The American Spectator

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Corrosive Negativity

12.7.07 @ 12:01AM

(Page 3 of 5)

While I am not a subscriber to the tenets of Mormonism, to say that a Mormon is not a Christian is quite simply an ignorant, bigoted, lie. If Mormons are not Christians, then I would assume that Seventh Day Adventists are similarly not Christians. I am not one of them either, but I know that they are Christians. What about the Russian Orthodox and other Eastern Rite churches that don't celebrate Christmas and Easter when most "regular" Christians do? They also have some other differences with the more accepted "brands" of Christianity. Are they also not Christians? What about Roman Catholics? There is a difference in the books that are part of their Bible versus a Protestant Bible. What about the so-called mainstream Protestant sects that have completely corrupted the biblical teachings on homosexuality, and on the issue of life and abortion, and on same sex marriage, and on issues of the family? It would seem that a good case could be made that they are not Christians.

Look, folks, can we talk? What the leaders like Dobson, Wildmon, and others are really saying is that he is not one of "us," and therefore he must not be allowed to win until he agrees to come in, kneel, and kiss our ring. It is all about power. It is all about who is allowed to be a kingmaker. It is also about money. If the LDS church were to gain an adherent or two, some other sect might lose one, and that is bad news in the collection plate on Sunday, or Saturday. We simply must admit that Jesus did NOT go around preaching that the Roman governing bodies must be overthrown because the did not follow Him. The Bible tells us to render unto Caesar those things that belong to Caesar, and unto God those things that belong to God. This bit of wisdom was propounded at the time of the ascendancy of the Roman Empire. There was no admonition that we should stop a good and just man from becoming a governing head simply because he did not follow Jesus. Besides, can we tell the truth? Mr. Romney, aside from his particular brand of Christianity, follows the teachings of the non-Mormon Bible a heck of a lot closer than Rudy G, or any of the Dems. The other GOP candidates we haven't heard enough about on the Christianity scale. What about Huckabee, the Baptist preacher and ex-Arkansas Governor (think Bill Clinton)? How is he on the issue of excessive pride. Are we sure that there are no similarities to Jimmy Swaggart, or Jim Bakker.

Let us talk about bigotry here for a moment. Are we saying that Joe Lieberman can never run for POTUS because he is a Jew, not a Christian? Why is Harry Reid, another Mormon, allowed to be Majority Leader in the Senate? What about Orrin Hatch? Shouldn't he be thrown out of office. What about Joe Biden? If memory serves, he is not a Christian, but I could be wrong. What about all the non-religious secularists in elective office? Should they be precluded from being in the government on religious grounds. I mean, I can make a good argument that most of these folks should be thrown out of office, but their religious beliefs will not have a thing to do with it.

Perhaps someone can point me to that part of the Constitution, or our other founding documents, that suggest that a particular brand of Christian, or a particular list of brands of Christianity will be, or should be the only ones allowed as a prerequisite to being the President of our country. Would not the current argument have excluded Thomas Jefferson, who was a Deist? Is there anywhere in the Federalist Papers that it suggests a religious test should be included in the requirements for POTUS?

It is my contention that the general election for POTUS in November of next year is going to be a lot closer than currently prognosticated. I also believe that the contest is highly winnable by a Republican. I can also support, in certain select cases, the idea that the Republican might be so similar to the Democrat at to not making it worth going to the polls, but that only applies, in my mind, to two Republicans, and has nothing to do with religion. I believe that this country may well be at an important crossroads in our history. I would be livid if it was shown that folks on my side, that I have so much in common with, that I am so much in sympathy with, were to throw the election to the Democrat by staying home and not voting simply because of religious bigotry -- because they refuse to admit that a Mormon is a Christian. Yes, I have deliberately used the word "bigot" and "bigotry," because that is exactly what it is. I know that we have now decided that there is a whole list of words that we can't use for fear of "offending" someone. I know that we have decided that sticks and stones don't hurt us, but words do. All that PC bull has curtailed our ability to express ourselves in clear and understandable English. When you single out one particular Christian sect and decide to write them out of Christianity, that is religious bigotry. I am not talking about a true cult. We all know what they are, and who they are, so don't bother trying to throw that red herring into this discussion, the LDS church is NOT a cult.

If you don't think Romney should be President because he flip-flops, fine. If you don't like him because you don't believe that he is sincere about being pro-life now, fine. If you don't like him because you don't trust anyone who managed to win elective office in the socialist state of Massachusetts, fine. There are other legitimate issues where you may part company with Gov. Romney, but let us, on our side, not succumb to bigotry, name calling, and guilt by group association. Let the Dems do that, they specialize in that sort of thing and are experts at it. Let us judge on individual merit. Can the individual do the job? He did organize and successfully run the Olympics, an event notorious for being a complete boondoggle and money eater. He brought it in on time and on budget. He has run a large commercial enterprise, and thus knows what running a successful business is all about. He has been a Governor of a fairly large state. Well, it was Massachusetts, but still, it was something. Let's lose the religious bigotry. Send it over to the DailyKos where secular humanism and atheism are their religions, and they are determined that no practicing, observant Christian or Jew will win an election, or govern if they do win.

OK, end of rant.
-- Ken Shreve
A Christian, and proud of it

Be careful what you wish for, you may get it. Oregon sent a very fine Mormon to Washington, Senator Gordon Smith. It ruined him. He sold his soul to the devil. He's drifting farther to the left every day. He is now a regrettable embarrassment to the Conservative cause.
-- Richard T. Judge
Gresham, Oregon

I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY
Re: Jay D. Homnick's Glowing and Growing:

From this Christian family's home to yours:

May your Hanukkah shine brightly, with joy and fun and all good things, including traditional junk food.

May the New Year celebrated by us "others" bring the same, with health and joy.

Long live Hanukkah and the reminder of God's provision!
-- Anastasia Mather

REMEMBER THEM

So many hearts break at this time of year,
The season of joy and warmth, families near.
Stockings are hung by the chimney with care.
'Happy Hanukkah' rings through the wintry air,

Letter to the Editor

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