As alluded to in the title, my first concern is the issue concerning the separation of Church and State. I would like to recall the governmental ideas set forth by the good man John Locke, who is credited with first presenting this concept in modern times. His concern was that the government had no conscience (I paraphrase) and would therefore prove completely inadequate in being connected to such a holy concept as religion, according to his idea of the social contract. Locke was a smart man, whose forward thinking compensated for his homely demeanor. I respect him immensely.
The Founding Fathers (yes, proper nouns), in whom I am not yet well-versed, but have watched the National Treasure movies and own a David McCullough novel, wrote the Constitution of this country with this concept in mind. Yeah, it's that important.
As a side note: I'd like to just remind readers that these very Founding Fathers are, in fact, now Mormon. Surprise! I've even seen the picture in the L.A. Temple. Eat your hearts out, liberal media and Ron Paul, Mr. Constitution himself.
Now, to bring this back to present time, I think that the general American populous has forgotten this blessed concept upon which our country is built. I have read a number of very interesting and informative articles on similar topics, and so I may pull some of my knowledge from them, with other information based on my personal observations of peers, my viewing and reviewing of (mostly the Republican) debates, and my general concern for the stupidity of society.
Mitt Romney is a Mormon. Or rather, he is one of literally millions of members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I doubt one will ever hear him classified in that vernacular, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. This is no secret. Although he has not claimed to "wear his religion on his sleeve," as evangelical Huckabee declared, Romney has never made any attempts to conceal nor act ashamed of his beliefs. This is appropriate for anyone. I feel that for the most part, the candidates are all sticking to this. I am still in denial regarding Ms. Clinton's candidacy, or else she would greatly skew my previous statement. But now, here's where it gets interesting.Romney was, as far as I am aware, the first candidate who had to defend his religion. Allow me to elaborate. Romney, similar to a young Catholic that we all know so well from his rumored escapades with a certain "blonde bombshell," stepped up to the plate and gave a "faith speech." Both were received very well. Look, it's fine that Romney had to give it, that the nation, let's face it, gave him no alternative. He's bright, he's articulate, and he did a very good job. If anyone has a problem with that, then that's a personal issue between that individual and God. There, I said it. Romney did nothing to offend. He simply delivered what was asked, and essentially required, of him.
But here's where my blood boils. Mike Huckabee, in one of the Republican debates, was asked a question regarding a statement he had made at an evangelical event. Huckabee had said something along the lines that in marriage, women are subservient to men, quoting half of a
KJV Bible scripture. Huckabee began his answer by making a "casual" observation that although he thought the item of religion was off-limits for all candidates (a clear and direct shot at Romney's "inability" to answer religion questions, that he couldn't handle the questions, even though Romney had 1. faced the most questioning from all, including and especially Huckabee himself and 2. responded more eloquently, more extensively, and more adequately than any other candidate), he was not afraid, nor would shirk the question. His answer was fine, he did just fine. I'm not criticizing that at all. He cleared up the confusion, although that doesn't mean he never made that statement in the first place. How quickly we forget.A few more points. Huckabee has decidedly won votes for "wearing his religion on his sleeve" (yes, I quote it again) although Romney has been criticized for his beliefs in LDS doctrine and the fact that Jesus and Satan are *gasp!* brothers. My question is, if this really is a political election (which I am doubting more and more each day), then why are these items even coming up?
Barack Obama belongs to a congregation that has made statements concerning the fact that it caters specifically to the Black society. I am not making this up. If this is politics, where is the political correctness? And this is coming from me, a very non-PC persun (yes, a wordy pun).
Hilary went to Spanish congregations to hear about MLK Jr. while Obama was churching it up in Atlanta, GA with all of his Black friends at their Black-only church. Huckabee demeaned women. And yet Romney is "the Mormon" running for President. The Mormons, who would love nothing more than to have the Gospel spread to ALL nations (and nationalities), who celebrate the union of a man and woman in eternal marriage as the most holy act a person can perform in this mortal existence, who rejoice in the sacred roles of both men and women, are being put under the microscope. But then again, unfair treatment is no stranger to the Saints.May I now have us reflect on another famous "Mormon" presidential candidate: Joseph Smith. He was the first and so far the only presidential candidate to be killed/murdered/martyred, however you want to slice it, during his candidacy. Way to go America. Don't get me wrong, I love this nation like my own child. Consequently, I rejoice in her successes, but mourn in her times of unnecessary cruelty.
So here it is, all laid out. Can a "Mormon" be a good president? Yes. Could one also be a poor politician? Yes (Hello, Harry Reid). Do I support Mitt Romney because he is a member of the Church? No. I will employ an additional installment to delve into that topic.
The bottom line: It's time we take a lesson from our forefathers, remember their wise council, and relearn to separate Church and State. This is a Presidential election, after all, not a nationwide democratic vote of which church is truest. Joseph Smith already took care of that for us.
*Note: the opinions in this entry reflect the views of the author and may not be shared by affiliates within the Church, the Republican party, or her social circle.
