Curious as to what you Bees think of this topic. Vote in the poll on whether you think Romney's faith is a positive aspect about him, negative, or something you don't care about. Feel free to comment on why, but play nice! We're all allowed to take his faith into consideration, just as we are allowed to not consider it in our voting decision.
A person's religion has zero affect on whether or not I will vote for him/her. I care about candidate's policy positions, not religion.
I actually have a story that is related to this. I live in a very conservation part of Florida, and I was wearing an Obama pin while grocery shopping the other day, and an older man came up to me and said, "You know he's a muslim, right?" and I said, "No, he's actually a christian, but even if he was a muslim, that would be okay with me." The guy's face just went completely blank. Like it was unfathomable that religion wouldn't matter to someone.
No, the fact that he's a mormon doesn't bother me. It's the fact that he's a pathological liar (and not in the normal "every politician lies," kind of way) and he supports everything I stand against, is what bothers me.
I'm an athiest. All religions sound equally crazy to me :-). So, I don't care what religion the president is, so long as they aren't trying to force me to adhere to it!
Nope, his belief that government should have a say in my body does, though.
I have zero problems with his personal religious beliefs. Everyone is entitled to them and should be free to practice their faith and I think nothing of it. You can worship the flying spaghetti monster for all I care.
However, when any government official uses their religion to enact legislation...that I would have a problem with. I am not religious at all, so trying to force your beliefs on me and the rest of the country isn't ok. Separation of church and state, all the way.
I agree with all of the above posters - I don't care that he's a Mormon. It doesn't affect me in one way or another. My religious preferences don't influence my ability to do my job well or not do it well. I don't like him because I think he's an elitist sleazeball (among many other reasons). For the record, I am a Christian but do not identify with a political party. If I had to choose, I would choose Libertarian. I voted for Obama last time, voted for Gary Johnson this time.
I agree with voting for politicians, and supporting politicians based on the policies they support rather than their religious beliefs, in theory.
In practice, I think we have far too many politicians whose policies are a direct reflection of their religious beliefs and cannot be supported by moral or political arguments that do not make substantive use of religious assumptions.
It doesn't matter to me, but my mother is a die hard republican and evangelical christian. She will not vote for Romney because she thinks Mormons are a crazy cult. (this is just what my mom thinks, I am not saying mormons are a crazy cult). She has had some bad experiences with Mormons in the past.
It doesn't bother me that he is a Mormon. It bothers me that I do not trust him to keep his own personal religious beliefs and values out of the legislative process, and that is one of the big reasons I am not voting for him.
You can worship whoever, whatever and however you want, but you cannot let that color the legislative process.
@fishbone: THIS.
I am Christian, and his Mormonism has nothing to do with why I'd NEVER vote for him. There are so many other reasons, starting with his pathological lying.
@Boston Bee: THANK YOU!! I had the same thing happen to me! When I told the guy I was Muslim, he was shocked and replied, "Well, don't worry. You don't look like one!" WHAT??
As a Muslim, it drives me BATTY when I hear people say that Obama's a secret Muslim as if that should have some evidence as to why he shouldn't be re-elected. Seriously? Ignorance and prejudice is acceptable now? I'm just going to say this: If you think a Muslim, an Atheist, or a member of any other religion, should keep someone from being president, YOU ARE AN ASSHOLE.
There. I said it. :)
His Mormonism is a main reason Romney scares me. I'd rather have an Obama presidency, even if he does turn out against all odds to be muslim, than a Romney presidency. Both Islam and Mormonism demand pretty strict adherence, and there seem to be a higher number of extremists in both for that reason. (NOT saying that all are, or most are, or even half are. But some definitely are!) But Obama has already proven that he won't make his podium a pulpit. We don't know that of Romney.
@misspeanut: "However, when any government official uses their religion to enact legislation...that I would have a problem with."
+1!
