Reader comments
Lee Benson: Weirdness, not religion, is real issue

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

What a great way to start this dreary, rainy day by making us all laugh! THANK YOU!

BRAVO!!!!!!!

You missed it by a mile! This was not a speech about the LDS faith, it was a speech about America's constitutional religion. As Mitt stated, and gave historical references (what a unique perspective for a canidate's speech), "Faith requires freedom...and freedom requires faith". This will be ranked, probably not by pundits from the DesNews, but by history with - "We have nothing to fear but fear itself", "Mr Gorbechav, tear down this wall", and "..what America can do for you, but what you can do for America".

Benson, you hit it right on the head. We Mormons are still very, VERY human. To paraphrase a quote I heard many years ago: The church is true, because if it weren't, we Mormons would have destroyed it all by ourselves a long time ago.

All the more reason for all of us, Mormon or no, to be more kind and decent to each other. Instead, we in Utah have been known to squabble over an actor's off-hand comments about plastic and a certain athlete's comments about "living right." Some of us see cheering for BYU--and against the U--as a religious obligation. And we wonder why other people think we're weird? We really are a *peculiar people*--in more ways than one.

Bottom line: Following Christ, the prophet, and living the religion we profess are what really matters. All the other stuff is just sideshow.

Actually the Catholics in Kennedy's time and before were viewed with suspition too.
Some thought the Pope's mitre had the number 666 on it, and that he was the antichrist.
Rumors of catholics with houses full of guns ready to revolt and take over the country were common.
So the scenarios aren't that far apart really...
The biggest difference is in the numbers.

I agree with some of Mr. Benson's points, but one of the premises of Mr. Benson's article is incorrect: Romney never compared himself President Kennedy. Several times this past week he actually did the opposite, saying himself he wasn't giving a "Kennedy speech."

This may not be a big deal to most people, but it is the ability to create small misportrayals like this that gives the media its power over public opinion (and which creates the responsibility that comes along with it).

In reallity then, it's Mr. Benson who's comparing President Kennedy's and Mr. Romney's speeches, and go figure, they're not really comparable just like Mr. Romney said himself this entire week!

Kennedy was already the Democratic Party nominee. The Catholic Church represented about 1/4 of the country's population at the time. The concern was about taking orders from the Pope, differences and competitiveness with the Protestant religions. This was very different than Romney.
Frankly, Benson has it right. It's how people perceive the Mormons beginning with polygamy, the trinity, scriptures, the Book of Mormon (equating it with the Bible), and other things that are considered odd practices. The LDS just need to continue affirming their religion and quit worrying about what the evangilical christians think about them. Romney should not have had to give that speech. He now has raised more questions concerning other groups and individuals and his interpretation of separation of church and state (or not).

Without doubt Mormonism is a cult. No other religion requires oaths and covenants to offer your life if you transgress the religious regulations. And that is the definition of cult. So Mr. Benson, you are an elitist snob just like your other Mormon friends and unwilling to face the reality of your small and intolerant world. Who would want a president that represents those ideals.