The American Spectator

Reader Mail

p> MITT CONSISTENCY br> Re: W. James Antle III's Mitt Giving Fits : /p>

Any one who knows Mormons well and has studied their doctrines, understands Gov. Romney has been consistent in his beliefs regarding gays and abortion. Due to their history, Mormons make a major theological point of separating individual freedoms from the rights of organizations. Because of their beliefs, their leaders were murdered, the believers discriminated against, and they were forcefully driven from Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois prior to settling in Utah -- only to have the federal government send an army to occupy the place. Hence, they take strong exception to any person, state, or organization engaging in discrimination or restricting individual freedoms coupled with a belief that the only power an organization should have over an individual is admittance or expulsion from its membership; it may speak for or against a belief or practice, but not force an idea or practice. The distinction often confuses outsiders. Mormons don't believe that gays should be discriminated against in employment, housing, or even politics while at the same time preaching against homosexuality and denying them membership in the church. The boy scouts have a right to deny membership to gays -- but not to harass them.

p>A similar misunderstanding of doctrine occurs regarding abortion. Mormons believe that abortion for the purpose to birth control is tantamount to murder and will result in the member's excommunication. The only exception is in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in jeopardy -- and even then, only with prayerful consideration. The attitude is "legally you have the right to have an abortion for birth control -- and to send yourself to hell." This makes abortion in the faithful Mormon community so rare that most outsiders misunderstand its doctrine as "no abortion -- ever." I have a Mormon friend that became pregnant as the result of rape. After much prayer, she had the child and raised it with the same love she devoted to her other children. Governor Romney's statements have been consistent with those of his faith and consistent over the years. His religious beliefs regarding abortion should not be considered pandering to the left, especially when contrasted with those of Senators Kennedy and Kerry. br> -- Larry Zacharias /p>

Mitt Romney is no more a hypocrite than conservatism's icon -- Ronald Reagan. President Reagan cut income taxes then raised them twice, praised the self-sufficiency of the self-employed then doubled their payroll tax, condemned Iran's extremism and then armed the mad mullahs, promised to fight terrorism and then tucked tail and bolted from Lebanon. Conservative pundits have turned President Reagan into a caricature of himself to promote agendas he never would have endorsed (border control and bashing Hispanic illegals being the most obvious) and insured no conservative can live up to their "ideal." Thus, insuring moderates and liberals will win in 2008.

p>"Conservatives" in their haste to demean President Bush (who has more guts than all his detractors combined) have proven like liberals they prefer political posturing to straightforward leadership. As one who serves his nation in the GWOT I'm truly mystified by the destructive whining of my fellow conservatives. If we want to win in Iraq and 2008 we've got to end the melt down that gave the mid-term elections to the Democrats and promises to hand them the Presidency in under two years. br> -- Michael Tomlinson

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