General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We Should Lay off Using Romney's Mormon Beliefs as a Criticism [View all]DirkGently
(12,151 posts)I think there's a case to be made that religious belief itself should not be off-limits, when leaders purport that a literal belief in things that, outside of culturally preferred religions, would be considered insanity are actually requirements to lead.
JFK make a huge deal out of the fact that he would carry out his office under secular, and expressly not religious grounds.
Has Romney made any such statement? Do any conservative Christian / Mormon candidates?
They do not, because setting even theoretically sincere religious belief aside -- conservative religious groups and the Republican party are political allies. Conservative religious groups campaign and lobby to make their views into secular law, and those laws tend to be socially repellant, especially toward the poor, minorities, gays, and the newest / oldest specialty -- women.
LDS and other American conservative religious groups have injected themselves into the political process. So, they're in this. Romney is entitled to his beliefs as are we all. But his ties to the massive, wealthy, right-leaning political entity known as the Mormon Church entirely relevant to his candidacy for President.