By Mark Paredes Santa Monica
I appreciate Jack Neworth’s call for tolerance and respect for different religious expression during this election season (“Huck & Willard show religion gone too far,” Dec. 14). However, while I have no opinion on “Willard” Romney’s candidacy, Mr. Neworth seemed to undermine his plea for tolerance by referring to “magic underpants” in a brief reference to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I’m fairly certain that the Daily Press would (rightly) not publish a column with an insulting reference to, say, “black beanies” of Orthodox Jews or “cannibalism” practiced by Catholics who believe in the miracle of transubstantiation during Mass. Why is it then acceptable to poke fun at the priesthood garments worn by faithful Latter-day Saints? We believe that they are sacred expressions of our faith, and are specifically mentioned, inter alia, in Exodus chapter 29 (“And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons’ after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.”) I think that it is reasonable to expect columnists for this newspaper to show respect for others’ deeply-held beliefs, especially when they do not share them.
Mr. Neworth’s talent as a humorist is such that he can get his message across without slighting other faiths.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 15, 2007. Read the original PDF.