Isn’t it true that we want an intelligent, “smart” president? In all the talk of Mitt Romney the Mormon, his run for the presidency, and religious test for office, I have not heard anyone mention the intellectual respectability of the man in that he’s Mormon. If a presidential candidate denies that we’ve been to the moon, that brings into question, in my mind, that man’s intellectual respectability. What do I mean by intellectual respectability? Maybe: how likely I am to look at someone and say, “That is an intelligent, learned man I want running the country.” Romney’s Mormonism calls into question his intellectual respectability. Does that make him a dumb fellow? Nope, I know smart Mormons and I know crass Christians (in fact, I’m one at times). But, that Romney knowingly and willfully accepts Mormonism, a heretical, extra-Christian faith, diminishes his intellectual respectability.

Now, saying this brings up a host of problems. First, for whom would I vote, if they be not Christian, for wouldn’t anyone not Christian similarly be considered to lack intellectual respectability for rejecting Christianity? Second, wouldn’t some consider me to lack intellectual respectability that I am a Christian? Third, simply because Romney’s a Mormon doesn’t make him unintelligent.

In response to the third question I would agree that that Romney is a Mormon does not make him unintelligent, but it decreases my respect for his intellect and moreover his fitness for presidency. Mormonism as a religion and Romney as an adherent are not the problem with his intellectual respectability, but what Mormonism teaches and denies, claims running against fact. So, that Romney would subscribe to such a religion casts doubt in my mind on the man’s ability intellectually to serve our nation. But, there are people that question the same of George W.

(Disclaimer: I don’t like politics. I don’t plan on talking a lot about the presidential race; others more intelligent and qualified do so. Look to them. This, however, is a thought I’ve had on my mind for a while and wanted to throw out there, hoping that someone would engage it).