Letter to the editor of the Springfield (Missouri) News-Leader:

I have given much thought to Richard Stoecker’s letter (“Vote for Mormon against beliefs,” June 15). I am also a Christian and differ with the Mormon religion.

But I think any Christian should spend much time in prayer before refusing to vote for a family man with high morals, business experience, who is against abortion, and shares Christian conviction concerning homosexuality just because he is a Mormon.

Any Christian who does not vote or writes in a name is casting a vote for Romney’s opponent, Barack Hussein Obama — a man who sat in Jeremiah Wright’s church for years, did not hold a public ceremony to mark the National Day of Prayer, and is a liberal who supports the killing of unborn babies and same-sex marriage.

I hope all Christians give their vote prayerful consideration because voting is a sacred privilege and a serious responsibility.

— Jane Pitt

Jane Pitt is Brad Pitt’s mother. Brad Pitt, 48, is a strong supporter of Obama. As a Hollywood actor I suppose he has no choice. It’s also possible that his mother is just a lot wiser.

I doubt the letter [actually a column] by Richard Stoecker, to which Brad Pitt’s mother refers, reflects the views of many Christians.  The term “Christian” in not homogeneous but describes dozens of groups who vary widely in what they believe even if they all call themselves Christians.  That’s religious pluralism and it’s part of what makes America great.  Stoecker’s advice to vote “none of the above” or to write in Jesus’ name is ridiculous.  If all the different sects of Christians agree on anything it is certainly religious freedom, and of the two likely contenders on the ballot in November the only one who respects religious freedom is Mitt Romney.  I agree with Brad Pitt’s mother that his Mormonism will not and should not deter any significant number of conservatives or libertarians or Christians from voting for him if they otherwise agree with his policies.  That would be true even if the alternative were not so nightmarish.

Given his publicly stated political views, Brad Pitt probably does not agree with his mother.  Not that he necessarily should, just saying.

UPDATE 7/9:  Brad Pitts Mother receiving death threats after slamming Obama

Jane Pitt, mother of actor Brad Pitt, has been scared into silence by the hate-filled, vulgar and even violent reaction to her public assertion that Barack Obama is “a liberal who supports the killing of unborn babies and same-sex marriage.”

The Left consists of uncivilized savages who respond to criticism with threats of violence because they can think of nothing sensible or reasonable to say.