Mitt Romney isn't as solid on the social issues as you think he is

I think that most people assume that 2012 Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, being a 'faithful' man and a conservative, is solid on the social issues. Further many people believe that compared to the travesty that is Obama, Romney is a conservative answer to prayer, who operates within the framework of his Mormon faith and is against the behaviors that are the main social ills of today.

They would be wrong.

He is not.

I took a look at his record on three main issues, though there are many issues to look at, including foreign policy and economics. I examined Romney's stance on two social issues and a foreign policy issue of interest to Christians: Abortion, Homosexual agenda, and Israel. I included links so you can check them out yourself. I noted the date, some articles are from 1994 and others are from today.

Homosexual agenda

Boy Scouts:
Romney believes that openly gay people should be allowed to participate in Boy Scouts as members or leaders. Currently the Boy Scouts of America does not allow. Romney is in agreement with Obama on this issue. "Romney says Boy Scouts should admit homosexuals"

Homosexual marriage:
Romney’s views on this have changed since 1994 when he first ran for office. Initially he believed in “equality for all citizens”. He declared he would be more liberal and effective than his opponent, Sen Ted Kennedy.

Said the same in 2002 when running for governor. (source)

When the Mass. Supreme court said that denying gays a legally sanctioned marriage, Romney sought to establish same sex civil unions, but stated that his personal views were that marriage should be just for one man and one woman. (source)

Has stated he would seek a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages. (additional source)

Romney has consistently opposed expanding marriage to gays and lesbians, while paradoxically insisting that he supports equal rights for everyone. And he has tailored that message to please his shifting audiences. (source)

Other homosexual issues

He supported the Federal Employee Nondiscrimination Act and President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy allowing gay men and women in the military in 1994.

Says he is for Gay Rights, (Aug 2011)

Romney’s stance on homosexual agenda issues is contradictory. When asked if it turned out that one of his grandkids was gay Romney said “I love my children, and I love my grandchildren, and of course I’d want them to be happy. My view is this: individuals should be able to pursue a relationship of love and respect and raise a family as they would choose. I would like to have the term ‘marriage’ continue to be associated with a relationship between one man and one woman, and that certainly doesn’t prevent two people of the same gender living in a loving relationship together having a domestic partnership, if you will.” (source) (source)

Abortion

--Said in 1994 that abortion should be safe and legal for all women (source)
--Said the same in 2002, affirming his stance that a woman has a right to choose
--Said in 2005 said he is staunchly pro-life
(source)

Oct 11, 2012- Believes abortion is wrong but will not seek to institute any laws about it. Abortion issues are not part of his agenda, he told reporters today. (source)

Oct 11, 2012 Later the same day he backpedalled on the statement (source)

Said he would de-fund Planned Parenthood. (source)

Here is a link showing Romney’s “evolution” on abortion issues. (source)

This is a straightforward factual listing of the issues written by AP, just out today. The title is Obama and Romney: where they stand on the issues. Side by side comparison of all issues, not just social. The piece includes compasiton of stances on debt, economy, Social Security, abortion, homosexual agenda, etc, the whole gamut is on this page. (source)

Tracy Bloom at TruthDig reports the following:
"GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney “reaffirmed” his staunch pro-life abortion position on Wednesday, saying his stance on the hot-button issue hasn’t changed. At least not since he became pro-life midway through his political career. Like on many issues—taxes, health care, stem-cell research, minimum wage, immigration reform, etc.—Romney has flipped-flopped positions in a seemingly concerted effort to appeal to a certain ideological group of voters.”

I posted Bloom's piece because I have found the same flip-flopping as I travel the course of Romney’s life. I agree that whatever his personal feelings on an issue, when it comes to public policy, Romney changes to match the situation, constituency or to attain a political goal. This also includes a less than candid reporting of the reasons his grandfather fled the US to Mexico in the 1880s. And I’m not just talking about flip-flops on issues that are decades apart, but for example, the abortion flip flop that occurred the same day.

Israel

At a private fundraiser, a donor asked Romney how the "Palestinian problem" can be solved. Romney immediately launched into a detailed reply, asserting that the Palestinians have "no interest whatsoever in establishing peace, and that the pathway to peace is almost unthinkable to accomplish." (source). The Main Stream Media treated this "discovered video" as a smoking gun, but in fact, Romney is absolutely right on the issue. The Palestinians do not want peace and it is futile to pursue it with them.

