Posted by
Sandra Lea Wise on Monday, August 20, 2007 1:49:11 PM
This morning, Mark Davis, a local radio talk show host brought up the subject of Romney’s religion. He referred to an article that he had written on Real Clear Politics. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/08/a_religious_time_bomb_only_rom.html
About Romney’s religion Mark states: "It has not been addressed well by the candidate, and it has not been handled honestly by pundits. Until it is, it lurks as a torpedo that could spell the doom of his promising candidacy."
He continues: "There are a number of beliefs in Mormonism which directly contradict mainstream Christianity, and which challenge objective history. The question is: how many people will learn of these things and run in the direction of other candidates?"
Mark played an interview that he had with Romney last week. He asked: "If an entire society existed in North America for centuries before and after the birth of Christ, planting crops, worshiping in a Judeo-Christian fashion, using an Egyptian-Hebrew hybrid language, riding chariots and smelting iron, wouldn't there be archeological evidence of it?"
Romney answered: "I really don't think it's productive for me to say 'let me tell you about this doctrine or that doctrine,'" he explained. "I'm not a spokesman for my church."
I have mixed feelings on this. Should candidates be asked questions about the teachings of their particular faith? For example, should a Christian be asked, "Do you believe that the Earth is 5,000 years old and that the Biblical account of the creation is accurate? What evidence can you point to?" Or, perhaps, "Do you believe that God is three people, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost?" To some that might sound a bit strange.
I called Mark’s show with the above arguments. I mentioned also, that Romney might not believe literally in all of the teachings of his Church. Romney has stated publicly that he believes that Christ is his Savior. Would that not suffice?
Mark's answer was that Romney needs to state exactly what he believes and doesn't believe. Is that fair?
Sandra Lea Wise