Among the things that I have done today, I found an amusing article within the SLC Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/52865033-183/mormon-voters-president-romney.html.csp
This article in summary discusses mainly statistics pertaining to Romney's campaign and how these numbers are affected by Romney's religious ties to the LDS Religion. It made statements that "4 in 10 are uneasy with Mormon President" and "Nearly half of Evangelical Protestant Voters don't believe Mormonism is a Christian faith". These statements aren't what really intrigued me, it was one simple quote that made me completely flabbergasted at the lack of mere theological understanding within the context of society. The co-author of the study and CEO of the non profit institution of the Public Religion Institute claimed "There's no causal effect that we can trace here......but what we do see is white evangelical Protestants being the group that has gained knowledge of Romney's religion and simultaneously, Romney's population has fallen..."
Now this is the CEO of the Public Religious Institute, and claims "no causal effect can be traced" as to how Romney's numbers amongst WASPs (White, anglo-saxon Protestants) could have dropped!!! Really???
It really isn't that difficult to understand, and I would especially think that the PRI would be able to figure this out without too much difficulty. It's simple: 1. People are afraid of any person with a Religious Hierarchical Leader to be in office, and 2. Most christian religions don't see Mormonism as a christian religion because it doesn't follow a number of the defining doctrines of Christianity. Ergo, Romney's numbers drop due to his Mormon title.
Now before I continue, I want to very clearly announce that this is not meant to be a bash on Mormonism, it is merely meant to express an understanding of what this issue is about. As much as many Americans would like to admit that Religion and Politics are separate institutions, and that within Politics, Religion is not an important matter, most people are very much aware to the fabrication of this. Religion and Politics are and always will be (that I foresee) entwined within each other. This is in my opinion because Religion is nothing more than a secondary political institution that will always take a support in modern politics. (Understandable given that theocracies were some of the oldest and most influential political systems throughout history). That being said, one can see the value of knowing a little bit about theology, especially within the christian bracket, given that Christians have the largest voice in American politics. I will now continue with a further inspection to the "causal effect" of why mainstream Republican America (WASPs) are losing "faith" in Romney.
My first point was the people are afraid of having any person with ties to a religion that has a Hierarchical Leader to be in office. This was a driving force for the Republicans in 2004, where they attacked Kerry for being Catholic, as well as a huge platform for Nixon against Kennedy even earlier. Catholics adhere to Papal command, Anglicans, the Bishop of Canterbury, and Mormons, the LDS President. Whereas in contrast, there is no Official Leadership for Protestants, making them in Leadership roles themselves more coveted due to them not having a Religious Authority over their ethical and moral decisions. One example of how religious leadership attempted to control candidates was in 2004, where the Papacy refused Kerry the Sacrificial Communion (A Catholic Rite) due to his stance on pro-choice. The public fear the moral and ethical as well as legal ramifications that could present themselves with placing what the mainstream sees as a possible "puppet" of the Mormon Church in office of the President of the United States. That is why people are "uneasy" with a Mormon President.
As for viewing Mormonism as not a christian faith, that mainly ties down to Doctrines of Christianity. First of all, I again want to clarify my OWN OPINION in saying that regardless of doctrinal bullshit that everyone holds soo god damned dear, having been raised a Catholic amongst Mormons for the majority of my life, I find that some of the most "christ-like" people are Mormons. Most of them are very polite and very genuine. Mormons, for being non-christian to most of the public, are more christian than are the ones that claim to be. So I could care less if they are christian or not, mainly cause I am not christian, so it doesn't even matter to me, but also because regardless of the religious title, they are people who treat others with more integrity and genuine politeness than most other followers of mainstream Christendom that I have come across. As to why I am doing this then? Because I can't help myself... I love talking about religion.
Now back to the Doctrines of Christianity. Firstly, one should come to understand that most christian religions have been created off of schisms, or separations of religious doctrines. Here is a quick diagram of the major shoot offs:
As one can see, at Christianity's origins, it was just that, Christianity, though it should be mentioned that early Christians were Messianic Jews. It was through the Hellenizing of 2nd Temple Judaic culture as well as St. Paul's dedication towards Gentilian conversions, and finally a neo-platonic interpretation to Talmundic and Messianic Jewish scripture that fully divided the Jewish faith from the Christian one.
