When Switzerland passed new employment rules that ban foreign religious groups from sending unpaid missionaries, 13 Mormon members of Congress pleaded with the Swiss ambassador for an exception.
The Swiss ambassador sent a respectful, yet perfunctory, letter in response, and while some meetings took place, the rules went forward. Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican and a Mormon, called it “very disappointing.”
But for some, the fact that Mormon lawmakers waged the battle at all is troubling, and they point to it as evidence that if elected president, Mitt Romney may use his post to promote his faith and protect its interests.
As opposed to other special interest groups protecting their interest by owning candidates?
Sure, haven’t you noticed how Reid takes very opportunity to oppose same sex marriage and abortion as Senate majority leader? You haven’t? Oh, nevermind…
Seriously Romney is going to do what Romney thinks is politically best for him to do.
I don’t see how Democrats will be able to use this issue when their leader in the Senate is Mormon; there are also a number of Western state Mormon families comprising prominent Democratic political dynasties. In the case cited here, I object to the many nations which will not permit missionaries, paid or unpaid. India prohibits even the sending of funds from non-Indian places to Indian churches.
No. 3,
Really? Can you cite a source for that? I’d be interested in reading more about that policy.
#4, the source is myself. When I lived in western India the local Christians told me that they cannot receive foreign funds for their churches. They can receive individual gifts, but not gifts to churches. I don’t really know how to research Indian law on this point. I believe these provisions come from the Hindu distaste for Christians and missionaries, and also are probably related to the effort to keep foreign Muslim influences out. The radical Muslims get money in via the information money-sending networks, though.
#3–Just wait. It will be the dirtiest campaign since Andrew Jackson. They will have people say disparaging things about Mormons and then Obama and Axelrod will repeat them over and over, seemignly denying them, and say how awful it was of _______ to point out that Romney is a member of a cult, believer in polygamy, not a Christian and on and on and on—just fill in the blank. They want Romney trashed in the worst way so they have a chance of getting Evangelicals in NC, Southern Ohio and Northern Florida to stay home and not vote.
David Keller, they’re going to trash the nominee no matter who it is. They’re saying Santorum is “weird” — and he’s Roman Catholic!
Actually I was wrong. Anti-Christianity is the last respectable bigotry. It is not limited to Catholics (in the least). My bad.
Y’know, people used to say that John Kennedy would inject his Catholicism into the White House…..but it never happened. So what makes people think that Mitt Romney would attempt to do the same with his Mormon beliefs? Let’s not prejudge here!
#7–Of course I agree with you. I just think the reason the mainstream media is pushing Romney is they believe he will not be voted for by evangelicals, and they will have an easier time winning NC, Fla. and Ohio.
I do not care if Romney is a Mormon, but why is that any less an issue than if he were a Hindu, Buddhist, or Wicken. If the press had evidence Obama was a Muslim or Hindu should they keep it to themsleves or would that be important? I think to some people it would be important. Just as I think Romney’s religion may be important t some.
I live among Mormons. I admit that I do not understand much of their theology; however, I have never heard a report of one of them saying “God Da** America!”