Tue Dec 04 13:33:15 Comment on the Anvil of Mormonism in the Forging of American Faith: Soft-bigotry against Mormons facilitates broader theological cooperation.
I've been struggling with the implications of this for some time. It does seem that the theological ground is shifting in a subtle way. As you have suggested in your article, the conversion of Francis Beckwith revealed the hardening (re: reinventing) of doctrinal (re: tribal) lines in American Protestantism, specifically the Evangelical wing; but, there were many who also saw the conversion as a reconciliation between the two grand traditions in western Christianity—the Protestant and the Catholic; which may also signal an increasing theological amalgamation between the two. Personally, I was hopeful that the latter was more accurate.
Perhaps, as you’ve suggested, the bar of religious (re: tribal) orthodoxy (and hence exclusion) for the American Evangelical has been set at Mormonism. In many ways, the Secularist have also set the bar of ‘Reason’ at Mormonism; although they seem to be less tribal; forgiving the sins of one’s minority group as long as they kowtow to the correct alters of secularism. I don’t see our position as the ‘lone’ Anvil changing anytime soon, and the only thing this sectarian challenge will do to our country is force good men, like Romney, out of Politics by requiring compromise of private convictions based on tribal warfare.
It would be terrible for America if Mormon lawmakers/executives are forced into a position of retreating into our own semi-majority representative districts, especially by a party that Mormon’s typically support more often than otherwise.
All the buzz is on what Romney will say this Thursday. He is at a turning point in this campaign. I think he will be bold and unapologetic, but not 'offensive' towards Evangelicals who oppose him based on his Religion.
Cross Posted at Times and Seasons.
