Scott Ott shoots, scores, on Mitt Romney—as do the Stilleys

As I've noted before, Scott Ott of Scrappleface parodies news stories so well that sometimes it's hard to tell that they aren't actual reports.

This one is a little more out-front. Titled Romney: 'Kooky Mormon Beliefs' Won’t Affect Presidency, Ott brings to the fore a number of specifics that I would imagine Romney enthusiasts such as Hugh "Squish" "Evangelical Roman Catholic Presbyterian" Hewitt don't really want in the spotlight. These include, according to Ott:

• God is not eternal, but was once a man on another planet
• God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children
• Jesus is the “spirit brother” of Lucifer and all humans are their siblings
• The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three separate gods
• The Father and the Son each have separate, physical bodies
• The book of Mormon is more accurate than the Bible
• The gospel was lost until Mormon founder Joseph Smith restored it and there is no salvation outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• It is impossible to be saved by God’s grace alone

Now, having said that, my own opposition to Romney is not related mainly to his being a cultist — though, admittedly, his being a cultist is not a "plus" to me.

I just think we need to be insistent that those who defend and promote him do it for other reasons than that (A) he isn't a cultist, or (B) Mormonism isn't all that bad, doctrinally.

And having said THAT, I'll add that some of the nicest people I've known have been Mormons. It isn't about nice. It's about the doctrine.

MORE SERIOUSLY STILL: Kevin Stilley's wife Susan says what I think, but says it better, here. To her thoughts, I would only add this: the big "sell" on Romney apparently is going to be that he is a religious hypocrite.

"Huh?", you huh?

That's right. We're going to be told that he is a sincere and convinced Mormon... but he won't let his worldview influence his conduct.

So, Crossword players, what is a nine-letter word for "Someone who says he believes one way, but behaves in another"?

Mm-hmm. "Hypocrite."

"Vote for me! I may be a cultist, but at least I'm a hypocrite!"

My, isn't that a great campaign-slogan? Evidently.

POSTSCRIPT: Susan's second part is up, and is a great read, good thinking and writing. She makes the case that Romney's cultic membership should concern us. Even more, she bonks Richard Land over the head repeatedly and deservedly.

And then, proving that his wife isn't the only sharp Stilley (some may have begun to wonder), Kevin Stilley posts a list of ponder-worthy quotations on Romney's candidacy. Read and think.

My own thinking:

1. Romney being a cultist is not a plus
2. I am more concerned with his total lack of credibility, his "road to Des Moines" conversion to conservatism (as I've written before, here)
3. His being in a cult offers an opportunity to Evangelicals across America to clarify the true, saving Gospel, by means of contrast
4. What opportunity have Evangelicals not botched horribly, within the last century?
5. Early indicators (Richard Land, Hugh Hewitt, etc.) are that they're going to botch this one badly, too
6. Romney's prominence and success isn't good for anyone
7. Mercy, I hope it doesn't come down to a choice between any Democrat and Romney — but less than ditto and Giuliani or McMeMeMe
   

UPDATE: I have no idea why comments were closed. Blogger has done that to me a couple of times. If it happens again, please feel free to let me know.