Romney Bows Out

[RU OX Alum]

No one who was ever a missionary should be allowed to hold any public office ever.

[shinerbock]

EE-BO,

You made a lot of reasonable points, and I agree with many of them.

Regarding your question concerning conservative pundits, several of my friends (grad school-mostly liberal) have asked the same. I have a feeling you know the general answer and are asking for opinions, but I'll throw down my thoughts anyhow.

I can see the dispute from both sides, though I'm tempted to side with getting a conservative in office, moderate/lukewarm or not. However, I have the same fears as the pundits do, which is that while a liberal/Democratic president would be bad for us in the near term, John McCain as the face of the GOP could be a nearly irreversible gaff.

Most conservatives think that the left is only moving further left, and they see that the trending of our society is following somewhat. Therefore, the party is split between those who think we need to play to society, and those who think we need to stand firm and attempt to pull it back. Thus, I think a lot of people, me included, are resistant to John McCain because we don't want him to become the standard for conservatives within the GOP, which would place the "right" in the "middle" and allow the left to go even further left. Also, there is no quid pro quo here. While John McCain is willing to work with the liberals, they're rarely seen coming to the middle. Sure, we could probably name a few, but some of the people he has gone to (Feingold, Kennedy) aren't among them. Thus, when people talk about compromise, the only compromise conservatives see is that which is watering down our values, as the other side isn't willing to come to the table and deal.

As I said, I'm going to vote for John McCain and hope for the best. I do think there is a major identity crisis, however, which may have long lasting ramifications. Perhaps societal denigration (as conservatives might assert) is too far gone, and thus we'll never win a major election again unless we change our stances. If that turns out to be the case, I expect the GOP to be in tow, but a lot of us won't be there for the ride.

As much as he may draw the ire of people on here, I have a Hannity approach to personal politics. The independents or moderates may rise up and take over, but I certainly won't make an effort to cater to them. Obviously if they do so, they'd keep people like me out of office. Societal consensus will not dictate how I feel, or vote on various issues.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

No one who was ever a missionary should be allowed to hold any public office ever.

I hate missionaries. With their humanitarian aid and stuff, disgusting.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I hate missionaries. With their humanitarian aid and stuff, disgusting.

Mormon missionaries proselytize and that's all -- no humanitarian aid or stuff. Humanitarian aid and stuff, except for aiding their own, is not an LDS strong-suit.

'Course, I wouldn't exlude all missionaries from political service either. I couldn't, however, vote for anyone for president who believes that you need a secret password and grip to get into heaven. Chapter meetings -- yes, heaven -- no. If that makes me a bigot, so be it.

Glad to see you back, shinerbock.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Mormon missionaries proselytize and that's all -- no humanitarian aid or stuff. Humanitarian aid and stuff, except for aiding their own, is not an LDS strong-suit.

'Course, I wouldn't exlude all missionaries from political service either. I couldn't, however, vote for anyone for president who believes that you need a secret password and grip to get into heaven. Chapter meetings -- yes, heaven -- no. If that makes me a bigot, so be it.

I don't know, being willing to sacrifice two years of your life to try to bring more people to God and your idea of heaven isn't really a bad thing in my book. (I've also found Mormon missionaries pretty easy to brush off if you weren't interested.) And while Mormon missions may not typically involve humanitarian aid, the Mormons that I have known are frequently involved in secular organizations that provide assistance.

And to some degree, aren't every religions practices or beliefs a little strange to outsiders? No doubt most of what I know about Mormonism seems unusually odd but the individual Mormons I have know have demonstrated excellent character and I'd feel as/more comfortable voting for them as any evangelical Protestants. Outside of Utah, I don't think they'd except to bring about any kind of Mormon theocracy and might even be especially sensitive about religious tolerance.

I'm not trying to get into how you ought to vote, MysticCat. What people believe is ultimately real spiritually is probably pretty important and seems as valid a consideration as any.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I don't know, being willing to sacrifice two years of your life to try to bring more people to God and your idea of heaven isn't really a bad thing in my book. (I've also found Mormon missionaries pretty easy to brush off if you weren't interested.) And while Mormon missions may not typically involve humanitarian aid, the Mormons that I have known are frequently involved in secular organizations that provide assistance.

And to some degree, aren't every religions practices or beliefs a little strange to outsiders? No doubt most of what I know about Mormonism seems unusually odd but the individual Mormons I have know have demonstrated excellent character and I'd feel as/more comfortable voting for them as any evangelical Protestants. Outside of Utah, I don't think they'd except to bring about any kind of Mormon theocracy and might even be especially sensitive about religious tolerance.

I'm not trying to get into how you ought to vote, MysticCat. What people believe is ultimately real spiritually is probably pretty important and seems as valid a consideration as any.

But I think the difference between a Mormon missionary and your other missions is that ALL the Mormon ones seem to care about is that you come around to their way of thinking. I have friends in what would be considered fundamentalist churches who do a lot of mission work in Africa and while some of it is "This is how we love Jesus and you should too" some of it is also "have some rice and medical care and let's teach you how to read." My boyfriend's brother did a mission in Albania where he spent most of his time teaching English. He also talked about faith a lot, but he wasn't just there to talk about faith.

