Why Romney Won't Talk about LDS faith

[_beastie]

I have frequently heard it noted by talking TV heads that Mitt needs to be more willing to address the "three Ms" that he's avoided thus far: his vast money, Massachusetts, and Mormonism. He seems reluctant to address any of these three. One interviewer asked Mitt what it was about Mormonism that produced so many leaders, which is a very positive question, and he still dodged. Here's my opinion on why Mitt is avoiding the topic of his religion, and how it has framed his life.

I don't think he's worried about voters thinking it's a cult or weird in particular. I think he's worried that honestly answering questions about Mormonism will offend people because of the arrogance and hubris that is part and parcel of LDS theology.

If an LDS "true believer" were to explain why Mormonism produces so many leaders, the answer would reveal that LDS leaders were special spirits in the pre-existence, some of whom were already chosen to be leaders on this earth. The answer would reveal that LDS people have access to the GIFT of the Holy Ghost, and have the benefit of knowing the TRUTH about human life. The answer would reveal the distinction LDS make between themselves and the rest of the believing world. And the rest of the believing world would be insulted, just like they were during the early days of the LDS church when such arrogance and hubris set them in such serious conflict with their neighbors.

What do you think? Am I close?

[_Stormy Waters]

I think that answering any questions about Mormonism would lead to further questions about Mormonism. For example if he started explaining about the pre-existence, the answers would only lead to further questions. Overall though I don't think he fears the arrogance of it as much as he recognizes that Mormon beliefs appear odd to outsiders. I do think him talking about Mormonism at length is a losing proposition.

[_Bob Loblaw]

I think that answering any questions about Mormonism would lead to further questions about Mormonism. For example if he started explaining about the pre-existence, the answers would only lead to further questions. Overall though I don't think he fears the arrogance of it as much as he recognizes that Mormon beliefs appear odd to outsiders. I do think him talking about Mormonism at length is a losing proposition.

Also the more he talks about Mormonism the less he talks about the campaign.

[_Jason Bourne]

If an LDS "true believer" were to explain why Mormonism produces so many leaders, the answer would reveal that LDS leaders were special spirits in the pre-existence, some of whom were already chosen to be leaders on this earth. The answer would reveal that LDS people have access to the GIFT of the Holy Ghost, and have the benefit of knowing the TRUTH about human life. The answer would reveal the distinction LDS make between themselves and the rest of the believing world. And the rest of the believing world would be insulted, just like they were during the early days of the LDS church when such arrogance and hubris set them in such serious conflict with their neighbors.

What do you think? Am I close?

I am not sure I agree with the above paragraph. I think I have been pretty succesful in business and I have had many lead positions in management. Currently I head up a department of 56 people out of a 200 person firm. I think I could be the CEO of this firm in the future if I want it (which I do not think I do). Many have commented on the manegment and organization skills I have as well as the ability to sell. They ask me if I think my Church experience has helped me. A few read an article I some business magazine had a while back about Romney and Mormons success in business in general. My comments are a lot of my skills come from have posistions of leadership in my church from my youth up. I have personally noted that I had leadership in my priest quorum, as a missionary, an EQ pres, in a bishopric, ward mission leader, high council and bishop. All these have given me a chance to run organizatons in a fairly non threatening situation and learn how to run a meeting, how to follow up, how to speak in public, etc. Not once have I ever said, or even thought along the lines you outline above. Maybe others would. But I just think the lay clergy and the demands placed on an active Mormon to serve does give people a unique chance to run things where they might not other wise. Now even with such experience it does not always translate to the working world but often it does.

So no I do not think that would be the response at all.

[_Kishkumen]

Why couldn't he just say that Mormonism provides average members numerous opportunities to learn and exercise leadership that others may not necessarily get in other environments?

I don't get what is so hard about all of this for Romney.

[_Jason Bourne]

Why couldn't he just say that Mormonism provides average members numerous opportunities to learn and exercise leadership that others may not necessarily get in other environments?

I don't get what is so hard about all of this for Romney.

Agree

[_TrashcanMan79]

One interviewer asked Mitt what it was about Mormonism that produced so many leaders, which is a very positive question, and he still dodged.

I missed this. Is a video or transcript of the interview available online?

[_beastie]

One interviewer asked Mitt what it was about Mormonism that produced so many leaders, which is a very positive question, and he still dodged.

I missed this. Is a video or transcript of the interview available online?

I'll try to find a link. The interviewer was on Morning Joe, I think yesterday.

Try this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/ns/ ... /#48585378

[_beastie]

Why couldn't he just say that Mormonism provides average members numerous opportunities to learn and exercise leadership that others may not necessarily get in other environments?

I don't get what is so hard about all of this for Romney.

I don't understand it, either, which is why I was speculating.

I do think that Romney is petrified of making an irrecoverable gaffe like his father's brainwashing comment, and it is paralyzing him.

[_LittleNipper]

I seem to remember that John Fitzgerald Kennedy didn't wish to talk about his Roman Catholicism. It was and is believed by some that because of Kennedy's concern of appearing a puppet of the Pope, that he allowed the Supreme Court to remove prayer and Bible reading from Public Schools without lifting a finger. It is likely that had Dwight D. Eisenhower still had been President when that decision was made, a Constitutional Admendment would have been immediately added to the Constitution correcting the mistake and protecting historic religious access.