Should a Mormon be President?

Should being a Mormon affect someone's suitability and electability for the office of President of the United States? I think not. But, even though it shouldn't, I strongly suspect it does affect how a number of people view the candidate.

Mitt Romney has made no secret about his LDS affiliation, but he is well aware that many Americans, myself included, regard Mormonism as a cult. Romney knows that he wins no points for his religious beliefs among evangelicals. He doesn't let that stop him from acknowledging his convictions. That is to his credit. However, since his Mormonism is so well known, any other public position on his part would brand him as ingenuine and deceitful. Mitt Romney is taking the only stand that could get him any respect by laying everything out in the open.

Frankly, I believe Romney's religious beliefs should not be an issue in and of themselves. The only bearing they might have on a candidate's qualification is in how they influence that person's political positions. To be sure, religious beliefs do affect a person's politics.

For example, if a person's religious beliefs persuade that person that capital punishment is morally wrong, then one would expect that person would be politically opposed to capital punishment. On the other hand, if a person's religious beliefs are that God has prescribed death for those who commit murder, then one would expect that person would be politically in favor of capital punishment. Religious teaching does influence a person's moral values.

We expect our moral values to influence our politics. But the relationship between religion and politics needs to remain indirect. The separation of church and state is a very important one.

Now, it bears noting that some of the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints regarding social issues are things that I support. However, their teachings on some other issues are things that I do not support. As Mitt Romney has translated those teachings into political policy, he has adopted some positions I cannot support. I will not be voting for him. But my reasons for not voting for him are based on his political policies and not his religious beliefs.

It would not matter to me whether Romney were Mormon, Baptist, Deist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, or whatever. It is because of Romney's political stands that I would not be voting for him. If Romney had more of my political views, regardless of what his church teaches, then I could consider supporting him.

Ironically, many of those most inclined to oppose Mitt Romney because of his alliance with the LDS church are most in harmony with Mitt Romney's politics. It is surprising that they have not figured that out. They are letting themselves be swayed by something that should not even be a factor.

None of Romney's opponents are visibly attempting to exploit this weakness. That is to their credit. However, it would brand them as being religiously intolerant if they took any other position. They are wisely keeping the focus on political issues and not peripheral matters.

That's Wade's two cents.

Wade Houston
November 11, 2007