A Mormon family lived a few doors down from where my wife grew up. The father was a bishop in the church (as was Mitt Romney) and also a rocket scientist, literally! He had a Ph.D and worked at an MIT lab. We never discussed his faith but I have to believe there was some cognitive dissonance there. Similarly, it's hard to imagine a man as educated and well travelled as Mitt Romney as accepting all of the ridiculous dogma that the LDS Church serves up. Still, he has been a tireless advocate and leader for them. I think he'd lose even more of the religious right vote if people understood all of their loonier beliefs.

I do know that the Mormons don't tolerate apostates. There is enormous pressure to conform, far more than in mainstream Christian communities. I've seen interviews with Mormons who have rejected their faith; they often lose family and friends. It takes real courage to walk away from all of that familial and social support.

Are Mitt's sacred undergarments boxers or briefs? Try asking that one during this election.

Peter T.