Posted by
ScarletPimpernel on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 12:47:48 AM
So Mitt may be our guy, huh? That is really tough for evangelicals to deal with spiritually. You know we want badly to vote Republican in any election - even for dogcatcher. This is a whopper though. My initial reaction was no way in San Francisco will I be able, by my faith, to vote for a member of what most people believe is a false Church. It's a big deal to us about deceivers posing as Christians to mislead the people. This is our suspicion concerning Mormons. I know that sounds harsh but all the evidence I've read makes the LDS confusing at best and rather shady at worst. Mormons, of course, disagree.
Look
here,
here, and
here for differing perspectives and decide for yourself.
I have had much correspondence with one particular Mormon and find that I really enjoy our exchanges. I find him not dangerous at all. He's smart and funny and quite accomplished. I'm afraid I've been a bit disrespectful to him and other Mormons so I must humbly apologize. Even though I disagree biblically with his religion I don't think he or Romney are evil.
That does not mean I am convinced to vote for Romney. But I've read some more and recalled my online friend's correspondence and softened a bit.
Here's the best take I can give on Mormons: 1. Today's Mormons really do disregard their past. From what I've gathered they don't worry about their origins. 2. Their current leaders and prophets trump the old ones. I don't get it either but it is their way. 3. They believe the bible to be altered in translations over the centuries. 4. They function well and are clean cut folks. 5. Orrin Hatch is a favorite of mine and he is Mormon. I knew this all along but I had to remind myself that he is trustworthy and honorable. 6. They are definitely conservative.
Now, I still don't like them calling themselves Christians but that is their responsibility. I am not going to concern myself with what they do with their own religion. I've planted the seed in my friend and am shaking the dust off my feet. To be fair, I've got some minor problems with other denominations that I could use to rule them out but I have never considered these to be disqualifiers. And as evangelicals we don't like it when the party ignores us either. I want to make sure I am being fair, and considerate and democratic to fellow conservatives.
Am I being altruistic in my slight change of heart? Not entirely. As a Christian, my spiritual DNA is linked to Abraham, a shrewd businessman. He was practical and I doubt he would cut off his nose to spite his face. We don't want to lose the Mormon block.
I don't mean to be flippant but I noticed God has not smited Utah. And I haven't seen Romney do one magic trick yet (although I will be watching, oh yes). God sets up rulers and takes them down. I will leave it in His capable hands.
Also, I will never vote for a Democrat because that would jepordize my world much worse than a Mormon. I mean to say that Mormons, straight down the line, hold the same values as most conservatives. I heard Dennis Prager say that there are about 25 atheists he would vote for over a Democrat and I thought, "Well yes, of course."
So, I will keep praying on it. I will also work to get a more suitable candidate the bid. This is purely political at this point as I honestly don't think a Republican from the northeast who used to be pro-choice is the best way to go. I think the same about America's mayor whom I also respect as a leader despite his social life. And the Gingrich. McCain is a self-obsessed weasel. Besides, I still think it will be late next year before the party springs a winner on us. Like Bush in '99. I guess someone like Sonny Perdue.