Romney on homosexuality: not Mormon enough

By Bryan Fischer

Follow me on Twitter: @BryanJFischer, on Facebook at "Focal Point"

Mitt Romney has always publicly affirmed his faith in the teachings of the Mormon church, going so far as to say, in his JFK-type speech in the 2008 campaign, "I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers — I will be true to them and to my beliefs."

He also emphasized in that same speech that Mormons and Christians share a "common creed of moral convictions."

Okay, fine. Does that extend, Governor, to what the Mormon church teaches about homosexuality?

According to the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism," published by Brigham Young University, homosexual conduct is "considered...sinful by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

And not only that, "homosexual acts are offensive to God."

Consequently, gays are "to learn to use their agency to live in accord with divine laws and thereby enjoy the rich blessings a benevolent Father offers to all his children, whatever their temptation or thoughts."

So the church Gov. Romney has served all his life teaches that homosexual acts are "offensive to God," and that reparative therapy does in fact work with the help of God.

Further, the church won't let Romney wiggle out of this knot on the grounds that society has evolved on this issue. "God's teachings about human sexuality are clear, unambiguous, and consistent from Adam to the present." (Emphasis mine.)

Here's the question inquisitive minds in the media should (but probably won't) ask: "Gov. Romney, do you agree with the teaching of your church on homosexuality?"

His appointment of homosexual activist Richard Grenell to be his surrogate on foreign policy naturally raises this question. Because he has thrust an out, loud and proud homosexual into a high profile and visible role in his campaign, a role Grenell will likely continue in some fashion in a Romney administration, it's a perfectly appropriate question, and one which a responsible media that wasn't in the tank for the gay agenda would ask.

Gov. Romney, by his deliberate and intentional hiring of Grenell, right after accepting endorsements from Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church Dallas and the National Organization for Marriage, and right after accepting an invitation from Liberty University to be its commencement speaker, is practically begging the media to raise this issue.

Here are the questions somebody needs to ask Gov. Romney.

"Governor, do you agree with the teaching of your church that homosexual acts are 'offensive to God?' If so, why did you hire a spokesman to represent you who openly acknowledges he engages in conduct that you believe offends God?"

"And if you do not agree with the teaching of your church on the issue of homosexual behavior, how do you expect to generate any support from the evangelical and pro-family community?"

Inquiring minds want to know.

I suspect the answer will be that, on the issue of homosexuality, Mitt Romney is just not Mormon enough for me.

(Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.)

© Bryan Fischer