He’s a Mormon, not a Martian

By Tanya Simon

In 1947, Branch Rickey, the President and General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, decided to take a high-stakes gamble and signed a new player to the team. It was so controversial that it drew catcalls from fans both inside and outside Ebbets Field, as well as fear and resentment from the ball club and from other league teams. But Rickey’s decision paid off. The player’s name was Jackie Robinson -- and the “colored” barrier was broken for all time. Rickey caused further sensation when he decided to sign Roberto Clemente, the first Hispanic ballplayer, to the major leagues -- and the “race” obstacle was vaporized.

Two years earlier, Harry Truman was sworn in as 33rd President of the United States, hours after Franklin Roosevelt died. America was at war, and it was up to the new President to make the no-turning-back decision to deploy the atomic bomb and end the bloody conflict. The President’s decision paid off.

These are excerpts from the voluminous archives of momentous decisions by Americans made out of dire necessity or the sheer will to effect a long-overdue social change, or both. And once widespread acceptance of such decisions was irrevocably established, critics and opponents had no choice but to dine on the ashes of their resistance.

Another controversy is occurring in present time. Beginning in 2006, and from the day Mitt Romney stepped through the golden arches of democracy and into the arena as a candidate for President, he has been ostracized because of his Mormon faith, and under fire as to whether he fits the mainstream ideal of an “American” Christian. The wholesale disrespect shown him would be acceptable if he were a toad-face alien from a hostile planet in the bad neighborhood sector of our galaxy. But he’s not. He was born and raised right here in the United States.

One has to wonder why Islamist fundamentalists aren’t vilified with the same aggression. By comparison, for example, the Muslim prisoners at GITMO have been given wider respect for the rites – and rights – of their faith. For this we can thank the likes of the ACLU and liberal Democrats who’d rather walk a mile barefoot on broken glass than allow anyone to step on the toes of these “anointed ones” of Allah. (And in case anyone has forgotten: Islamist mullahs, in their venomous wisdom, continue to work every minute of every day to perfect plans to massacre “American infidels” and establish Islam inside our borders. They’re also just as eager to “waste” every religion formed under and protected by our Constitution.)

Which brings to mind ancient Rome: For his amusement –and because he was a full-blown psychopath – Emperor Nero ordered lions and other savage beasts set loose on persons suspected of being members of the “Christian cult” – and I don’t need to describe what happened to them. Nero wanted to wipe Christians off the face of the earth.

Sounds familiar?

In today’s political Circus Maximus, the wheel has turned. Now it is particular Christian orders that want to sink their incisors into Mitt Romney and Mormonism and label him and others of the faith as cultists. It would seem these Christians have picked up where the Emperor left off.

Let’s review a short list of infamous historical facts and catchphrases:

Nero
Crucifixion
Spanish Inquisition
Stalin
Gulag
Kristallnacht
“Ethnic Cleansing”
“Master Race”
Ku-Klux Klan
“Whites Only”
Anti-Mormon rhetoric

I see no differences.

In America, religious persecution is a breach of our fiduciary duty to uphold and defend religious freedom, which is a vital element of our democracy. In light of this, I would be correct to point out that Romney has been unfairly painted a non-conformist and propped up as target practice by the self-proclaimed sages of our society (similar, no doubt, to what Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente endured when they first donned their team jerseys).

I believe I would also be correct by saying Mr. Romney has been more than patient and has behaved like a gentleman; he hasn’t overreacted to the slurs and suspicions pinned on him not just by members of certain Christian sects but largely by the media and their pundits, all of whom sound like trial lawyers who pose leading questions to witnesses to confuse and insult their intelligence: “Can a Mormon be President?” “Do you see his faith as a cult that would prevent him from being elected?”

That’s as cheeky as a meteorologist’s weather report: “Will we have a wet drive to work in the morning?”

The question that should be asked is: “Do you believe Mitt Romney has the strength and courage to tackle the demanding, dangerous and thankless job of President of the United States?”

If you’re unsure of what decision to make and are confused by all the hyperbole, then take five and read a transcript of Mitt Romney’s own words in his speech of December 6, 2007 here. Take control and draw your own conclusions.

If you decide not to support Mitt Romney because he’s a Mormon, then don’t – it’s that simple.

If you decide to support Mitt Romney because you believe he would be an exceptional leader of our country, then, by all means, do.

It’s your decision, and whichever one you make will be the one that is right for you.