A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President
Part One of Five - Introduction
I usually do not comment of things political in this blog, and though this article will discuss voting for President of the United States, I will offer my personal views, but only from a theological perspective. The short answer is that from a theological perspective, I cannot vote for a Mormon.
This year, one of the front-runners for the Republican nomination for President, Mitt Romney, is a Mormon and I have been asked a number of times regarding the issue of voting for a Mormon. I haven’t gone public with my personal views, but my friends and family certainly know my view.
Recently, the Republican debates brought this issue to the forefront when a Pastor, introducing Governor Rick Perry at a political rally, commented that Mormonism is a cult. That comment was later disavowed by Mr. Perry during a debate.
There was, of course, a flurry of comments about the cult comment, but one political commentator, Dick Morris, grabbed my attention. He stated that those who choose not to vote for Mr. Romney because he is a Mormon is “unfair, unjust, bigoted.” I had remained quiet up to this point, but I had to take issue with what Mr. Morris said and I wrote to him sharing my view that my choice was based upon a heart-felt theological position shared by many within the conservative, evangelical Christian community and though he may have a personal view that my position is unfair, unjust and bigoted, he had stated it not as an opinion, but rather as fact. It is not a fact that I am any one of the three names he called me, especially not a bigot.
So here is my take. I think there are two basic issues: The political issue and the theological issue. Before I get to those issues, I want it to be clear that I am expressing my own, personal view, both politically and theologically. First, I have no problem with anyone who votes for Mr. Romney, whether from a political or theological position. Second, do I hate Mormons? Certainly not. I believe that the belief system and worldview of Mormonism is seriously flawed. The Mormons I know are of high moral character and possess many traits espoused in the Christian faith – sometimes to a much greater extent than mainstream Christians. I will discuss how the Mormon faith deviates from the Christian faith and why I agree that Mormonism is a cult, later.
The Political Issue: I think the issue is best framed as whether or not one who is a conservative, or who is otherwise disenchanted with President Obama and/or his policies and ideologies, should vote for ANY conservative Republican candidate merely in an effort to defeat Mr. Obama. I understand this position and make no personal judgment regarding those who answer this issue in the affirmative.
The Theological Issue: Here, the issue is best framed as whether or not one should refrain from voting for Mr. Romney solely – or substantially – because he is a Mormon. I want to make this clear again. This is my personal position and I make no personal judgment regarding one’s personal faith should s/he choose to vote for Mr. Romney. I do not believe those Christians who vote for Mr. Romney will somehow lose their salvation or will be less Christian than those who choose not to vote for Mr. Romney.
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I consider myself a patriot. I proudly served in the military of the United States. I am politically, economically and morally conservative. I find much of who I perceived Mr. Obama to be and what he has done and may continue to do as president as unwise and damaging to America. I pray that God will not have us endure another four years with Mr. Obama as President, though I subscribe to the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” Israel wished for a secular king even though God told them that was not a good idea. God allow that to happen and the result was some pretty bad characters became kings. I believe it is best to merely seek God’s Will.
I highly value my right and privilege to vote, and I believe that I should vote, so long as voting will not violate my Christian conscience. And therein lies the rub for me. I understand that should I choose not to vote for anyone for President, and if many others make that same choice, Mr. Obama may be reelected. So I view my choice as “should I vote in violation of my Christian conscience, or should I, out of my personal, Christian conscience, leave the result to God.” I choose the latter. I pray that I will not have to make that choice. This is my personal conviction, and I hold no one to that conviction, but me.
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Next, in Part Two, we’ll look at how to recognize a cult.
Doug
Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011. All Rights reserved.
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