Mitt Romney: Faith In America

Great speech by Mitt Romney yesterday about the role religion should play in America, both in politics and the public in general. Key points included "no candidate should be a spokesman for his religion" and "God should be incorporated into public life". I think members of the church know fully well that Romney wouldn't be on the phone with President Hinckley every day taking counsel on political affairs, but obviously that message had to be reinforced to the voting public. I'm surprised the 12th article of faith hasn't come into play at all in the religious side of his campaign. Even as President of the United States he would still be subject to the Constitution, which he of course is as a memer of the church. We are all subject to the government of the country in which we live; i feel that is a great part of our religious beliefs. Romney didn't bring up the 12th article of faith but I think his speech reflected its concept.

I particularly liked his strong stance on God's place in our country. As we all know it's usually the minority that screams loudest so we hear about these poeple who want the 10 commandments out of public parks and "In God We Trust" off of the dollar. In reality the vast majorit of Americans either support or have no problem with public religious displays. I think his strong stance in support of public religious displays will help his cause.

This was finally, for me at least, a good strong showing that he will not back down from religious beliefs, unlike what I felt were sidesteps in previous interviews (see previous posts on Mitt). He didn't need to answer any specific questions about our religion, just show that he is solidified in his faith. He even mentioned something to the effect of if his faith led to the downfall of hs candidacy, so be it. Bold statement that could indeed come to pass, but obviously he'll be the better for it. I think it was good enough to re-energize his small lead over Huckabee, et all in the first Iowa election.

Interestingly enough, I noted from a few newspaper articles that many of the religious leaders from other faiths who endorse Romney still note strongly that they feel Mormon's aren't Christians. Weird. I'm not sure that really matters to me personally since I know we believe in Christ and that's all that is important, but these leaders seem to agree that Romney is seeking to build on the common beliefs of all faiths, but then reject that believing in Christ is a not a common belief. How does that make sense? Whatever.