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December 12, 2007
So Much for Subtlety
WASHINGTON - Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, asks in an upcoming article, "Don't Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?Regardless of what you may think of Mormonism, it seems inappropriate for a presidential candidate to question the particulars of another faith.The article, to be published in Sunday's New York Times Magazine, says Huckabee asked the question after saying he believes Mormonism is a religion but doesn't know much about it. His rival Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, is a member of the Mormon church, which is known officially as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Update - Via Allah, here's the entire Times piece. It's clear there's no context for his remarks - he's simply throwing anti-Mormon chum into the water.
Chapter 3 also contains the admonition to ‘‘keep sound wisdom and discretion.’’ Huckabee is, indeed, a discreet fellow, but he has no trouble making his feelings known. He mentioned how much he respected his fellow candidates John McCain and Rudolph W. Giuliani. The name of his principal rival in Iowa, Mitt Romney, went unmentioned. Romney, a Mormon, had promised that he would be addressing the subject of his religion a few days later. I asked Huckabee, who describes himself as the only Republican candidate with a degree in theology, if he considered Mormonism a cult or a religion. ‘‘I think it’s a religion,’’ he said. ‘‘I really don’t know much about it.’’I'm sure it was completely innocent, in a calculated sort of way. Huckabee is playing a sleazy, and distressingly effective, game here. Does he really want to set a precedent of presidential candidates questioning the specific beliefs of a particular religion? Really?I was about to jot down this piece of boilerplate when Huckabee surprised me with a question of his own: ‘‘Don’t Mormons,’’ he asked in an innocent voice, ‘‘believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?’’
After reading the story, Huckabee comes across as a sincere, personable guy who should not be allowed anywhere near the presidency of the United States. His grasp of policy, even the policies he advocates, seems remarkably shallow for someone who aspires to the highest office in the land. I don't expect presidential candidates to be complete policy wonks, but at minimum Huckabee should understand the pros and cons of a plan he calls "a magic wand" that will release us from "pain and unfairness."
Then there's this:
‘‘Richard Land swoons for Fred Thompson,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t know what that’s about. For reasons I don’t fully understand, some of these Washington-based people forget why they are there. They make ‘electability’ their criterion. But I am a true soldier for the cause. If my own abandon me on the battlefield, it will have a chilling effect.’’A chilling effect on what, governor? In this interview, Huckabee does two things I find troubling. One, he poisons the debate if Mitt Romney does become the party's nominee by clearly dredging up anti-Mormon sentiment among a part of the base.
Two, he seems to be saying that true Christians should rally behind him based on his faith, not his political positions, and ignore the more conservative alternatives to his candidacy.
But maybe I'm just misinterpreting his words. I hear that's easy to do.
Posted by slublog at December 12, 2007 08:59 AM
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I find it quite unfortunate that few have taken any time to research the comment that was made by Mr. Huckabee (as well as looking into many of his 'horrific' activities or anti-conservative decisions) and have simply jumped to lambasting him and his actions. His 'disturbing' question is very valid since Mr. Romney decided it was important for him to speak about his religion, yet failed to truly discuss any parts of the religion in question. It can be debated about how important this is in a presidential election; whether or not it is any of our business what his true beliefs are. Romney opened this up to review when he wanted to explain his religion as an overt attempt to persuade christians that mormonism 'really isn't that much different' but failed to acutally mention any specific doctrinal facts in his belief system. A very cursory review of mormonism would indicate that it really isn't too much different from what one could call 'standard' christianity but there are some significant, foundational differences. One is specific, and the one that Mr. Huckabee brings up, is the LDS doctrine that Jesus and Lucifer (a.k.a. Satan) are brothers. This is directly discussed in the writings of John Widtsoe (specifically Evidences and Reconciliations) as an answer to questions posed from those within the faith. A review of Joseph Smith's seeming revelations as documented in his Pearl of Great Price also provides the doctrines that God himself is an alien being that came to our world with his wife to create spirit beings with the two eldest sons being Jesus and Lucifer. Simply put, the comment made by Mr. Huckabee appears to be some 'horrific' attack on Mr. Romney's religious beliefs when in reality, with even the simplest amount of research, provides some enlightenment to those that know little about a religion. I am truly surprised by this failure of the general group of bloggers when they cry foul when the main-stream fails to do any research but have apparently decided as a whole that Mr. Huckabee's comments warrant no such research.
Posted by: Derek at December 12, 2007 02:54 PM
Right.
Re-read the post:
Regardless of what you may think of Mormonism, it seems inappropriate for a presidential candidate to question the particulars of another faith.
We're electing a political leader, not a spiritual one. Huckabee's appeal to anti-Mormon sentiment may play well to folks like you, but it does not speak well of his ability to respect religious plurality.
Posted by: Slublog at December 12, 2007 03:16 PM