Column By Joan Opyr: Acceptable Bigotries
Gays, Mormons, and Even Gay Mormons: Mitt Romney’s Doom
By Joan Opyr, 2-28-07
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I don’t like Mitt Romney. The ex-governor of Massachusetts was once pro-choice, pro-gay, and a moderate on gun control. Now he’s anti-choice, claiming that he changed his mind after learning more about stem cell research. He’s anti-gay, calling for a Constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and, last year, he purchased a lifetime membership in the NRA. Flip-flopping? Please. If Mitt Romney were an egg, he’d be over easy.
This craven, blatant, vote grubbing hypocrisy should be reason enough to deny Mitt Romney the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, but that’s not why he won’t make the final cut. Romney’s campaign is doomed because he’s a Mormon. In recent polls, a third of all voters have said that they would not vote for a Mormon candidate. Among Republicans, the number is even higher, closer to forty percent.
It’s a shame that Mitt Romney is slicker than snake shit because I would really like to defend him. Being a Mormon should not be a barrier to being President. Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints makes you no more or less fit to hold the nation’s highest office than being a Baptist, or a Presbyterian, or (gasp) an atheist. The President promises to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. Can a devout Mormon do that? If a devout Catholic can, then I don’t see why not. The Pope speaks ex-Cathedra on any number of issues, and Catholics are expected to believe that those statements are infallible. If John F. Kennedy was deemed able to uphold the Oath of Office, then—theoretically—there is no reason a Mormon President could not or would not do the same.
True, the Mormon Church teaches that the writings of Joseph Smith outrank the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, but how does that differ from believing that the Pope speaks for God or that the Bible is inerrant? The current occupant of the Oval Office is a Methodist, a denomination that most voters seem to consider safely mainstream, and yet how often has Mr. Bush allowed his religious convictions to trump the Constitution? Anyone recall the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives? It serves to direct our Jewish, Quaker, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, atheist and agnostic tax dollars into the pockets of the likes of Pat Robertson. I have a problem with that: a big problem.
When I first moved to Idaho, I was surprised by anti-Mormon bigotry. Mormon jokes, Mormon slurs, and some truly vicious assessments of the church and its members were commonplace. What’s more, it wasn’t just the local Archie Bunkers who made free with this sort of commentary. Anti-Mormon prejudice crossed all social divides – race, class, and education. I remember objecting to a particularly nasty Mormon joke and being told that because I wasn’t from the West, I didn’t understand. The Mormons were secretive; the Mormons were cliquish. If you put one Mormon in a position of power, soon the entire department, office, or corporation would be filled with “them.”
“Ah,” I said. “The Mormons are like gay people then. If you don’t watch out, we’ll take over.”
The joker opened his mouth to form the word “yes,” but fortunately his brain caught up with his tongue. He made his red-faced excuses and headed off to lunch. As I think back, this fellow only ever went to lunch with straight men, and those straight men were all Democrats. Why didn’t that qualify as a conspiracy?
In my home state of North Carolina, Mormons were not on the political radar. Either there weren’t enough of them, or they didn’t pose a threat to the Southern Baptist hegemony. Both denominations vote overwhelmingly for Republicans, and neither Southern Baptists nor Mormons are supposed to drink alcohol.
I can’t speak for the Mormons, but in my Southern Baptist family, drinking the occasional beer is tantamount to pole dancing. I ordered a Mojito at my grandmother’s 85th birthday party, and you’d have thought I’d had a wardrobe malfunction at the Superbowl. Everyone held their breath as they watched me take that first sip; my great aunts were sure that I’d spontaneously combust. When I reminded them that I’d converted to Judaism more than a decade ago, the collective sigh of relief was audible. I’m a lesbian and a Jew; a little rum mixed with limejuice is the least of my worries.
Back to Mitt Romney. His political convictions blow with the prevailing winds. In liberal Massachusetts, he played the moderate. As he goes head to head with John McCain for the GOP Presidential nomination, Romney hasn’t swung to the right so much as taken a cliff dive. An icy cold belly-flop awaits him at the bottom, but the shame of it all is that Romney will fail because of the one thing he hasn’t changed: his religion.
It hurts to hear Mitt Romney spouting his freshly minted anti-gay rhetoric. I believe that to some extent, gays and Mormons are in the same boat. Prejudice against us is still widely acceptable. People who would never admit—at least not in public—that they’d never vote for a Catholic, or an African-American, or woman or a Jew don’t mind proclaiming loudly that they would never pull the lever for a Mormon or a lesbian.