To me it sort of reminds me of that Assisi quote: Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.

I think the Mormons just use words. I would really like it if religion was not a factor at all in voting for president, but since everybody wants to talk about it all the time, it's hard not to consider it. I wonder if this happened as much before Al Smith and later Kennedy, when everyone running was a WASP.

[UGAalum94]

I think within the Republican party evangelical Christians have/had become such an important voting block that it's being used deliberately by those who can, and those who can't sort of have to come up with something. McCain's candidacy I suppose is a significant development in this regard since they don't seem to matter much. I wonder how it will work in the general election.

Maybe I've just known some really amazing Mormons, but they were involved with organizations that tended to non-spiritual needs as well, but it wasn't in the context of their missions, so point taken.

I don't know, I just have a lot of admiration for the strength of faith required to go door to door selling Mormonism in Northern California like one Mormon kid I know did.

But again, it's not a reason that I think any should have voted for Romney or anything.

[VandalSquirrel]

This is obviously just my experiences and opinions, but I didn't know any Mormons until I was 20, and now I live in North Zion.

The Mormon missionaries I've come in contact with have all been lovely people. They obviously have a "mission" but I make it clear right off I'm happy with my religion and I'm not interested in changing. The sister and brother missionaries have always respected that, but I can't say the same for the members of Campus Crusade for Christ. I've had them help me bring in my groceries, pick up stuff I've dropped, shovel snow, help random people on the street with loading vehicles or even moving boxes and furniture in to truck or homes, and just be nice people. If you're driving around in your car they will wave and give you a smile. They've come to my church for events and not proselytized, and even though it isn't my religion, I have respect for people who have devotion to their faith enough to go out in the world and be the victims of harassment and ignorance.

Also the LDS community prepares for disasters and stocks up on food and other supplies. They were handing out food and water in New Orleans before the government was. Sure they are ultraconservative and I take issues with some of their beliefs and the role of women, but in my community they operate as good Christians. I know if there was a death in my family or my house burned down the LDS people I know would welcome me into their homes and feed me, even if I never converted.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

But I think the difference between a Mormon missionary and your other missions is that ALL the Mormon ones seem to care about is that you come around to their way of thinking. I have friends in what would be considered fundamentalist churches who do a lot of mission work in Africa and while some of it is "This is how we love Jesus and you should too" some of it is also "have some rice and medical care and let's teach you how to read." My boyfriend's brother did a mission in Albania where he spent most of his time teaching English. He also talked about faith a lot, but he wasn't just there to talk about faith.

Interesting bit of info along these lines. I know a guy who splits his work/life between here and Venezuela. A few months ago we were talking about what life is like for Americans down there right now because even when I was in Caracas 5 years ago US citizens had to be very careful walking around in public because of the public hatred Chavez was trying to stir up with citizens.

He mentioned at one point that Chavez had expelled all the missionary groups from Venezuela except the Catholics because the Catholics would come in and actually live among the people and help them- gaining converts by example and helping everyone whether they converted or not.

Mormon and Protestant groups were, on the other hand, sending in kids and other people for short periods of time to basically go around and preach and try to make conversions- but otherwise do nothing to help people.

The guy I know related some personal accounts as well. His home there is in the wild where he does field studies on various fish that live in the rivers there. So he was reporting from personal experience.

MysticCat- you are not being a bigot at all, just telling it like it is. I won't repeat my Mormon rant here from the other Romney thread of a few weeks ago, but if you really get into the texts and beliefs it is some way out there stuff.

The best evidence of the dangers of this cult are how guys like Jeffords can run entire towns in Utah of child molesting polygamists and nothing gets done until the federal government takes action.

Most major religious groups do their part to distance themselves from the fanatics among them and do not shield them when they break the law.

Not so with the Mormon Church which for all practical purposes runs state and local government. And I think that says it all. The sin of omission is just as bad as being a participant.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

MysticCat- you are not being a bigot at all, just telling it like it is. I won't repeat my Mormon rant here from the other Romney thread of a few weeks ago, but if you really get into the texts and beliefs it is some way out there stuff.

The best evidence of the dangers of this cult are how guys like Jeffords can run entire towns in Utah of child molesting polygamists and nothing gets done until the federal government takes action.

Most major religious groups do their part to distance themselves from the fanatics among them and do not shield them when they break the law.

Not so with the Mormon Church which for all practical purposes runs state and local government. And I think that says it all. The sin of omission is just as bad as being a participant.

Aren't you failing to discriminate between one corrupt offshoot unrecognized (and I think excommunicated) by the mainstream church and the mainstream LDS Church itself?

I think it's a big reach to say that the LDS for practical purposes runs the state and local government. When I was in Salt Lake City a couple years ago, they had a big Gay Pride parade and festival within a block of Temple Square. I'm not thinking the LDS was a sponsor.

No doubt, the Mormon church is influential, but I'm not exactly sure what you expected them to do about the Jeffords.