Mitt the Mormon

There are numerous reasons not to vote for Mitt Romney. I do not think he is a good candidate and find myself more and more questioning if he is even a good man. Essentially however I believe Romney probably is a good man, I think he is just over his head in the very public task of running for President.

One thing needs to be made clear however, anyone choosing not to vote for Mitt Romney on the basis of his religion is no better than those who would not vote for President Obama because he was black, or President Kennedy because he was Catholic.

Brian Williams devoted his entire show last week to examing Mormonism in America. This in itself might have been a strong an advertisement for the Candidate Romney as he will run himself. The stories were evenhanded, not all the people spoken to were enthralled with the religion. Still the basic tenants of Mormonism are really a picture of what is and can be good in all of us.

Until 1978 Mormons did not accept black people as members in full. Women are still not allowed to be priestholders. There are issues of modernity that affect this church. The question we need to ask ourselves is are there not in any church.

Mormons believe in strong,large, families. They believe in helping each other, their charity is a standard part of their existence. Young Mormon men go on a two year mission to convert souls. They pay for this themselves. Think about asking your son or daughter to give up two years of their life to go somewhere not of their choosing to spread the word of God. I do not know how anyone can but admire that experience and the personal growth it would bring about.

The Catholic church in America has issues with women, their role in the church, reproductive rights. The Angelican church has issues that split the church such as homosexuality in the priesthood.

Factually all churches have divisions. All churches have members who leave. Still as Jesus said " faith without works is dead." No one can accuse most Mormons of faith without works.

We get caught up in things that deflect from the true nature of the faith. We talk about the unliklihood of Joseph Smith finding Golden Tablets in upstare New York with the help of an angel. Only a fool would fail to see the irony in that when most of us follow and believe in virgin births, Jesus walking on water, and Resurrection.

People speculate on the magic underwear. Really? The Mormon folks tell us they feel it reminds the of who they are and what they believe at all times. Is that such a big deal? I wear a cross around my neck. My savior was killed on a cross. Why do I wear it it?It reminds me of My God and my faith. Is there really such a difference?

In short when I look at the positions Romney takes on the issues I could not bring myself to vote for him. For the most part I think however that may have as much to do with him not being Mormon enough in his principles as being Mormon.

Please do not vote for Romney. Let's also not let, however, the essential goodness of his church get caught up in that dislike.