Analysis: The unexpected evangelical silence on Mitt Romney’s Mormonism

Deseret News

Published: Monday, June 11 2012 2:39 p.m. MDT

Writer Jonathan Merritt for Religion News Service looks into what he calls the surprisingly supportive evangelical reaction to Mitt Romney's candidacy for president:

When Romney delivered his Faith in America speech in 2007, the Southern Baptist response was to label Mormonism a theological cult and false religion.

What's surprising in 2012 is the relative lack of anxiety on the other side, among evangelicals who for years considered Mormonism a "cult" that was to be feared, not embraced.

In fact, the relative ambivalence among prominent evangelicals about this new "Mormon moment" -- and the fact that Romney's campaign could mainstream Mormonism right into the Oval Office could radically shift the dynamics on America's political and religious landscape.

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lost in DC

West Jordan, UT

Mark and LDS lib,

thanks for providing the expected charges of racism from the left. It's amazing how if anyone DARES disagree with BO's policies, they are by default racist.

7:25 p.m. June 11, 2012
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Rifleman

Salt Lake City, Utah

I don't think Mr. Romney's friends of other faiths need to worry about him installing a baptismal font in the White House. They view Romney as less of a threat to their religious freedoms than Mr. Obama has already proven to be.

2:58 p.m. June 11, 2012
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Mark B

Eureka, CA

Romney has flipped positions on a number of issues, pandering, evidently, with some success. Now, despite earlier attempts to stop his campaign (Santorum?), the evangelicals will hold their highly developed noses and vote Mitt unless he either More..

3:25 p.m. June 11, 2012
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