I agree with Romney on this and I’m also pleased he had a reply that included details. A two state solution only presages the judgment from God in Joel 3:2 where God said He will judge the nations because they have divided up His land. The much vaunted "Two State Solution" is no solution.

I post this tonight because I want us to be aware of the fact that Romney is not the answer to conservative prayer that he is being made out to be. The issue is not black and white and in fact is more complicated. Christians are in a quandary for good reason.

Add to that, Christians are weary. We are dejected in seeing the country crumble. We are concerned about the effect Obama has had in a mere four years and are heartily concerned with what will happen if he gets another four. We long to see faith played out on the national arena. We desire to see standards of morals and behavior applied consistently in at least one leader. The vacuum of goodness surely is dark on our hearts. Romney is the Republican candidate, conservative and intelligent, and many people are despondent enough with the way things are to say "good enough... close enough... what else we gonna do, anyway?"

Be mindful that Mitt Romney, while likely being a very nice man, generous and charitable, intelligent and having a grasp of economic issues, is unsaved. His ethics and morals have only been solid as far as they have served his political ambitions. I say this not to denigrate the man, but because I have spent the last two days reading numerous articles and seeing interviews and his positions change, sometimes over years, but more troubling, sometimes depending on who he is speaking to on the same day. I was saddened to read his responses to the hypothetical query about his grandchildren if they turned out to be gay. He wants them to be happy and in a relationship? As a man who claims God and says he adheres to His standards why did he not say that homosexuality is a sin and he would pray daily for the Spirit to transform the person through the saving grace of Jesus, because the homosexual lifestyle is one of despair, illness, and eventual condemnation by Holy God?

It is a paradox for Romney to say he wants his grandkids, if they turned out to be homosexuals, to be happy and in a peaceful relationship then say he would push for a constitutional amendment banning a legal relationship for them...wouldn't that make them UNhappy?

People say all the time, choose the lesser of two evils. I don't agree. Choosing the lesser of two evils means you are still choosing evil. Charles Spurgeon said, "When a Christian is faced with the choice between the lesser of two evils he should do neither."

In the bible, should a person choose Jannes over Jambres? No. Both were condemned. Choose Ananias over Sapphira? No. Both were condemned. Why? They were both evil. God didn't say, 'I condemn the lesser of two evils', He judged the evil. Period.

We vote for someone who we believe to the best of our diligent ability who will uphold Biblical principles and protect Constitutional government, regardless of that candidate’s perceived likelihood of prevailing. I sympathize with each and every mature Christian out there because I am agonizing over this as well. I know full well that there is no candidate out there who fully represents and lives out biblical principles. There are few enough who even appear moral.

Randy Alcorn wrote in part 1 of a series he began regarding this election, "Honestly, I am deeply concerned about this election, but not excited about it. I have very little faith in politics. Republican and Democratic administrations have combined together in the last forty years to establish a staggering track record of economic, personal and moral irresponsibility. They’ve proven themselves poor stewards of our country. And in many ways we have proven ourselves poor citizens and stewards."

Here is a response by the pastors over at Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry to the question "Politics, Mormonism, and Christians." The last few paragraphs get to the meat of the matter.

Here is another essay answering the question, "Should a Christian vote for a Mormon?"

Hopefully, some of the resources I've posted on this issue here and at the other blog entry may help you clarify your thinking. My thinking on the matter is clarified. And it was completely clarified last night before I changed my mind today. I am not settled on this by a long shot.

Lord, I not only pray for wisdom to make a God-honoring decision, I admit I also pray for the rapture so that we can be settled at your feet, enjoying a perfect theocracy once and for all. No voting necessary.

Comments

  1. Mitt Romney is a political shape shifter. This is a clue as to what governs him. And I agree with you and Charles Spurgeon, Choose neither.
    For quite some time the Lord has been leading me away from things that have even just a hint if error or evil. Some of this makes some think I am being unreasonable. My favorite portion of scripture in regards to tough life choices. It is a little long, but, be encouraged.
    Jehoshaphat's Prayer

    20 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

    5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— 11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

    13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

    18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

    20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,

    “Give thanks to the Lord,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.”

    22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.

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  2. Not sure where else to post this link. This is NOT a defense of replacement theology. I'm curious to learn if you are in agreement with the author or not. Please read to the end. Thanks! http://theaquilareport.com/the-church-and-israel-in-the-new-testament/

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    1. I'm curious as to what your thoughts are on the piece.

