(CNN) - Craig Bergman, Iowa campaign director for GOP presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich, stepped down from his role Tuesday amid reports he made a controversial comment about Mormonism.
"He made a comment to a focus group prior to becoming an employee that is inconsistent with Newt 2012's pledge to run a positive and solutions orientated campaign," said R.C. Hammond, press secretary for Gingrich.
According to the Des Moines Register, Bergman called Mormonism a 'cult' on Wednesday when talking to a focus group. The newspaper attributed the remark to The Iowa Republican, a conservative news website.
"A lot of the evangelicals believe God would give us four more years of Obama just for the opportunity to expose the cult of Mormon," Bergman reportedly said. "There's a thousand pastors ready to do that."
The comments come two months after a Dallas pastor tied to Texas Gov. Rick Perry created a firestorm when he referred to the Mormon faith as a 'cult' and discouraged Christian voters from supporting Romney, a Mormon.
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From CNN Politics
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Well, that is technically correct. OTOH, Christianity and virtually every other major organization originated as a cult. For that matter, the rituals of Mormonism aren't particularly more outlandish than, for example, the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. (I chose Catholic in this instance because that is Newt's faith).
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What if it really IS A CULT?
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Mormons are very good compassionate people, but as a Christian we must say that it is not recognized as a Christian religion. We just need to be able to trust the character and integrity of the person we vote into the office of President of the United States. Our ancesters left England in order to worship God free of persecution. So we can only pray that whoever our President is that He will not force his beliefs on the citizens who put him in office.
He is right that it's a very strange cult.
Mitt Romney, a Bishop of Mormonism, will use his election to boost the conversion of American "Christians" to the American cult of Mormonism, invented by a convicted con man (and adulterer) in 1800s New York. Already they are by far the fastest growing cult in America. They pretend like they are merely a christian "sect" in order make it easier to convert people raised in the christian tradition. They know what they are doing.
Just once I'd like to see ANY political person stick to his words and not cry, not say they're sorry, or not resign. Own up to something say why you said it, and then say fire me.
Let's face it, Republicans hate Mormons. Newt is their latest "anyone but a Mormon" candidate.
Well... isn't it?
I sincerely hope to see Newt nominated the GOP candidate. He will fail in 2012
Mormonism IS a cult, so what is the big deal?
Bigots. That's another reason the founding fathers said we should keep religion out of politics.
All religions are cults and the followers are cultists. Brain-dead cultists.
Newt has to run a clean campaign, He has so much dirt on himself he is a walking bullseye.
Fear is a relative of ignorance. Christianity didnot form this country, and won't prevent the adustments the country must face today. Some would gladly sacrifice the future for fears from yesterday.
Ah, yes. The cult of Mormonism, as opposed to the cult of Christianity. What's the difference? That one is newer and has fewer members?
How does the right expect to get anywhere if they are fighting amongst themselves? They should be glad that the mormons are on their side. They are typically very conservative and utah has consistently voted republican for ages. i say typically, because this mormon is a liberal
when did telling the truth in America becme a liability to anyone. You lied to us before Newt. No vote here.
When will we get religion out of politics?
Q: What's the difference between a religion and a cult?
A: Business model.
Rather ironic when a member of any religion denounces another as a cult.
What? All of you are running for the office of the "President of the USA", where we all have the, "Freedom of Religion."
Most religions are. Mind control of the weak. Believe in what you feel is right not what anyone else wants you to believe.
Well, it is a cult.
These mormonism is a cult comments are going to be the death of the GOP. The sad thing is that many in the GOP base feel the same way and that is why these comments are made in "polite company". Keep it up GOP and ya'll are done.
CNN would be wise to note that according to the majority of sincere and orthodox Christians in this nation ... mormonism is in fact considered a cult. It is an extreme departure from biblical Christianity.
"Cult" pretty much covers it accurately, along with all religion.