In our current election Mormonism becomes critically important; and the question is whether it will make a difference in the election's outcome. More importantly, however, is a justifiable concern about whether we're moving further away from remaining a secular state as the Founding Fathers intended. In order to better understand the interrelation of these considerations it is essential that we take a brief look back at the Founders' thinking as it relates to the central premise: Mormonism in the 2012 Election—Does It Matter?
The answer can be yes and no—obviously depending to a great extent upon your religious perspective and/or whether you're a believer or not (atheist or agnostic). Ever since the founding of this country differing Religions have been at war with their religious counterparts for dominance; and it was the primary reason the Founding Fathers resisted the formation of a single church—state religion.
The Founding Fathers were quite brilliant in exploiting the fear that each religious sect had of being persecuted by the other. To the Founders it was their 'divide-and–rule' religious tactic that prevailed, of which both Jefferson and Adams were master tacticians of church—state separation. In his famous 'Wall of Separation' letter Thomas Jefferson smartly assured the Baptists freedom from persecution by the Congregationalist Church in Connecticut; thus helping to ensure his 'Wall of Separation' would be enshrined into our law. A 'Wall' which Religions continue to attempt to vault.
Fast forward to 2012. Evangelicals, I assure, are not enamored with the thought of Mormons sitting at the right-hand of power of the presidency, and I don't blame them, for their fear of a church—state religion is real; especially since it won't be their creed at the pinnacle of state power. Recall the Republican over-the-top hyperbole during the 2008 elections when it was discovered that Obama was a parishioner in Jeremiah Wright's congregation (Congregationalism - branch of American Puritanism); well Romney's not just a member of the Mormon church—he's one of the leaders in its hierarchy, and was a lay-bishop for 10 years. This is not simply a case back in 1961 when Kennedy as a Catholic was running for president. In somewhat comparative terms it would have been as if Kennedy were a prince of the church, a Cardinal, working out of the Vatican. Would he ever have been elected if that had been the case—probably not.
It's interesting to note with a Romney presidency and Mormonism potentially dominating our politic future, according to a recent worldwide Pew study America is now the center of Christianity with the largest number and highest proportion of persons in the world identifying themselves as Christians. Further in that study it indicated when Americans were asked 32 questions about religious knowledge those having the highest percentage of correct answers described themselves as 'atheist' or 'agnostic'—thus perhaps concluding more Christians, with more faith, and less religious intellectual depth about what it is they believe. Especially from a secularist's perspective very disconcerting indeed! As Marx famously said, and I quote, "Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes," which closely translates 'Religion is the opium of the people.'
Can this Christian nation talk about Mormonism in a critical way, which we must, without sounding bigoted. You have to believe with his deep rooted convictions developed over a lifetime of devotion to Mormonism and his leadership within its church; if Romney were elected to the presidency it would very much be a part of how he governs this country. When you peel-back all that is Romney, what you're left with at his remaining soulless core—is Mormonism; for it is part of who and what he is. Reinforcing my point Andrew Sullivan commented that fellow (Romney) Mormon worshipers told the New York Times that 'Mormonism is at the very center of everything that he is'. Will evangelicals come-out strongly and vote for Romney. Will their bigotedness against Obama, as a black man—possibly one many also believe to be a Muslim, be able to overcome their trepidation about voting for Romney, a faux conservative and a Mormon, a man whose Religion many evangelicals truly believe is not even a Christian Religion.
Speaking as an advocate for secularism it is all very interesting, but definitely not in an abstract way, for this Mormon-church leader Romney is very close to becoming the next president of the United States. The bottom-line in all this, which is rightfully the cause of much of the discontent in evangelicalistic circles, is that they do not trust Romney, and it is true this man cannot be trusted. In the end 'truth does matter'; but will it win-out among all of Romney's lies and distortions.
As Andrew Sullivan put it, "Here's a question: if Barack Obama had to go through a brutal process of defending the doctrines, sermons and ideology of a church he merely attended, why is Mitt Romney exempted from explaining the doctrines and statements and ideology of a church he was an actual leading official in?"
Will any of this matter in the end—I don't know, but I do know that it will weigh heavily in the eight swing-states as to whether evangelicals support or do not support Romney; and whether or not secular independents also do, for there is legitimate and justifiable fear, a rightful distrust of Romney's intentions and potentially for the dominate future roll of his LDS Church in America.
It's important to note, as Christian churches are well aware that Mormonism is the fastest growing faith group in American history according to "U.S. News & World Report," which states that if present trends continue there could be 265 million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) worldwide by 2080.
How evangelicals turn-out to vote, even though primarily in opposition to Obama, will be crucial in the swing-states in this close election.
'Unless race trumps everything. And unless these very evangelicals also think the black-dude running against the Mormon is a Muslim. Is this a great country, or what?'
Suggest your reading of Andrew Sullivan's recent column (The Dish), 'What Keeps The Romneyites Up At Nights'.
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/...