Althouse: "Romney, like all Mormon politicians, usually tries to walk a thin line."

July 26, 2005

Gordon Smith analyzes Mitt Romney's presidential aspirations.

Bruce Hayden said...: I have lived around Mormons all my life, known quite a few, dated a couple, and then lived in SLC for a year. And I am not the least bit fearful of a Mormon president - he would be little different from a conservative Protestant or a Catholic president.

For the most part, they appear little different from conservative Christains, with the exception that there is more of a communitarian empathis, notably of one's neighbors and church members helping out before going to the state or national level. This is pushed from both sides, giving to your neighbors, but also in a reluctance to go to the state for help.

Are Mormons Christain? The RC Church doesn't think so, and neither do many Protestants, due to their acceptance of the Book of Mormon to supplement our New Testiment. But the Mormons do. Indeed, what is striking is that over the last decade or so, in their church name, the "Church of Jesus Christ" has gotten notably larger, as the remainder "of the Latter Day Saints" has been significantly reduced and deemphasized. In short, the Mormon Church is now emphasizing their ties to Christianity, and deemphasizing their differences.

If you are around the Mormon part of this country enough, you get so you can spot their churches from a distance. But if not, you might be almost deceived by this.; 7/27/05, 9:53 AM

Althouse