{"id":1582,"date":"2011-10-24T19:28:24","date_gmt":"2011-10-24T23:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/flunkingsainthood\/?p=1582"},"modified":"2011-10-24T19:28:24","modified_gmt":"2011-10-24T23:28:24","slug":"why-wont-22-of-americans-vote-for-a-mormon-candidate-help-some-filmmakers-find-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/flunkingsainthood\/2011\/10\/why-wont-22-of-americans-vote-for-a-mormon-candidate-help-some-filmmakers-find-out.html","title":{"rendered":"Why Won’t 22% of Americans Vote for a Mormon Candidate? Help Some Filmmakers Find Out"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Mitt keeps smiling despite the fact that one out of five American voters already hates him.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most Americans know enough about our national history to realize that no politician running for federal office should ever have to take a religious oath or pass an orthodoxy litmus test. It’s in that pesky Constitution: Article VI, paragraph 3.<\/a> So far, so good.<\/p>\n

But having freedom of religion mandated by law doesn’t mean that Americans can’t and won’t vote with their feet. American voters have their own perfectly legal versions of religious tests. I count myself in this. I’m not sure I would vote for a Raelian, though I feel strongly that we need more Jedi knights in office.<\/p>\n

Of course, this question is in the news because of Mitt Romney’s dogged resumption of his position as Republican frontleader in recent weeks, escalating the shrillness of a national conversation about Mormonism and orthodoxy. Amidst all the shouted accusations, it’s worth asking why Gallup has found that 22% of Americans will not on principle vote for a Mormon candidate<\/a> — a survey result that has changed very little since the late 1960s, when Mitt’s dear old Dad tried to run for president.<\/p>\n

So let’s get some solid information. Let’s talk to people.<\/p>\n

That is precisely the mission of some documentary filmmakers<\/a> who are creating a new movie called The Religious Test,<\/a> which chronicles the particular challenges of Mormons in politics. Based on interviews with candidates, people in Congress, and policymakers, it “asks the larger question – why is faith still such a concern in presidential races? It also reveals the underpinnings of what makes people afraid of the idea of a Mormon president– and by extension any American whose beliefs are in the minority.” Since I am in the throes of co-organizing a scholarly conference on Mormonism and American politics at Columbia University<\/a> in February, this is timely information. I am all ears.<\/p>\n

But to finish the film, the creators need a little more funding. I just gave a donation at kickstart.com<\/a> to help them out; as of today they need just under $3,000 over the next few days. If you’re interested in exploring the question of minority faiths in American politics in a thoughtful and responsible way, you might consider giving a little this week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Most Americans know enough about our national history to realize that no politician running for federal office should ever have to take a religious oath or pass an orthodoxy litmus test. It’s in that pesky Constitution: Article VI, paragraph 3. So far, so good. 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