I’m not claiming that gays and lesbians and Mormons have this boat all to ourselves. Who’s ready to vote for a Wiccan President? Or a Muslim? Or an atheist? Or someone with a disability? Who’s willing to say that they wouldn’t dream of it? That an American President must be an able-bodied straight white Protestant (or John F. Kennedy) and that no one else is worth considering? Far too many Americans, in my experience, because far too many prejudices still have public acceptance and political credence.
I am an idealist, but I am far from naïve. Bigotry in America runs deep. Gays and lesbians can now marry in Massachusetts, the same state that Mitt Romney once governed as an avowed moderate. Though he opposed same-sex marriage publicly, he did next to nothing to put a stop to it. From Boston to Provincetown, gay couples have been marrying since May 17, 2004, and civilization seems none the worse for wear. Massachusetts has not sunk into the sea; people still fight to get into Harvard; and Ted Kennedy is free to roar from the floor of the U. S. Senate.
[Note to Pat Robertson: If God really hated liberals, then surely the four-decade career of larger than life, larger than any off-the-rack suit, boozing, womanizing, passionate Ted Kennedy would have long since been over. Instead, the man seems to have gotten his second or third or maybe even fourth wind. Love him or loathe him, Kennedy is a lion among kittens, and the contrast with the weaseling Romney couldn’t be greater.]
I don’t believe that time alone will systematically eliminate our biases. True, I hear fewer anti-Mormon cracks now than when I first moved to Idaho, but perhaps that’s because people know me, and they know I’ll smack them down. As I think about it, that might be the first step. Maybe a particular bigotry dies when it’s no longer hip or expedient to give vent to it.
Are you listening, Mitt?
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Comments
Feb 28th, '07
By the time it's all said and done Mitt Romney will be exposed for his pagan Mormonism than most people know. Not only is this a cult of a religion but the Mormon church is operated by sinister forces. Mitt Romney in this context is nothing more than another cog in the Mormon church's political wheel being rolled toward the white house.
Consider the Mormon church's furtive march to overthrow the white house and seat a Mormon in the Oval office which has persisted since about 1977 when Orrin Hatch was first elected to congress and his political operative ally David McConkie (who's the equivalent of Carl Rove) began lobbying and lawyering with his relative Oscar for the Mormon church. Mitt Romney, sooner or later, will discover the ruination of these people.
Eventually Mormon church member politician Bob Bennett was elected to the U.S. senate then later in the 1980s and '90s Chris Cannon and Rob Bishop both of whom also are Mormon each was elected to the House of Representatives. A few years later another Mormon church-based politician Mike Leavitt left his Utah governorship in mid-term to join his fellow Mormon church politicians already in Washington in furtherance of the Mormon church's seemingly inconspicuous advance to conquer the white hosue and seize the Oval office. Together then these seven Mormon church-rooted politicians always led by this church's main political operative--Orrin Hatch, David McConkie, Oscar McConkie, Bob Bennett, Chris Cannon, Rob Bishop, and Mike Leavitt--have slyly machinated repeatedly and maneuvered each political move to grab the white house and capture the Oval office.
The impression Mike Leavitt gave is that he secretly left his governorship in the middle of his term without explaining to the people of Utah, since he was a civil servant elected by the people and therefore was duty-bound to inform the people of his doings, was because he was to bolster the presence of the Mormon church through its representatives in Washington all who are aforenamed and who operate in the guise of elected senators and representatives. So devious was Mike Leavitt when he left his governorship he never even informed the local Mormon-controlled news media.
Other examples exist to show why throughout his campaign Mitt Romney must be challenged to explain his Mormonism. Not only is this important because the Mormon church leaders like its president Gordon Hinckley routinely inflicts religious persecution on dissenters of Mormonism and non-Mormons alike but crucially because since it's Utah's dissenters of Mormonism and non-Mormons specifically who suffer molestation by the Mormon church by its leaders such as this church's president Gordon Hinckley et al this shows that Americans everywhere else also will be made to endure afflictions for their non-Mormon religious differences by the Mormon church and its iron-fisted leaders such as the one aforenamed but also by its operative lawyers like David McConkie.
Like a tyrant David McConkie bullies his way into situations in the name of the Mormon church and its leaders like its president Gordon Hinckley et al and overthrows the old order of whatever this happens to be and replaces this with a Mormon church-centered command. The hardened attitudes of with which David McConkie et al acts and omits acting for the Mormon church and its leaders like its president Gordon Hinckley in Utah foretells similar prejudiced mindsets that will operate to extract similar circumstances everywhere else throughout America if Mormon Mitt Romney becomes president.
