Yes, there's the P.T. Barnum school of thought "say whatever you like about me, just spell my name right".
But because being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ is such an important part of my identity, it is difficult for me not to be hurt by religious barbs. Conversely, when people are kind, I am happy and grateful, as was the case with John Bogert's editorial this morning.
Link: Why can't personal beliefs stay personal in politics?.
Bogert begins the article referring to the questions that arose about JFK's Catholicism, and Bogert's own childhood discomfort in the face of bigotry. He then writes:
"Some people and more than a few commentators seem to fear Mitt Romney, who happens to be a clean-cut member of a Christian sect that doesn't allow boozing, drug use or even coffee drinking. Plus they raise unfailingly polite kids who, unlike most of our rotten offspring, willingly spend a couple of years of their lives getting doors slammed in their faces for the faith."
In addition to my gratitude, there are two key takeaways:
1) Mr. Bogert refers to a man by the name of Ken Driggs who Bogert describes as "one of the smartest guys I know and a devout Latter-day Saint." As Ammon taught, when people know Latter-day Saints (it seems especially in small numbers), misconceptions often dissipate.
2) Perhaps more importantly, because of Bogert's experience as a 10 year-old boy, he was able to step into the shoes of Latter-day Saints, and defend, even endorse the good people that we are trying to be.
Indeed, despite a potential backlash, he has reached across the aisle.
So here are my questions:
Do you and I know enough of the goodness of our neighbors and community that we would feel compelled to endorse, even defend them?
In other words, as we have had Mr. Bogert do unto us, can we do unto others?
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