Religious Examination

The path that people walk when it comes to religion is a complex one, involving many forks, branches, routes and possible pitfalls along the way. Not everyone walks the same path, and many avoid it entirely, wandering the forest lost or camping out and hoping a way will reveal itself to them. Although the analogy is imperfect, finding a genuinely legitimate map to the constantly shifting forest can be incredibly difficult, although many religions try to come up with approximate solutions.

Whatever path you are walking when it comes to religion, how closely are you examining it? How much do you question life, and how much do you question the map you're given in meetings, readings, or through other sources?

The first real religion question!

Although we had a brief discussion about Jon Huntsman Jr, which naturally included religion, this is the first genuinely religiously oriented question! All religions have history, and for most religions this history goes pretty deep into the past. Even if the actual religion is fairly modern, almost all of them claim lineage or origins from much deeper historic events (such as modern Neo-Paganism associated their beliefs and practices with the pre-monotheist Gods, or Islam claiming ties as far back as Abraham).

In the practice of many religions, pilgrimage is an important part of the process of being a member. Islam even considers the Pilgrimage to be one of the Five Pillars on which the entire religion is based. For other religions, pilgrimage isn't required, but it is still considered to be a sign of faith, commitment, or simply a route to a magnificent religious experience which deeply enhances faith.

What pilgrimage have you always wanted to embark on for your religious group?

If you aren't particularly religious, are there any sites that hold deep historic significance for you for one reason or another (such as Valley Forge, or Stonehenge, etc)?

Either way, where would you like to visit as a pilgrim? What about it makes it special to you?

A Mormon President?

When Mitt Romney was running for President back in 2008, I scoffed at the mere possibility of a Mormon president. However, as time as progressed and members of the LDS Church are becoming more politically powerful in the Conservative world, I find the likelihood of a Mormon getting elected to grow increasingly probable as time goes on. Doubtless shows such as Big Love have helped in this regard, making it clear that Mormons aren't evil, don't have horns, and only have one wife.

When Jon Huntsman Jr. was selected by Barack Obama to be the Ambassador to China I considered it a bold political stroke for both men; by removing a serious contender, Obama is much more likely to be elected. By placing himself in such a prominent and political position as the Chinese Ambassadorship, Huntsman placed himself in a prime position for running for president in 2016. As time went on, though, the likelihood of Obama being re-elected seems to have slowly declined, so that now most pundits seem to think he'll lose. With that looming, Huntsman waiting would mean waiting until 2020, something he obviously isn't willing to do, as he quit his position in China and is throwing his hat in the ring. Here's the question:

Do you think Huntsman can win the Republican Primaries? If so, could he win the general election? Why/why not? Consider his policies, his politics, his wealth, and (particularly) his competition.