Politics will continue to be a hinderence and we must be more critical of those who claim our best interest. Regardless of who or what they say they are!

We should have told the Quakers, "Don't get you knickers in a knot. Slavery is only a political issue…not moral."

You never did say who you voted for…..

Saving the economy does no good if we have lost our (collective-national) soul by killing the MOST innocent of God's creation.

Being the most powerful nation in the world (or even universe) is pitiful compared to the condemnation the murderers of innocents will receive (unless they put that sin under His blood also).

Exchanging the traditional meaning of love to describe the modern practice of fornication does nothing to improve our lives, the world, or bring us closer to Him.

May the Lord forgive the USA!

As I was thinking about this comment… maybe the law won't effect how many try to get the "procedure" nee abortion done, But as a taxpayer… I DO NOT HAVE TO PAY for it!!!! ( or shouldn't have to anyway.) That is my bottom line. I cannot stop anyone from getting one.. but I don't have/want to pay for it!!

::back to your regular programming:::

At least I think we can be pretty sure the babies are going to heaven — then again, with predestination and all, maybe they're not.

BTW — I am still a republican, but from the attitudes I hear like "how can anyone be a christian and a democrat/libertal", I'm almost inclined to change.

Seems someone else I know cares about "the little guy", too…

linda marie

I consider myself a recovering Satanist, with the far too occasional relapse.

In a church, this is correct. In the political arena, I'm not so sure.

Many Christians use abortion as a litmus test for their candidates. That is simply wrong, because as Steve said, it's not the only issue.

I guess I'd be interested to see the results of Christians who, instead of simply attempting to elect people who will legislate morality for them, will instead, focus that same energy on educating the public with a peacable, non-self-righteous tone.

Personally, I hope you're right, Steve. I hope the cultural mindset does change. But for now, I believe Tony Campolo explained it best when he spoke of his conversation with Bill Clinton regarding the issue. Essentially, Clinton stated that the issue of abortion only comes up during election years– when it has the greatest political benefit to the right.

Senor Jefe, the only issue isn't abortion. But killing babies is rather important.

No BC : it isn't a fuzzy analogy. In fact, it is a good one if the issue is competency and that was the point I was making.

Does theology affect competency? Maybe and maybe not. It certainly would if your belief system included smoking weed or the curse of work. But that isn't where Mormons are coming from.

Does theology affect direction? Yeah, it can. If one's theology is big on child sacrifice, a call to Armageddon, anti-Semitism or maintaining racial purity of course it would.

While the theology of Mormonism bothers me, I find that it is relatively benign or, better, produces some core social, economic and political values that are not dissimilar to my own. So the issue to me is competency.

I'm not a Mitt supporter and I may or may not vote for him. But that decision probably won't have anything to do with his theology.

What really bothers me about him is that he is too perfect. Frankly, I would like to see him drunk and check out what he says then. But then, Mormons don't drink:. so we'll never know.

Tim, loved what you said about abortion and, being quite cynical, sort of agree. I certainly agree that laws don't change people's hearts.

However: Because the laws against murder haven't stopped murder we should have no laws respecting murder. Right? Or in fact, if a law is broken – any law – we should take it off the books. Right?

Law has several functions and one of them is revelatory, to wit, our laws (even if they aren't enforced) reflect what we as a nation think is right or wrong. Laws change to reflect a cultural decision on a lot of issues and abortion is one of them. If hearts do change (and there is some indication that Americans are rethinking that issue) the laws will change and Roe v. Wade will be overturned. That probably won't stop abortion but will reflect an important shift in our culture and that shift will lower the abortion rate.

I would flip the question and ask why pro choice is such a quintessential and unquestioned part of the Democratic platform? Why not budge on it within the party, like the Republicans have done? Face it, the Democratic Party will hang any candidate that comes out pro life–even if they wanted to pull out of Iraq this Thursday and reinstate estate taxes to their old levels by 2010 and poor billions into thwarting global warming. To me, that is a more poignant question to ask. Show me a pro life Democrat, and he or she may get my vote. Where are they?

As far as Keller is concerned…ditto. I get his mail and really never read much of it. I will now.

Too many of us christians are trying to placate our guilt about "letting such crime go on in our country" instead of simply helping those around us make a better decision.

So at the end of the day, it's a non-issue. No amount of voting or standing on street corners with signs will change the hearts of real people for whom it will always be an option.

And to BC - I don't think Steve is meaning that theology doesn't influence life, it's that too many use their theology as a way to sell themselves when they are short on practical skills. Would i be mroe apt to want a diamond cut by a "master diamond cutter" or by someone who starts by saying they are a christian and I should do business with them simply because of that fact with no proof that they are proficient at their craft?

This is a fuzzy analogy, but not in the cynical way senor jefe argues. It is a fiction that theology has nothing to do with daily life, and that includes one's work. This view has its roots in American utilitarianism and hyper-individualism, which infects American Christianity.

And how much more influence does theology have on a person's daily life when one's job is to be the leader of the free world? The daily schedule in the Oval Office deals with Global, Civilizational and Transcendental issues of National Policy and Grand Strategy–a very fertile ground for theology to have profound influence.

Romney's theology is still unclear (as is so much of Mormonism). To say this would not affect his Presidency is almost as delusional as saying George W. Bush's theological views do not affect his Presidency. We do not have a "religious test for public office" in this country. But in our impoverished utilitarian mindsets we have also create the illusion that a person's theological view of the world matters little if at all in their ability to do a job.

Abortion is a political maneuver, not a moral position. It will never be overturned… its too valuable as election manipulation.

Unfortunately Steve, this logic does not translate to politics. Because whoever is the best 'politician' is the worst infidel of all.

Are there any candidates who are humble and not self-absorbed and still exhibit that little quality many refer to as 'leadership'?

Personally, I'm wondering if I wouldn't rather have a Mormon with a 'stable meta-narrative' than a christian with conviction…