If any other candidate was treated this way, there would be an immediate investigation! especially if he was a person of color. this is ridiculous. The phone calls regarding religion and the book of mormon the religious doctrine are an outrage! History showed past presidents were of different religions but they didn't have aggressive polling firms at their fingertips and candidates cordinating tag team take-outs. Investigations should be swift and severe!

If people think the attacks on Romney for being a Mormon from the Conservatives are bad, just wait until he's the nominee and see what the Liberals will do to him!

Isn't it fascinating that when Democrats attack Republicans it is called "challenging them on the issues". But when Republicans do it to Democrats it suddenly becomes the "Republican Attack Machine". Let me just rename that, "Double Standards".

I'm not a Romney fan and feel that he totally switched his social views from when he was Governor of my state to now running for President.

But besides that I don't think his religion should even be a part of this election. He's a decent guy and a good family man.

People should just view him on his record not on his religion.

I'm honestly surprised that people won't vote for someone based on religion…how sad!

2004 election it was abortion and gay people. 2007 election is now going to be religion and immigration. What about the real issues??!!!

Are Mormon beliefs any more absurd or hard to comprehend than mainstream Christian beliefs? Do we want a President who believes that:
1. He/She is not of this world?
2. He/She is able to speak in another language that is a more direct link to God?
3. Jesus Christ was conceived through supernatural means and brought into the world by a virgin mother?
4. Jesus Christ died, battled Satan, and arose from the dead?
5. Jesus Christ walked on water?
6. Jesus Christ was responsible for the miracles described in the Bible?
7. Lot's wife turned to stone for disobeying God?
8. A shepard boy killed a giant with just a sling shot and some flat stones?
9. The collective efforts of the Israelite army brought down the walls of Jericho?
10. God spoke to Moses via a burning bush?
11. The list goes on and on and on.

Can anyone be certain that Mr. Romney's people didn't do this for the free publicity and for the "sympathy" vote–you know, "Poor Mitt, people are picking on him. I think I'll vote for him to show him I'm a good American."

The calls are unamerican, so is Gitmo, Mitt. You asked gitmo to be doubled, I ask the both be outlaws.
Somday when a Muslim stands for election and this happens. I am sure all the candidates including Mitt will denounce it then.

Thanks for the laughs from you anti-mormon posters. "I will never vote for a mormon for president". don't worry. one day this country will totally lay the Constitution to waste and family valuse along with it. where will you turn. I can already see it. but you can't.

Attack Mitt all you want, I am Mormon and as of right now he does not have my vote. But to attack the religon becuase you don't like the candidate is off base. Most of the anti-Mormon rhetoric found in these comments are in-accurate and hatefull.

Unlike most of the major religions of the world, Mormonism must be an issue when politics are involved, especially when talking about the Presidency. Do you really want someone leading this country that believes:
- they will be a god in the afterlife?
- he is a member of the "only true church"?
- in the last days, the US Constitution will "hang by a thread" and that the Mormon Bretheren will save it?
I could run up a list for hours, but I'll stop here.

After what the Bush Republicans did and allowed to stand in 2000 against McCain's "Black Baby" accusation and in 2004's Swiftboating incident against Kerry, it hardly surprises me that Faith has become their new low life whip to beat down Mitt Romney. From what I've read in the CNN reports on the subject, I'm surprised Romney doesn't explain to us where the untruths are what is being said. Is this the party of values? I think not.

In response to Victoria from Australia…The US has always been a nation of religious discrimination, starting with the Pilgrim landing in Plymouth in 1620. Yes, the Pilgrims made their voyage in order to have the freedom they sought to practice their brand of Christianity. A brand of Christianity that they viewed to be more pure than that practiced by adherants to the Church of England back home. Why? Because it had fewer Catholic influences. Those people were as intolerant of other religions as they experienced intolerance in England. Many of our American forefathers actively persecuted members of religious sects/denominations that were different from their own. Evidence: the exile of Anne Hutchinson, the hanging of Quakers as witches, the exclusion of Catholics from most colonies. Freedom to practice our own brand of religious persecution is the foundation of the US.

Being myself a Deist and of no outlined model of worship, I take concern at the state of current politics which wittnesses men in control of this Nation being controlled in life and thinking by their religious sect. I believe strongly in a man's right to worship in the manner he think right, and I hold equally strong convictions opposing mens religious perferments controlling his mind and controlling his decisions. That being written, this is nothing new to politics, Republican or Democrat, review your history and note President Kennedy's battle against the bigots who opposed a man of Catholic faith in the White House. Last note, to those bloggers ignorant enough to think that bigotry, racism and prejudices singularly exist in their own personal sphere, evolve your minds to fight for the cause and not the group.

mitt romney you said you would puniah states for giving illegal aliens driver's license and tuition that all good but mitt you are be-hind g.w.bush has punish all the American people we need a change I'm voting for a democrat i sure mis old bill clinton

To David in Ohio…I don't think Romney (or any other candidate) choosing to tithe from his/her presidential salary constitutes federal support of a religion unless we are willing to check the religious contributions made by every person receiving a salary from federal funds. My salary comes from federal funds and I tithe to my church, does that constitute federal support of a religion? I think all the attention on Romney's faith is an insult to all Americans of faith and our system as a whole. No one questions the faith of his WASPy counterparts. The man has stated that his religious beliefs are personal and we should allow them to remain personal.

I'm totally against push polling. I hated Bush/Rove for years before the President's approval rating went down precisely because of the dirty tricks played on McCain in that way in South Carolina. Still, as someone who grew up in Provo Utah, as a Mormon, I do think the nation really should know more about the LDS Church before casting a vote for Romney. I dropped out at 18 because the more you learn about that church, the stranger it gets. Sorry, but that's just my perspective. Does the average voter know that Mormon's believe that God consideres all other religions "abominations"? (Mormon's believe He used that very word to describe all other religions when he told Joseph Smith to found a new church in Western New York.) Does the average voter know that one of the key sayings of the Church is "every member a missionary", meaning throughout one's entire life, one is expected to try to convert others into Mormonism. The saying isn't "every member except the President of the US should be a missionary," it says "every member a missionary." What does that mean to Romney? Does he bellieve it? It's a fair question.

Mitt says a man of faith should lead the country. Would he vote for a secular candidate? No.

He is discriminating according to a person's beliefs.

The constitution applies to qualifications to run for president. This does not mean we have to disregard someone's beliefs when we personally judge the candidate as a whole.

If Mitt was not running for President it would be very wrong to dislike him for his religion, no matter what we might think of the religion. He has opened himself to scrutiny by running for the highest office in the land.

His decisions based on HIS religion will affect us all.

Would Mormons vote for Mitt if he was a Wiccan? I think not.

Can any Mormon on this board say they are NOT voting for Romney? Hmmmm?

Mormons for Hillary, anyone?

Google Mormon military. Most interesting history of the Mormon "religion". Very ugly stuff.

Educate yourself. There is nothing "unconstitutional" about learning the truth. Being informed is a duty.

Dr. RaTsTaR, Viet Nam Era Veteran, 72-'76, two SE Asia deployments.

