The site Getreligion is a place for religion beat journalists to talk about the media's take on religion (and often politics). Sometimes these leads to hot debates, but sometimes they take on something mild.
This article jumps the gun a little on our Mormon week, but I was mildly interested:
What church would Romney attend if he won?
With a bonus appearance by Mormon Democrats. Numerous Mormons chime in on the story in the comments, which are worth reading.
I found this whole article interesting for different reasons. To me, it seems, Mormonism is pretty strict and dictates a lot of what its members do. I'm wondering how Politicians are even allowed as members or members to become Politicians..whichever comes first. How can you go to the right "ward" and perform the duties they ask of you if you are off campaigning or in another state, as President.
ReplyDeleteIn general, I don't think someone's religion should affect peoples votes--however, it does and will continue to. Religion has become a platform for politics so where they attend church and what faith they are matters in elections now-unfortunately. In a perfect world, these articles would not even be able to be written because religion would have nothing to do with a person's politics. Religion shapes people's ideals and beliefs however, so these articles are a necessary evil of sorts. This article is just another in a long line of articles on the President's religious beliefs to either follow or attack them. Sometimes they are just for information, but, I mean, really...usually not. I just couldn't tell in this one if he was attacking Romney or for Romney, I read it both ways at some points. Good information either way...
This article is very interesting. I did not know the complexity of the Mormon faith especially when it comes to what church a member goes to, homeschooling, being so active in the church, etc. I think it would be hard for anyone to follow all of these requirements and even harder if you are President. If Romney is elected, I see him attending this church despite the Democrat majority of the members. From my view of Romney, he doesn’t seem the type to let political differences in a church bother him. Mormon is Mormon. Yes he is a Republican President, and yes, the church is majority Democrat, but as the article points out, many of the members seem open to the idea of him coming there to worship. Maybe the Mormon Church is different when it comes to politics in the Church. Maybe they are just as political as most churches but leave the politics at the door and accept people’s political differences. Romney seems pretty dedicated to the Mormon faith to attend this church even though it may not be the level of involvement that the church expects from him…we will see, if he is able to win of course.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I just want to say that the articles mentioned within this article prove the point that, even when they have the exact same information, statistics, etc., different media agencies can always use the information they have in their favor. I definitely think we see that at play here. With that being said, similar to the author’s curiosity, I also wonder how these reporting agencies determined that the majority of the Third Ward members are Democratic. Either way, I think with the given diversity of this particular Mormon ward (“deported immigrants; a teen shot dead in gang violence; refugees from African wars; and youth who depend on the church for meals, tutoring for class, and support to pay for Boy Scout camp”), accepting a man who holds political views opposite those of the majority of the church as a new congregation member is no devastating or demoralizing event. Judging on the quotes from the article, they would gladly accept him with open arms. However, dedicated as he may be, I don’t think we’ll be seeing a “president in the pews” when it comes to Mitt Romney. Do Mormons actually excuse people for “being too busy”? I feel that Romney’s political engagements will quickly supersede his church participation.
ReplyDeleteJustin Floeter
ReplyDeleteTrying to figure out where a potential president might attend church normally would sound extremely boring. Considering Romney and the third ward make the mental game significantly more fun. Assuming Romney does win the election I highly doubt he will become active in the third ward. As religious he may be a presidential schedule will preoccupy him from extensive church functions. Winning the presidency is like signing away the your next four years. Every president (besides maybe Teddy Roosevelt) has left office visually far older than when they entered. Romney would be no exception.
Politically speaking the last thing Romney needs is another embarrassing video to leak out online. Given the publicity already generated, the fact that the congregation is rather small, and most in the congregation are democratic voters doesn’t sound like the best atmosphere for worship. People can say they are going to be civil and “love” one another but dramatically different political views and the power the presidency holds, I would bet, would cause many an awkward scene in the church.
I found this article and topic as a whole very interesting. First off this is sort of a historic moment in our history if Romney is elected President (being Mormon and all) so it makes sense to wonder which church he will attend. According to the article Mormons do not get to choose their church which I found interesting because like someone stated before that has to be hard to enforce, because what if you have a job that requires you to travel a lot such as Politician, Salesmen, Sports Agent. Attending your required church every week would be very hard. Granted I don’t know much about the Mormon religion so maybe there is a way around this.
ReplyDeleteI liked the authors point about how do we know that this “D.C. Third Ward” church is mostly democratic. Is it ethical to even ask a congregation that, when we are trying to keep politics and religion separate? Again is Romney is being somewhat forced to go to this Ward, why would the members care, Mormon’s are all the same across the board personally I would think they would want him there, as a sign of how far there religion as come to have a Mormon President.
I found it very interesting that the Third Ward in the Washington is made up of primarily democrats. I do think that it is wonderful how they are so supportive of Romney as a member of their faith rather than turning him away as a Republican. It is also very interesting to me that the church you attend is not your choice according to Mormanism. If Romney were to be elected president, he would be traveling all over the place. Does that mean that he wouldn't be allowed to attend a random Morman church? I wonder if Romney would have to push aside his faith in some way in order to be successful as president. Morman or not, I don't think there will ever be a happy medium between a president and his form of worship.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that the Third Ward in the Washington is made up of primarily democrats. I do think that it is wonderful how they are so supportive of Romney as a member of their faith rather than turning him away as a Republican. It is also very interesting to me that the church you attend is not your choice according to Mormanism. If Romney were to be elected president, he would be traveling all over the place. Does that mean that he wouldn't be allowed to attend a random Morman church? I wonder if Romney would have to push aside his faith in some way in order to be successful as president. Morman or not, I don't think there will ever be a happy medium between a president and his form of worship.
ReplyDeleteKatrina Bastos
Didn't realize that Mormons tend to just go to a Ward based on their address, not completely sure if that whole idea is true in practice though. I found that bit about if Romney is elected that he would, if he followed the address attendance practice, be attending a more Democratic view Ward. I wonder if they would really welcome him with open arms due to him being Republican, or if they would just be nice to him since he is a Mormon as well, plus the whole concept of being the President. It would to seem like that church would have a leverage over others then, by saying, "OH, well the President goes to attends our services." Seems like the Ward if he did attend it though has a bit of diversity in it, so who knows. I doubt his attendance will be high at a Ward if he is elected though, with all the Presidential obligations/events/etc. I agree with Katrina though, that I don't believe there will ever be a happy medium between a president and their place of worship.
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