Mitt Romney
is not the first Mormon to run for President, Joseph Smith actually made a bid for
the presidency in 1844. Mormonism is the fastest growing religion in the
Western hemisphere, and could prove to be a decisive voting block. This series
explores Mormonism, drawing heavily from Krakauer’s Under the Banner of Heaven.
At some point, Romney will have to address where he stands under the doctrines
of Mormonism.
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon
Krakauer, 2003, Excerpts
There is a dark side to religious devotion that is too often
ignored or denied. As a means of motivating people to be cruel or inhumane,
there may be no more potent force than religion. When the subject of
religiously inspired bloodshed comes up, many Americans immediately think of
Islamic fundamentalism, which is to be expected in the wake of 911. But men
have been committing heinous acts in the name of God ever since mankind began
believing in deities, and extremists exist within all religions. Muhammad is
not the only prophet whose words have been used to sanction barbarism; history
has not lacked for Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and even Buddhists who have
been motivated by scripture to butcher innocents.
Although the far territory of the extreme can exert an
intoxicating pull on susceptible individuals of all bents, extremism seems to
be especially prevalent among those inclined by temperament or upbringing
toward religious pursuits. Faith is the very antithesis of reason,
injudiciousness a crucial component of spiritual devotion. And when religious
fanaticism supplants ratiocination, all bets are suddenly off. Anything can
happen. Absolutely anything. Common sense is no match for the voice of God.
History
Angel
Moroni
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