This may be unpopular to say, but I do have a *big* problem with his being Mormon. I live in a heavily-Mormon state, and I fundamentally disagree with most of their standard lines of thinking. It's a very patriarchal, white, close-minded, conservative community. I agree that everyone has the right to their own religious beliefs. But, Mormons are generally very influenced by their religion in all other realms of life, so I have little doubt that Romney is the same way. That said, I do very much admire their focus on family and community support.
@Boston Bee: "A person's religion has zero affect on whether or not I will vote for him/her. I care about candidate's policy positions, not religion."
Agreed.
Romney being Mormon doesn't change or influence my vote one way or the other. However; I would be lying if I said that a mans morality didn't directly sway my vote. I do value that aspect, whether it comes from a Mormon or Baptist or { insert religious affiliation here} , doesn't really matter to me.
I really feel like a canidate's religion should not be mentioned. Separation of chuch and state.
@EffieTrinket: "Both Islam and Mormonism demand pretty strict adherence, and there seem to be a higher number of extremists in both for that reason."
I don't know. I think there is just as much extremism in Christianity. I think it all comes from the perception of what you encounter. Islam seems normal to me because I know a ton of "normal", reasonable Muslims. I've met far more extreme Christians than Muslims, perhaps because I grew up in the Bible belt. I don't think one group has more "crazies" than the next.
@lolot: I have to agree. I didn't vote for him anyway. I think that his religion strongly influences his opinions and decisions and that isn't something I would ever be able to support. I wouldn't say that it's b/c he's Mormon though. I'd feel that way about any candidate who was associated with such a strict religion.
I don't care that he is a Mormon. My Dad's entire side of the family is Mormon and I spent a lot of time with church folk when I was younger. There are good and bad people who happen to be Mormons, just the same as with any other faith. I do have a problem with him wanting to be in my uterus. He can GTFO.
I think religion should be removed from politics completely! I don't care what religion you are or if you have a religion. I don't care who loves God "more" or who is a better Christian. I want to focus on your policies, not your love of God or the way you pray. Romney allows his religion to skew is policies. Obama doesn't. GOBAMA!
It's intereting to note that JFK faced a lot of opposition during his campaign, because he was catholic and would eventually be the first catholic president. Many christians viewed catholicism as a bit of a cult, and many were concerned that he would not be able to separate his catholic values from the legislative process.
While I wasn't even born during JFK's campaign, I find it really interesting that we're having basically the same convesation about another christian faith that some find a bit too cultish for their tastes: mormonism.
I am in no way setting Romney on the same level as JFK--- I believe that JFK truly was one of the greatest US presidents, as he guided the country through the Cuban Missile Crisis, enacted a huge array of civil rights legislation, kicked off the Space Race, and more, and I simply do not see Romney being able to rise to that level of greatness on any topic, let alone civil rights, diplomacy or the advancement of technology --- I'm saying mainly that what is considered weird or a cult or a strange religion in one generation ends up being a powerful force in american politics and culture just a few generations later. While I have no idea what religions our kids or grandkids will find weird or cultish, I have no doubt that in a few generations' time, we will see both the muslim and mormon faiths become more mainstream and pretty much commonly accepted.
But this is all the reason we need to separate church and state, even when it would be convenient to let our religious beliefs bleed over into civil law. Today you might be in the majority, and in a few generations you might be in the minority; by setting the precedent that religion is allowed to color the lawmaking process, you risk one day having your own civil rights taken away by someone else using their faith to legislate. Today it might be abortion or marriage equality; 40 years from now it might be something far closer to your own home!
@eimajleigh: I definitely was not trying to insult anyone's faith. I was more trying to say that while Islam usually gets a bad rap among the ... less educated masses here in America for being an "extremist" religion, I don't think that even Obama being a Muslim would scare me as much as Romney being a Mormon. I didn't want to discount the fact that there are extremists on both sides, but Obama being a Muslim should be a moot point, because the only thing scary about Islam (like most religions) are the handful of crazies, and Obama has already proven that he isn't a crazy.
