The Root of Mitt Romney’s Comfort With Lying

[cali]

The presidential candidate is used to faith-based certainty that translates as truth even in the face of evidence to the contrary
By Justin Frank, M.D. | @JustinFrankMD | June 13, 2012 | 10

A few months ago, when confronted about running an ad that depicted Obama discussing the economy when the president was actually quoting John McCain, Mitt Romney said, “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” I have previously suggested that the ability to disconnect words from authorship made changing positions even easier for Romney.

But this pattern of lying and not acknowledging it even when confronted directly has persisted and has led me to look for other sources of Romney’s behavior, and of his clear comfort with continuing it. I think much of this comfort stems from his Mormon faith.

<snip>

I found myself discussing this situation with several colleagues and we agreed that Romney doesn’t lie. Let me repeat: Mitt Romney doesn’t lie. He is telling the truth as he sees it — and truth it is, facts notwithstanding. This is not simply a case of Hamlet arguing about point of view, saying, “for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” This is about a conflict between evidence and faith. There is a long tradition in the Mormon belief system where evidence takes second place to faith. Examples abound, as when two Mormon Elders who were questioned about the inconsistency in passages from the Book of Mormon said “We know the Book of Mormon is true and that it contains the Word of God even in the face of evidence that appears contradictory,” according to The Mormon Missionaries by former Mormon Janice Hutchison. Thus there are no lies, only faith-based certainty that translates as truth for which no apology is needed, since what was said was not a lie.

<snip>

This unwavering faith is central to Romney’s comfort deflecting any examples that the press might bring up of his lying. Further it allows him to repeat lies again and again — both personally and in political advertising — because to him they are not lies at all. I’m reminded of that old epigram from the 1960s that said “My mind is made up; don’t confuse me with the facts.” That may be all good and well in many offices, but it’s not so good in the Oval Office.

Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2012/06/13/the-root-of-mitt-romneys-comfort-with-lying/#ixzz1xfamZABL

Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2012/06/13/the-root-of-mitt-romneys-comfort-with-lying/#ixzz1xfadsDJr

Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2012/06/13/the-root-of-mitt-romneys-comfort-with-lying/#ixzz1xfa2B3gc

[geckosfeet]

1. I suspect it is so, with many dogmatic zealots

[dimbear]

2. There is a curious Mormon custom which I believe is called witnessing, where

folks take turns promising one another that their faith is true.

Always struck me as odd.

Enough of that might get you to believe some strange things.

[onlyadream]

14. Yep, sounds like brain washing to me..

There is only one truth, unless, of course, there isn't.

[liberal N proud]

3. That may expose a connection between the liars and the religious right

And explain why so many follow the liars.

[malaise]

4. There is a long tradition in the Mormon belief system where evidence takes second place to faith

And this differs from other religions how exactly?

Look Rmoney is a pathological LIAR

[Ikonoklast]

5. Never be a non-Mormon and do business with a Mormon...unless you like getting cheated.

Get everything in writing, and witnessed by a disinterested third party.


There are some Mormons who will lie in order to achieve their goals, it is a precept of their faith that carries over into their dealings with everyone not a Mormon.

Google: Lying For The Lord.

[siligut]

7. I was told the same thing by a business owner

He said he didn't know anyone who liked doing business with Mormons.

But they will always support each other against non-Mormons.

[Mustellus]

6. Mentoring a Military Officer on a teaching assignment....

..he confessed to me he made a math error on the board, and the students called him on it.

His question was: "Am I high enough ranking that I can lie about it?"

Lying has become a privilege of the elite. It is illegal to question a senior officer in the presence of his juniors in rank), the right to lie has become a badge of authority.

In the civilian world, a weak minded person can surround himself with "Yes Men", and never, ever hear his wildest nonsense challenged.

No, lying is the new badge of rank.

...and they don't ask me to mentor military officers any more....

[Enrique]

11. I love that

it's like having soft hands, a mark of status.

