You're watching...
Connor Boyack, author of “Latter Day Liberty,” explains why Mormons would do better with a libertarian philosophy for their own religious freedom
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
-- from Iowa today reports that a senior official from the Gingrich's campaign.
Has resigned after disparaging remarks about Mitt Romney's Mormon faith.
Calling it quote the cult of Mormon.
-- many people of wondered how faith and politics would collide of one of the candidates -- -- taking aim at the front runners faith.
But my next guest says that his Mormon faith informs him that a strict separation of church and state.
Protects freedoms for all people of all of fades as well as those of not.
He says we should elect a president based on his attitudes towards freedom.
Instead of his religious beliefs here is -- -- -- author of the great new book latter day liberty -- it's a pleasure.
And welcome to freedom watch.
And -- -- -- what is it about Mormon -- and libertarian views stated differently why should the big government.
New car Mitt Romney and almost all of them Newt Gingrich why should the big government and around -- Actually be more libertarian than -- is it needs to be faithful to his Mormon values.
Read so and in the church of Jesus Crescent Larry saints or Mormon isn't as it's not only have this concept called agency it's this.
Idea that we have a god given gift to be free to choose between different choices to be accountable for that.
It's closely tied I argue to individual liberties so as a relates to government that the government should only be able to coerce you or -- justice upon you if you violated someone else's rights.
Other than that we should be peaceably able to free and act as we want and so.
My book is an attempt to compile all you know scriptures in the statements of our church leaders and say really if you look at Mormon is -- deeply.
It I think supports libertarian -- as it's generally known far better than any other religion.
-- -- Connor I don't wanna get too deeply in the weeds in this but if if governor.
Romney as a practicing Mormon.
Signs legislation that forces everybody in Massachusetts.
To purchase health care.
And says that the government will pay for it for them if they can't afford it.
Is that consistent with Mormon faith or should the governor have declined to sign such legislation saying this is not the job of government to take care -- you you should take care of yourself.
Yeah and let's be clear these are necessarily Mormon ideas they're pro liberty edges they can be found in any phase I just don't think that.
Mitt Romney or even Jon Huntsman -- who is also Mormon.
Approach their public policy from this vantage point to say well my faith informs me this -- that I I just think that the more pragmatic they're more solutions oriented and try and find things that they simply like her or support so.
I argue that you know -- those of the liberty principle should inform what we support in terms of public policy I just don't think that they approach it from that vantage point now.
All right but you and I don't know each other but the viewers know what I'm now about to say about myself I am an old fashioned.
Pre Vatican two.
Roman Catholic and a very serious libertarian.
And many many of my libertarian friends are not only not Catholic not pre Vatican two they don't believe in god at all.
-- whether you believe in god or not have anything to do with whether you believe in human freedom.
Not at all I mean whether we're talking about natural off from a career perspective that god has given us certain rights.
Or simply that we enjoy those rates because our -- -- humanity I don't think it matters whether it where you believe that those -- come from.
So long as you believe that you do how those rights -- that the government should be confined to its proper role one of the the leaders of our church in the eighties as -- top Benson who's the secretary of agriculture under Eisenhower.
He has this masterful discourse where he says that the proper function of government.
Should be reduced only to the spheres of activity in which you -- -- individuals have the right to act I mean.
Thomas Jefferson -- -- -- any better say I think that these are principles that apply to any religion a religion.
I've had many people who are nationally known who've endorsed my book that aren't LBS aren't Mormon and also clearly it's something that can kill anybody -- -- -- a great -- -- we appreciate you joining us thanks for coming on.
Thanks judge the government wants.