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    2. I was raised in a dispensational preaching church, but always understood from my Bible reading that the Believers in the Old Testament (mostly Jewish, but also some Gentiles) and Believers in the New Testament, including the Gospels, (again mostly Jewish, but a lot of Gentiles with many, many more to come in the future) were all part of the same family, children of God, His chosen ones before the foundation of the world. I've never seperated Believing OT Jews and Gentiles into a seperate group from Believing NT Jews and Gentiles. I've always believed that God is not finished with Israel as a people yet, but they are currently apostate and only those who come to faith in Christ will be saved. The ONLY way for salvation - either in the OT or NT - is through Jesus Christ, believing God looking ahead to the Redeemer or believing God looking back at what Christ did for us on the cross. Bare bones theology. I thought the explanation from Romans put my own thoughts into succint words. I am curious what you thought of it and if you disagreed, why. Iron sharpening iron, etc.

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    3. Hi Anonymous,

      Thanks for your thoughts on the article. I agree with you that belief in Jesus is the only way no matter what age one lived in. My understanding is that believers are believers but that we are separate according to how we came to belief and how He plans to use us for His glory. The church is distinct from spiritual Israel. He first offered Himself to His chosen People the Jews to bring light of His name and salvation to the world. They failed and then when they met Jesus, they rejected Him. The "mystery" was that He planned to then use the Gentiles for His purpose.

      There are four kids of believers: OT Jews who believed in a coming Messiah, Gentiles who believed in the Messiah who came, Tribulation believers who became martyrs after the rapture, and mortal Kingdom believers who were born after the Kingdom was set up. We're all children of God but He has a different plan and program and destiny for each.

      For example, the OT Jews who believed, like Job, Noah, Abraham, etc will inhabit the earth in the Kingdom, while NT believers of the Church Age will be kings and priests and inhabit New Jerusalem. Tribulation believers will not be kings but serve Him in the temple...everyone has an assigned role.

      Though we're not separate from God, we are separated, maybe assigned is a better word, according to what His plan is for us after it is all over.

      I thought the article was the best explanation of the nuances and subtleties regarding this issue and I agreed with it. His stance is been what I have always believed, because that is what the bible teaches. He made it very clear and well-written, and I thank you for bringing the article to my attention.

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  3. Seeing what's going on with....everything, I really think this will be our last election and with our choices, it's not that surprising :(

    Thanks for the encouragement about our choices, I love Randy Alcorn's quote in particular. I also use the phrase about picking the lesser evil because it's how I truly feel about the election.

    Also wanted to share this story I saw on Daily Mail, it just blew my mind and wanted to hear your thoughts on it.
    Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2216186/I-lost-friend-I-What-happened-STRAIGHT-Christian-believed-homosexuality-sin-spent-year-living-proud-gay-man.html

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    1. So a person who professes to love Jesus lied to his friends and family for a whole year, lived a life that is an abomination to God, co-opted another person to join his lie (thereby putting a stumbling block in his way), invaded his mother's privacy, and then wrote a book about his lie and his abomination, and is living off the lucre he gained from his lie. I think very little of the man.

      he lived a lie to prove Christians are hypocrites? I think he forgot to take the plank out of his eye.

      Let's see about what the bible thinks:

      You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4

      Honor your father and your mother, which is the first commandment with a promise..." Eph 6:2

      Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

      He bore false witness against his neighbor, dishonored hes mother and father, and lifted up the name of God in vain by living an abominable lifestyle. I do not believe the man is a Christian in any sense of the word.

      Did Lot pretend to be homosexual to better understand why people hated his family? No, and God called him righteous.

      I think the man in that article is a craven, 'in the closet' gay man who wanted to experiment for a year and get away with it, and he used God as his cover. That's what I think.

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  4. Which is why we call him a RINO - Republican in Name Only. But he is still a darned sight better than Obamanation!

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  5. years ago we didnt have as many difficult situations that christians face today because even non christians held to a cert degree the moral standards that the scriptures teach and some still do ,today its a driffernt story we find that people want a world that isnt set to dos and donts a society that expects all to except what ever changes are in line with the culture of today ,the changes are coming quickly and i beleive we are going to become more isolated as the time for christs return approaches we may not go through the great tribulation but jesus said we would have tribulation in this world and we will face many more difficult circumstances as time goes on because we live in a Godless world ,but praise God for his son the Lord Jesus Christ who has set us FREE from the bondage and power of sin through his death and resurrection ,jesus said we are the light of the world so let us SHINE in these dark days that we are in and the difficult ones that lie ahead by his grace and strengh and loving mercy we will endure through untill christ comes for his bride ,remember jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against us ,God bless

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