Bonds of Obligation
Creating bonds of obligation with people like presidential candidate Mitt Romney by extending favors such as giving him money to finance his campaign is the way the Mormon church and its leaders like its president Gordon Hinckley acting through the Mormon church's operative lawyers like David McConkie latch onto someone like Mitt Romney because he's running for president. Then once the candidate like Mitt Romney is in office those like David McConkie, who always invokes the name of the Mormon church, "calls in the favors."
The Likelihoods Of A Mormon Mitt Romney Presidency
This means the likelihood exists very great that [an]other[s] will suffer similar prejudicial religious treatment because of their deistic differences, to Mormonism, if Mitt Romney is elected president which will unceasingly be perpetuated at the hands of the Mormon chuch's political operative David McConkie. This is especially true since the Mormon church persecutes those who dissent and otherwise don't subscribe to Mormonism.
The Secular Crossroads Plaza And Mormon Church-Owned ZCMI Centre Mall
The commercial matter between the secular Crossroads Plaza (mall) and Mormon church-owned ZCMI Centre Mall (ZCMI means Zion's Corporate Mercantile Industries) emphasizes the wrongful mixing of the Mormon church with the commerce as a function of the state. Located across Main Street from each other in downtown Salt Lake City these two malls co-existed and prospered peacefully.
Then the Mormon church and its leaders such as Gordon Hinckley along with its operative lawyer like David McConkie wanted to buy the Crossroads Plaza. But those retail merchants who comprised the consortium that owned and operated the Crossroads Plaza, the Downtown Business Alliance, didn't want to sell.
Destabilization resulted, of the retail shops in the Crossroads Plaza, which not only adversely impacted the shop keepers but also consumers. One place of business after another opened then closed within months--everything from big retail franchises to independent shops and even restaurants--as part of the Mormon church's desire to possess the Crossroads Plaza and its property. Within a year and a half the Crossroads Plaza was closed.
Not so, the Mormon church-owned ZCMI Centre Mall. It remained open and these Mormon church-oriented shops--like Deseret Books and Dressed In White--continued operating. Many months passed of this Mormon church-owned mall staying in business long after the Mormon church hierarchy such as its president Gordon Hinckley through this church's operative lawyer David McConkie et al bought out and closed the Crossroads Plaza which always had been known as "the people's mall."
Mormon Mixing of the Church With the State
Though there's nothing good about public aid the fact remains in Utah the Mormons mix the Mormon church with the state and this is effectuated in one out of every two situations in the Beehive state--whether the circumstances involve business, education, churches of other religions, and/or governance at all levels--and this will be stepped up to the federal government if Mitt Romney is president. For instance the Mormon church bishop-verification requirement of state welfare applicants before they can qualify for assistance such as food stamps, which is practiced shamelessly in Utah, will be widened to include all the states plus the District of Columbia which will especially apply to those states that share a historical relationship with the Mormon church if Mitt Romney is made president.
All this evidences the Mormon church's plans to establish a theosophy and rule through a Mormon Mitt Romney presidency. Such also demonstrates the real need for Mitt Romney NOT to bae supported in his bid for the white house. He's got the Mormon church and all its political operatives like David McConkie in addition to this church's leaders like its president Gordon Hinckley trailing behind him and, to be sure, Mitt Romney will give all of them a "place at the table" because this is what they want.
Kathy Caudle
Salt Lake City, UT
Seriously, do you buy into the Mormon conspiracy or are you making it up for entertainment purposes. C'mon, just put a :) at the end of your post so we know!
You are an idiot. To say that Mormons put Joseph Smiths teachings above the constitution shows what an ignorant clown you are. The Mormons believe the constitution and the founding fathers were inspired by God, you dufus. Read the lds articles of faith pertaining to obeying, honoring, and sustaining the laws of the land. Someone as stupid and un-educated as yourself should not be allowed to play with pens, pencils, or keyboards. We have a nice padded room for you down here in Provo, I suggest you check yourself in and then shut your pie hole.
cj
"True, the Mormon Church teaches that the writings of Joseph Smith outrank the Constitution and the Bill of Rights..."
