said no to the prospect of a Muslim in the White House.
In addition, 21% said they could not vote for an evangelical Christian. Fifteen percent said they would not vote for a Jewish presidential candidate, and 10% were unwilling to cast ballots favoring a Catholic chief executive .
No Muslims appear likely to seek the presidency in 2008. But the numbers could be a threat to Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (as the Mormon Church is formally known) who is exploring a run for the GOP presidential nomination. Read the story here.
Romney considers himself a “Christian” but Mormon’s know all the right lingo to make you think they are Christians. But make no mistake about it- they believe you have to work your way to heaven!
So, what does an evangelical Christian do? Could we actually vote for a Mormon? Bill Clinton is a Southern Baptist, yet he is as pro-choice as they come. Jimmy Carter is a SBC’er also, yet he is a liberal to moderate. What do we do? I think we believers need to really think seriously about this. Romney is pro-life, against gay marriages, and limits on stem cell research. Look at the other candidates and it makes you wonder. Could those of us who are evangelical believers support a Mormon and how would that line up with our faith?
I think that this will be the most fascinating element of the 2008 GOP nomination run. Personally, I don’t think that Romnery will win the nomination. I think that it will come down to McCain and Rice. My money is on McCain.
To play somewhat of a devil’s advocate, but also really questioning myself, I would ask why it really matters? He would not be a leader of the church, therefore, his doctrines would be in question. It is not as though we are putting an elder within the church up there who has as heretical views as the Mormons do.
Likewise, he is not going to be a leader within the convention.
I guess I would simply ask if you would raise such similar questions if a non-believer was running for the same secular office?
sofyst,
You are right. I’m just asking the question if Christians will vote for him. I would have much rather had Bob Dole than Clinton and I never hear anything about Dole’s faith. The same with President Ford vs. Carter.
It’s McCain/Lieberman, and they’ll beat any Condi Rice or Hilary Clinton tickets.
…interesting…
remember that kennedy’s election was unbelievable b/c he was catholic… not much has changed…
Joe,
Falwell is supporting McCain. I can’t vote for Condi after hearing about her pro-choice views.
Adam,
Happy Anniversery!
I’m leaning McCain, but if it were a choice between Romney & Hillary, I’ll have a Romney sticker on my car! If we vote strictly on what faith someone belongs to, we could get another Clinton. When it comes down to it, no matter who is in the Whitehouse is going to bring the spiritual renewal this country needs. Spiritual renewal will start in the church. We, as pastors, will lead that – not the President.
Bill Hybels puts it this wya, “The local church is the hope the of the world!” I totally agree.
I could never vote for a Mormon…a cult which I believe would like to become a theocracy. As to their being Christians I’ll leave that one up to God. When one looks at Utah and how the Mormon Church rules I don’t care to see our President belonging to the Church of Latter Day Saints.
RHagaman:
7 Levels of Heaven, 3 Levels of Hell?
They become gods when they die, get own world (men only)
Women only get to Heaven by marrying a man, thus the need for polygamy
Abrogation
Continued revelation
Over-emphasis on the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and others
Virutally ignore the Bible, although they claim it
Extreme legalism
And finally… how do you get across the Atlantic in boats with holes in the bottom? And the Angel Moroni? And Golden Spectacles? And where are the Tablets? Hmm, yeah, and why does the RLDS say that Brigham Young was a heretic? Who is right?
I’m not saying anything either, chief. I’m leaving it up to God. But let’s be clear of the blaring differences.
For the record, I’m not particularly in support of any political Evangelical (read: Baptist) as President any more than I am any particular Republican or Democrat or WhatHaveYou. I just don’t know that the two SHOULD mix the way that they could.
Not until the one leader who can do it right comes back to establish the KINGDOM.
Dr Rice has already said that she is NOT interested in the Presidency. I take her at her word.
I was a “McCain man” in 2000–and still think that he would have been far superior to what we have now. Be that as it may, we have what we have–for another two long years.
I honestly feel the “church” has put waaaay too much stock in the “political system.” It seems like the Evangelicals are almost married to the “Republican Party..” and that isn’t right.
The Church must be the “Body of Christ”–not just the “religious right” fringe.
Joe Kennedy
Thanks for setting forth the differences. I’m quite aware of them but let my dislike of this cult come forth without making it clear why I feel as I do. I’ve studied Mormism and while I know not what will become the Universal Church in the Last Days the Church of Latter Day Saints sure fits the bill.
Why the hoo-ha over the religious beliefs of a Presidential candidate?
Our Prime Ministers have included atheists, Catholics, Protestants, and for all I know, Buddhists as well. We’ve also had two Jewish Governors General- one of whom was appointed by a Catholic Prime Minister. FYI, in case you don’t know what that is, a GG is the direct representsative of our Queen. They all discharged their duties as they were required to do, and nobody gave a hoot what God they worshipped. That’s how it should be. Where I live, our Premier is an Arab Catholic, our Lord Mayor is a Chinese Buddhist, the rest of the government is comprised of the usual assortment found in Australia, and nobody cares a jot.