However, all of these christian denominations share a series of doctrines called the Doctrines of Christianity that united them under the title Christian. They are:
1. Divinity of Christ
2. Salvation by Grace (Protestants)
" " " Grace and Good Deeds (Catholicism & Orthodoxy)
3. Resurrection of Christ
4.The Gospels
5.Monotheism
6.Jesus leads to Salvation
7. Immaculate Conception and Virgin Birth
8. Doctrine of the Trinity
Mormons, do not accept the Gospel Doctrines, in that they believe that the Book of Mormon is as authoritative as the Gospels; their views on Monotheism differ from most; in that most Christians assume monotheism to be defined as One True God, Over All. Mormons do believe in that concept of God here on Earth, but they believe that they can transcend to the same level as that God and become a god of the same level in the afterlife. The Mormon views on the Immaculate Conception and Virgin Birth differ from mainstream Christians, as does their views on the Doctrine of the Trinity. So by those qualifiers, which is what most WASPs will adhere to (They on occasion will even deny Catholicism and Orthodoxy due to the differences in the second doctrine) Mormonism is not a christian religion.
In summary, it amazes me that the PRI finds "no causal effect" on Romney's campaign numbers when they should be aware of this. I feel that at the least the public should have some kind of awareness towards this crazy Political-Religious Dichotomy, due to it's most resilient grip on our nation's political system. Though in my mind, I truly think that what Romney said in the same article is the most correct when it comes to politics: "I am an American running for president. I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith, nor should he be rejected because of it." Similarly Huntsman made this statement: "Discussion of Mormonism doesn't create additional jobs. It doesn't expand our economic base, it doesn't secure our position in the world. I have no idea why people are wasting so much political- capital bandwidth on this issue. It's nonsense." I only wish that the rest of America would agree with such sentiments.
Here Endeth My Rant.
This article in summary discusses mainly statistics pertaining to Romney's campaign and how these numbers are affected by Romney's religious ties to the LDS Religion. It made statements that "4 in 10 are uneasy with Mormon President" and "Nearly half of Evangelical Protestant Voters don't believe Mormonism is a Christian faith". These statements aren't what really intrigued me, it was one simple quote that made me completely flabbergasted at the lack of mere theological understanding within the context of society. The co-author of the study and CEO of the non profit institution of the Public Religion Institute claimed "There's no causal effect that we can trace here......but what we do see is white evangelical Protestants being the group that has gained knowledge of Romney's religion and simultaneously, Romney's population has fallen..."
Now this is the CEO of the Public Religious Institute, and claims "no causal effect can be traced" as to how Romney's numbers amongst WASPs (White, anglo-saxon Protestants) could have dropped!!! Really???
It really isn't that difficult to understand, and I would especially think that the PRI would be able to figure this out without too much difficulty. It's simple: 1. People are afraid of any person with a Religious Hierarchical Leader to be in office, and 2. Most christian religions don't see Mormonism as a christian religion because it doesn't follow a number of the defining doctrines of Christianity. Ergo, Romney's numbers drop due to his Mormon title.
Now before I continue, I want to very clearly announce that this is not meant to be a bash on Mormonism, it is merely meant to express an understanding of what this issue is about. As much as many Americans would like to admit that Religion and Politics are separate institutions, and that within Politics, Religion is not an important matter, most people are very much aware to the fabrication of this. Religion and Politics are and always will be (that I foresee) entwined within each other. This is in my opinion because Religion is nothing more than a secondary political institution that will always take a support in modern politics. (Understandable given that theocracies were some of the oldest and most influential political systems throughout history). That being said, one can see the value of knowing a little bit about theology, especially within the christian bracket, given that Christians have the largest voice in American politics. I will now continue with a further inspection to the "causal effect" of why mainstream Republican America (WASPs) are losing "faith" in Romney.
