Timothy Dalrymple takes a break from baby care to say he wants it both ways over the characterization of Mormonism as a cult, hurling the term himself at the evangelical followers of Gov. Rick Perry who use it of Mitt Romney's religion, here.
Dalrymple thinks because the term conjures up notions of Koolaid drinkers in the jungle in the popular imagination that Perry's followers shouldn't use it about Mormons:
"[T]he American people associate 'cult' with poisoned Koolaid and the Branch Davidians and Charles Manson. The implication is that Mitt Romney is a cult member, and we all know cultists are unstable, weird, irrational and subject to control."
Then why speak of "the cult of Rick Perry"?
And why allow the term's meaning to be dictated by common parlance after insisting that words have meanings and people cannot define the truth for themselves?
But my favorite part is this:
Mormons uphold the personal, family and social values I hold dear. ... Mormons have stood fast on abortion and the definition of marriage.
Oh sure. That's why Utah alone still tolerates about 40,000 polygamists, with still more in other western states. Mormons insist those polygamists aren't Mormon, having disavowed polygamy in 1904. Funny then that Mormons get so upset when Christians insist Mormonism isn't Christian.
Utah has a culture of polygamy because of Mormonism. America has a culture of monogamy because of Christianity. What we worship determines who we are and what we are like.
Christianity is a sect of Judaism rejected by the parent. Mormonism is a sect of Christianity rejected by the parent. Good parents know how to say No to their wayward children.
But that no longer seems important to people like Timothy Dalrymple.
Good luck with those diapers, Tim.
