Would you ever deny your vote for a presidential candidate based solely on the religion of the candidate?

Question

Answer the way you wanted to when you read the above question without reading what's below, then read what's below...






Then answer knowing that the religion is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If your answer changed, you may want to think about where you get your biases from. 37% of people who were polled about whether they'd vote for a Mormon presidential candidate said they would not. I imagine these people are ignorant about the religion just as people have been ignorant about other groups before. If you are part of that 37%, time to educate yourselves instead of believing the myths that are all around about the Mormon religion.

Mitt Romney may be a candidate for the next presidency, and while I'm not saying I'm even sure I'll vote for him, I hope people will at least put their ignorant biases aside and actually look at what he has to offer.

Answer 1

I have always believed we should vote for the person who is best for the job. Since I've had the right to vote, I have never missed an election, even though I don't agree with the way our system currently runs. What I know of the Mormon Religion is very little. I have observed the Mormons to be family oriented and committed to the task that they feel their God had put before them. Why would I not vote for a man who has good morals and values? This was the best question I have seen on this forum. Thank you for making the point you made. I will have to learn more about the candidate before I would vote for him. Good job. Nana

Answer 2

Very good question. As you foresaw, my initial reaction would have been to say I would never let a candidate's religion influence my vote, but on reflection, I would. I would not vote for a Mormon because that religion has basic beliefs that are just not rational, for instance that Jesus married English women and that is why the English are so advanced, or that He preached in the Americas and that is why the native Americans were able to build pyramids. I would not vote for a snake handler, either. Nor, sadly, would I vote for a Muslim--I do not approve of the way that religion treats women, or of the murder of gays, and I never want that happening here.

Answer 3

Yes.
I am a Republican but I will never vote for a Mormon.
The USA will never have a Mormon President.
Joseph Smith thought he should be President also - what an ego!

"The elders of the church were actually called to electioneer for Joseph Smith. At a special meeting of the elders on April 9, 1844, Brigham Young declared: "It is now time to have a President of the United States. Elders will be sent to preach the Gospel and electioneer" (History of the Church, vol. 6, p.322). At the same meeting Heber C. Kimball affirmed: "... we design to send Elders to all the different States to get up meetings and protracted meetings, and electioneer for Joseph to be the next President" (Ibid., p.325). Mormon writer John J. Stewart refers to those who were sent to campaign as a "vast force of political missionaries" (Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, p.209)."

"The attempt by Joseph Smith to become president seems to have been a treasonous plot to bring the United States Government under the rule of the priesthood. Klaus J. Hansen observed: "But what if, through a bold stroke, he could capture the United States for the Kingdom? The Council of Fifty thought there might be a chance and nominated the Mormon prophet for the Presidency of the United States" (Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1966, p.67)."

Answer 4

No. But I would consider whether or not their religion plays a large part in the way they conduct themselves, and if it meant that they would mistreat others holding differing views. The US Constitution is pretty clear about the role of religion in government. I would not vote for any candidate who does not respect the US Constitution. This is why I did not vote for the current President. I didn't deny him my vote based solely on his religion. I denied him my vote because his religious convictions don't seem to allow him to respect the laws of the US, or democracy in general.

Answer 5

My answer did not change after reading that.

I would not deny my vote to a candidate based solely on his/her religion. However, I would think twice about voting for someone if I thought that their decisions would be guided more by their religious beliefs than by the needs of their constituents. It doesn't matter what religion it is.

Answer 6

I don't think the candidates religion should reflect how a person votes. It's the candidates stance on important issues that should be central to who a person votes for. I don't care if a person is a Mormon, Catholic, Jew, Buddhist...it doesn't matter and shouldn't matter to anyone to whom that person prays to

Answer 7

justme and my 2 cents - i actually imagine you've requested a fantastically stupid question. Why would all of us vote for a president, depending fullyyt on race? To me, it style of sounds like that is one in all those questions that in simple terms doesn't make a lot sense. in case you've been to characteristic extra to it, you may want to probably ask it back interior the philosophy section and fireplace up some idea there.

Answer 8

Amos 3:3:

3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

If he does not hold the same values,morals, and ethics Yes I would deny my vote if our beliefs were in conflict where these areas would be compromised. A little poision over time is as deadly as a full dose. Death just lasts longer.

Answer 9

I would if the religion involved wantonly slaughtering babies to sacrifice to the almighty Demon-God who will one day come to wreak evil upon the earth and the candidate is running to secure a powerful position to help him.

I never even know the religion of the candidates.

Answer 10

Yes...some religions are crazy plain and simple. I don't care for Mormons or their beliefs and principles which would undoubtedly affect the man's decision making. Everyone is bias, even him.

I wouldn't vote for a Catholic either so no offense.