on voting for heretics
By Diogenes (articles ) | December 07, 2007 7:16 PM
Leaving aside Phil's argument that Mitt Romney's speech will have a generally positive effect, let me ask a separate question:
Why is it that in assessing the speech, political analysts invariably say that Romney was trying to quiet the fears of Evangelical voters who believe that Mormonism is a non-Christian cult? Why don't Catholics have the same fears? (The Church formally teaches that Mormon baptism is invalid: a sure sign that this is not a Christian faith.) Is this because:
- Catholics believe that a non-Christian-- even a member of a strange cult-- could be a good president?
- Catholics don't take the whole question of faith as seriously as their Evangelical neighbors?
- Evangelical leaders are quick to denounce what they see as heresy, while the guardians of Catholic orthodox are more inclined to let things slide?
- All of the above?
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Posted by: -
Dec. 11, 2007 2:17 PM ET USA
Most of us have become familiar with the theological strangeness of LDS and its bizarre roots. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that each of the Mormons I have known personally has been deeply devoted to family, is absolutely honest, makes a great friend, is a thoroughly competent business associate, works hard and cares intensely for his neighbor. I would love to have such a person as President. (And I am sure he would even refrain from detraction about some of his predecessors.)
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Posted by: -
Dec. 11, 2007 12:26 AM ET USA
Technically speaking Mormons aren't heretics, since to be a heretic one must be baptized. I don't know what that makes them... pagans?
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Posted by: -
Dec. 09, 2007 2:15 PM ET USA
"As for evangelicals, many do not think that Catholics are Christians either." But they are Christians after all.. that is, the evangelicals... Luk 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you... Let us fight with the weapons of light, and not those of the Darkness....
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Posted by: -
Dec. 09, 2007 8:55 AM ET USA
The mormons do not believe in the trinity, just look at John 1:1 in their bible. They are not Christians. As for evangelicals, many do not think that Catholics are Christians either.
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Posted by: -
Dec. 08, 2007 6:31 PM ET USA
I agree that Mormoms belong to a cult. Yet they follow a family oriented behavior pattern. Their beliefs are rather bizarre as far as having God the Father having a body. Only Jesus needed a body to effect the act of salvation chosen to save humanity. The layers of heaven reserved for Mormons only might upset a few Christians;but what issues of national importance would be affected by a Mormon president escape me.
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Posted by: -
Dec. 08, 2007 2:57 PM ET USA
All of the above; and then some!
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Posted by: -
Dec. 08, 2007 10:58 AM ET USA
I am well acquainted with several Mormon business people in my town. Despite the weirdness of their religion they are good people with sound family values. I would not vote against a person for any public office, including the presidency, simply because he belonged to the LDS Church. I would rather have a good Mormon than a slack Catholic any day. Having said that, my problem with Romney is that I question his personal commitment to pro-life values.
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Posted by: -
Dec. 08, 2007 7:50 AM ET USA
Fr. Neuhaus answered this question on the First Things weblog on Friday: "Few Catholics believe that a candidate is disqualified by being a Mormon. The reason is obvious: Catholics are accustomed to having heretics in the White House."
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Posted by: -
Dec. 08, 2007 12:35 AM ET USA
I find it problematic to even refer to Evangelicals and Catholics as cohesive groups. I know what right-minded Catholics believe, I don't know what the typical "Catholic" believes. Perhaps the reasonable question is: "Are most Catholics actually Evangelicals?" ;-) However, I think the answer to Question A, at least, is "yes". Catholics do believe that a good Mormon could be a good president.
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Posted by: -
Dec. 07, 2007 11:30 PM ET USA
I think Catholics ARE concerned about Mormonism. For instance, Catholic apologetics organizations like Catholic Answers have developed a lot of resources to deal with the Mormon religion. I don't know if Mormonism fits the definition of a "cult," but it definitely is NOT a Christian denomination.
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Posted by: Art Kelly -
Dec. 07, 2007 11:30 PM ET USA
I think Catholics ARE concerned about Mormonism. For instance, Catholic apologetics organizations like Catholic Answers have developed a lot of resources to deal with the Mormon religion. I don't know if Mormonism fits the definition of a "cult," but it definitely is NOT a Christian denomination.
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Posted by: -
Dec. 07, 2007 8:05 PM ET USA
While the press reports what Evengelical leaders believe, I am under the impression that they do not all march to the same drum, or there would not be as many of them as there are. I also believe the the secular press has no interest in what Catholics believe, so how are we to know. In all my years of voting, I have yet to find a candidate who supports all (or even most of) the Catholic positions. Don't we all chose the lesser of evils?
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Posted by: -
Dec. 07, 2007 8:03 PM ET USA
Maybe none of the above. The issue today is Iowa and evangelicals matter in the republican caucuses there. Catholics matter less so... Romney is being Huckstered there and that weakens him among those evangelical voters. I am not sure Catholic voters are a factor in any state's REPUBLICAN caucus or primary - while more and more Catholics are willing to vote Republican in November, their registration is still mostly democratic. Reagan Democrats meant Catholics.
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Posted by: -
Dec. 07, 2007 7:40 PM ET USA
All of the above, sigh. Look at Catholic voting records of late.