My first point was the people are afraid of having any person with ties to a religion that has a Hierarchical Leader to be in office. This was a driving force for the Republicans in 2004, where they attacked Kerry for being Catholic, as well as a huge platform for Nixon against Kennedy even earlier. Catholics adhere to Papal command, Anglicans, the Bishop of Canterbury, and Mormons, the LDS President. Whereas in contrast, there is no Official Leadership for Protestants, making them in Leadership roles themselves more coveted due to them not having a Religious Authority over their ethical and moral decisions. One example of how religious leadership attempted to control candidates was in 2004, where the Papacy refused Kerry the Sacrificial Communion (A Catholic Rite) due to his stance on pro-choice. The public fear the moral and ethical as well as legal ramifications that could present themselves with placing what the mainstream sees as a possible "puppet" of the Mormon Church in office of the President of the United States. That is why people are "uneasy" with a Mormon President.
As for viewing Mormonism as not a christian faith, that mainly ties down to Doctrines of Christianity. First of all, I again want to clarify my OWN OPINION in saying that regardless of doctrinal bullshit that everyone holds soo god damned dear, having been raised a Catholic amongst Mormons for the majority of my life, I find that some of the most "christ-like" people are Mormons. Most of them are very polite and very genuine. Mormons, for being non-christian to most of the public, are more christian than are the ones that claim to be. So I could care less if they are christian or not, mainly cause I am not christian, so it doesn't even matter to me, but also because regardless of the religious title, they are people who treat others with more integrity and genuine politeness than most other followers of mainstream Christendom that I have come across. As to why I am doing this then? Because I can't help myself... I love talking about religion.
Now back to the Doctrines of Christianity. Firstly, one should come to understand that most christian religions have been created off of schisms, or separations of religious doctrines. Here is a quick diagram of the major shoot offs:
As one can see, at Christianity's origins, it was just that, Christianity, though it should be mentioned that early Christians were Messianic Jews. It was through the Hellenizing of 2nd Temple Judaic culture as well as St. Paul's dedication towards Gentilian conversions, and finally a neo-platonic interpretation to Talmundic and Messianic Jewish scripture that fully divided the Jewish faith from the Christian one.
However, all of these christian denominations share a series of doctrines called the Doctrines of Christianity that united them under the title Christian. They are:
1. Divinity of Christ
2. Salvation by Grace (Protestants)
" " " Grace and Good Deeds (Catholicism & Orthodoxy)
3. Resurrection of Christ
4.The Gospels
5.Monotheism
6.Jesus leads to Salvation
7. Immaculate Conception and Virgin Birth
8. Doctrine of the Trinity
Mormons, do not accept the Gospel Doctrines, in that they believe that the Book of Mormon is as authoritative as the Gospels; their views on Monotheism differ from most; in that most Christians assume monotheism to be defined as One True God, Over All. Mormons do believe in that concept of God here on Earth, but they believe that they can transcend to the same level as that God and become a god of the same level in the afterlife. The Mormon views on the Immaculate Conception and Virgin Birth differ from mainstream Christians, as does their views on the Doctrine of the Trinity. So by those qualifiers, which is what most WASPs will adhere to (They on occasion will even deny Catholicism and Orthodoxy due to the differences in the second doctrine) Mormonism is not a christian religion.
In summary, it amazes me that the PRI finds "no causal effect" on Romney's campaign numbers when they should be aware of this. I feel that at the least the public should have some kind of awareness towards this crazy Political-Religious Dichotomy, due to it's most resilient grip on our nation's political system. Though in my mind, I truly think that what Romney said in the same article is the most correct when it comes to politics: "I am an American running for president. I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith, nor should he be rejected because of it." Similarly Huntsman made this statement: "Discussion of Mormonism doesn't create additional jobs. It doesn't expand our economic base, it doesn't secure our position in the world. I have no idea why people are wasting so much political- capital bandwidth on this issue. It's nonsense." I only wish that the rest of America would agree with such sentiments.
Here Endeth My Rant.
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