Religious beliefs OK, but voters can have their say. - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Reader comment on:
Patriotism and Piety
in response to reader comment: Whose Mistake?

Submitted by Joel Meyers, Dec 8, 2007 14:44

The Constitution rules out any law making any religious belief a criterion for office.

But the electorate can take into account someone's beliefs and prejudices in voting for or against a candidate.

The Mormon religion's founding documents declare white racial superiority. Founder Joseph Smith and successor Brigham Young were militant white supremacist, and people of color, especially blacks, were prohibited from being clergy on that basis. Under the pressures of a changed world, the ban was lifted in 1978. But the doctrines of Smith and Young have never been repudiated.

Romney pointedly made no gesture when he had the chance to affirm separation of church and state as grounded in the First Amendment's establishment clause, this in contrast to JFK who spoke in defense of a his Catholic background in the face of anti-Catholic bigotry. Romney's whole speech was in capitulation to constituencies who think against the spirit of the Constitution, that he is insufficient in merging religion and policy.

While this does not disqualify by law Romney from the presidency, the voters should know what they may be endorsing with their vote. In my opinion, his failure to explicitly repudiate the racism so proudly expressed in his religious persuasion, is a strong reason to reject him at the polls.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I think this entire discussion is a waste of effort. I disagree with most of what Mr. Romney says, but... [MORE]	John House	Dec 9, 2007 11:33
What I find amusing and disturbing is that there is a large proportion of America, poorly educated on both the... [MORE]	Fred Willis	Dec 8, 2007 11:55
While Central Europe relied upon religious orthodoxy to confer legitimacy upon the reigning sovereign, the result was the unhealthy accretion... [MORE]	Claude Bogardus	Dec 8, 2007 11:19
I submit that it was Duche's mistake to loose faith in the cause of freedom, not Adam's mistake to have... [MORE]	A. Keller	Dec 7, 2007 11:32
The Constitution rules out any law making any religious belief a criterion for office. But the electorate can take into account...	Joel Meyers	Dec 8, 2007 14:44
In referring to Samuel Adams's invocation of prayer at the first Continental Congress, Governor Mitt Romney belies his argument that... [MORE]	Bart	Dec 7, 2007 01:37
I agree with Bart's comment above. I do, unfortunately, think Mitt Romney has the same "self-serving motives" as our founding... [MORE]	Rebecca	Dec 7, 2007 11:31
Regardless of Sam Adam's motives or Jacob Duche's ultimate disgrace, the gist of what Mr. Romney said is profoundly true.... [MORE]	Dan Dismuke	Dec 7, 2007 14:50
There is nothing shameFUL in enticing, provoking, cajoling, otherwise attempting to persuade others to invoke and reflect upon their own... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Dec 7, 2007 17:47
While my religious beliefs are not in agreement with Mr. Romney's, I can at least refrain from chiding him for... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Dec 9, 2007 04:46
Your insight is a reason I deliberately read viewpoints I disagree with. You are very insightful. Thanks isn't a strong... [MORE]	John House	Dec 9, 2007 12:39

Reader comment on:Patriotism and Pietyin response to reader comment: Whose Mistake?

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Reader comment on:
Patriotism and Piety
in response to reader comment: Whose Mistake?