# Mitt Romney and his Temple Garment **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 14, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832 "2012-02-14T18:14:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/61 "2012-02-15T19:00:10Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > ☹ I was expecting the Justice League, Superman as Jesus, Batman as Peter, WW as Mary Magdalene, let’s see, who’s Judas? . . . [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/\_lXVrTUeY2SQ/S5iy0jOxflI/AAAAAAAAB2E/deOvX3DY6Oc/s400/daVinciSuperheroSupper.jpg](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lXVrTUeY2SQ/S5iy0jOxflI/AAAAAAAAB2E/deOvX3DY6Oc/s400/daVinciSuperheroSupper.jpg) Green Lantern? ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/62 "2012-02-15T19:00:38Z")
Funny as in frightening? ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/63 "2012-02-15T19:03:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I understand they’re lay positions. I’m asking- are those leadership positions, or does just about everybody become a stake president at some point? Obviously not just about everybody, but holding a leadership position doesn’t mean somebody is more devout than the people who never get a leadership position. At least, as long as we’re talking about active churchgoing Mormons here. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/64 "2012-02-15T19:34:25Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > On his (potential) social policies, as you know, which are also relevant, as you know. Maybe I’m just not seeing it. “A great natural birth control method if I ever saw one,” is a comment on his social policies? What social policy does it comment upon, specifically? What is the comment? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/65 "2012-02-15T19:49:53Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Maybe I’m just not seeing it. Yes, you do. Stop playing dumb. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/66 "2012-02-15T19:56:27Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Pray forgive/fight my ignorance, what was his take? > > I do recall an anectdote where Twain was arguing polygamy with a Mormon. Finally, the Mormon posed, “But can you cite any Scripture that forbids polygamy?” Twain replied, “Certainly! ‘No man can serve two masters!’” > **[Mark Twain on the book of mormon - 1861](http://truthandgrace.com/twainbom.htm)** It is sometime offered separately but was originally a part of _Roughing It_. I could give you a TL:DR. but I shrink from blasphemy. There is no primary source on the “two masters” quote, and it may be apocryphal. Twain became so widely known as an American wit, people began ascribing quotes to him that he never said. For instance, “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds”. Great line, but authored by Edgar Nye (who?). That happened a lot, he would quote something he admired as a tribute to the author, credit the author, and then people would start saying that it was _his_. And, of course, annoying the very people who was trying to help. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/67 "2012-02-15T19:58:03Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Yes, you do. Stop playing dumb. Now, that’s not fair! If a man is willing to admit his intellectual failings, you are obliged to accept his expert opinion! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/68 "2012-02-15T20:21:58Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > There is no primary source on the “two masters” quote, and it may be apocryphal. I think I’ve also seen it attributed to Lincoln. But Twain is more plausible. ---
**Author:** ![dorsk188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f05b48/32.png) [@dorsk188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorsk188)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/69 "2012-02-15T21:42:00Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yeah, and what about those funny hats many Jews wear? Ha, ha, ha!!! Be fair. [These hats are ridiculous.](http://ohdearreviews.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/shtreimel.jpg) > [@Lobohan](#): > > Yeah, but he’s a Catholic, a cult of fine lineage stretching back to antiquity. And no weird clothing necessary, except for an occasional graven image on a chain. [Ahem…](http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/benodette/june%202006/Spring%202007/august%2007/Dec31072a.jpg) […oh lordie lordie…](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oTwEGiup_Wo/SAuNBlyfiAI/AAAAAAAACEg/o3eyH9caR8w/s400/pope_paul_prada.jpg) Incidentally, if Romney is elected, say goodbye to [this](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/54903/thumbs/s-OBAMA-SHIRTLESS-large.jpg)… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/70 "2012-02-15T22:39:25Z")
> [@dorsk188](#): > > [Ahem…](http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/benodette/june%202006/Spring%202007/august%2007/Dec31072a.jpg) > > […oh lordie lordie…](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oTwEGiup_Wo/SAuNBlyfiAI/AAAAAAAACEg/o3eyH9caR8w/s400/pope_paul_prada.jpg) :mad: HH has no business going out in public dressed like that with no censer or thurible! How’s anybody supposed to pull off the line, “Hey, somebody tell the drag queen his handbag’s on fire!”?! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/71 "2012-02-15T23:23:45Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And we already knew Romney was more devout than the average Mormon. “Severely Mormon”, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/72 "2012-02-16T04:11:41Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Yes, you do. Stop playing dumb. No. I see a snide comment. If it had simply been a comment on his social policies, it would have stopped with the observation that he wears his Temple undergarments at all times. There is no additional social policy invoked by calling them “birth control,” is there? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/73 "2012-02-16T05:24:12Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > On his (potential) social policies, as you know, which are also relevant, as you know. And the magic-underwear shit is always _ipso facto_ funny, as you know, and this “Temple Garment” is funnier because it’s even weirder. Actually, they sound more like cheap shots to me. Admittedly I trust that Rove would have a field day with all of this if the shoe were on the other foot. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/74 "2012-02-16T14:54:55Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Actually, they sound more like cheap shots to me. Admittedly I trust that Rove would have a field day with all of this if the shoe were on the other foot. Right. And this board’s population would happily opine that [Rove was a disgusting slimeball](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=641472) for doing it. But since the target here is Mormons, which all enlightened, correctly thinking people who are all up to speed on the best opinions to have, realize that Mormons Are Bad, it’s perfectly OK. The key is knowing who the Enlightened People hate, you see. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/75 "2012-02-16T15:10:06Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But since the target here is Mormons, which all enlightened, correctly thinking people who are all up to speed on the best opinions to have, realize that Mormons Are Bad, it’s perfectly OK. Well? The Mormons themselves proved Mormons Are Bad in California, not too long ago, Shirley you remember. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/76 "2012-02-16T15:16:33Z")
It isn’t that Mormons are bad. In fact every single one of them that I have had the pleasure to meet have been nice people. It is the cognitive dissonance required to believe in their faith and yet interact with the real world that disturbs me. And I think it disturbs many folks who aren’t necessarily anti-religious. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/77 "2012-02-16T15:26:09Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > It is the cognitive dissonance required to believe in their faith and yet interact with the real world that disturbs me. Doesn’t **every** religion look crazy to every other? For the rest, I remember Robert Anton Wilson once wrote that in the Republic of Ireland, where everybody has the True Faith, people keep a clear distinction in mind between “Sunday truth” and the more ordinary kind of truth you use when buying or selling potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/78 "2012-02-16T15:26:36Z")
> [@](#): > > …The key is knowing who the Enlightened People hate, you see. This is an Emergency Level 99 Liberal Hypocrisy Alert. Citizens are advised to assemble in an orderly fashion at their local Emergency Liberal Hypocrisy Awareness Centers. Participants are advised that while shrieks of horror and dismay are encouraged, rending of garments is not advised, as this may lead to wardrobe malfunctions and the needless display of naughty bits.. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/79 "2012-02-16T15:47:14Z")
> [@chorpler](#): > > Obviously not just about everybody, but holding a leadership position doesn’t mean somebody is more devout than the people who never get a leadership position. I don’t know about Mormons, but as speaking as someone heavily involved in the leadership of the Episcopal church I can offer a hearty, _amen_. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832/80 "2012-02-16T18:07:46Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > There are plenty of valid reasons for rejecting Romney as a candidate, his religion is most definitely not one of them. Whether his religion requires or encourages him to wear special underwear or even a pointy bra really isn’t any of our business. If we want to do more than pay lip service to the first amendment, how about we stop speculating and worrying about our candidates’ religous beliefs? A noble sentiment, and in most cases I would agree. However, Romney is a devout member of a cult that openly represses and subjugates women, that routinely excludes minorities, and condemns and rejects gay rights. If he had not been a moderate governor of a liberal state, his adherence to a cultish religion that denies women’s rights and that displays bigotry in most of its forms, would and should raise serious questions about his ability to serve in the best interests of all Americans. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-and-his-temple-garment/612832.md?page=5)