Sorry Mitt. This is what happens when you decide to run in the conservative-evangelical-Protestant-Christian-only club, and now he's paying the price. What goes around comes around, wouldn't you say?

Why have no one addressed the fact about (very recent in my life time)the Mormons teachings of People of Darker skin was decendant from CAIN (son of the devil was their teachings) and that Blacks were subserviant and second class citizens!!! Not one person has raised this question? Just go to the internet..type in… Mormon/racialbeliefs..it will pop up!!
I would like to know what his thinking is on his church (once teaching)… they have since change their position?
Before…Blacks could not set foot in their holy church in Salt Lake city or be a member of their church..!!. I would like to know his answer for someone is runnig for the president of the .. USA ..
Thank you,
James…

For those people saying that Romney served as a missionary in France to avoid going to war in Vietnam….Romney left for France as a missionary in '66. The U.S. didn't start drafting until '69. He wasn't avoiding anything. He simply wanted to be a missionary.

Freedom of religion is a fundamental right guaranteed to all Americans – and even though I don't believe Romney should be President, his religion shouldn't figure into that decision, nor should he be criticized or otherwise be attacked based on his religious beliefs. Last I heard, this is still the United States, and even though our Constitution and Bill of Rights is under attack – those of us that believe in the Constitution should find any such attack as un-American and downright reprehensible.

Hey Mitt, did you find it unamerican and come to McCains defense when Karl Roves' push polls in South Carolina inferred McCain had an illegitimate black child? You know that helped get your Republican leader elected right? You people disgust me when you spend your careers following a psychotic philosophy against others and then whine when it gets personal to you.

I have been a lifelong Republican. I guess my party does not believe in the free exercise of religion anymore.

I don't understand how you can go after someone for their religion. For all of you who have posted hateful comments about the Mormon religion, may I suggest that you first learn about it before spreading false ideas that Mormonism is a "cult". Also, I suspect that many of you who have written such hateful things are Christians as well, so I ask you this: How can you call you self a Christian person when you jump to conclusions and tear someone apart just for their religion? Jesus was crucified for saying that he was God and yet many people still believe in him. Just like Jesus was persecuted for his belief, so are the Mormons.
Secondly, all of you who think its the democrats or the republics who are behind this are very wrong. I can say with much confidence that it was ignorant people just like all of you who judge Romney on his religion. This was nothing more than some people wanting to spread false ideas about Mormonism. I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone who posted a comment on this story. Obviously there are many misconceptions about Mormonism, and many people have such strong hateful feelings towards this religion that promotes loves and charity. Maybe you could all take a page out of the Book of Mormon and learn and thing or two about decency and respect for all people.

What a crybaby! This is just politics, Republican style. Like it or don't like it, learn to love it, because it's not going away.
Is any of the information being pushed false? If not, then no law has been broken and there are no grounds for investigation.
Romney says it is unamerican to say bad (but true) things about a politician? Where has he been?

These anti-Mormon antics, including some of the comments posted on this site, are truly sad. I would suggest that anti-Mormons consider their relationship with God, and heed Jesus' words:

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

Romney's draft record from the time describes him as "minister of religion or divinity student." Mayo said the church would have considered Romney a minister.

Romney, who has said he would have served if he had been drafted, shed some light on his view of the matter in a recent interview with the Globe.

"I really don’t recall thinking about political positions when I was knocking at the door in France" as a missionary, Romney said. "I was supportive of my country. I longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam and be representing our country there and in some ways it was frustrating not to feel like I was there as part of the troops that were fighting in Vietnam."

The exemption for Mormon missionaries created controversy at the time. Non-Mormons in Utah filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 1968. The suit was still in court two years later, at a time when "the church and the Selective Service System work hand-in-hand in deferring the missionaries," according to an article from the period published by The New York Times.

Richard Leedy, the lawyer who brought the suit, said in a telephone interview that he did so because "the substantial number of deferments to missionaries made the likelihood of us non-Mormons going to Vietnam a lot more likely."

Separately, Romney's draft service was deferred due to his status as a full-time student for about three years.

Romney registered with the Selective Service in April 1965 but was not considered readily available for military service until December 1970. His name was then put into the lottery based on an individual's birthday, and he drew the number 300 at a time when no one drawing higher than 195 was drafted.

"When Governor Romney's deferment for college and missionary service ended, he made himself available for military service, and his name went into the lottery, but he was not selected," Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said via e-mail.

Michael Kranish can be reached at kranish@globe.com

© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.

Above is info from the Globe Newspaper about Romney's deferment.

Many Mormons do both, serve their missions and serve in the military.
My father served three years on his LDS mission to Canada and then three years in the Army during WWII.

Mormons believe in protecting their county in times of war. One of the great examples in Church History of Saints obeying the law of the land and in performing their civic and military duty was when the church was called on to aid in the War with Mexico. The Mormon Battalion was formed.
The men of the Mormon Battalion are honored for their willingness to fight for the United States as loyal American citizens. Their march of some 2,000 miles from Council Bluffs to California is one of the longest military marches in history. Their participation in the early development of California by building Fort Moore in Los Angeles, building a courthouse in San Diego, and making bricks and building houses in southern California contributed to the growth of the West.

The Mormon Men of Company A were responsible for opening the first wagon road over the southern route from California to Utah in 1848.

Mormon Battalion monument,
State Capitol grounds

Historic sites associated with the battalion include the Mormon Battalion Memorial Visitor's Center in San Diego, California; Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial in Los Angeles, California; and the Mormon Battalion Monument in Memory Grove, Salt Lake City, Utah. Monuments relating to the battalion are also located in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, and trail markers have been placed on segments of the battalion route.

To my knowledge, Mormons have served in all of the Wars that the U.S. has been involved with and there are many LDS currently enlisted in the Army and the Navy.

Yeah, he's a Mormon…we all get it. The problem isn't his religion, it's the fact that he's a giant hypocrite! I'm so tired of all of these false Christians, who call themselves "conservative", and emphasize the importance of "values." Then, at the same time, these same moralists are the people who want to stay in Iraq, continuing the cycle of death and destruction. Hell, now they want to go to war with Iran, who knows where after that. Anyone who calls themselves a christian and isn't a pacifist or at the very least a believer in diplomacy, is a fraud. Not only should these individuals be viewed as un-electable, they should also be viewed as liars only interested in personal power and financial gain. Nothing is more un-American than practicing religious hypocrisy in the eyes of the nation. A leader is someone who stands up for what they believe in at all times, they do not alter their core values in order to satisfy an alterior agenda, or to steal votes from the blind. Mitt Romney is a joke. He's unfit for the Presidency, and is as out of touch with 21st century America as is humanly possible.

Uhh Marty, 13 million is a skewed number. If you go to http://www.exmormon.org, they have all sorts of articles about how when you come to the church your name gets put on a member list (like any other church), but when you leave, your name is not taken off the member list. You have to send a letter to the "high council" and they determine if your name should be taken off. Oh yeah, did I also mention that Morman's baptise the dead EVEN if you are a member of another church. They baptise everyone Mormon. What a load of crap this "religion" is.

