Romney can't talk about religion = yay

[Nursedan]

So I'm a jaded 29 year old (damn you Obama), but I wanted to share a thought about Mitt Romney that occurred to me: when religion guides a politician, usually America is worse off. Since Romney is Mormon, he really can't allow his religion to guide his decisions, at least not publicly. It's perfectly acceptable for a Christian politician to shout his religion from the rooftops i.e. Bush and Ashcroft, but since Romney knows that people are squeamish about his Mormonism, he will continue to downplay his religion as he has already done.

Maybe I'm just really tired of religion playing such a strong role in our politics in the US and I'm interested in a candidate who doesn't and can't talk about it ad nauseum. I was intrigued by Cain until recently when he announced that his presidential run is divinely inspired. Ugh...

Thoughts?

 

[mikeyx]

So I'm a jaded 29 year old (damn you Obama), but I wanted to share a thought about Mitt Romney that occurred to me: when religion guides a politician, usually America is worse off. Since Romney is Mormon, he really can't allow his religion to guide his decisions, at least not publicly. It's perfectly acceptable for a Christian politician to shout his religion from the rooftops i.e. Bush and Ashcroft, but since Romney knows that people are squeamish about his Mormonism, he will continue to downplay his religion as he has already done.

Maybe I'm just really tired of religion playing such a strong role in our politics in the US and I'm interested in a candidate who doesn't and can't talk about it ad nauseum. I was intrigued by Cain until recently when he announced that his presidential run is divinely inspired. Ugh...

Thoughts?

religion and politics dont mix. done

 

[Nursedan]

They do, but they shouldn't.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Good point, Nursedan. It would argue that strong secularists ought vote preferentially for religious candidates from non-mainstream religions over those from mainstream religions. An actual Muslim president, for example, probably wouldn't even be politically safe ending speeches with "God bless America".

 

[Puppycow]

since Romney knows that people are squeamish about his Mormonism, he will continue to downplay his religion as he has already done.

This is a good point, and I think it's true.

People have brought up his religion asking if it's a political liability, but it doesn't seem to be much of one, as far as I can see.

It's perfectly acceptable for a Christian politician to shout his religion from the rooftops i.e. Bush and Ashcroft,

Actually, even mainstream Christians can overdo this, and it can backfire. The most overtly Christian candidate does not usually do that well. Pat Robertson didn't become president. Neither did Gary Bauer. And it doesn't look like Michele Bachmann or Rick Santorum will either.

 

[leftysergeant]

Hey, it worked for JFK.

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Are you sure the current deluge of pro-mormon TV ads isn't just to soften people up so Romney can start proselytising?

 

[Minoosh]

Are you sure the current deluge of pro-mormon TV ads isn't just to soften people up so Romney can start proselytising?

Maybe, but the Mormons have been trying to peddle themselves as mainstream for quite a while. Pre-Romney, anyway.

 

[Darth Rotor]

Your approval of censorship is noted.

 

[geni]

religion and politics dont mix. done

Most early civilisations where ether theocracies or had god kings. Many of them were quite sucessful in their day.

 

[Robrob]

Personally I'm hoping for a Romney vs. Obama cage match. It'll be fun watching the wingnuts suddenly reverse themselves in favor of the previously hated non-Christian.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Your approval of censorship is noted.

You mean self-censorship? Yes, I too approve of politicians keeping their private faith out of public affairs. I don't support removing their First Amendment rights.