tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post311035663041992520..comments2024-03-27T17:15:37.606-04:00Comments on Triablogue: Increasing The Impact Of A Romney VictoryRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809283662428917799noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-62668678407489537502012-10-22T23:24:19.467-04:002012-10-22T23:24:19.467-04:00That was a major consideration during the primarie...That was a major consideration during the primaries. But even then, many Christian conservatives follow the Buckley rule: vote for the most electable conservative.<br /><br />But once Romney became the presumptive nominee, it was pointless to keep harping on his shortcomings. At that point the standard of comparison shifted: we were no longer comparing him to his Republican rivals, but to Obama.<br /><br />Why should Romney's religion bother us more than Obama's religion–or irreligion (as the case may be)?<br /><br />If Romney is elected, then that will be a good time to revisit the issue of Mormonism. That will be an opportunity for Christians to highlight the categorical difference between Christianity and Mormonism. And, yes, Mormonism is still a cult.<br /><br />But that's no longer relevant at this particular stage of the campaign. stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-61588818647737870172012-10-22T18:17:56.584-04:002012-10-22T18:17:56.584-04:00An atheist over on my site is wondering why Romney...An atheist over on my site is wondering why Romney's Mormonism doesn't bother Christian political conservatives more than it does. Victor Repperthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10962948073162156902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-50485396630633654852012-10-22T15:46:35.604-04:002012-10-22T15:46:35.604-04:00Leelnd
"When I say, don't vote based on ...Leelnd<br /><br />"When I say, don't vote based on fear, I mean that in the sense of don't fear the world or man and that we should fear the Lord God."<br /><br />That sounds pious, but it's fatalistic. Trust in God and keep your powder dry. stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-67967838886339188072012-10-22T15:07:23.137-04:002012-10-22T15:07:23.137-04:00Without further explanation, yes. Clearly I need t...Without further explanation, yes. Clearly I need to flush out a clearer definition of my criticism.<br /><br />Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08549715523150082445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-92111743038284432992012-10-22T15:03:16.199-04:002012-10-22T15:03:16.199-04:00Steve,
Just to clarify. I didn't mean two exc...Steve,<br /><br />Just to clarify. I didn't mean two exclusive options by principle or pragmatism, no dichotomy intended. It's more of an observation of what motivates the way people vote. I also am not just saying the principles of the Christian, but the principles of the candidate as well. <br /><br />When I say, don't vote based on fear, I mean that in the sense of don't fear the world or man and that we should fear the Lord God.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08549715523150082445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-80919109369223233472012-10-22T13:39:35.260-04:002012-10-22T13:39:35.260-04:00Leelnd
"I don't think it matters what st...Leelnd<br /><br />"I don't think it matters what state you are in or who is behind or ahead. Christians should vote on principal not based on fear or pragmatism."<br /><br />So you vote for the sake of voting? What's the point of voting if your candidate never wins? In that case, what's the practical difference between voting and not voting? If it makes no difference, why bother? stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-40940385119094557562012-10-22T12:32:41.378-04:002012-10-22T12:32:41.378-04:00(to pile on to what steve has said) I suppose that...(to pile on to what steve has said) I suppose that LeeInd could reply that we cannot justify an illegitimate process by its legitimate incentives or legitimate goal. But that argument only has bite once LeeInd establishes that the process is illegitimate (and LeeInd hasn't done that yet).Turretinfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01802277110253897379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-67452659093468153832012-10-22T12:25:45.275-04:002012-10-22T12:25:45.275-04:00That's a false dichotomy. Taking the consequen...That's a false dichotomy. Taking the consequences of your actions into account when you make decisions is a principled consideration. It would be unprincipled never to take the consequences into account.<br /><br />Keep in mind that we're talking about a political process. A process is a means to an end, not an end in itself. So that's essentially pragmatic. A process is not a matter of principle. Rather, the principle is the goal, and the process is just a way of achieving the goal. What's the best method of achieving or furthering your objective? That's the issue. <br /><br />BTW, the Bible often appeals to fear as a legitimate disincentive. To be fearless is irrational. stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-1396076066494036872012-10-22T11:24:10.956-04:002012-10-22T11:24:10.956-04:00Aren't fear and pragmatism just competing prin...Aren't fear and pragmatism just competing principles with whatever alternative principle you have in mind, Leelnd?Turretinfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01802277110253897379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-35822843895889882482012-10-22T11:17:54.961-04:002012-10-22T11:17:54.961-04:00I don't think it matters what state you are in...I don't think it matters what state you are in or who is behind or ahead. Christians should vote on principal not based on fear or pragmatism.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08549715523150082445noreply@blogger.com