People have the right and the responsibility to question a candidate’s judgment. The mormon religion was created about 150 years ago by a guy from up state NY. If that doesn’t raise a red flag for you then you really need to use your brain more. This doesn’t mean that Romney isn’t a good person, but one should be able to think about a candidates beliefs. As the person above said, if a person who worshiped satan or even a wiccan was running would we not be expected to question that? Yes, in some ways that is an exaggerated analogy, but it does make sense. Mormonism is a new religion, which is basically a plagiarism and reworking of existing religions. Any thinking person who takes the time to read about it knows it’s ridiculous. Yes, main stream religions believe weird things too (ie virgin births, resurrection) but thy have existed for 1000s of years before we smart enough to see how dumb we were for believing all that nonsense. We don’t need to keep accepting even more of these supernatural illogical belief systems.

Religion is not a race, it’s a learned behavior. If you grew up in the middle east you'd likely have a totally different belief system. That being said, it’s astonishing that so many believe that their religion is the specific one of god and the others are false. People give religion too much privilege, as if it’s a race. It’s just a belief system that corresponds with certain geographical locations. If I can criticize a political party or an ideological belief, than I should be able to question a religion. This doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to believe and practice it, but you should have to defend your beliefs sometimes. More people should study the Enlightenment period and maybe they would realize how gullible and stupid we humans can be and subsequently start letting go of some of these supernatural crutches.

Get a real religion and people will leave you alone.Mormonism is made up of sins against God and should loose their tax exception.

While I truly beleive Mitt Romney will not let his mormon faith affect his judgement, it is a viable subject for discussion. If someone who beleived in Satanism was running would it not be an issue, now I'm not comparing the two, most mormons are good people who love their families. Yet a religon who's basic tenet is that all people of color are evil and marked by god as a curse, maybe it needs discussion.

Im not mormon but again why are people bringing up religion. America needs to get back to its fundamentals. We shouldnt hate but really if everyone was gay and lesbian our world would cease to exist and the human race would end. I support romney its time to get somebody with some morals in office regardless whether mormon,jewish or catholic.

Question – Question – Question

Why was one religion granted special deferment status? This is seriously against the Constitution. If it is so important to do "missionary" why couldn't they do it after their military service, if called? As far as I know no other religion is granted special privileges. Missionary duty does not serve you or me or our country. It is strictly a recruiting scam to bring in more people to their self-serving religion.

Answer – Answer – Answer

The Mormon church is very powerful.

Who will a Mormon president serve?

A man needs religion the way a fish needs a bicycle.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 13 million members world wide. They are Christians as the name states. They are among the most generous, loving, charitable, family oriented, considerate people on the planet. They are first on many disaster scenes including Katrina. They have their own charities and Deseret Industries which is akin to the GoodWill. No LDS dresses in silk robes or drives Bentleys from doing church duties as the leaders volunteer their time and services to the good of mankind. They do most of the work required to keep up their church facilities themselves. Bishops clean restrooms along with other church members. LDS missionaries live in small quarters on the monies they have saved to serve their mission for two years. They are not paid. They face brutality from drunks in places like Moscow and adversity in many places in America but they carry on because of their faith. They rise early and are chaste. They do not drink or smoke. They preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ask others if they wish to know more.
Read their 13 Articles of Faith on LDS. ORG There is nothing but love and compassion and respect for the law set forth there. If you are a Christian and believe Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world and died for our sins then you believe what LDS members believe.
The President of the Church does not rule his own country or have the Swiss Guard. He lives simply in Salt Lake City and is 95 years old. President Gordon B. Hinkley has been honored by Presidents and Kings for his wise counsel and advise.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs world-wide and all members are LDS and volunteer their time.
Does it disquality a member of the church that is famous for teaching people to love their God and their fellow man, to be chaste before marriage to follow the Ten Commandments, to be charitable and kind, to follow the law of the land, not to smoke, or drink alcoholic beverages? No LDS has ever been told to vote a certain way. The church does not control the members. The members are what makes the Church so great. The LDS children are taught all these virtues at early age.
Only bigots refuse and fools do not get the message from this fine Church of Jesus Christ.

Would you vote for Romney if he wasn't a Mormon?

If you answered "yes" then you have a serious problem. It's like you are putting him through a "religious test" in order for him to qualify for president. By the way,

"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." -US Constitution

I think it is a little ironic myself. Here Romney is making the courting of the Religious Right a cornerstone of his campaign when true Fundamentalist Christian teachings hold that the foundations of his faith are a cult. There is bound to be some questions and reservations about this because these Christian voters are going to have set aside a tenet of their own belief in order to vote for Romney in good conscious. It's very similar to their dilemma with Guiliani and will probably come down to whose "imperfections" is the lesser evil.

To those of y'all who keep complaining about the mormon church not allowing blacks all the rights as the whites, it was a timing issue, in my opinion…if the mormon church had allowed blacks all the same rights and whites right when it was founded, think of how much MORE they would have been persecuted…especially in the mid-1900s.

also, i find it humorous as to how people act like they know so much and jump to such awful conclusions, without getting correct information. actually, if you were to get correct info about the mormons, you'd find that they are really to only religion that makes sense.

oh yeah…to all those religious people out there bashing romney and mormons, what ever happened to love your neighbor as yourself? are the mormons an exception to this rule?

Romney is just another draft dodging
chicken hawk like Cheney and Bill Clinton. He talks about a strong military but chose NOT to serve his country in Vietnam. Shame, shame to be
to be riding his bicycle in France getting deferments while his Dad was running AMC and Gov. of Michigan.
I could care less about his being a Morman. In fact, the Morman's in this country have one of the greatest traditions when it comes to "Family Values." However, do we need another
DRAFT DODGING CHICKEN HAWK in the White House? I THINK NOT.

These calls are childish and un-American acts of bigotry. Isn't this America-a land where people from any racial, or religious group are supposed to have equal opportunities-and YES, this also applies to running for president.

I'm also disappointed in some of the anti-Mormon comments attached to this article by readers. To those who stoop to such un-American intollerance -grow up! And while your at it – do America a favor and stay home election day.

Addressing two issues asked:
Firstly, regarding the issue of tithing and giving 10% of earnings to his church, Romney has stated that if elected President he will give up his paycheck from the government anyway. Secondly, blacks were never excluded from his church, but weren't allowed into priesthood capacities. Seems oddly similar to most churches that limit women into the priesthood. If not based on race, but still on the premise of gender. Regardless of your beliefs and practices, do you not all believe as Americans and people in general that bigotry in all forms should cease? Hopefully we can all come to terms with that fact, in the least.

I have my serious reservations regarding Mormonism, however, to send harrassing emails/phone calls is absolutely childish! If you don't like a religion, television/radio program, type of music, etc., then look the other way. No one is forcing anyone to believe/view anything. To go as far as this can be likened to hate crimes.

Get a grip people!

It is a sad day in this great country when a man that is trying to live his life righteously and trying to help America is being persecuted because of his faith. It is simply unbelievable how ignorant people can be and i hope that people will rise above this childish and hateful mentality and view the man as what he is a good god fearing man trying to bring family values back into our society and make America stronger.