Like you said, every branch of faith has crazies. But I don't think Romney has proven that he isn't one of the Mormon ones. And an extremist Mormon IMO can do much more harm than the chill sort live-and-let live Muslim that characterize the vast majority of the adherants. That's why it makes me facepalm that people might not vote for Obama because he is Muslim (and also, you know, the fact that that ISN'T TRUE, but you know, whatever...)
As a Christian, I'd rather have a die-hard atheist in the office that didn't legislate his beliefs than a strong Christian who did. I believe faith shouldn't be legislated, nor should the values of any one faith be pushed as "American" like I see happening so much these days. It goes against the Founders' intent. But I am probably in the minority on this.
I voted: No, it doesn't matter, and I am of another faith.
I'm Christian.
I don't care what Romney's religion is. I don't care what Obama's religion is either (Obama says he's Christian; I've heard some people say he's Muslim and just won't admit it publicly.) Religious beleifs don't mean someone will be a good or bad President. Though I do think their religious beleifs should also be kept out of political decisions; seperation of church and state.
Yes, it matters to me. But not because I think Mormon is less-than Christian. Just because it matters to me when someone lets their religious beliefs influence their political actions (and what those beliefs are). I don't believe what he believes, and thus I am not comfortable with his trying to impose his beliefs on the whole country. I'd feel the same way about any super conservative religion.
In theory, no.
But seeing as his personal beliefs influence his policy, decisions, and directions and that I don't see him separating religion from his policies and legislation..then yes, I have a problem with it because I don't agree with him and so I would not vote for him (thus, it has a negative impact for me)
@EffieTrinket: "I definitely was not trying to insult anyone's faith."
No, I definitely didn't think you were saying that and I actually agree with everything you've posted! I wanted to touch on the earlier statement because I think there are lot of people, unfortunately, who do think that certain faiths are crazy by a majority.
@fishbone: Ditto all of this. You said everything I wanted to say about this topic.
I am in the minority here, but yes, it matters A LOT that he is a Mormon. About half of all Americans think Mormonism is cult, not a religion. I'm right there with them. I see some similarities to Scientology and it freaks me the eff out to think of one (either of them) as president.
I'm not sure that God exists, but if He does, please dear Lord, do not let Romney win. I would take simple-minded WASPy George Bush back any day. And I was seriously considering Canada when he got re-elected. I don't know what I would guy with a president who believes he will be the god of his own planet one day. Lol
Please note that this is my OPINION. I am aware there may be differing points of view, but my facts are straight and verified and I'm not changing my mind.
@misspeanut: +10000000000000 Took the words out of my mouth.
I'm Agnostic, and IDGAF what anyone believes in, because that's a very personal thing, but someone in a position of political power cannot and should not use his or her religious beliefs to choose what's best for society.
@eimajleigh: It gives me great lulz to hear people say that he's a "secret Muslim." Shhh, he doesn't eat pork. Shhh, he prays five times a day. Shhh, he celebrates Eids. Who the hell cares?
Re: extremeism in religion - all religions have crazy fundies. They're the loudest, most hate-filled people in the world. They can't handle someone whose beliefs are different. This can be Christians, Athiests, Muslims, anyone. Those people are beyond reason.
@Mrs.LetsGoPens: Agreed. No mention of the candidate's religion, nor inquiries, nor judgment. I don't care what the President's religion is, as long as he or she is a good person.
TBH, I'm sick of conservative white men in positions of power. We've had enough of that and it seems to give us oppression after oppression after oppression.
@kes18: +1 Agree with all of this - personal beliefs often effect policy.
Also it is not reflected in this poll but there are many mormons that will vote for Romney because he is mormon. I am not religious but have many mormon friends and while I try to avoid political conversation amongst friends because it can get too tense, but I have been informed that a number of them are voting for Romney because he is mormon. Not all of course, but they're out there!
Yes, it matters. His strong religious beliefs influence his politics. THAT matters.
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