COMMENTARY | Religion and the Republican presidential candidates have been a popular topic for many months now, with the extreme conservative views of the governor of Texas, Rick Perry, reflected by his often professed faith and belief in Christianity. The former governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, and the former governor of Utah, Jon Huntsman, are Mormon, and their religion has also been a hot subject for debate.
If a candidate's beliefs are reflected by their religion, it will obviously come into play in how they plan to run the nation, if elected. But the more important issue is, will that candidate try to force their views on America's citizens?
Perry has often stated he would like to criminalize gay sex, and even ran on that platform opposing the "the legalization of sodomy" in his 2010 re-election campaign. Whereas Perry says he's against big government and all for gun-carrying Americans, he'd like to be able to tell citizens what they can or can't do in the bedroom. A prime example as to how the religion of these candidates would play a part in the White House, if elected.
The former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, tends to align himself with whatever religion benefits his agenda at the time. He was raised Lutheran and became Southern Baptist in graduate school, in 2009 he converted to Catholicism. Gingrich stated many times that he wants to bring God and religion back into the White House and into America. The problem is, he wants to do it according to his beliefs, and not the beliefs of the majority of the nation's citizens. According to Newt, this is what the founding fathers had it mind.
No, Mr. Gingrich, the founding fathers based this country on religious freedom, not one particular religious doctrine. Why do so many conservatives seem to forget this?
Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman are Mormon. While some believe it's just another form of Christianity, being quite familiar with the religion, I believe otherwise. I grew up forced to attend the church with my first cousins, who are Mormon. Their beliefs contradict the bible in many ways, and the focus is of a man named Joseph Smith who, less than two centuries ago, discovered gold plates that were translated into the Book of Mormon. This book is the basis of Mormonism.
Mormons also believe the more children they have, the higher levels of heaven they will reach, among many other contradicting beliefs. In many families the women are quite oppressed, and relegated to a life of bearing children and taking care of the man, and not given the opportunity to advance their position in life. Many are emotionally abused.
Is this kind of attitude that Romney or Huntsman would bring to the White House? While I don't think either man would make it the focus of his presidency, it is certainly something to consider when looking at all of the Republican candidates and their professed religions.
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