A Presidential candidate that belongs to a cult. Yes, I said a cult. Enough of this PC stuff. You made your bed, now sleep in it. A Republican complaining of a smear campaign. Hah ! That is rich.

""""If Mitt think this is un-american, he should go back and watch all the comments he made against Muslims.If he has any morals and values, He should speak out whenever anyone makes racist comments against people of color and other religions. That would make him a candidate for all people instead of just the Mormons.""""

RACE AND RELIGION ARE NOT THE SAME THING, QUITE TRYING TO SAY THEY ARE!!!! RELIGION IS AN IDIOLOGICAL CHOICE, RACE IS NOT A CHOICE AND IS NOTHING MORE THAN SKIN COLOR.

Let’s clarify some things here. Yes, we have religious freedom in this country, which is a good thing. Mormons have the right to practice their interesting belief system, just as jews and christians do. I see liberals saying its bigotry to criticize Romney for his "faith", but liberals seem to call everything bigotry, if you in any way point out a difference in people. I am a democrat myself, but do not blindly follow party lines like some myopic robotic idiot. Why is that we always have to respect others beliefs no matter what? Yes, the mormon religion is absurd. I am not unimformed, I have read a lot about Joseph Smith and momornsim, as well as other world religions. I can’t believe people on here actually say it doesn’t matter what someone believes, as if it has no relevance to being the president, or being an intelligent thinking person. Yes, Christianity is also absurd, as well as the other monotheistic religions. I'm not simply some christian on here putting down a rival religion, its all supernatural antiquated hog wash in my opinion. However, Christianity has been around for a long time, and has thoroughly indoctrinated so many.

How many more of these so called faiths do we have to respect? So now I have to respect Wiccans, Flying Spaghetti monsters, Astrologists, scientologists, psychics and the like? Please why don’t some relativistic liberals on here tell me when it’s appropriate to judge someone for their belief system? We can judge people based on their political beliefs, so why not their religious ones? If someone ran for president from some obscure or eccentric 3rd party would we not be able to judge this, or to criticize their beliefs? We judge peoples beliefs that have mental disorders who say they talked to Jesus, we are able to assess their legitimacies. And yes, we should question the legitimacy of Joseph Smith’s “revelations” he had approximately 140 years ago. Come on guys, it’s a load of crap and you know it! The guy was a charlatan and may even have had a criminal record. Some of the beliefs are ridiculous….the whole thing with the native Americans is pretty entertaining.

We should judge people based on their beliefs, it’s a way of understanding how their mind works and their personal judgment. So, let’s say that last week some random guy from up state NY claimed to be divinely inspired and a prophet, and formed his religion, I would have to respect this? Of course not, he’d probably be admitted to the psychiatric hospital and prescribed anitpsychotic meds anyway. Think out the box people! Critical thinking is not a bad thing

You all need to get used to this debate!

Mitt is not the first Romney or the last to run for president!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a well oiled machine that, under God's direction, is cranking out thousands of well balanced, intelligent, talented, hardworking, caring and Christian young people.

Reference:UCLA study "Spiritual Life of College Students"

You can throw up all the misinformation and out of context histo(a)rical data that you want…

whatever helps you to best prepare personally for the first Mormon president in 2008…2012…2020!

If Mitt think this is un-american, he should go back and watch all the comments he made against Muslims.If he has any morals and values, He should speak out whenever anyone makes racist comments against people of color and other religions. That would make him a candidate for all people instead of just the Mormons.

Come on Mitt phone calls are fair play! You more than anyone knows that Mormons are out there slinging mud for you! Keep it honest, please, otherwise you will look like a naughty boy!

Gee, the Founding Fathers were pretty smart, seeing the danger of injecting religion into politics and government. I'm glad the GOP's drive to make people's faith a litmus test for running for office is starting to turn against them. This is why it is much better to have a person's religiosity be completely irrelevant when it comes to running the government and hiring the people to do that job.

I am sure that Rudy Guliani has some hand in this. He is worse than Bush and Rove and if he is elected, we are in bigger trouble than ever. His right hand man, Bernard Kerick, was indighted last week. Rudy should be next after taking money to put the command center for NYC in the World Trade Center, the biggest target ever because the landlord of the office gave him $100,000 contribution. He did nothing to help firefighter and police…he is a scum and I cannot understand how he is even getting any postitive spin. Of course, he was in a law firm that defended FOX News and will spend his dollars there so they lift him up in the polls.
Impeach Bush and Cheney now.

"Folks need to lay off Mitt's religion, that's his own choice." -nathan, Columbus Ga.

Religion is not a choice; it is an inheritance. Children of Catholics tend to be Catholic, children of Mormons tend to be Mormon, children of Muslims tend to be Muslim, etc. Of course, there are a lot of Protestants who shop the various denominations, but that is like choosing between Coke and Pepsi: in the dark no one can tell the difference.

There are a few athiests who become Buddhists, a few Protestants who become Catholic (I'm one. Every time I get a new wife I seem to get a new religion.) or vice versa, usually due to marriage. The partner with less social status joins the church of the partner with higher social status.

this is very sick, thanks to people like pat robertson, I'm a democrat and will be voting for HILLARY, however Folks need to lay off Mitt's religion, that's his own choice.

This is not about religious freedom, it is about church control of its leaders and our government. It is clear to me that the Mormon church and Romney are digging deep into their pockets to buy the Presidency, where Romney would simply be a mouthpiece of the church or face excommunication. We do not want a Mormon in the Whitehouse where the word of the day would be "obedience".

THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION TO VOTERS ABOUT A CANDIDATES BELIEFS IS
HARDLY UN-AMERICAN . IMMIGRANT BASHING
HATEMONGERING, FLIP-FLOPPING FOR THE SAKE OF POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY NOW THAT WOULD BE MY DEFINITION OF UN-AMERICAN,
UN-CHRISTION AND UN-MANLY.

Some of you call Mitt a bigot for his stance on gay marriage, but you can be a bigot and tear into Mitt Romney's religion, right?

Would someone please ask Romney whether he thinks that is's un-American to discriminate against gays and lesbians?

He's a hypocrit and a flip-flopper.

I expect that this year the candicacies of Obama, Hillary and Mitt will allow Republicans to display a cornucopia of racist, sexist and religious intolerance in addition to their new "Southern strategy" of campaigning against hispanics.

Thanks for the responses everyone. It makes sense, but it sucks..

The thing is: What is being done to Romney or any one during the campaigns – negative ads, etc., IS in fact VERY American. That's what is so sad. This is what America has become- look around. What once was "abnormal" is now the "norm." Mitt cannot walk around saying "…this is un-American." Nor can anyone else use that phrase any longer. It's a seriously sad commentary on America.

I have no concerns over the Mormon religion as I generally find Mormons to be wonderful people. I have also observed that the Mormon church tends to exert a high degree of influence over their members. I am concerned about that. If this concern is un-American in Romney's eyes—so be it.

To David Columbus, OH:

As bad as it sounds, the cash will be his to do as he pleases. The bad case is the business contracts that will go to his faith guys to enrich themselves. The Mormons are very good at that.

My issue? How many wives is he allowed to take to the white house or will Giuliani bring all his wives and kids to his first day in office?

