(2007-12-08) Romney Religion Speech

Mitt Romney addressed everyone discomfort with his Mormon beliefs in a speech.

• Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin. As governor, I tried to do the right as best I knew it, serving the law and answering to the Constitution. I did not confuse the particular teachings of my church with the obligations of the office and of the Constitution - and of course, I would not do so as president. I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law. (Church And State) That seems reasonable.

• There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe and explain his church's distinctive doctrines. To do so would enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the Constitution. (Litmus Test) OK, that's so stupid it hurts.

• It's important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions. And where the affairs of our nation are concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter, on the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course. Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the Right To Life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people. Whoops.

• Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our constitution rests.

• Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God, not an indulgence of government. (Natural Law?)

• I'm not sure that we fully appreciate the profound implications of our tradition of religious liberty. I've visited many of the magnificent cathedrals in Europe. They are so inspired, so grand and so empty. Raised up over generations, long ago, so many of the cathedrals now stand as the postcard backdrop to societies just too busy or too "enlightened" to venture inside and kneel in prayer.

Some conservatives/evangelicals think he's not conservative or evangelical enough.