As the nest election approaches and we see a Mormon questioned for his fitness to be president I remembered this piece I wrote in 2000. Although I consider the Mormon faith a cult that denies portions of the reality of Jesus I do not have any more concern about A Mormon becoming president than a Catholic or Methodist as long as he subscribes to the constitution. Note that I have concerns about a Muslim holding office because of the stance of Islamic groups that religion is above the state.
In 1960 anyone who objected to JFK on the grounds he was a Catholic was castigated.
Now, 40 years later when a man with a Pentecostal background is considered for an office he is abused by the brother of the man elected then - Teddy Kennedy. Actually John Ashcroft is a member of the Assembly of God. This Pentecostal group holds high regard for patriotism and the constitution, in fact more than most. I have been in Assembly of God congregations and seen their group like the Boy Scouts. They hold the nation as important.
Somehow I see the Catholic faith as more restrictive to an office holder and even so that does not raise a concern for me. I am a Pentecostal. The denomination does not exercise the control over their members that Catholicism does. The aspect of a Pope dictating an American government official how to handle a matter is not inconceivable to me. And that he could exact sanctions to make it happen is a real threat.. The idea that a Pentecostal leader would do that is unthinkable. There is no such right for the leaders. Don't get me wrong, on matters of morality, guidance would be given if asked for. But there is one basic difference between the denominations and some understanding of theology is necessary to see it.
In Catholicism the person must go to confession. There is a mediator between God and a man, the Papal hierarchy. That is an aspect of control. The person does not have the same personal access to God as does the Priesthood. The priest has clout! In the protestant doctrines (and the Pentecostals are very stringent in this, remember, Protestants rejected the Pope) they follow the teaching of the bible in Timothy..
1 Tim 2:5
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
(KJV)
Eph 2:18
18 For through him (Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
(KJV)
I don't care if you agree or disagree with this theology, the important thing is that Ashcroft DOES... The individual need not have a man to reach God for him so he is more independent. And many others in the Bush administration have Evangelical (Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, etc) backgrounds. These too believe this way. These men have consciences that are firm in right and wrong. And they will vote it and exercise it. But part of that conscience is the rule of law. They will not violate that because to do so is to become a lawless and a lawbreaker. And most have a firm memory of the Clinton lies.
They have sworn to uphold the law. That they will do. If they are expected to expand lawless liberal ideas there will be disappointment. If they are expected to uphold the law of the land and do it with dignity, justice and mercy, there will not be disappointment.
I do not expect Ashcroft to seriously challenge RvW. I also do not expect him to try to EXPAND the lie of "abortion rights." I expect him to fully protect a woman's access to an abortion if that is illegally challenged in any way. I do not expect him to expand rights for one group above another but I do believe that anyone's rights that are violated will be a concern to him, even those who have different beliefs. You see, he understands RELIGEOUS PERSECUTION FIRST HAND. He is being subjected to it by the liberals in the Senate with Teddy Kennedy leading the charge.
As a Pentecostal of about the same age, (He is within 2 years of my age) I know the persecution of Pentecostals in the late 40's and 50's. The burning of Black churches in the south has to be a stench to him, we had churches vandalized BY OTHER DENOMINATIONS. Congregations were warned about us from the pulpit! In some other nations Pentecostals have been killed by other denominations. Ashcroft understands the pain of the oppressed. It is so obvious to him that he sees no reason to say, "I know your pain..." He does.