GOP is a bad party.

Now the Catholic Church is saying its ok for their members to vote for someone that supports abortion???? This just shows they are Republicans and Racist period. They will do what ever it takes to be in power.

New Hampshire Republicans are the only ones who have gone to jail for blocking Democratic phone lines on election day … phone records show 22 calls from the GOP headquarters to the White House on that same election day.

I might speculate that the calls are from those evangelicals who do not believe that being a Morman is being a Christian.

no one shoul be pointing fingers at who said it. we need to stop this kind of bull crap politics. just like the comments about obama, these people who use the lowest forms of hatred and bigotry(did I spell that right ?) need to be exposed and dealt with

Wasn't it in New Hampshire that some Repubs. went to jail in the last few years for jamming phone lines of some "get out the vote" groups on election day? 'Heaven forbid,' they thought, 'that some poor and elderly people or people of color should vote! Let's make sure they can't get a ride to the polling place by keeping their calls for assistance from going through!'

And yes, McCain suffered the same kind of dirty tricks from the Bush camp back during the 2000 thousand election in So. Carolina. When McCain called Dubya on it, Bush just shrugged and said something to the effect of "Hey John. It's just politics."

This is the normal way of things in the Republican party.

What a shame.

I didn't know Karl Rove was working for a Republican campaign up there in New Hampshire, but it sure sounds like a Karl Rove maneuver. While I wouldn't vote for Romney, it has nothing to do with his religion – just his political party's ideology.

David from Ohio,

The president's salary is his to do with what he pleases. It's the same for people employed at any level of the government. To place restrictions on what someone on the government payroll could do with his paycheck would be discriminatory. The issue of separation is only relevant in using government appropriations or influence to push a certain religion.

FIRST THE MORMONS. NEXT THE JEWS?
Wow! I can't believe the stone-age hatred from both the ultra-conservative religious bigots and the left-sided secularists. They are both become so far-sided that they eventually meet full circle.

While I'm in no way a Romney supporter, nor a Mormon, I am dismayed when I read the bigoted comments by folks who are slamming the man for being a Mormon. Since the cornerstone of the religion IS a belief in Jesus Christ, how can you not call it a Christian religion? As another reader posted, how can you dismiss Joseph Smith's "revelations" as being hocus-pocus while not doubting virgin birth, Moses crossing the parted Red Sea, or Jesus' resurrection? The very idea of religion is that it defies logical explanation–you need to have "faith" that these things happened in order to believe it.

In my way of thinking, those who think that "their" brand of religion is the only valid one are practicing bigotry. I haven't fully resolved my own Christian beliefs in that I should love others while still condemning them for not believing exactly as I should. . .and I find it funny that Christians will condemn Mormonism while finding it also against their nature to do the same to Judiasm, Muslims, Hindu, etc.

In response to: The Runaway, err I mean jon gustafson, gun barrel city texas

Why did you runaway? Lets hear some juicy secrets. What is so Cult Like about this religion that scared you and made you run away?

Was it the Family Home Evenings? (Now those are scary.)
Or maybe you couldn't pay a full 10% Tithe?
Maybe it was the Fast for 3 meals a month? (That is a rough one)
Perhaps it was the wacky Primary Songs like "I am a Child of God"?
Or was it those 3 hours of Church on Sunday were just too much for you to take? (Oh the suffering)

Come on man don't leave us hanging like this. Entertain us with your story.

I think that this is all a bunch of rubbish. Shame on all of you. What does it matter what a person believes? A person's personal beliefs such as religion will not effect their judgement. Look at Kennedy he was Catholic and he did not try to convert us to Catholisim. Third if you do not agree with the "mormon" religion fine but you should not hold religion against someone who could well be a good canidate.
Now I say all this and I am not sure that I agree with all of Romney's beliefs but to be so prejudiced shows a severe weakness of mind.

Come on,CNN. Why was my post removed?

Kate, Aurora CO :

Took the words right out of my mouth. People get so tunnel visioned in religion. It's ridiculous.

It seems you can't be a decent human being and run a successful Republican campaign. It's too much to see how much of a classy kind of guy Romney is. McCain, too. They deserve better than these disgusting smear campaigns within their own ranks.

You dummies who think Democrats made these calls — get a clue. What do they care about the GOP primary? They've got their own battles to worry about right now.

It was either Giuliani or Huckabee. I think it was Giuliani because he's a sleazy sort of guy, though I've not believed him to be a religious bigot. But you never know in Republican politics. They originated the term "Swift-boating."

My Republican husband thinks it was Huckabee. I can't understand why a man running so far behind would care about one front runner, but he is a crazy social conservative.

Religious bigot, Race bigot… its all bigotry, and anyone who says that they would not vot for a President simply because of his religion needs to get thier idiotic minds into a history book and read that many True Americans died for the freedom of religion! If you don't like it go N. Korea, I hear they like telling what you can and can't do.

Careful. This sure sounds like a sympathy vote attempt by Mitt baby. Who cares if he's Mormon?

He's a waffling far-righter, and those types' time has come and gone.

He's a bigot, a hypocrite and a mormon. The last one means he can look you in the eye and lie to your face without blinking.

Sorta like a slick willie or hillarity.

romney's religion is fair game. all
rules of decency in politics have gone
by the boards, so why can't people attack his cult-like religion? fair is fair…he has no problems mistaking barack obama for osama bin laden–so
spare the us the blather.

A sure sign McCain is too old for the job, he's repeating himself.

For those of you who are attacking Romney based on his religion, I can only say that it is terribly hypocritical. It is highly unnecessary to go after the beliefs of a certain religion, and its even worse to contort them and spread lies that you have heard on the internet from anti-mormon websites. Before you start talking, read up and get your information from those who actually know about the religion instead of ripping on Joseph Smith, whose story is much more than what is portrayed by the anti-mormon bigots. Romney is not perfect, but no one is, and whether he is fit to be president should have nothing to do with his religious beliefs.

Romney is not Anti-Gay he is against Gay Marriage. Romney is not Anti-Womans Choice he is against abortion. There is a difference between being against an action and being against a person. Romney is not out beating up Gays or Killing Doctors that perform Abortions. That is Anti-Gay and Anti-choice. That is not Romney.
Half of the comments about the "mormans" on this board are completely wrong. first of all it is Mormon not Morman. On the issue of blacks not being able to be members of the church, they have always been allowed to be members of the church. check it out at http://www.lds.org
read through that website and then explain to me how you think that this religion is anything but christian and how it is bad. Any faith that promotes doing good to others regardless if they are Muslim, Hindu, Christian or any other faith help in bettering our world. It is only when the individuals of those faiths start preaching their own versions that these faiths become corrupted.
It is ironic that what these faiths teach to be good, we turn to promote hatred towards others.
peace be with us all

Amazing. If you want to see bigotry, just look at some of the postings here. I see a bunch of so-called Christians tearing into the man because of his faith. I never read of Christ teaching this type of hatred.

Mitt Romney is being attacked because of his religion. Isn't that un-American?

You might ask Harry Reid, a democrat mormon if giving his 10 percent violates seperation of church and state.

