Confession: I Am An Evangelical

Raleigh NC Temple
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Today I have been inspired by the results in Iowa to confess to being a social conservative, even an evangelical.  Nothing annoys my critics more than to point out I am a conservative.  I am not sure who is in charge of labels, but I am not a "RINO".  That term is usually applied to "reactionary in name only". I am not a reactionary.  I believe our children should be taught using things like laptops instead of chalk and erasers.


One analysis of the Iowa primary results:

 For the record, a CBS News entrance poll conducted during the Tuesday caucus vote showed 32 percent of those who classified themselves as born again or evangelical Christians voted for Santorum, 18 percent for Paul and 14 percent each for Romney, Perry and Gingrinch. Michele Bachmann got 6 percent of that vote.None of that suggests a "splintering" of the evangelical vote, according to Ralph Reed, founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Rather, Reed wrote on CNN's religion blog, "this suggests a more nuanced and complex portrait of voters of faith." . . . it turns out that they "are a more sophisticated bunch, judging candidates on a broad continuum of considerations from their personal faith and character to leadership attributes and electability."The lesson of Iowa, Reed concludes, is that "when commentators prognosticate about the 'evangelical vote,' we might want to ask them, 'Which one?' For there are many evangelicals votes, many candidates who win their support and a multitude of motivations for their engagement in the rough-and-tumble of American politics."

That is when I discovered I am one of those many evangelicals. 


A  study asked Americans to define in their own words just what an “evangelical Christian” actually is. " For starters, 36% of all Americans say they have no idea at all what an evangelical Christian is.  The most common perception is that evangelicals are Christians who place a special emphasis on spreading their faith to other people."  No other definiton got even 10% of the vote.

That definition fits me just fine. (Don't worry this "church talk is not for the purpose of converting you".) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of which I am an active participant, has constantly rotating missionary force of approximately 55,000 missionaries, both men and women, of varying ages who serve from eighteen months to two years. This commitment and drive to share the message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ has been with the Church since its founding in 1830.  Our son spent two years on such a mission in Germany.  There is also a tremendous investment in sharing the gospel through the Internet and social media. Learn more.  As a Mormon, a common name for members of the Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints, I  place a special emphasis on spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.  


In each party, there are a few self-assigned judges who seem to think they control labels.  They seem to insist on  candidates who are 100% in lockstep with them than to defeat the opposition.  I, however, want a Republican President, period, as long as that person is ethical in the various roles of life.  


Here are some of my socially conservative beliefs.

• Marriage is an institution ordained of God between a man and a woman.  If two people choose to live in a committed relationship other than marriage, that is fine with me.  Just don't ask my government to pretend it is the same as marriage by granting that relationship rights that should be associated with marriage.
• There should be no abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the mother.  (That does not include a threat to the convenience of the family.)
• The Constitution prohibits religious tests for office and the intent was to allow people to practice religion according to their beliefs, not to remove religion from the public square.  In practical application, I would say if each commissioner takes turns giving a statement of belief at the beginning of a meeting, then each commissioner should be free to say what is said in the name of any one that commissioner chooses--Heavenly Father or Allah.  It is not, however, appropriate for the a majority of commissioners  to appoint someone to offer only one kind of "prayer."  (I also have no apology to make for saying Merry Christmas and am not offended if some one says "Happy Hanukkah" to me.)
• And for good measure, no one should be allowed to drive with any alcohol in their bloodstream.   Countries that have adopted that policy have significantly lower rates of alcohol-related accidents. 

So there it is--my confession.  I am an evangelical, social conservative.  Dissenting opinion is welcome as long as you identify yourself. That is one thing that Shelia Barber and I profess to agree on.