There is something interesting, if a little troubling, going on in the Republican Party.
At the Values Voter Summit Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, who introduced Rick Perry, told the media that Mormonism is a cult. On this we can probably agree. At the very least, Mormonism is not Christian.
But Jefress went on to say that Christians have a duty to reject competent Mormon candidates in favor of competent Christian ones. On this point, I am not sure I agree. For clarity’s sake, he is exactly what he said.
You described it as a cult and you said that if a Republican votes for Mitt Romney, they’re giving some credibility to a cult. Do you stand by that comment?
DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DALLAS: Oh, absolutely. And that’s not some fanatical comment. That’s been the historic position of evangelical Christianity. The Southern Baptist Convention, which is the largest Protestant denomination in the world, has officially labeled Mormonism as a cult.
I think Mitt Romney’s a good, moral man, but I think those of us who are born-again followers of Christ should always prefer a competent Christian to a competent – to a competent non-Christian like Mitt Romney.
So that’s why I’m enthusiastic about Perry.
ACOSTA: But what do you say to those voters who say that religion as Mormonism shouldn’t be an issue in this campaign? He’s just as American as anyone else.
JEFFRESS: I agree he’s just as American as anyone else. And Article Six of the Constitution –
ACOSTA: And Mormons do say they are Christians. They say that. They believe in Jesus Christ.
JEFFRESS: A lot of people say they’re Christians and they’re not, but they do not embrace historical Christianity. And I, again, believe that as Christians, we have the duty to prefer and select Christians as our leaders. That’s what John Jay, the first chief justice of the Supreme Court said.
And again, when I think we’ve got a choice, as Evangelicals, between a Rick Perry and a Mitt Romney, I believe Evangelicals need to go with Rick Perry.
Now Catholic Bill Bennett, addressing the summit criticized Jefress and urged the crowd not to give into bigotry.
Bennett responded today by exhorting the crowd, “Do not give voice to bigotry.” Furthermore, Bennett addressed his comments to Jeffress directly, saying. “You did Perry no good, sir,” and accused him of stepping on the other candidates as well. Bennett then joked that, as a Catholic, he can argue that he had it right the longest, to plenty of good-natured laughter.
I agree wholeheartedly with Bennett when he says Jefress did Perry no good. This is a most unwelcome distraction. And while I do not agree that Christians *must* choose a Christian over a Mormon, I also do not agree with Bennett that this necessarily constitutes bigotry.
I think that we must evaluate candidates on their positions, their experience, and their demonstrated judgment. In the area of judgment, I think it is reasonable to factor in a candidates religious beliefs. If a candidate held all the right positions and had loads of experience, but was also a Wiccan, I can assure you this would cause me to call into question their judgment.
That said, I don’t think its axiomatic that someone who was born into Mormonism and who has not left it has demonstrated such poor judgment that it disqualifies him. That said, the fact that just ten years ago he proudly claimed to be pro-choice may.
Jefress did Perry no good in bringing up and phrasing the issue the way he did. Conversely, I don’t think that Bennett is doing the party any good by claiming all such opposition based on religion is “giving into bigotry.”
Judgment matters. In choosing candidates and choosing religions.
October 8, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Do you remember Jimmy Akin's take on the subject? I think it was a well reasoned prudential argument as to why electing a polytheist as president is not a good idea.
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/should-america-elect-a-polytheist-who-claims-to-be-christian#ixzz1U5knTZZn
Though I have many more reasons to reject Mitt Romney since as a Florida resident I see him as just another Charlie Crist.
October 8, 2011 at 5:39 pm
DOES HE PROCTICE THE TRUTH HE HOLDS?
October 8, 2011 at 5:40 pm
DOES HE PRACTICE THE TRUTHS HE HOLDS?
October 8, 2011 at 5:49 pm
This used to be Catholics. Catholics should defend Mormons, or any other discriminated religious group. This used to be us. These fundies still think it about us, but they don't say it. And it will be us again, the way things are going.
October 8, 2011 at 6:11 pm
I can't stand Romney, but this is just a plain dumb line of attack. And Jeff, yes I read Jimmy Akin's article, but I think it was a foolish idea as he truly exaggerates the effects of electing a Mormon.
October 8, 2011 at 7:13 pm
I agree with what you wrote. As for the "This used to be Catholics." remember, we have 2000 years of logic and reason behind us as well as some of the best and brightest minds in history in almost every field. Good religions encourages reason and discussion, whereas cults do not. Most of the Mormons (or JW's) I've encountered refuse to discuss – the JW's were told it was a sin against Jehovah to "argue".
This myopic view of "reasoned thought" would not be good in leadership roles.
October 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Issues, issues, issues. I don't care if you worship trees, wear tin-foil hats, or think the universe is perched on the back of a giant tortise.
