2008 Woodie Awards
Study finds bias
Ashton Shurson - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 12/11/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 1
A recently released study sheds further light on the bias against Mormons, attitudes that some say could affect Republican presidential-nomination hopeful Mitt Romney.
The scientific poll from Vanderbilt University found "a significantly more intense" bias against Mormons than that against blacks or women.
On the heels of the study, Romney defended his Mormon beliefs and religious values during a Dec. 6 speech in San Francisco, saying his religion would not influence presidential decisions.
The survey also indicated that moderate bias against Romney existed if the person knew he was Mormon. However, it was greater when individuals were notified of his religion.
While the backlash exists, the Romney campaign believes voters should look to his morals, not his religion.
"We're not electing a pastor-in-chief but a commander-in-chief," said Tim Albrecht, Romney's spokesman in Iowa. "The most important question is, 'Does he share our American values?' "
Albrecht said he thinks people are reacting positively to the way Romney has lived his life and his family values, adding that Romney is proud of his faith.
Although the bias is evident within American culture, Albrecht doesn't believe it will affect many votes for Romney. He acknowledges that there are negative views, but many Iowans don't judge a person by her or his religion.
"[Overwhelmingly in Iowa] religious bigotry has no base in the voting process," Albrecht said.
Some UI professors said that Romney's being a Mormon could have an effect on voters. David Redlawsk, a UI political-science associate professor, said that outside of Utah, people usually don't really have a sense of what Mormons believe. From polls, he said, this could certainly sway votes.
"It's socially incorrect to say you oppose a candidate's race and sex, but it's less socially incorrect for religion," he said.
UI religious-studies Professor David Klemm said that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the official name) is a distinct and very different religion from mainstream Protestant Christianity, and he would be surprised if there wasn't a bias against it. Mormonism, he said, is totally outside mainstream religious beliefs.
Todd Murdoch, the director for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints Institute in Iowa City, said he has noticed biases against Mormons.
"I don't know the reasons for it at all, and I rarely meet someone who has taken the time to learn about the church," he said.
He supports Romney, but not because of his religion, he said. He supports Romney's economic plans and his definition of family.
"I don't vote for a person just because he is a member of my church," he said.
E-mail DI reporter Ashton Shurson at:
ashton-shurson@uiowa.edu
The scientific poll from Vanderbilt University found "a significantly more intense" bias against Mormons than that against blacks or women.
On the heels of the study, Romney defended his Mormon beliefs and religious values during a Dec. 6 speech in San Francisco, saying his religion would not influence presidential decisions.
The survey also indicated that moderate bias against Romney existed if the person knew he was Mormon. However, it was greater when individuals were notified of his religion.
While the backlash exists, the Romney campaign believes voters should look to his morals, not his religion.
"We're not electing a pastor-in-chief but a commander-in-chief," said Tim Albrecht, Romney's spokesman in Iowa. "The most important question is, 'Does he share our American values?' "
Albrecht said he thinks people are reacting positively to the way Romney has lived his life and his family values, adding that Romney is proud of his faith.
Although the bias is evident within American culture, Albrecht doesn't believe it will affect many votes for Romney. He acknowledges that there are negative views, but many Iowans don't judge a person by her or his religion.
"[Overwhelmingly in Iowa] religious bigotry has no base in the voting process," Albrecht said.
Some UI professors said that Romney's being a Mormon could have an effect on voters. David Redlawsk, a UI political-science associate professor, said that outside of Utah, people usually don't really have a sense of what Mormons believe. From polls, he said, this could certainly sway votes.
"It's socially incorrect to say you oppose a candidate's race and sex, but it's less socially incorrect for religion," he said.
UI religious-studies Professor David Klemm said that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the official name) is a distinct and very different religion from mainstream Protestant Christianity, and he would be surprised if there wasn't a bias against it. Mormonism, he said, is totally outside mainstream religious beliefs.
Todd Murdoch, the director for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints Institute in Iowa City, said he has noticed biases against Mormons.
"I don't know the reasons for it at all, and I rarely meet someone who has taken the time to learn about the church," he said.
He supports Romney, but not because of his religion, he said. He supports Romney's economic plans and his definition of family.
"I don't vote for a person just because he is a member of my church," he said.
E-mail DI reporter Ashton Shurson at:
ashton-shurson@uiowa.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tracy Hall Jr
posted 12/11/07 @ 8:37 AM CST
Ashton Shurston, thank your for locating and interviewing a local Latter-day Saint.
A minor point: You got the name of the Church slightly wrong, twice. (Continued…)
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