Mitt "The Mormon" Romney, Regent Universiy's Commencement Speaker--So what?
When labeling this post, "Wednesday's Wisdom," is was a clever way to say that I would like to share something "wise" with you (as if I could)... however, today, I would like to hear your wisdom on the following:
Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, chairman of the Governor’s Republican Conference, president of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and 2008 Presidential Candidate is going to give Regent’s Commencement address on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Mr. Romney is well-respected for his work as Governor, and has been outspoken about his traditional family values. By every right, he has vast leadership experience from which he will draw upon in speaking to graduates about leadership in critical times. So, why are some people upset that Mitt Romney was chosen? Did I also mention that Mitt Romney is an outspoken Mormon?
Yes, that is right; he is Mormon—not Christian (although Mormons believe they are just as much Christian as any others). That fact that he is not Christian (from a traditional-conservative standpoint) does not seem to be much cause for concern. Is it absolutely necessary that every speaker at Regent be Christian? Shouldn’t we, as scholars, be open and tolerant to the expressions of people with beliefs differing from our own? After all, even within the Regent community there are different philosophical beliefs, so why is Mr. Romney’s presence such a big deal?
Commencement is a special occasion. It not only marks the end of one’s collegiate career (or that degree), but also the beginning of a new phase in their lives. These are perhaps the last words graduates will ever hear from their respective schools (except of course pleas from the Alumni Association). Graduates have invited like-minded Christian friends and family (as well as non-Christians) to share in this exciting event—this momentous time in their lives. Shouldn’t Commencement—this special time—be blessed by a great speaker with the same beliefs?
But Mitt Romney does share some of our values—right? Well, yes, Mormon’s do share some of our Christian values. Mormons are believers in God as our Eternal Father and in His son, Jesus Christ as the way to salvation from our sins. However, Mormon’s also believe that a nineteenth-century prophet, Joseph Smith, had a personal revelation from God and henceforth translated written works of others supposedly written during the time the original Bible was written. This of course, is not taught in mainstream Christian denominations.
That is one of the differences, as well as others, that have some people upset. Is it that important? Would people be just as upset if a non-Christian were to speak at commencement?
When the question of Mr. Romney’s slot as Commencement speaker was posed to the School of Undergraduate Studies’ leadership at the recent town hall meeting on Monday, the general answer was that Dr. Robertson is the one who makes the decisions and makes the ask. In addition, Mr. Romney is a personal friend of Dr. Robertson’s and perhaps a political ally. Was this a strategic choice with political applications? Or, was it in the best interest of the currently graduating students? Or, was it both?
This issue of course has many perspectives. I am not sure how I feel about this, or whether I should feel anything at all. If Romney were going to pray over me at my school’s commissioning ceremony, I would definitely have a problem with that. However, Romney’s purpose is to talk about leadership in critical times, not pray over me. So, in the end, what is the big deal?
What do you think? I would love to hear your comments on this, but please keep in mind that your responses should be from a place of love. My blog will not become a forum for extreme political debate; rather, I am interested in hearing from readers about what it personally means to them as students and as Christians. Please endeavor to keep your comments to 300 words in order to promote concise, yet thorough scholarship (sound familiar?)
To enter a comment, please click comments below.
When labeling this post, "Wednesday's Wisdom," is was a clever way to say that I would like to share something "wise" with you (as if I could)... however, today, I would like to hear your wisdom on the following:
Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, chairman of the Governor’s Republican Conference, president of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and 2008 Presidential Candidate is going to give Regent’s Commencement address on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Mr. Romney is well-respected for his work as Governor, and has been outspoken about his traditional family values. By every right, he has vast leadership experience from which he will draw upon in speaking to graduates about leadership in critical times. So, why are some people upset that Mitt Romney was chosen? Did I also mention that Mitt Romney is an outspoken Mormon?Yes, that is right; he is Mormon—not Christian (although Mormons believe they are just as much Christian as any others). That fact that he is not Christian (from a traditional-conservative standpoint) does not seem to be much cause for concern. Is it absolutely necessary that every speaker at Regent be Christian? Shouldn’t we, as scholars, be open and tolerant to the expressions of people with beliefs differing from our own? After all, even within the Regent community there are different philosophical beliefs, so why is Mr. Romney’s presence such a big deal?
Commencement is a special occasion. It not only marks the end of one’s collegiate career (or that degree), but also the beginning of a new phase in their lives. These are perhaps the last words graduates will ever hear from their respective schools (except of course pleas from the Alumni Association). Graduates have invited like-minded Christian friends and family (as well as non-Christians) to share in this exciting event—this momentous time in their lives. Shouldn’t Commencement—this special time—be blessed by a great speaker with the same beliefs?
But Mitt Romney does share some of our values—right? Well, yes, Mormon’s do share some of our Christian values. Mormons are believers in God as our Eternal Father and in His son, Jesus Christ as the way to salvation from our sins. However, Mormon’s also believe that a nineteenth-century prophet, Joseph Smith, had a personal revelation from God and henceforth translated written works of others supposedly written during the time the original Bible was written. This of course, is not taught in mainstream Christian denominations.
That is one of the differences, as well as others, that have some people upset. Is it that important? Would people be just as upset if a non-Christian were to speak at commencement?
When the question of Mr. Romney’s slot as Commencement speaker was posed to the School of Undergraduate Studies’ leadership at the recent town hall meeting on Monday, the general answer was that Dr. Robertson is the one who makes the decisions and makes the ask. In addition, Mr. Romney is a personal friend of Dr. Robertson’s and perhaps a political ally. Was this a strategic choice with political applications? Or, was it in the best interest of the currently graduating students? Or, was it both?
This issue of course has many perspectives. I am not sure how I feel about this, or whether I should feel anything at all. If Romney were going to pray over me at my school’s commissioning ceremony, I would definitely have a problem with that. However, Romney’s purpose is to talk about leadership in critical times, not pray over me. So, in the end, what is the big deal?
What do you think? I would love to hear your comments on this, but please keep in mind that your responses should be from a place of love. My blog will not become a forum for extreme political debate; rather, I am interested in hearing from readers about what it personally means to them as students and as Christians. Please endeavor to keep your comments to 300 words in order to promote concise, yet thorough scholarship (sound familiar?)
To enter a comment, please click comments below.
Labels: Wednesday's Wisdom
posted by Kyle at 5:37 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home