For all who insist on passing on second-hand information about the Mormon Faith, I hope you stop and think. Would you want someone spreading spurious information about you or an organization you associated with or would you rather have people come to you directly? Please show the same consideration for others.

For those who say they've "researched" the LDS Church, try going to the OFFICIAL church web-sites (lds.org and mormon.org) Afford the same respect to others that you would have afforded to yourselves. If you had an official web-site that you authored about yourself, wouldn't you want people to go there instead of visiting pages of others who may have intentions of spreading MISinformation about you or of taking facts out of context as these questions did of Romney?

There is too much gossip and heresay. We all need to be more mature and responsible about what we say, listen to, or assume about others. (This doesn't just apply to politics, either!)

To all who are saying that this religious bigotry is not much different from what homosexuals get, there is a big difference. No one would ever get away with saying "I knew a Gay once, and I'd never want one in the White House! They're messed up!" People CLAIM that Christians are bigoted against homosexuals merely because most Christians believe the practice to be immoral. Disagree does not equal Hate. I have homosexual friends, and if I agreed with their policies I'd consider voting for them! But these remarks against Mormons ARE bigoted because they're not just saying "we disagree with you," They're saying "We don't like Mormons. We should never have a Mormon president."

Why is this difference so hard for people to understand?

Well, it's nice to see Karl Rove found work again. I wonder which campaign he joined to come up with this latest disgusting push poll.

Well, I'm discouraged by all the people out there with such negative views of Mormonism. I am a Mormon. I pay my taxes, help the community, vote regularly, and do my best to raise my family to be good citizens….just like the majority of Mormons that I know. I'm bewildered that so many of you who are posting have such hostile feelings towards the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maybe you'll change your mind someday. Here are some links to recent news articles about Mormons:

Check these links out:
http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/200711/10397.asp

http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/NEWS01/71106008

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071104-9999-1mc4ficlean.html

Regarding Mitt Romney being upset because he's been stereotyped and attacked due to his religion, I must say it's the exact same tactic this hyprocrite uses when he stereotypes gay men and women in order to get elected. Stereoptyping kind of hurts when the shoe is on the other foot, eh Mitt? Kind of…how did you say it? Un-American? My thoughts exactly.

There are a lot of urban legends floating around about Mormon beliefs and several are on this thread, also a couple of personal accounts that ring very false with reality and mainstream mormonism. If you really want to know what they believe and how they believe it, the most pure source is lds.org or an active LDS friend/neighbor/co-worker. You won't get real info off this thread or others like it. They have an agenda to twist an malign. Good news is America is growing up and more people are walking away from anti-Mormonism than picking it up. Bigotry is out of style.

In response to Kate from Aurora CO.

Yes the mormon religion is idiotic. It was invented about 100 years ago by a charlatan named Joseph Smith, who actually had a criminal record, something having to do with fraud. If you'll believe this nonsense you'll believe anything. I see your point regarding other religions, and my perspective is the same for all, all man-created, with emphasis on the word man. However, at least those beliefs have 1000s of years on their side, such dogmatism is a hard spell to break. I'm drawing the line with the old religions, we don’t need any more of these supernatural wastes of time.

First of all the attacks upon a person's religion is highly prejudicial, secondly how dare those nasty twits mess with something so pure. Mr. Romney was serving not only his God, but demonstrating the more compassionate side of Americans. Mr. Romney did not in any way shape or form "run" from his responsibilites in Vietnam… Personally I would be more than honored to serve under a man like Romney.

When Harry Reid has to account for his mormonism then I'll expect the same from Romney, until then, this a non issue. Since when did America become a nation of religious discrimination? Are people in the US really that ignorant?

I'm sorry but anybody who thinks Jesus came from America should not be president.

End of story.

It is absolutely NOT un-American. In America we have freedom of religion. But we also have free speech. If you want to believe crazy things you have the right. But people also have the right to speak freely about your crazy beliefs.

If you want to limit free speech YOU are un-American.

1. What crime has been committed? Personally, I believe that there should be a law that states, "Use a robodialer, go to jail". This would cover everything from politics to mortgage refinancing. Until that law is passed I see nothing illegal about what was done. Bad taste maybe, but is there a law against that? The whole country would be in jail.

"Specifically, the calls raise questions about his Mormon faith, and the deferments he received from the Vietnam War because he was doing missionary work in France." Is there something illegal about telling the truth? Look at what Romney's done. He went to France on Mormon missionary duty to avoid the draft during the Viet Nam War while others were getting drafted and volunteering. He says his 5 sons are performing duty to the country by serving on his campaign committee. Romney says Mormons take care of Mormons. Does Mitt not like the truth? Religion does not play a factor here. Romney's actions are the deciding element. That he took those actions based on his religion was his choice. Stop playing the discrimination card.

2.This same tactic was used on Kerry during the last race. As I remember, there was a news story about people in Ohio getting late-evening phone calls from "homosexuals" who were asking for votes for Kerry because he supported gay marriage. You can bet this was done by Republicans, not Dems. You can't believe what your telephone tells you. You don't know who it is coming from. It would be very easy to rouse the rabble by making annoying phone calls that call for support for the other side. It could even be Romneys' camp behind this hoping for a backlash in favor of Romney. From some of the comments here this could be the case.

“New Hampshire voters are politically sophisticated enough to see through these types of negative campaign tactics and strongly resent this type of campaigning in our state,". I guess this didn't apply to Ohio.

3. The Christians all call for a Christian to lead the country. Mitt says the country should be led by a man of faith. BTK is a Christian man of faith. Don't deny it.

4. I will vote for the first politician who says he will guide the country on the advice he is given by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. And if the FSM tells him to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike on Iran to end the tyranny there……..? Which one of us would be un-American enough to question his faith?

Yes let's get constitutional. "Laws neither for or against" religion. What sort of activist judges legislating from the bench passed the laws granting religion freedom from property taxes? Mega-Church = Mega-taxes. We could all get some tax relief if Religion Inc started paying their fair share of taxes. That garish monstrosity in Salt Lake City should be worth a lot of tax dollars. Ditto for that ugly abomination in San Diego. The Catholic church has a lot of land that is off the tax rolls. Tax them.

Somebody please tell me why, in the face of shrinking supplies and growing demands of our natural resources we are still giving tax cuts to people who engage in the practice of Flesh Farming. Stop the government subsidy for large families. Two deductions for the first two children and then luxury taxes on each succeeding child. Most people limit themselves to two. Religion is eager to add to their cannon fodder. Why settle for two proselytutes when you can have eleven? Support Planned Parenthood. It is our only hope.

I believe that Time Magazine devoted an issue to Mormons Inc. and National Geographic said it could not have happened the way Joey Smith said it did. Are these people un-American bigots for exposing the dark underbelly of this cult? Please correct me if I am wrong.

Believe in the FSM or roast in hell.

Honor the separation of church and state. Tax property equally. No more free rides for religion.

One nation, under the FSM, indivisible, etc.

Dr. RaTsTar, Proud Pagan, Viet Nam Era Veteran, '72-'76, two deployments to SE Asia.

Religion is one thing. Cults are another and they're fair game.