Just be socially and fiscally conservative.
October 8, 2011 at 9:06 pm
To outright reject Romney because he is Mormon is wrong, but if there is another candidate who is similar, but a Christian, then go ahead and choose the Christian over the Mormon. I have other issues with Romney. His Mormonism is the least of my concerns. As Christians we should be supporting other Christians who choose to get into the cesspool of politics.
October 9, 2011 at 7:45 pm
What ever happened to the content of one's character? Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Mikulski are supposedly Catholic and would run as such, given the chance, but are they anyone I would vote for? Rick Santorum, on the other hand, is truly Catholic and it has formed his character.
I think Herman Cain has the same solid character, and he is a Baptist. Obama went to a Christian church, led by Jeremiah Wright, for 20 years, and I am stunned by his lack of character. He is a suit with nothing inside.
I honestly can't get a sense of who Mitt Romney is, really. There is more politician than person there from what I have seen.
Perry has a very strong sense of himself, but I think his "my way or the highway" attitude makes people nervous.
Our country has lost it's sense of direction, we need a real person with real integrity, and a moral compass. That's the only kind of leader that is going to be able to turn this thing around.
October 9, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Mormons are christians. It's pretty easy to see that – all their beliefs and teachings are centered on Jesus Christ. They read the Bible and worship Jesus Christ. Anyone who says otherwise clearly hasn't checked it out thoroughly.
October 10, 2011 at 7:26 am
I love you Archibolds, but you are wrong in your conclusion just as anonymous stating that mormons are Christians is wrong. You state "If a candidate held all the right positions and had loads of experience, but was also a Wiccan, I can assure you this would cause me to call into question their judgment." Why would you question the judgement of a Wiccan but not a Mormon? Does Romney believe that he will be a god, one of many, who will procreate with his spirit wife? Will the spirit babies they produce be the future people who will worship him as god in the universe he will be a god of? Does he believe that God the Father, a separate god (Mormon's are not trinitarian), came down and had actual sexual relations with Mary to conceive Jesus, brother of Lucifer?
So why is it that you will call into question the judgement of a Wiccan, but not of a mormon? Is it the doctrine they have of the 3 levels of heaven with one ruled by the Holy Ghost, one by Jesus, and one by the Father, all of whom are separate and unequal? Do you give them some benefit of the doubt because they put the name of Jesus in their title? I'm not sure what the reason "I don't think its axiomatic that someone who was born into Mormonism and who has not left it has demonstrated such poor judgment that it disqualifies him." I say someone who knows the tenants of this false religion shows an incredible lack of judgement. Than again the Baptist leaves himself open with some choice comments about his own embrace of heresy. We should pray for both Mitt Romney and Jeffres, as they are both in heresy and outside the One True Faith, that of Holy Mother Church, for let us not forget the doctrine of Extra Ecclesia Nulla Solis. Ad Gloriam Ecclesiae!
October 10, 2011 at 3:58 pm
The reason why the Powers That Be hate the idea of a Catholic becoming president, or holding any office of importance in America, is because they are afraid he will one day act according to his Catholic upbringing. Which is fair enough even though, of course, few Catholic politicians would ever dream of acting in a a Catholic manner. (The only Catholic in the race, Mr Santorum, is Catholic only on some issues; on others, sadly, he is a typical AIPAC stooge like all the rest).
That is the same reason why people who understand Mormonism for what it is are afraid that a Moromon president will also one day act according to his upbringing. As a general rule, Mormons regard the USA as the "promised land", are quite militarily-inclined, are patriotic for the wrong reasons, are religiously nuts (they are not Christians, contrary to what some posters allege), are generally of good moral character, etc. That translates into a President who would continue the insane wars of aggression we are now fighting while doing very little on social, cultural and moral issues.
And, of course, Mr Romney would be a reliable AIPAC asset.
October 11, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Since all who rule must do so subject to the rule of Christ the King, all things being equal, a competent Catholic should be more willing and able to do so than an otherwise competent Mormon. So for me generally, the better a Catholic the candidate is, the more I will vote for him since he will have a better idea of true justice, etc.
That being said, some non-Catholics are better Catholics than some CINOs. Likewise, it is not absolutely necessary for us to have Christian rulers. In his work on government, De Laicis (chapter 8), St. Robert Bellarmine provides this quote from St. Augustine refuting Wycliffe's doctrine of "dominion by grace":
“He Who gave dominion to Marius, gave it also to Caesar, He Who gave it to Augustus, gave it also to Nero, He Who gave it to Vespasian, father or son, most benign emperors, gave it also to the most cruel Domitian; and that it may not be necessary to recount every instance, He Who gave it to Constantine the Christian gave it also to Julian the Apostate.”