The two Republican candidates who belong to the Church of Later Day Saints, Jon Hunstman and Mitt Romney are – interestingly – the most science (read “reality”) friendly. As pointed out in The Daily Beast this week, the Mormans in the race even base their acceptance of modern thought in theology.
In a time where admitting that humans have had an impact on the climate and (gasp) the existence of evolution are considered anathemas to the right wing, these two stand in very sparse company.
Their views are very close to my own. My rabbi has given many beautiful sermons about the Big Bang. Just knowing that the universe once fit into a ball smaller than a human hand – how could that not inspire awe? Supercoliders can tell us what happened in the first billionth of a second … but what happened before that, that’s an area where we can all offer praise and give thanks, no matter what we believe. As for evolution, I can see any number of modern rabbis sharing Mitt Romney’s words, “I believe that God designed the universe and created the universe. And I believe evolution is most likely the process he used to create the human body.”
I love and respect my atheist friends. In fact, I believe that atheism should probably be considered the “normal” position – those who feel otherwise should be considered an odd, but also respected group.
And there absolutely should not be a litmus test of “faith” in order to hold public office. I look forward to the day where a candidate can say, “Listen, I’m not going to do the photo-op in front of the church. I don’t want to take away any of the rights of those that are into it – but I’m not a believer.” Atheist, Scientologist … whatever makes them happy, the test should be what kind of leader they would be, not whether they go to church or not.
Comedians mock Mormans wearing “magic underwear,” but how strange would any of our religious customs seem to an outsider. Putting a piece of parchment in a case on our doorways? Drinking wine meant to symbolize blood?
But just because I admire their stances on this one topic, that doesn’t mean that I want to see either Hunstman or Romney in the White House because I don’t agree with them on just about everything else.
Some atheist think you must be some kind of imbecile to be a part of a religion. These recent revelation about Hunstman and Romney prove otherwise. Some of their fellow candidates, however …