The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter IF Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination and goes on to become the next president of the United States of America, he would be the first US president outside of the Christian mainstream. Over the past days and months, Mitt Romney has come under scrutiny because of his Mormon faith. Pastor Robert Jeffress, a strong supporter of Rick Perry, another candidate for the Republican nomination, called Mormonism "a cult", after introducing Governor Perry at a voter's summit last year as "a genuine follower of Jesus Christ", reported US news agencies. "Even though he talks about Jesus as his Lord and saviour, he is not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity," said Pastor Jeffress in 2007. Many Mormons, however, do call themselves Christians. According to BBC Religion online, Mormonism, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "believe their church is a restoration of the Church as conceived by Jesus, and that the other Christian churches have gone astray." The website also states that Mormons believe God has a physical body, is married and can have children. They also believe that humans can become gods in the afterlife. Questions over Mitt Romney's religious beliefs have brought to the forefront, the issue of voter preference when it comes to the faith of their leaders. With general elections expected in the next few months, Bahamian voters shared their views about voting on faith. In the Bahamas, most political leaders come from mainstream Christian churches: Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, leader of the Free National Movement, attends Zion Baptist Church. Perry Christie, leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, attends St Agnes Anglican Church. Branville McCartney, leader of the Democratic National Alliance attends Holy Spirit Anglican Church. But what if they were Mormons, or members of a non-Christian faith? Tribune Religion asked Bahamian voters and they shared mixed views on the issue. TOM JOHNSON * "I would vote for them. Just because a person is not of the Christian faith doesn't mean they cannot suggest ways for the country to move forward and progress. Yes, you are a Christian, but that does make you an automatic better choice to be a leader in a country." LIONEL DAVIS * "If they speak about their rights and what they stand for on certain issues that could influence the country, then it is all well and good with me. If they have a keen interest in development then who cares. We are fortunate enough to live in a country where we have the freedom of choice. I don't really think Christianity is a big deal as we Bahamians make it to be, it is all an image that people portray to others. Even the politicians, they can pretend to be one way, but we have no idea of what is going on behind closed doors." SOFIA MILLER * "I would not use religion as a deciding factor not to vote for someone if I thought that they were a good candidate who would advance the country. I believe in separation of church and state. So if a so-called heathen had a better agenda then he would get my vote. I would want someone who can take the country forward more than I need someone who could pray for me, because I can clearly go to church for that." KATHERINE HUNT * "They would never in this world get my vote because I have absolutely no faith in a person like that, especially with Mormon beliefs. It is either you believe in Christ or you don't. As a leader, I believe that you should be chosen by God to carry such a task." ALANA SANDS * "Note my vote. If the Bahamas is supposed to be what they call a Christian nation, that means we should abide by the laws that have already been established in the Bible. If we were to vote for someone who is not of the Christian faith then our country would not be in right standards with what God expects of us." * Names have been changed