Sunday, February 18, 2007

There's a Mormon in the House!   [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

When was the last time a presidential candidate was pressed to explain his theology on morning TV? Here's Stephanopolous vs. Romney on the Latter-Day New Jerusalem.

These are going to continue to come up. But when was the last time a Catholic (John Kerry? Ted Kennedy?) was asked by a mainstream reporter: "You believe you receive the body and blood of Christ during Communion. Do you consider yourself a cannibal?..." I don't think theology-related questions should be off limits (and how candidates respond to odd questions is always revealing, frankly...), but it's a curious thing to watch. Undergarments (which he's been asked about too ) aren't exactly issues I need to hear a presidential candidate expound on.

Meanwhile, Andrew Sullivan says Romney is a "bigot" for saying belief in God is something we ought to look for in a president (back to the Villages). I think a lot of Americans would have a problem voting for someone who wasn't grounded in some kind of faith in God for president. You don't have to say that Jesus is your favorite philosopher (been there done that!), but knowing a man who would have to continue this war and hold the burdens of the nation and the free world on his shoulders had no trust in something greater than politics (among other things) would be something that could (and should) legitimately concern people. I think that's actually a practical consideration. That doesn't strike me as the same as simply refusing to consider a Mormon, Jew, Muslim, Catholic, etc... "In God We Trust" — do you buy that? I'd like to know that — in whatever way that shakes out fine — that you do trust in Him. You may think my theology is weird and I may not buy yours, but we share a common principle, and that's relevant and important enough to put on our money.

I have no doubt that Romney — a former sucessful businessman — has worked with and hired, atheists and agnostics — he lives and works in the same world we all do. But he thinks a president ought to believe it God. You can disagree — but his comment doesn't strike me as someone looking to establish a test, but positing a practical consideration, and being upfront about who he is and what he has in common with a whole lot of voters.

02/18 11:46 AMShare