So every American traveling abroad is seen through different eyes than they see themselves.  That’s why “political conflict” and “culture shock” are very real issues that American tourists, military personal, businessmen or missionaries need to be sensitized to.  Sadly, most are not.  As a result, the concept of the “ugly American” is unnecessarily perpetrated. 

Obviously, presidential election years in America are increasingly watched closely – especially in this media age of cell phones, computers, iPods and TVs.  While most envy our freedoms and democratic process, most only have a superficial understanding of our political process.

FAITH & THE PUBLIC FORUM

This political year is especially significant because it is supercharged by the “faith factor.”  In addition to the economy, jobs, education, energy, foreign affairs – especially the potential of a “nuclear Iran” – religion’s impact on the “social agenda” has become a dominant issue.  There is constant debate over how a politician’s personal faith impacts things like traditional marriage…contraceptives…abortion…divorce…gay rights…the environment, etc.

In the past, our concept of “Separation of Church and State” has built a fire wall of separation between private belief and public performance – a concept that is completely abhorred in Islam.  But in this current election process, the issue of faith is being constantly brought to the forefront.  How does private character impact public conduct?

REPUBLICAN RELIGION

A popular maxim says: "Politics and religion make strange bed-bellows!"  One thing’s for sure, they are in bed together during this election year as never before – especially in the Republican caucuses and primaries.  The on-going Republican presidential debates have now surpassed the 19 mark and counting.  While it is an opportunity for the candidates to be “vetted”, or thoroughly examined down to the moral, marital and monetary minutia, there is a lot of mud-slinging in the process.  To date it has been a very negative campaign fueled by millions of dollars of Super Pac money.  Sadly, all of these negative ads have dirtied all of the candidates involved since it is impossible to sling mud without getting morally muddy in the process! 

As is usually the case, these on-going campaign debates are generating a bit more heat than light.  This vetting process has become something of a political demolition derby with each candidate fighting to lead the pack and cross the finish line with their party nomination in hand by winning the necessary 1,144 delegates. 

THE FINAL FOUR

Already the Republican candidates have been cut in half from an original pack of 8 major contenders.  The first four political fatalities were: Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry.  Like the NCAA, the Final Four who are still battling it out are Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.  While Romney is the presumed front-runner, he has not yet galvanized and energized the political and religious conservatives.  This is seen by the fact that there is a majority of the voters who are still in the “undecided” category.

EVANGELICALS, MORMONS & CATHOLICS

Regardless of their past political records, present financial status or future campaign stumping, conservative groups like the Tea Party and Evangelical Christians will play a deciding role in who wins first place on the Republican ticket.  So like it or not – and liberals don't like it – Christians and politicians are in bed together! Republicans in general, and evangelical Christians in particular, have to decide between:

•               Mitt Romney: a proud and professing Mormon elder

•               Newt Gingrich: a recently convert to Catholicism

•               Rich Santorum: a life long Catholic of deep conviction

•               Ron Paul: a libertarian who plays his religious cards close to his chest

Since Mormons are the 4th largest denomination in America, they represent one of the largest conservative voting blocks.  They are generally very pro-family, pro-life, pro-free enterprise, pro-military, pro-America.  Politically, then, a good Mormon can be a good governor or president.  Certainly a potential government official should not be totally judged by his faith, or lack thereof.

But, on the other hand, neither can a political candidate be totally separated from their religious beliefs.  These elections remind us again that we are voting for a president, not a preacher, priest or prophet to occupy the White House.

MY POLITICAL CUP OF TEA

However, both political conservatives and evangelical Christians have to decide which candidate best deserves to claim and carry the mantles of "conservative" and "Christian."  Right now, Mitt, Newt and Rick are vying for both of those titles – with Ron claiming to be the only “true conservative.”

The political wars continue.  So do the cultural wars.  And beneath both of them, the religious wars fuel the other battles.  Questions like these continue to be catalytic in people's thinking and voting:

•               Are we a Judeo-Christian nation?

•               Are we a Islamic-Christian nation?

•               Do the Bible and 10 Commandments have no historical connect with our Constitution and Bill of Rights?

•               What does separation of church and state really mean?

•               Are we now a secular nation void of a religious foundation?

•               Does a politician's faith matter in governance?

•               Is private morality irrelevant to public performance?

•               Can a Catholic, Mormon, atheist or born-again Christian make an equally good President?  

While most of Europe has answered these questions with a resounding "NO," they keep being recycled in America during election years.  And this year, Romney's Mormon Faith, Santorum and Gingrich's Catholic Faith and Paul's Libertarian "faith" continue to be a factor at the polling booth and ballot box.  And many, if not most, evangelical Christians, have a great concern about the strong Mormon faith of Mitt Romney.  The question persists:  Does Mormonism represent mainline Christianity?”  Or, "Is Mormonism a cult?"  Either answer is offensive to one side or the other.

