Justice Antonin Scalia, age 75, is the longest-serving Judge on the United States Supreme Court and one of its most conservative members.
In a recent speech to a crowd of more than 500 Catholics in Denver, Colorado, Justice Scalia encouraged the group to have “the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity” by society’s sophisticates.
In my view, the same admonition applies to evangelical Christians in North America, who are often the subject of derision and scorn.
While the belief in a creator and the teachings of Jesus do not usually attract disdain, any mention that Jesus is God, that he was crucified, died, and rose from the dead three days later, ascended into heaven and will return to earth at a time unknown to mankind, is typically regarded as “simple-minded” by so-called intellectuals.
Justice Scalia is quick to say that believers should not abandon their reason and intellect as “faith without a rational basis should be laid aside as fraud”.
Scalia’s comment leads inexorably to a consideration of the faith of America’s Republican candidates for President.
With Governor Mitt Romney emerging as the likely candidate for the Presidency, his Mormon faith will undoubtedly be the subject of intense scrutiny.
While the Governor is a fine man and likely the most winnable contender in the race against Obama, the Mormon faith remains an enigma to most people.
What is beyond debate is that there are no historical records to support the Mormon faith’s central tenet, that founder Joseph Smith was visited by God Almighty in New York State, and came into possession of the “golden plates”, the basis for the Book of Mormon and the doctrine of the Church of Latter- Day Saints.
Even scholars who are adherents to the Mormon faith are unable to verify and attest to the accuracy of the foundation of their religion.
If one studies the history of the Mormon Church and reviews the accumulated literature and research, Justice Scalia’s words find meaning.
Meanwhile, back in the world of American justice and politics , notable Catholics include leading Democrat and Republican politicians or their appointees, such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, current Speaker John Boehner, Vice President Joe Biden, Republican contender Rick Santorum, and Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Thomas, Alito, Kennedy and Sotomayor, all of the United States Supreme Court.
The separation of Church and State in America is constitutionally mandated, but as Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson said:
“The separation of church and state is a source of strength, but the conscience of our nation does not call for separation between men of state and faith in a Supreme Being.”
Lawdiva aka Georgialee Lang
Lawdiva's Blog 
“…no historical records to support the Mormon faith’s central tenet”?? Faith doesn’t depend on historical records. Ask any Christian – the only “historical record” that supports the reality of Jesus is one by Josephus and that has been questioned – that doesn’t mean that Jesus didn’t really exist and isn’t the Son of God. If you are going to consider the Bible as a “historical record” in support of Christianity, then the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price are “historical records” in support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormon”). There do exist records that Joseph Smith was actually born and lived, was persecuted for his religious beliefs, and was ultimately murdered by a mob. This is more than what exists regarding Jesus Christ.
I do agree with Scalia’s comments that faith is often viewed by unbelievers as “stupidity”. Faith by definition is believing in things you cannot see but which are true.
One thing that Mormons do believe which should ring true under the U.S. Constitution is all should be allowed to believe and worship according to the dictates of their own conscience. Unlike what happened to Mormons in the 1800’s in the U.S., Mormons do not believe that those of differing religious beliefs should be persecuted and murdered because of their religious beliefs.
Please point me to the “historical records” of Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses and any others with whom God communed
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