Mitt Romney's remarks about Muslims not meriting a spot in his hypothetical cabinet (which he's attempting to cast as a misrepresentation, despite the fact that multiple parties have confirmed the account and even noted that his remarks on the subject have been even more inflammatory at other points), are of course particularly salient in light of the fact that he himself is a member of a relatively small religious group in the United States, one that many consider to be somewhat bizarre and a good reason to write off his presidential run. For the most part though, reporters have shied away from questions about Romney's religion and anything relating to it. But as Christopher Hitchens points out this week, perhaps we should be asking him more about that, especially when it comes to religion, race, intolerance, and what exactly he believes:
It is not just legitimate that he be asked about the beliefs that he has not just held, but has caused to be spread and caused to be inculcated into children. It is essential. Here is the most salient reason: Until 1978, the so-called Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was an officially racist organization. Mitt Romney was an adult in 1978. We need to know how he justified this to himself, and we need to hear his self-criticism, if he should chance to have one.
Romney is both a member of a religion that has very recently espoused racism and intolerance … and now he's on the campaign trail, espousing religious intolerance. So why shouldn't we be asking him about his religion? Seems like there are some perfectly reasonable questions there.
--Kate Sheppard
