Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?

So, if you're like me, you're probably sick of hearing all about the "Mormons aren't Christians" stuff that has been all over the news lately. 

It's old.  And tiring.  And absolutely has no place in politics. 

But, unfortunately, it's here.  And it's out there.  And it saddens me to know that there are people so ignorant and bigoted and biased that they would refuse someone an opportunity (not just for President--but for anything) because they are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 
No one likes to hear the things that they hold dearest to them distorted and demeaned and twisted into a pile of poopy gobbledygook.  So many of the things I have read and heard people say about my faith are completely false.   There is so much hate coming from people who profess to follow the most perfect example of love the world has ever known.

I recently saw a video of Mitt Romney at some campaign event extend his hand to a man, who responded by telling him he would never vote for a Mormon.  Mitt Romney replied by saying "Well, can I shake your hand anyway?"  The crotchety old man replied vehemently "NO!"  

This man is a bigot.  It was ridiculous.  To this man, and to others who say they will never vote for a Mormon, my question is this:

What are you so afraid of?

Are you afraid you'll have a President who might encourage you to love and be faithful to your spouse? To spend more time with your family? To get out and serve and volunteer in your community and to get to know and be kind to your neighbors? A President who believes in honesty and personal responsibility and accountability?  Someone who encourages you to get out of debt and to live within your means, and to prepare for the future?  Someone who asks you to give freely to charity?  And even more, that you might get a President who doesn't just spout off about these things, but someone who actually lives them?

Can you even imagine?  Scary, right?!  Oh, the horror of it all! 


Oh, us scary Mormons!  So our doctrine is a little different than yours. Our values aren't. Our standards aren't. Our love of this country is the same as yours.  Our desire to be good and to do good is the same.

And guess what?  Our love for Jesus is too.  

True, some of our beliefs about Him may be different (ie., that He is a separate and distinct being from God the Father and from the Holy Ghost), but where it really matters--we believe the same.  The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ.  To quote one of my favorite scriptures from that apparently scary book, The Book of Mormon, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."  But you're going to try and tell me I'm not Christian.  Ummmm...since when did you get to decide who is and is not considered a "Christian?"  Really? 

I've heard people say they won't vote for a Mormon because they're concerned that the President would take direction from Mormon church leaders instead of doing just what is best for the country.  Ummmm.....have you seen Harry Reid?  I'm embarassed to admit it, but he's a Mormon.  He's a liberal Democrat with some polar opposite positions from fellow Mormon Mitt Romney.  So I think it's safe to say neither one of them are taking orders from the "powers that be" in Salt Lake City.   

A large source of anti-Mormonism comes from evangelicals.  To them, I would say, you are picking a fight with the wrong people.  We're on the same side here.  We want so many of the same things.  We all believe in life and in families and in doing good to others.  Why, when religion and faith is being attacked on all sides by so much evil and darkness, are you choosing to bring us down, when all that we have ever tried to stand for is goodness?  Don't you think there's a bigger enemy out there waiting for us?  Don't you think we should stick together?   Or do you just get to pick and choose when we're useful to you?  (Think California.) 

I love my faith.  Does it have some quirky doctrines and practices?  Sure.  Perhaps, on the surface, it may appear so.   But let's be honest.  Don't all religions?  My church has taught me who I am, and what I am here on earth to do.  Hint:  It's not to take over the country and the world, which is apparently what some people think!  It has taught me that I am a daughter of  God with the challenge to choose goodness and obedience in this life.  To rear a family to do the same.  To come unto Christ, to follow His perfect example, to enjoy this journey, and to help and do good to others along the way.  If that is a threat to you, well, then.....I'm sorry that you are so pathetic.   


So, again, I ask.
 
A Mormon President.  What are you so afraid of?