[KurtNYC]

15. +1 and it fits with his privileged "pranks" and police impersonating

He belittles people because it proves to himself that he can get away with it.
He dressed as a cop and showed off the uniform in college because it proves to himself that he can get away with it.
He lies because it proves to himself that he can get away with it.

Money has never been an issue for Romney or his family. This is all about power.

[myrna minx]

8. K&R n/t

[Enrique]

9. this is anti-Mormon bigotry

there is nothing about Romney's lies that requires a psychological explanation, or a religious explanation. Everyone understands lying and everyone knows that politicians do it a lot. We should be talking about how he gets away with it, that's the big mystery.

By the way, the Islamophobes have the same thing, they say that Islam allows Muslims to lie to non-Muslims.

[undeterred]

10. + a brazillion

[riderinthestorm]

17. Except "Lying for the Lord" actually is a Mormon doctrine

I don't know any such doctrine in Islam but it is a fact for the LDS church.

http://www.mormonwiki.org/Lying_for_the_Lord

[FreeState]

27. +1 n/t

[coldbeer]

12. Romney is speaking to the "American People".

That's not us. He always mentions the "American People" implying who he is speaking to. They understand him.

[Javaman]

13. Even simpler. He's a sociopath. nt

[bullwinkle428]

16. This is the classic "George Costanza" philosophy - "It's not a lie, if you believe it!"

[napkinz]

20. Romney in Liar Liar

[barbtries]

18. i just mentioned this the other day

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=139872

there's a reason he thinks it's okay to lie.

[malthaussen]

19. credo quia impossible est

This is an aspect of many faiths, and singling out the Mormons for it is disingenuous at best.

-- Mal

[annabanana]

21. The VERY DEFINITION of FAITH is

believing something that cannot be shown to be true. Why does this surprise anybody? Facts just don't enter into it anywhere.

[Bake]

22. No, it's not just dismissing conflicting facts. Rmoney is just a LIAR!

He lies about positions he took in the past. HE LIES. It's a lust for power. He'll do anything, say anything to win.

He's a liar. I'm waiting, impatiently, for someone in the MSM to call him on it.

Bake

[mulsh]

23. brilliant rationalization doctor, it's clear why you get to write for Time

magazine.

(sarcasm over)

what a load of unmitigated bullshit. saying that a person's lies are merely the truth as they see it works when talking about beliefs but falls apart when dealing with factual, reality based stuff. Especially stuff that's written down or recorded on audio or video.

[Stainless]

24. I live in Southern Utah

I've lived in the state of Utah my entire life (65 years). I was raised as a Christian by non church going parents. I had many childhood Mormon Friends and I was ostracized and shunned by others because I wasn't Mormon. I learned to cope and to ignore the self-righteous bastards and to appreciate the non-judgmental ones. One thing I can state with no uncertainty whatsoever is that Mormons are taught from a very young age that lying, cheating and stealing is an acceptable way to deal with everything in life. Electing an active pious Mormon as president of the United States would be the biggest mistake this country ever made. It is imperative that Mitt Romney does not succeed. He will use his power and authority to destroy the middle class and to reward his wealthy benefactors. Obama is far superior to Romney when it comes to morality, honesty and integrity.

[kentuck]

25. I don't think it has much to do with his religion of Mormonism...

I think he is a Machivellian that will do whatever he thinks will work to his benefit, and that includes lying...

[Martin Eden]

26. Romney lies because he thinks voters will believe the lies.

Unfortunately, he's not mistaken. Most of what he spews is a reflection of the false narrative ceaselessly promoted by the 1% and their servants at Faux News, talk radio, and Congress.

In a sane world the Republican Party and what it currently represents would be lucky to win an election for dog catcher, but the fact they retook the House in 2010 is proof positive that Goebells was right: a Big Lie repeaeted often enouigh becomes the truth (in the minds of millions of low-information voters).

Willard will say anything he thinks (or his handlers tell him) will help win the election.

It has nothing to do with being a Mormon.