The Clintons are in this, but of course Hillary doesn't know anything about it.

smike in NO – you are typical of liberal attitude toward successful people. the way to be successful and rich yourself is to try to figure out how they got that way, then go out and find your own golden ticket ! don't hate him because he's rich, try to be like him

Romney declined his $135,000 salary as Governor of Mass. According to Associated Press reports in May 2007, Romney announced he would accept the $400,000/yr salary as Pres. but would donate it to charity.

Un-American? Please. Electing a president who answers not to the American people but to the directions of a single person (catholic) or group of persons (mormon) is the only un-American thing about this story. Ask yourself, when there is a conflict between his faith and what needs to be done for America (and is called for by the public) where do you think he will side? On his spiritual side of course because otherwise he will be EXCOMMUNICATED by the Mormon Church.

I have family members who are mormon and also catholic ones but I wouldn't elect any of them either.

Un-American? Hardly, it's a longtime American tradition. How did George Bush win in South Carolina? By painting John McCain as a man ready to become unglued at any moment. Welcome to a shot of Republican campaign medicine Mitt. Drink it fast and it doesn't burn so much.

It wasn't like the phone call was full of lies. It was full of the truth, that phone company should be praised!

Thank you keep calling!

The latest word is that it comes out of the Giuliani campaign. The candidate has denied any knowledge of this but there is not much I put past the candidate after he used the bodies of dead firefighters as an excuse to run.

CNN is a repository of Anti Mormons
statements by Anti Mormons. If these people knew enough about religion as they are required to know they would be terrified out of their mind.
My relatives were Mormons from the very early days and they were driven from Kirkland Ohio to Missouri, to Naavoo Illinois and finally to Salt City. Many were tarred and fearthered , beatten , their homes burned and many were murdered because Jesus Christ called and trained a young boy as a prophet the way He trained prophets in the Old Testement to restore the Church he established 2000 years ago before the day of his second coming.
Joseph Smith paid the same price with his blood as the prophets of the Old Testament. Mormons are Christians in the sense that the early Christians were Christians.
If people knew as much about the Bible as they are required to know they would know Jesus Christ did the samething before he destroyed the earth by flood by calling a prophet named Enoch to gather up the good people of the earth and translate them to heaven without passing through death. You Biblical scholars should ask yourself from the days of Adam on down when did Jesus Christ ever go back to an Apostized Church to restore his Gospel.
AS Isaiah said in the Old testament Chapter 28 Verse 12 "In the days of the refreshing few people would listen." This statement has proved to be true but each person has the free agency Good gave them to do what they
want to do but these same people should know that there is a price to pay for making wrong decisions.

There is no limit to how low some people will fall to get at something desperately wanted.

I have been contacted on a push poll and I must say my language was not lady like.

If anyone scares me…it is NOT the Mormons…it's the evangelical Christians. It is too bad Romney chose to "rethink" his positions in order to appeal to that crowd.

Ha bigotry? Romney should look no further for that with his homophobic anti-gay stance on issues.

My answer is who cares. I have given up on all the politicians running for president. No one is talking about fixing the border. No one is going to fix our broken education system. No one is going to do what is necessary to stop another major terror attack on this country. A pox on all their houses. I will vote on bond issues and the like but I no longer vote for politicians who offer no hope of actually getting problems solved.

Mitt Romney has already promised not to take a single paycheck if elected President…so don't worry about that David. For all the stone throwers here, aren't your hateful comments towards bigots an act of bigotry in themselves? Isn't calling religious people nuts prejudism??? Isn't stereotyping Mormons as racist just that? Stereotyping? When you point a finger at someone three fingers point back at you.

"but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States" (ARTICLE VI, UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION)

That's what our constitution says…lets uphold it!

Romney is being attacked so much because he is so strong in early states. Check these new polls out today from Michigan and Iowa that show Romney very solid in the GOP primaries.

Look for a republican operative to be behind this. It's their style.

Perhaps Romney is getting his due. While campaigning to become governor of MA, he was pro gay rights, even marching in a gay pride parade, and pro choice, can you here the flop in the flip now? And pro family? There are many different kinds of family in this world and he aggressively denounced any form of a LGBT familys civil rights after becoming the Govenor of MA, and suddenly became a pro life advocate. How can you trust someone like that? Saying anything to get in, get ahead. What is his truth, do we really know? So many questions to ponder… Give me a break calling people here bigots. Romney was a bigot himself when it came to LGBT issues in MA. Very incensitive , hurtful and mean spirited. I only wish those of you who hold him so high could of witnessed his reign and message while Govenor of MA, but then again perhaps you would of went along . It never ends…

I don't dislike Mitt Romney because he's a Morman. I dislike him because he's another spoiled little trustfunder like Bush who feels his last name and checking balance entitles him to public office.

I am not a republican. But it is a shame that the people in our country can sink so low. Leave the guy alone. So what if he is a Mormon. Religion shouldn't play a factor. I am not surprised – sad to say that our country isn't all that it raves to be. Free – equal rights, blah blah blah……

Dave from Ohio:

I don't think that would be a violation of church and state. George Bush gives 10% of his income to charity some of which I believe is to religious charities and I haven't heard anyone complaining about it. So in response to your question I think this would be OK.

Conservatives think Mitt is going to hell for his believes, just as he thinks Gays are going to hell for their actions; yet, he calls this repulsive?

Republicans are such hypocrits!

Repulsive? And Romney's religion is the one that says the darker your skin is, the less God likes you.

Kettle, meet Mr. Pot.

It seems a lot of people bash the Mormons because of the Joseph Smith story. I don't see what's so bad about it. Sure it may be out there – visitations from God and angels, etc. But all religions have beliefs in supernatural beings and/or occurrences. Catholics believe communion wafers turn into Jesus' flesh in their mouths. Does that make them cannibals? I once saw an interview with a minister who firmly believed metal objects materialized in someone's mouth and came flying out. All religions believe things that can be considered "out there". Mormons are no different. So why pick on Romney?

I was raised Mormon until I was old enough to run away from them (although their little white shirted bikers are still after me). I would never elect someone from that cult-take a close look people.

"If Mitt gets elected, he would receive his presidental paycheck. Mormons are supposed to pay 10% of their income to the church. If he pays this from his presidental paycheck, is this considered a violation of seperation of church and state?"

The answer is no. He spends OUR money (taxes) as an agent of the government. He spends HIS money (paycheck) as a private individual.

I'm not surprised. Social conservatism is too often defined by bigotry. With the diversity of the presidential candidates, I expect to see more of this deplorable behavior. It's really sad that in "The land of the free", religious, racial and sexist bigotry is even an issue. We can only hope to expose this garbage and force it to crawl under a rock and die off with their backwards ideals.

While I think he is a disgraceful politician, I'd have to agree that these remarks are uncalled for.

However, I don't know enough to say it is/ isn't a cultist religion.

The only thing more fake than Romney is God. Any religious person who attacks any other faith is doing nothing but fighting the image in the mirror. They're all nuts, they all have sorted pasts, they're all insults to human dignity.