If I recall correctly ( and I am old enough to remember the election of JFK) there was considerable concern about your having a Catholic president. That bemused us, as we were quite accustomed to having Catholic leaders. Well, JFK didn’t usher in the reign of the Spanish Inquisition, as some of the more demented American voters had feared. He did a lot of good, and also cheated on his wife, thereby showing that he was as human as the rest of us.
You have a constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion, so why do you agonise over the religion of your presidents???
Wow, RHagaman and Joe Kennedy seem to be out to prove the point that people are ignorant about LDS beliefs. You should judge people as people, not for the particulars of their belief. Especially since most people have little to no real education on religion or the history of religion. The fact is that Mitt Romney is a great guy who has shown excellent leadership in every position that he has held. I admit that I knew almost nothing about Mitt Romney until recently but when you look at his accomplishments you have to admit that he is either the luckiest guy in the world or the best candidate for presidency in my lifetime.
joe kennedy- whoever you are- please stop. i like how you’re “leaving it up to god” but you still think it’s okay to trash on people in the meantime…. that makes alot of sense. if you’re going to leave it up to god- then why dont’ you stop judging people and do just that- leave it up to god. it would be much appreciated and i think it would do you some good in the long run as well to be perfectly honest.
Maddie….don’t you see??? Joe Kennedy is no more than one of the Massachusetts clan hiding in a blog.
They are terrified that a man who can talk with God might become President!!!
Bill,
Joe Kennedy doesn’t have a racist bone in his body. He was one of my college students in Mobile.
What terrifies me is having a person who worships a cult.
Where did we mention the word racist??? Have I missed something???
You said the clan.
O.K. You got me on that one. Clan (my innocent definition) is another meaning for a group, not the literal KKK. I was speaking of the the Ted Kennedy’s of Massachusetts
fair enough.
for us Bama boys that is what we think when we hear the clan.
I like you Bama boys…except…the 3rd Saturday in October. Guess we will play to another 6 to 3 or 10 to 7 game again this year. You know…they really haven’t been too exciting offensively have they?
I still do not know what a chilipepper is other than something hot???
Bill,
It is a youth conference in the Smokey’s.
Well…then enjoy your time in paradise. You know there is the possibility of an ice storm…so…please be careful???
Last week was the Methodist youth. Traffic was unbelieveable. My advice…park your car in town and walk ha/ha.
Have fun and God bless!
this unbelievable bigotry in 2007 will put Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barrack Hussein Obama in the White House.
Voters, the real issue is that Mormonism is a cult and a business that has wanted to take over the US and the World since his crooked founder Joseph Smith created it and became “President” of the Mormon Army. This is why the Feds had to take care of him (a coop). Why do you think that the rest of the cult had to leave the east coast and take over the Native Americans at their new headquarters in Utah? It’s hard to find Native Americans in “Utah”. The majority of the Utah population are inbreeds and descendants of Brigham Young. This is a cult that has been taught to hate and take over the rest of the US.
The LDS are secretly owners or stock holders of most major businesses in the US and overseas (IE: The Utah State, Marriott Hotels, Delta Airlines, Wells Fargo, Deseret Industries, the Mormon Temples, to name a few). You are afraid of Osama, well be afraid of the power of Hinckley (their acting president).
They do not care or help anyone in need unless you are a Mormon, or they are in public eyes and their “Bishop” signs a paper. Romney is just a puppet of the LDS cult. Read some history. Although, the LDS cult has tried to cover their facts with the promised secrecy of their followers, one can find the LDS questionable actions everywhere in black and white, starting with the Book of Mormons. Believe what you want, but when you vote remember that we only have one USA.
Ed:
You state the case against Romney much stronger than I have but I agree with all you say. I have no problem with Romney and his personal beliefs….I just don’t want him or any other Mormon in the Oval office. If one can believe in the Mormon fairy tale they don’t need to be leading the USA.
I do not support Mitt Romney for President and I’m a Mormon. People in the Latter-day Saint faith are not all monolithic. The LDS Church is a vast quilt or patchwork of many different cultures and groups throughout the world. I do not support Mitt Romney because I do not trust Mitt Romney. He is far too corporate oriented and Ironically I know from studying the journals of Joseph Smith and his contemporaries that Joseph Smith would never have supported Mitt for President either partly because Mitt Romney is an anti-populist politician who cares more for the corporate rights than individual civil rights. Joseph Smith was very much a populist patriot which is the complete opposite of what Mitt Romney is.
Also Mitt will do almost anything to get ahold of that power including changing his political standing (on several major issues) which he did a few years ago. How can anyone trust a man like that?
About the “fairy tale” how can you know whether what you are experiencing is real or not? What is reality? Also your reality and someone else’s may be very different. Science cannot explain everything. It is a powerful and wonderful tool but it is not the sum total of truth and it does not always explain everything. To believe that it does is extremely arrogant and naieve.