[Sly Fox]

Does this scenario sound familiar to us?

Regent students upset at Romney’s choice as speaker

By STEVEN G. VEGH, The Virginian-Pilot
© March 2, 2007


Mitt Romney

VIRGINIA BEACH - Selecting presidential candidate Mitt Romney as its May commencement speaker has riled some of Regent University's students and alumni who say his Mormon faith clashes with the school's bedrock evangelical Christianity.

"What we're against is the fact that Mormonism is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Christian values and what we believe," said Doug Dowdey, a Virginia Beach pastor who said he graduated from Regent's divinity school last year.

The controversy over Romney's visit has bubbled for two weeks among students, spilling onto Regent's internal electronic bulletin board, "The Branch." Scores of e-mails on both sides of the debate have been posted, a student said.

Pat Robertson, the Christian broadcaster who is Regent's founder and chancellor, invited Romney to be the keynote speaker, said Sherri Stocks, a Regent vice president. Romney is the former Republican governor of Massachusetts.

Another Republican presidential candidate, ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, will speak at Regent's executive leadership program in April. Giuliani is Catholic.

"When we issue these invitations, we don't ask what their political or religion views are," Stocks said of guest speakers. "The criteria really is proven leadership ability. Clearly, these two individuals have a proven record."

Robertson made the same point in a memo received last week by Regent alumni, staff and students.

"Gov. Romney is running for the post of Chief Executive Officer, not Chief Theologian," Robertson stated. He said neither Romney nor Giuliani was expected to talk about his personal religious beliefs.

In the memo, Robertson said that having "people of note" as commencement speakers yielded publicity for Regent and a chance for students "to hear first-hand thinking from prominent individuals.

"I hope this answers some of the questions that have been raised about the choice of speakers at our school," he added.

Mormons belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, which espouses some scripture, such as the Book of Mormon, and theology that departs from mainstream Christianity.

Some Christian groups, including the Christian Broadcasting Network, which Robertson heads, are suspicious of Mormonism. CBN's Web site discusses Mormonism on a page titled, "How Do I Recognize a Cult?"

"When it comes to spiritual matters, the Mormons are far from the truth," states the site, which adds that Mormon religious beliefs are, "to put it simply, wrong."

The site also says that the Mormon church has produced "many people of exemplary character."

Regent regards itself as the nation's premier Christian university. It has about 5,000 students. According to Regent's Web site, the university's goal is to generate leaders who will embody biblical Christian values in their public and professional roles.

But Regent seeks out a cross-section of notable leaders, including non-Christians, as speakers, Stocks said.

"The fact that theologically they may not completely align with us does not eliminate them from speaking on our campus, especially given the fact they've been asked to come and speak about their leadership experience," she said.

Stocks said Regent received positive as well as negative comments from its members about the selection of Romney.

"Our campus is open - they are free to write to the chancellor, they are free to engage and express their opinions," she said. "We encourage open debate and dialogue and engagement."

Dowdey said he welcomed diverse viewpoints at Regent but that the university's commencement should reflect the school's distinctive religious values.

"If Pat wants to hold a political rally, well, hold one. Why not? Just don't hold it at commencement," Dowdey said.

Political scientist John C. Green said the invitations to Romney and Giuliani continue Robertson's long involvement in national politics. Robertson ran for president in 1988 and in the 1990s, his Christian Coalition was a major force in heightening evangelicals' influence in presidential races.

"Rev. Robertson has often thought of himself as a bit of a kingmaker in the Republican Party," said Green, a scholar at the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in Washington, D.C.

Robertson remains a force among conservative Christians, who carry major clout in Republican primary races, said Larry J. Sabato, who directs the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

He said any candidate seeking the Republican nomination will court evangelicals, as Romney and Giuliani are, by accepting Regent's invitations.

Last year, U.S. Sen. John McCain, another leading Republican candidate, gave the commencement address at Liberty University at the invitation of evangelical preacher Jerry Falwell, the school's founder.

McCain's visit was seen as an attempt to build bridges with evangelicals he had attacked in previous years.

For evangelicals, each of the top Republican candidates has flaws: McCain as a past critic, Romney as a Mormon, and Giuliani as a moderate on social issues such as abortion rights, which he supports. None of the three is considered an evangelical Christian.

But Mark Rozell, a George Mason University political scientist, disagreed with commentators who say evangelicals such as Robertson might abandon the Republican ticket.

Rozell predicted that Robertson eventually will back a specific Republican because "a non-evangelical politician who is sympathetic to the evangelical cause can do a lot of good" on issues important to conservative Christians.

He said Robertson also will be guided by self-interest.

"Robertson, as the saying goes, wants a seat at that table in the next Republican administration, even if it's moderate or socially progressive," Rozell said.

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.c ... ran=110486