The Mormon Time Bomb for Mitt

[_beastie]

While I could be easily proven wrong, I believe Mitt Romney will get the Republican nomination, after a long and ugly fight. I just can’t bring myself to believe that Republicans would be so fool-hardy as to nominate Santorum (who wants to throw up at the idea of the separation of church and state).

So here’s my prediction in regards to what aspect of Mormonism will cause Romney the most trouble in the general election:

As Man Is, God Once Was. As God Is, Man May Become

I know that Hinckley dismissed this as an odd little couplet, but we all know it’s a basic teaching of the LDS church. Moreover, plenty of evidence can be provided to prove that. So I’m not interested in any denials from the LDS peanut gallery.

I believe this is the teaching that will shock mainstream Americans, and may make them think twice about a Mormon President.

I know from personal experience that this is THE primary teaching that mainstream Christians find so shocking that they begin to view Mormonism as some sort of strange religion, outside regular Christianity. When I was questioning the church and talking to my two closest Protestant friends about it, they asked me to explain the basic teachings of the church. When I got to this idea, their jaws literally dropped. It’s more problematic than having a living prophet. It’s more problematic than new scriptures. It’s more problematic than polygamy. It’s problematic because it brings Mormonism’s monotheism into serious question.

What do you think? Do you agree, or do you think there is some other teaching that will shock mainstream Americans evern more?

[_Fence Sitter]

I really want Romney to both get the nomination and win the presidency both because I like him politically and because of the added attention his nomination and election will bring to Mormonism. Four years of a Mormon in the White House will make for extensive public discussion on anything Mormon.

I am not familiar enough with other religions to guess what might shock them most about Mormon beliefs, though I think that man-can-become-a-God is high up there. I would add that the behavior of Joseph Smith himself will also come as a shock to people, especially in regards to the polygamy issue.

Hand in hand with the shock value to other religions will be the shock value to members themselves as they hear about all those "obscure" historical details that the Church has been avoiding all these years. I think the greatest shock value for members will be the extent of Joseph Smiths participation in polygamy. I predict the new buzz word for Mormons will be 'polyandry'.

[_DrW]

I don't disagree that the Republican nominee is likely to be Mitt Romney, especially since his poll number in MI are starting to look little better (as Rick Santorum continues to commit political hari kari - kabuki style).

Barring some catastrophic event, Romney will not win in November. He will enter the general election race as self-damaged goods, much as McCain did in 2008 because of his selection of Sarah Palin as VP.

Romney will continue to say exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. ("My wife drives a couple of Cadillacs", or "I love NASCAR. I have several friends who are team owners", etc.) He will continue to wonder why the little people don't relate to him.

[_beastie]

I also believe that Romney's inability to connect with folks on the road is due to the fact that he's Mormon. Mormons grow up "outside" the cultural mainstream. They often have a hard time connecting with gentiles. They can only really relate to other Mormons. (generalizations, of course)

[_Madison54]

I think a lot of our true church history events will come out and will not be viewed in a positive light (ie. Joseph Smith's polyandry, etc.).

It also seems to shock many that we believe Jesus and Satan are brothers.

[_Morley]

I also believe that Romney's inability to connect with folks on the road is due to the fact that he's Mormon. Mormons grow up "outside" the cultural mainstream. They often have a hard time connecting with gentiles. They can only really relate to other Mormons. (generalizations, of course)

This is an interesting theory that I believe has some merit. I'm going to have to incubate this. Thanks, Beastie.

[_DarkHelmet]

although that issue may be a big deal for right-wing christians, I really don't think the "Lame-stream media" (as Sarah Palin would say) cares what the different presidential candidates believe is the nature of God. The media is more fascinated by the social aspects of Mormonism. Polygamy, racism, male dominated leadership, anti-gay politicking, the magical underwear. Those are the things the media is fascinated with. How Mormonism differs from mainstream Christianity? Bohhhhhrrrrr-ing.

[_Franktalk]

The mainstream media may overplay their hand in this one. The more they make this election about religion the more people will compare the Bami with any religion. This will not be good for the man who voted to kill viable babies. A man who has no regard for the constitution or truth in any form. A man who plays golf instead of going to church.

[_Morley]

The mainstream media may overplay their hand in this one. The more they make this election about religion the more people will compare the Bami with any religion. This will not be good for the man who voted to kill viable babies. A man who has no regard for the constitution or truth in any form. A man who plays golf instead of going to church.

Who or what is "the Bami"?

[_Quasimodo]

I also believe that Romney's inability to connect with folks on the road is due to the fact that he's Mormon. Mormons grow up "outside" the cultural mainstream. They often have a hard time connecting with gentiles. They can only really relate to other Mormons. (generalizations, of course)

This is an interesting theory that I believe has some merit. I'm going to have to incubate this. Thanks, Beastie.

Me, too! Could it be the forced cog. dis. required by members to overlook the problems of their beliefs? It works among the faithful because they are all doing it to some degree. To the rest of society, it comes off as disingenuous (as it should).