Mitt Romney tried to explain his Mormon faith today but he didn’t get into any theological detail. That’s okay by me. I don’t expect Jews, Catholics, Muslims, or Buddhists to explain their theological beliefs when they run for office. There’s a simple reason why. Article VI of the Constitution specifies:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Of course, I’m a voter. I’m free to vote for or not for any politician because they agree or don’t agree with my religious beliefs. But there can be no law against someone taking an office because they are an adherent, or are not an adherent, of any religious faith. That’s America.
And, therefore, no politician should be obliged to explain the tenets of their faith. If they choose to do so, that is their own political calculation. They probably think it will help them win an election.
I happen to be one of those freaks that has actually studied the theologies of all the major world religions. I don’t need Mitt Romney to explain his faith to me. I already know the basics of his faith. It’s a strange faith, but it is only strange compared to more established faiths by virtue of it’s relative historical newness. In the world of the Romans, Christianity was just as novel and just as bizarre. If you don’t think so, read Contra Celsus. It will set you straight.
There are a lot of myths about religion among the founding fathers. Anyone from Philadelphia is likely to know that George Washington was asked not to show up for church on Sundays because he had the nasty habit of standing up and walking out of the church during Communion. The Reverend thought it sent the wrong message. Take a look at Thomas Jefferson’s comments on Christianity. They are more hostile than anything George Carlin ever said. The first president to actually take communion was probably Andrew Jackson.
This country was built in reaction to the following observation.
“Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity.” -Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782
People came to this country to get away from religious strife and persecution. And I think we should honor that history. I do care whether a presidential aspirant doesn’t believe in natural selection. But I don’t care where they go to worship or the details of the theology of their religion.
Mitt Romney’s faith isn’t the problem. No, it’s his policies that suck.
