Romney’s Speech
After watching Romney’s Speech on Faith in America, I thought he did an excellent job. I particularly like this line from the speech:
There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe and explain his church’s distinctive doctrines. To do so would enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the Constitution. No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith. For if he becomes president he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths.
I also loved his conclusion:
Recall the early days of the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia, during the fall of 1774. With Boston occupied by British troops, there were rumors of imminent hostilities and fears of an impending war. In this time of peril, someone suggested that they pray. But there were objections. “They were too divided in religious sentiment,” what with Episcopalians and Quakers, Anabaptists and Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Catholics.
Then Sam Adams rose, and said he would hear a prayer from anyone of piety and good character, as long as they were a patriot.
And so together they prayed, and together they fought, and together, by the grace of God, they founded this great nation.
And in that spirit, let us give thanks to the divine “author of liberty.” And together, let us pray that this land may always be blessed, “with freedom’s holy light.”
What I did not think was effective was his referral to his faith as the religion of his fathers. Romney has used this reference before and he did this a couple of times in the speech. To me it de-emphasizes his personal belief and faith. Mormons believe that one must be personally “converted” regardless of ones parents beliefs. Romney should have focused more on his personal belief rather than his faith as tradition.
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