The Pointlessness of Religious Bigotry

Hugh Hewitt, a doctor of the law and growing in repute in this land, has, like a modern Gamaliel, made a cogent argument against religious bigotry against Mitt Romney because Romney is LDS.

Anybody who knows me knows that I'm LDS, as well. I didn't always live in Utah, however, and I know what it feels like to be thought of as part of a a peculiar people. I've been taught all my life that bigotry of any kind is wrong, that freedom of faith is God's gift and is not to be trifled with, and that any kind of rancor toward another person drives away the Holy Spirit and leaves you to your own devices. You can't be unfair without turning some of your audience against you.

Besides that, denouncing someone on the basis of his religion is unamerican. You do that and you forfeit any claim to respect. Mitt Romney will stand or fall on the basis of his character, experience and talent. He's an impressive person, which is probably why people who oppose him seem to keep bringing up his religion. He would be just as impressive if he were Catholic, Jewish, Methodist or Baptist. He's candid and honest. He hasn't tried to distance himself from his faith or attack anybody else's. Sometimes it has been used against him, as when he ran for the Senate against Ted Kennedy and lost. But it didn't stop him from being elected Governor in the same liberal state.

Living in Utah and being one, I know a lot of Mormons both good and bad. Some are good people, who don't go to church. Some go to church, but aren't all that impressive character-wise. In that, they're just like any other religion I know of. I know that the LDS Church teaches tolerance and respect and honors the right of everyone to religious freedom. It doesn't respond in kind to scurrilous attacks. It states its position and leaves it to the fair-minded to judge.

Hugh Hewitt is an Evangelical. He's not LDS nor interested in proselyting for the LDS church, but he's always impressed me as an honest and fair man (except when it comes to college football). He's also a solid Republican. He knows that attacking a person on the basis of his religion is one of those political tactics that can backfire badly. I hope Republicans will pay attention to him, because a failure to do so could mean President Hillary.