MORMON: Politics vs. theology

The recent letters to the editor from LDS writers have initiated the long expected redefining of Mormons as Christians in order to cast Mitt Romney in a more favorable light to evangelical Christians. That won't work, because for many, many reasons Mormon beliefs are at odds with Christian theology, not the least of which is the Mormon notion that Jesus Christ was the firstborn spirit-child of a heavenly Father and a heavenly Mother who progressed to deity in the spirit world and was later physically conceived in Mary's womb, as the literal "only begotten" Son of God the Father in the flesh. 

Christians believe that the Bible describes Jesus as having the same divine nature as the Father, that he is eternal deity, that he did not progress to deity but has always been God, and Mary's conception of Jesus in his humanity was through a miracle of the Holy Spirit.

That being said, my Christian faith would in no way keep me from supporting and voting for Mitt Romney for president, because I believe that his Mormon faith has created in him the kind of positive character, integrity and values shared by so many Mormons and Christians alike. In the matter of politics, our shared values should outweigh our theological differences.

MARK DYMKOSKI

Rathdrum