Tag Archives: Mitt Romney

A Thought about Mormonism

 

The current issue of The New Yorker has an article on Mormonism entitled “The Birth and Evolution of Mormonism” by Adam Gopnik. This article provides a very good historical summary of Mormonism and its efforts to adapt over the past two centuries to a culture that has always looked askance at it.

It would be easy for a Southern-born Redneck like me to be real critical of Mormonism. But I’m not much more critical this “ism” than I am with all the rest of ‘em. AND, all of us are knee-deep in some “ism” or another, whether we like it or not. I guess I’m a social scientist at heart and enjoy reading someone’s thoughtful account of a religious expression, especially one that is so prominent in our country at present moment.

It is easy to see the lunacy of Mormonism. (I’m tempted here to trot out a few of my favorites, but will leave that selection to your devices!) But it is not so easy to see the lunacy of our own belief system and believe me, it is there.

 

Republican identity crisis

It is fun to watch the Republicans re-define themselves even though that is not what they had, or have, in mind.  They have a real identity crisis on their hands and I hope I live long enough to see how it ends up.  They are now poised to nominate Romney and he is so foreign to their ideals.  And in their virulent hatred of him and what he represents, they have been forced to attack basic Republican ideals, i.e. standard “business” practices.

But re-definition is good for us all and is applicable to all political parties and all concerns.  As T. S. Eliot noted, “We wrestle with words and meanings” and one purpose in life is to “purify the dialect of the tribe.”

Now this is really mean-spirited of me.  But all of you….ahem, both of you…know that mean spiritedness is not above me—I just love the notion that extreme right-wing, bible-thumping, fundamentalist Christians might have to choose between Mitt Romney (a “Mormon”) and a liberal Democrat who happens to be a “black man.”  That will put them in a tough spot.  My money is on the liklihood they will vote for “the Mormon” over “the black man.”  Yes, that delimma will get their panties in a wad.

Mormonism and the GOP

I’m a staunch liberal Democrat but I’m very interested in the Republican campaign underway.  I’m amazed that Romney is doing so well as I have always avowed a Mormon would have no chance with the right ring contingent of the GOP.  Sure, Mormonism has some really strange beliefs but I think that can be said of any religion.  The right-wingers might be backed into the corner on this issue and have to vote for Romney if O’Bama is going to be defeated.  And, as they’ve made clear, defeat of O’Bama is their number one objective.  And I’d love it even more if Herman Cain proves to be the VP nominee.  I can see those right-wingers grimacing at the prospect of voting for a Mormon and a black man on the same ticket.  And that would give me a perverted pleasure, I agree.  But, more importantly, it might be one small baby-step in the direction of increased tolerance for the conservative Republicans.