A (former) Mormon explains why Romney's religious views are important

[nichomachus]

How Mormon doctrine shapes Romney's world view

As Mormon missionaries in the 1960s, Mitt Romney and I were required to present six “discussions” to “investigators” before baptizing them – he in France and I in northern California. Central to those discussions was the “Plan of Salvation” (POS); and central to it, the “Doctrine of Eternal Progression.” These doctrines are also the essence of the Mormon temple “endowment ceremony” in which covenants of allegiance to God and the Church are made, accompanied by oaths of secrecy.

The doctrines are unique to Mormonism and absolutely central to it. There is no way that Mitt Romney’s view of the world cannot have been shaped by them, especially given the rather cloistered life he has lived. Together with passages of Mormon scripture, they imply several disturbingly retrograde political views that define the Republican-Tea Party:

Well worth reading -- and quite frightening

[lolly]

1. People keep comparing Romneyto JFK

And say that his religion should be off limits.

But JFK was not a bishop in the Catholic Church. And he specifically assured us that, as President, his country and its laws came first.

Romney, AFAIK, has made no such assurance.

[riderinthestorm]

3. Nope, Rmoney has not. Neither has Ryan even though he was given that opening during his debate

with Biden (who reiterated his position which matches JFK).

Be prepared for the DU cavalry of scolds to come out and blast you for being "mean" to Mitt's religion. There's a contingent here on DU who don't want his religion examined, discussed or brought into play.

[Lucinda]

2. That was an interesting read. I'd heard bits and pieces before, but that compiles it all nicely.

[rainlillie]

4. There are so many reasons not to vote for Mitt, his religious affiliation isn't one of them.

[barbiegeek]

5. Yes it is. He believe Woman & people of Color are less human

[rainlillie]

6. It reminds me too much of folks on the right falsely calming the President is Muslim, as if that's

a reason not to vote for him. I support Biden and he's Catholic and they're against birth control, choice and same sex marriage. I vote for him based on his political views and policy that he supports.

[riderinthestorm]

7. Biden has drawn a crystal clear line in the sand separating church and state

Furthermore, Biden has made it clear his religious views will NOT come into his politics.

Neither Rmoney nor Ryan have done that. In fact Ryan made it clear in his debate with Biden that he does not believe in separation of church and state and that his faith is integral to his politics. Sorry but if that's the case, their religion's a factor.

[rainlillie]

9. If a candidates political views and policy are influenced by their religion

I would not support them. Harry Reid is a Mormon and he doesn't let his religion dictate his stance on policy.

[riderinthestorm]

12. Harry Reid has explicitly stated his own clear line between church and state. Rmoney has not

That's why it matters.

Here's Harry Reid's most recent comments - he makes these kinds of statements regularly.

WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman...

snip

The Nevada Democrat says he believes that people should marry whomever they want, and that, in his words, "it's no business of mine if two men or two women want to get married."

Reid says his children and grandchildren already take marriage equality as a given and that their view is a glimpse of the future.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/harry-reid-gay-marriage_n_1504839.html

[barbiegeek]

8. Biden separates church and his votes--Mitt will not

[rainlillie]

10. Of course.

[aletier_v]

11. It goes deeper than that

non-Mormons don't count.