Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
7:26 PM
There is not a doubt in my mind that Mitt Romney is a better Mormon than Al Sharpton is Christian. In fact it might be said (to hearken back to what John Mark Reynolds wrote in the rather-too-lengthy pieces Hugh cited here) that Mitt Romney is more Christian than Al Sharpton as well.
Having said that it doesn't take six overwrought columns from an Orthodox Christian for evangelicals to come to clarity on the matter.
Evangelicals will need to determine if Mitt's leadership competency measures up to their own standards. Moral considerations, even faith considerations - CAN BE ALLOWED in a Christian's discernment in choosing who to vote for.
Al Sharpton is a bigot (his aim at Imus and faux ignorance of the "hip-hop" issue for example)- and it doesn't take Paula Zahn, Kevin McCullough, or Hugh Hewitt to point it out. We ARE however giving Reverend Al WAYYYYYY to much spotlight in keeping it going.
Though he is NOT qualified to say as much Sharpton was making a theological statement. His belief is that Romney does not worship at the altar of the one true God - the God of the Bible (for Evangelicals, Catholics, Orthodox, and Jews). EVANGELICALS do not believe this either - biblical ones don't anyway.
SHOULD THAT BE the criteria for a person's vote? Probably not - depending on the available options. But voices who are not comfortable voting for a Mormon - because they may for example believe it to be a cult - should also not be excoriated.
Romney was on my show at CPAC. He and his campaign have been on several times since - and will be again. I like him as a man, think he has a lovely family, and he may yet earn my vote. His new campaign commercial "I like vetoes" is a good example of why he would.
All said his character is more important in the position of President than the practice of his faith. And on the issue of character he's given no sign that should cause any evangelical any concern...
|