Alan Grayson: Romney's Religion

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. Seems kind of misplaced.

Nevertheless, I was disappointed to read last Thursday that a Mason-Dixon poll found that 26% of all American voters would be “uncomfortable” with a Mormon as President. Last month, a Public Religion Research Institute poll put that figure at more than 40%. In June, a Quinnipiac poll put the figure at 36%. And a Gallup Poll in June found that 22% of all voters would not support any Presidential candidate who is an active Mormon.

The Constitution could not possibly be clearer on this point. The penultimate sentence of the Constitution states: “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” Note that this was in the original Constitution; the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights came later.

Yes, the constitution says there is no religious test for holding public office but that applies to the government and its rules. Citing a poll where 26% of respondants are uncomfortable is a whole different can of worms. The constitution does not, cannot, govern people's feelings and how they vote.

I would be included in that 26% but that's due to my ignorance of Mormonism. Sure, I hear all the scare-mongering but I'm not religious in general and know even less of genuine Mormon doctrine in particular. The unknown is always uncomfortable especially within the context of the most powerful office in the nation. That is, of course, more a commentary on my ignorance than a Mormon's fitness for the office of president.