Readers' forum: Jeffress' Romney attack

When Pastor Jeffress labeled Mitt Romney non-Christian for belonging to the Mormon "cult" on national television Friday, he raised the flag of bigotry. Is there anything that demonstrates bigotry more than attacking someone because they're different than you? Hiding behind a screen of "theological differences" only attempts to put whipped cream on the "manure pile" attack.

The situation begs two questions: How can you identify a Christian? Or, how do you identify a Democrat, a Utah Jazz fan or a vegetarian? What one professes falls short of defining them. Only actions tell us who they are. In this case, Romney responded with civility and maturity, while Jeffress claimed that America was settled as a haven only for Christians and only those who define Christians as he does.

The other question is where were the defenders of America's liberties following this bigoted attack? Fellow Mormons? What of those of our national congressional delegation who are Mormons? Only non-Mormon fellow presidential candidate Rick Santorum strongly defended Romney's right to worship. And isn't this issue bigger than religion? Shouldn't all Americans passionately object to an attack on any of our precious American freedoms?

Larry D. Macfarlane

Orem