On Religion and Politics

Recently Mitt Romney gave an explanation about his Mormon faith. I haven't heard it directly, but the basic message is that faith in "a" god is important and his personal faith in the Mormon god is not going to get in his way of being president over a multi-faith population. This is nothing but what I would expect from a candidate such as him. Immediately bloggers jumped to his defense insisting that politicians shouldn't have to answer faith-based questions. I disagree, and I think I can give a compelling argument why Christians as a whole should also disagree and ultimately reject Mitt as a candidate.

I'd like to clarify that my stance is the same for any non-Christian religion. I won't pick on Mormonism for what it is, but for what it is not. It is not Christian - just like Jew's aren't Christian, Unitarians aren't Christian, Atheists aren't Christian, and Muslim's aren't Christian. Mormonism doesn't baptize with a trinitarian baptism and has always been regarded as a cult (much like the Jehovah's Witnesses). As a non-Christian faith, they are inherently hostile to the Gospel of Christ and under the sway of the god of this world - Satan.

As a Christian, I personally answer to Christ. I don't answer to Mitt, or the Republicans. My duty is not to be ecumenical in my acceptance of non-Christian faith groups. My duty is not to elect a Republican. My duty is to help further the kingdom of God on this world to the glory of Christ.

Given all that, what on earth would possess me (or any Christian) to push religion out of politics? Electing a truly Christian individual to positions of leadership seems like a great way to further the kingdom of God. Why should I be persuaded to give my vote to a non-Christian candidate?

The fact of the matter is, I shouldn't be persuaded. My Christian values don't allow me to support a non-Christian candidate, especially when there are other "Christian" candidates running for the same office. The question then goes out to the "Christians" that support Mitt... Why? Why follow a leader who doesn't follow Christ? Why exalt someone to the highest position in the land (perhaps the world) when their base isn't Jesus Christ - and even profess that "any" religion is a good one? If the word of God can be shrunk down to "be kind to your neighbor" then that person has missed the point. Wide is the path to damnation, and this guy is trying to lead us down it.

Religion and Politics do mix - but Religion comes before Politics. What you believe influences your decisions. If your faith is wrong, your decisions will be wrong. Mitt's faith is wrong.