This is true to a certain degree. However, what needs to be made known is that the church also teaches that its members are to be subjects to the government and fall in compliance with the law of the land. Granted, the past incarnations of the church have not had the greatest track record in doing so (IE: Polygamy), but that is a debate all unto its own. The current incarnation of the Mormon Church cannot be held responsible for the actions of past incarnations. Article 12 of Joseph Smith’s “Articles of Faith” reads:
“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”
As already stated, the church does believe, to a certain degree, that a commandment from God trumps that of any man-mad law. Mormons believe that the American continent is a land established by God to be “choice above all others” (BOM, 2Nephi 1:5), and “free of bondage and captivity from all other nations” (BOM, Ether 2:12). If the promise of freedom from bondage and captivity comes at the expense of being obedient to the word of God which decrees that we are to be subject to presidents and sustaining the law, then how does the word of God completely trump the United States Constitution?
In my own mind, I believe that Mormons should take this line of reasoning when picking a presidential candidate to vote for. The church does not officially endorse any candidate in any political race, but the members of the church sure do. In my Ward of the Church I have already seen one member accuse another of not being “as Mormon” as they are for not supporting Mitt Romney.
Again, with this in mind, I thank you for your article.
The transformation of Sammy Glick"? Or what makes Rumney Run?
Anyway, the LDS church deems the constitution as holy writ, and you can read in that same section of D&C;where it says that religion and government shouldn't be mixed.
But as you say, Romney's egregious political pandering will kill his candidacy. He's Exhibit A of someone saying and doing anything to get elected. It's shameful, and Americans are seeing right through it.
“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”
This is important. The wild fear of Mormons (as exemplified in Kathy's post) is what this article is about. I would ask Mormon Republicans s exactly what I ask Log Cabin Republicans: what has the GOP done for you lately? Why would you want to be in a club that demonizes you out of sheer ignorance (Kathy again) or for political gain? Where is the percentage in that?
In addition, one must realize that any wise person over time and in different situations will change his position on certain issues, since over 12 years, the world changes. Over 12 years, we all individually change, have new experiences. A man may go from being a senator to a governor, to being President of the United States-- all these being different in nature, being a governing position over a different group of people, so one's oppinion of how things should be in these different situations SHOULD be different!
Americans' Views of the Mormon Religion-Gallup Poll
http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26758&pg=1
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/02/coulter-edwards/
The comparison you strive to make Joan is a bit tortured. But it was well done torture. Personally I grew up as a non-Mormon in the upper Snake River Valley. I still try to come to terms with the ostracism and sometimes hostile way me and other non-Mormons were treated and wonder if I've become bigoted towards them as a result. But I was treated similarly when I tried to join a group of lesbians at the invitation of one of them at a table at a local pub. I don't feel bigotry towards gays as a result, just a little cautious. I suppose we all find intolerance in many insular groups when they are in the group. With gays I find it to be rare. With Mormons I found it common place. But probably because I don't see groups of gay folks too often.
Another difference is I think because Mormons believe their's is the only way and actively and aggressively proseletyze even engaging in posthumous baptism which I find quite arrogant and contrary to the concept of free will. I rarely see gays trying to convert members to their team. I suppose the victims of bigotry will depend on who is in the minority in any given situation like I was in when living in SE Idaho. I guess what I'm saying is that the root of the bigotry against both groups is quite different. Gays won't rule the world but the Mormons sure seem to want to and I have a hard time defending tolerance towards a group that engages in its own forms of intolerance. But like I say I'm still coming to terms with my bias. I feel the same way about evangelicals and I've never lived in an area where they constitute the majority. I guess I just won't tolerate intolerance. I very much enjoyed your article Joan. You write well.
For those who are convinced that a President Mitt would just be a puppet, with the Mormon Mafia pulling the strings... consider Harry Reid. (For those who aren't "into" politics, he's the Democrat Senate Majority Leader.) He claims to be an active, practicing Mormon. Are the SLC gangsters pulling HIS strings, too? Or is he just a decoy to throw us off the trail?
(-;
Have a great day, everybody!
Peace
The Mormon Church is the BEST example of this..
Most mormon's I have met are the sweetest nicest people in the world, in fact.. they mean well, but when speaking of the church as a whole, I think it is no better than the Vatican. Its downright evil. If there is a god and this all pans out in an afterlife.. I hope these high up religious figures burn in hell. They take and take and take... and make millions.. and all they do is feed the hungry lies and stories.. You people suck!
How can I put this? Oh yeah, John Kerry did wear combat boots.
God Bless you all,
Deb
people choose to be mormon (or choose to remain mormon after they beocme adults)
not liking mormonism or not voting for someone because they're mormon is like not voting for someone because the are for pre-emtive war or tax cuts for the wealthy, etc.
ITS A CHOICE THEY MAKE to belive in proveable non-sense
Its ALSO a perfectly resonable choce to make to not support them politically and to fight (figuratively) them socially
http://www.mitt-romney-exposed.com