Where We Are Alike
I found this piece from Michael Paulson in the Boston Globe fascinating. He is reflecting on attending the “Mormonism in the Public Mind” conference in Utah this week, and lamenting how difficult it is to be Mormon and liberal. This meme has been all over the ‘net for the last year or so. Just thought I’d let you all know, it’s the same for us creedals. Becasue we are more diverse, it expresses differently, but the division between “Evangelicals” and “Mainlines” (Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, virtually all the denominations save Baptist) can largely be drawn on political left and right lines. Some even view someone like myself being an “Evangelical Presbyterian” as code for “conservative Presbyterian,” which most view as oxymoronic. 
Anyway, one of the speakers at the conference was Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinkley Institute for Politics at University of Utah. I got to meet Kirk about a year ago – great guy. Anyway Paulson did a good job of reporting on Jowers presentation on the role religion played in the primaries:
Taking a look at a different political issue, and from a different perspective, Kirk Jowers, the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, examined the question of whether Romney’s religion cost him the presidency — an issue other scholars are also trying to evaluate. Jowers did not offer a conclusion, and did not discuss other problems with the Romney campaign, but made it clear that he believes anti-Mormonism was a key factor in Romney’s disappointing performance in Iowa, which led rapidly to his withdrawal from the race. Jowers reviewed an array of anti-Mormon comments made during Romney’s candidacy, and said, “religion was a critical part of his campaign…it was very difficult for him to just get a clear run.” Jowers also said “that soft bigotry was put down with the hammer in Iowa” and “there’s a great argument to be made that he lost Iowa due to his religion.”
I think that is about right.
Religion, your or mine, and political views, ours or theirs tend to become more deeply entwined when they become dogmatic. It is fascinating to see that we share this particular trend.
Posted in Doctrinal Obedience, Political Strategy, Religious Bigotry, Understanding Religion | 2 Comments » | 
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Jerald on 04 Apr 2009 at 7:04 am #
One scary thought is that it’s not going to just be the Mormon candidate fighting this going forward. All conservative Christians are going to be taking increasing hits from the Left and the MSM.
We are going to be increasingly labeled as bigoted loonies not competent to serve.
We are not worthy of being called prophets, but we are going to get laughed at like they were.
We’ll just have to keep calmly and logically laying out or position for those who will listen.
By the way John, I’ve heard rumors about the Iowa caucus and wonder if you had heard anything similar.
It’s my understanding that in Iowa during caucus voting people stand in groups in the meeting area according to the candidate they support. No secret voting. Everybody can see who you support.
I’ve read posting by many people that said Evangelical folks who showed up intending to vote for Romney were shamed into joining the groups supporting Huckabee or someone else by fellow church members, that the pressure to conform was tremendous.
Have you heard anything like that?
John Schroeder on 04 Apr 2009 at 5:20 pm #
I am unaware of the specific procedures for Iowa – I know that to be true for caucus in Colorado.