In response to Cory from Canada:

You can't be serious, right? Have you read the bible lately? So people who believe in a virgin birth or a man building a boat that holds 2 of every species or turning water into blood and bread into flesh makes more sense? Sorry but your reasoning could be applied towards every religion, which in my own humble opinion all have a sense of silliness to them.

DO NOT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS THAT DEMOCRATS MADE THOSE CALLS!!! First, most Democrats do not harbor hatred for other religions–remember we're the tree huggers, we even love radical muslims and communists–or so I've heard. Second, this guy has plenty of enemies among his own GOP rivals. Third, many of those rivals have the support of right-wing regligious groups whose members have done much worse–like burning Family Planning Clinics and shooting the doctors–in the name of their religion. I agree w/ investigating these incidents, and then prosecuting them to the fullest. I wouldn't jump to conclusions however.

I know who did this, and they are on my list. They won't get in the door.

"I find it ironic that he would use the word 'bigotry', since he campaigns aggressively against gay and lesbian people."

I agree Justin, it’s intellectually dishonest. But of course belief in ancient human-created texts gives one the right to discriminate against different races and sexual orientations. Ohh wait, the book of Mormon isn’t ancient…it’s like 100 years old. It’s a silly and nonsensical plagiarized version of the christain faith. Well the mormons updated their view of black people in the 70s due to social pressures…it’s only gonna take 10 or 15 more years from them to catch up to the issues of homosexuals! People are dumb.

McCain says he was a target of such smear tactic which was "cowardly" and "American people deserve better from those who seek the high office of the presidency". Do you know what cowardly group made those calls in South Carolina in 2000? Yep, the Bushies. He's your cowardly President and John McCain has been kissing his butt ever since. So much for standing up for principle.

That is so awesome Mitt Romeny is calling to end the anti mormon bigotry.
John McCain is also backing it up, he is right, it will make the democrats stronger. I wonder why the Christians of this nation can't see Mitt Romney is a great man, who has excellent values and would serve this nation to bring it to the best it has ever been.

The mormon faith is ridiculous. I don’t want a president who seriously believes that Joseph Smith, who states he discovered "divine golden tablets" in his back yard in up state NY about 100 years ago, was a religious prophet! People, mostly christians, tend to focus on the polygamy issue, but that’s not even the most absurd part about this “faith”. Take the time to read about the origins of this faith and the charlatan Joseph smith who concocted this doctrine. To think we could have a president who subscribed to such contrived doctrine is an insult to thinking people. Maybe if we are lucky we can get a candidate running with a strong background in astrology or even witchcraft.

He was out proselytizing for the Mormons in the 1970s, a time when that church excluded blacks. He didn't call that repulsive. He opposes legislation that would end blatant forms of discrimination against gays. Doesn't he find discrimination repulsive? Let's hope he learns a broader lesson from the frequent Republican attacks on his religion.

I find it ironic that he would use the word 'bigotry', since he campaigns aggressively against gay and lesbian people.

I suspect he will learn nothing from this.

I can think of several reasons not to vote for Mitt Romney, but his religion is not one of them.

I had thought and hoped that the issue of a candidate's religious beliefs was finally put to rest in 1960 when we sent a Roman Catholic to the White House. Guess what? The Pope did not command Jack Kennedy to make the U.S. a vassal of Rome like all those southern baptists, protestants, methodists etc. said he would.

Apparently conservative evangelicals did not get the message and are ressurecting this absurd form of biggotry again for their own gain.

I don't care what religion the hypocrite is. I would never vote for him.

I sincerely hope that someone can get to the bottom of this and find out just who is responsible. That goes for the "Obama" is a "Muslim" calls and e-mails as well. Any candidate whose organization is proven to be involved in this is toast and should be.

I cant believe the nerve of some of these people criticizing him for being a mormon.
me and my three wives are completely appalled.

I AM CURIOUS, SOMEONE RESPOND!

If Mitt gets elected, he would receive his presidental paycheck. Mormons are supposed to pay 10% of their income to the church. If he pays this from his presidental paycheck, is this considered a violation of seperation of church and state?

McCains right….this is very cowardly. I'm not a Romney supporter infact I'm leaning towards Biden BUT a campaign should be ran on political issues and not based upon religion. If there is to be a seperation of church and state then why would his personal beliefs matter? Infact many of Romney's policies as Senator go against what I understand to be basic Mormon doctorine. COWARDLY!!!

Mitt, your white noone cares if you feel you have been disciminated agianst, only people of color or homosexuals can scream that.

Note to Romney campaign:

Welcome to the Republican party, where bigotry has long been a way of life"
Remember the "Southern strategy" employed by Nixon, Reagen, Dole,etc and of course who can forget Willie Horton and suppression of minority voters by our current President's campaign.

It's nice to see your party reaping a bit of what you have long sowed.

Although the attacks are cowardly and this is coming from a Democrat, I certainly DO NOT WANT A MORMON in the White House. Period.

I guess just like one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter, one man's bigotry is another's COMMON SENSE. Seriously…..have you read the Mormon account? Let's make a rule……if you can believe nonsense like that, you simply cannot be President.

this sort of thing is of the lowest form. what a cowardly thing to do. I can't wait to see who is behind this. with the wire tapping technology we have today it should be easy to find out who has done this. It would serve us all well to know how low some of us will go to win or help someone win

How can Romney condemn bigotry only when its aimed at him? Immigrants gays and other groups are fair game? A little hypocritcal?

I agree! find them and prosecute – the rumor is is that it is the Huckabee Camp who may have had there own people make these calls and fronted as the call company concealing them from being found out by the public!

Why is it that Chris Dodd has not distanced himself from the endorsement of a defendant in a 100mil law suit based on threats against a black man who ran for mayor in Connecticut. As a constituent I called Dodd's campaign to point out this endorsement by these racist and they refuse to even distance themselves from it. The case is Mel Thompson v. Anthony Staffieri and the case number is 307 CV 1439 WWE. The defendant in question works for defendant Connecticut Local Politics, LLC and post on their blog at ww.ctlocalpolitics.net as ccg or "caffeinated geek girl". These people are racist and if they support Dodd he should disavow them. Would Dodd accept money from Bin Laden or send it back? Im sure he would send it back and that I no different than telling these racist thanks but no thanks. I am surprised and upset at my Senator.

Why do people single out Mitt Romney's Mormon faith? Is it fear of what they don't know about?

Is it fear of a President pushing a religion onto the Amer. people? Barack's Obama's United Church of Christ has a "Black Value System" – should I be afraid he'll impose this "system" on me? How do we know that the other candidates are not highly religious and are just keeping quiet about it? Do we only vote for someone who proclaims "Don't worry I'm not that religious…"

Well, if I was going to have to come up with suspects, I'd say it's either Tancredo with his "America must be made up of white Protestants" ideology, or maybe some of the fundamentalists who threw their support behind Guilianni. The Christian Right would the first bunch I'd question.

This is grotesquely un-American, and, frankly, exactly what I would expect from most Republican politicians. Like every other good, principled liberal I know I've never once considered voting for Romney (or any conservative) in the presidential race, but this makes me want to vote in the Republican primary solely to support the beautiful notion of religious freedom in our country.
In fact, I think I will do that…