PRO OR PROTEST VOTE?
To date, most political pundants keep saying that Romney has not really captured the minds and hearts of the political conservatives and evangelical Christians.  As a result, we have seen the so-called “Santorum surge” and “Gingrich gain” in recent weeks.  The nagging question is whether their persistent presence and popularity is really a “positive vote” for them – or a “protest vote” against Romney?  Only time will tell.  And Governor Romney’s Mormon faith will be a deciding factor in that debate.

Therefore, to help you make that decision so that you can vote more intelligently, I have updated and reprinted my book on Mormonism.  I first wrote it back in the early 1970s. For those of you who want to dig more deeply into this subject as you decide how the doctrines of Mormonism should impact your voting, click here for a free copy of my book in pdf format.

DEMOCRAT DEMOGRAPHICS

However, this issue of religion and politics is not just a Republican issue.  Democrats face their own version of this politico-religious dynamic.  There is still an uncertain religious aura hanging over President Obama.  While he has tried, he still has never been able to fully distance himself from Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his fiery spiritual-political-racial-cultural rhetoric that often had strong anti-American overtones. 

Couple this liberal leftist "Christian" influence with president Obama's early up-bringing under a Muslim father and subsequent education in Koranic schools – and there is a lingering dark cloud of spiritual suspicion about the reality or sincerity of his professed Christian faith.  At this year's annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 2nd (which I have attended many times), President Obama again spoke openly of "My Christian Faith…" and how it has impacted his political positions.

But formal and informal polls continue to show that many Americans still fear that he is really a “closet Muslim” who has not fully come clean about his Islamic sympathies.  He has made many statements and speeches negating our American and Judeo-Christian heritage.  He has also made many statements extolling the virtues of Islam.  I will share and document many of those in a subsequent email.

Suffice it to say at this point, President Obama has made some very positive statements about Islam.  In many of his speeches, he praises Islam and enumerates its virtues and the debt civilization owes that religion.  He speaks of Islam as a “revealed religion” from God.  He reveres Mohammed as an authentic prophet from God.  He always refers to the "Holy Koran" when he speaks of the writings of Mohammed.  He calls the morning Muslim call to prayer one of the most beautiful sounds in the world – and can recite it in perfect Arabic.

Suffice it to say at this point, President Obama has made some very positive statements about Islam.  In many of his speeches, he praises Islam and enumerates its virtues and the debt civilization owes that religion.  He speaks of Islam as a “revealed religion” from God.  He reveres Mohammed as an authentic prophet from God.  He always refers to the "Holy Koran" when he speaks of the writings of Mohammed.  He calls the morning Muslim call to prayer one of the most beautiful sounds in the world – and can recite it in perfect Arabic.

But does this make him a secret Muslim?  Not necessarily.  Only God knows his heart.  However, we do need to carefully look at the “religious fruit” of his life – which we will do in a later email.

CONCLUSIONS

I began this political op ed with the popular maxim: "Politics and Religion make strange bed-fellows."  Let me end this brief excursion for now through the current political mine-field with another Maxim: "Let your conscience be your guide."   In the final analysis, each of us as Americans and Christians must "vote our conscience." 

However, if our conscience is going to be a trustworthy guide in the voting booth, it must not be driven by blind passion to any person or party.  Our conscience can only be a trustworthy guide when it is historically educated and politically informed.  But most of all, it needs to have been educated by the Word of God and sensitized by the Spirit of God.  To that end, I trust that this attachment on Mormonism will be a helpful resource in your voting.

For God & Country,
JL

I hope you will take a few moments to view the slide show I have put together of some of his speaking events while he was here (shown at top of page).  Also, listen to one or more of his sermons if you want to be blessed.  His message from Psalm 73 entitled "When Good Things Happen to Bad People" will be a timely challenge in these economic times.  He is one of the most powerful and prophetic preachers you will ever hear.  There is also a large portion of one of his sermons that I filmed with my iPhone.  It is from the life of Joseph and entitled: "I'm Not Where You Left Me!"  LINKS: Audio Only or Movie

The Lord willing, I hope to be back in Zimbabwe with Bishop Trevor in mid April.  I will keep you updated on that trip -- after the upcoming one to Asia followed by a Easter Crusade in Haiti.

In His Faithful Love,
JL

PS:  If you have not visited Bishop Trevor's profile on our "Partner Page," I hope you will.  You will be blessed by his life and leadership and our over three decades of partnership