Romney ready to address Mormon religion head-on
Romney plans an address on his faith later this week.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will make a much anticipated speech on his Mormon faith this week.
Romney's campaign says that the address, entitled "Faith In America," will take place Thursday, December 6 at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station Texas at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Romney campaign spokesman Kevin Madden, in a statement, says, "This speech is an opportunity for Governor Romney to share his views on religious liberty, the grand tradition religious tolerance has played in the progress of our nation and how the governor's own faith would inform his presidency if he were elected. Governor Romney understands that faith is an important issue to many Americans, and he personally feels this moment is the right moment for him to share his views with the nation."
As for the decision-making process, Madden says that "Governor Romney personally made the decision to deliver this speech sometime last week."
A senior Romney Campaign official tells CNN the speech has been on the table for some time and that there were lots of pros and cons to giving such an address. The official says that Romney believed that the speech was important and that once he "became comfortable with the construct of the speech" he gave the go ahead.
- CNN's John King and Paul Steinhauser
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This is for Lee. Seeing as you seem to be an expert on what a Christian is, I would like to know what your definition is. All you are doing so far is throwing blanket statements and rhetoric around. What is a Christian?
Christianity as a whole is nothing more than a cult – just with different sects. They claim to follow the principles of Jesus, yet they are intolerant to anyone and everyone that does not believe the same as them. First, they started killing off Pagans (crusades anyone) and then they took over their holidays, modifying them, when they realized there were too many Pagans and they couldn't wipe them out. After that, they made the pagan wise women into some sort of monster, calling her a witch, etc. – another fear tactic – saying she was evil. However, Christians have no problem believing in the supernatural – the thing they claim to shun. If a man rising from the dead isn't supernatural, I don't know what is.
Hypocrites.
I want nothing to do with a religious whack-job in the Presidential seat. Separation of Church & State!
If Mormons are so wrong, then would you please tell me why you are so right? It is simple, don't compare, I just want to know your beliefs.
People have many misconceptions about the LDS people and seem to be satisfied with those misconceptions. Please learn righteous judgment and and please don't scrutinize that which you have no knowledge of.
Like all processes by which knowledge is attain, you must first study, think about it, and apply your understanding. You should not first try to understand before you study and ponder. That would be senseless. I have a degree in chemistry & I received my knowledge concerning chemistry this same way.
Likewise, I have read the Book of Mormon and studied the LDS faith. I have studied numerous other faiths and read what they had to offer. This is how knowledge is attained and it has a special individualistic value. I encourage all of you to find out for yourself from correct sources and there would be no need for a thread like this.
'Anyone who has "faith" as part of their lives is not fit to serve in office. We need reasonable people, directed by rational thinking not outmoded religious beliefs. Please!'
That sums it up nicely. Keep this religion crap out of the white house.
I find it very ironic that so much concern is being raised over Mitt Romney's church and its beliefs by people whose own churches teach that unbaptized babies burn in hell for all eternity- and deserve it! Check the logs in your own eyes folks, and stop worrying about the splinter in your neighbors' eyes.
I find it interesting that with the wealth of information available today that so many "educated" people take other people's statements of opinion about the LDS church as fact. It is different than most, but bashing it without a full understanding is ignorance. For those of you who state you have a full understanding, but have never talked with a member of the church about their doctrinal beliefs or read any of the literature published by the organization itself, how can you justify that? Your neighbor/friend/minister/guy on the street corner probably has little or no accurate information about the topic.
Go to the source. When was the last time you bought a Mutual Fund without consulting an expert on that fund or getting info straight from the fund company, then studying that info... hopefully never. You definately don't call that fund company's competitor to get the facts..... same concept here folks.
As for the Nicene Creed being a litmus test for Christianity, lets not forget this was a document that was put together by a group of people who debated what the basic beliefs of the church should be, and even required 2 takes ...325 AD and 381 AD to get it together.
Why not just say that CHRISTianity is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer, and that believing that he atoned for our sins and living a life centered around his teachings would qualify as Christian.... I think Christ would have wanted it that way.
For those who think members of the LDS Church are not Christian, do some research. Most of the doctrine centers around living a Christ-like life, and anyone who tells you different is misinformed.
For those with concern about Salt Lake influencing his decision making about the country....if he was to be elected... The presidency of the Church rarely takes a stance on anything political. It does take a stance on Moral issues that have become politicized, but doesn't everyone want a candidate that takes a stance on those things anyway... no matter where the root of that morality comes from anyway? (Yes I know Romney's positions seems to sway)
As far as a Mormon as President... why does it matter... I want the person thats best for the job no matter what their religion. I personally don't think he would be the best presidential candidate, but he would be a great VP running mate based on his knowledge and experience.
If you can't find a better reason not to hire someone for a job than their religion..... then shame.
Just remember if you lost your job because your religion was not in line with the rest of the group, you would sue and win.
Same thing if you weren't hired due to religion.
You would probably hire a lawyer and tell every news station that would listen how you were discriminated against by bigots...why is it different here?
I still won't vote for the guy, but at least its for the right reason... not my ignorance and norrow-mindedness.
-NR
A cult of Christianity is a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular doctrine system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization, which (system) denies (either explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian Faith as taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible.
I've skimmed through most of these comments and noticed - while everyone feels strung out about Mormonism, no one is the least bit concerned with the location of the speech: the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library. Is this an endorsement from our dynastic duo? Never mind Mormonism - it's the association with Bush that scares me!
Can anyone stand just one more comment on whether or not Mormonism is a "Christian" belief system or not? Something, perhaps, that may help people understand just why so many people are inclined to disagree?
All right, then, here goes:
Most orthodox, denominational Christians today would consider Mormonism to be "Christian" to the same degree that Mormonism itself considers all other organized denominations to be acceptable before God.
All of them. All Catholics, all Protestants, Judaism, Islam, etc. Every single one...
In case you didn't realize it, the answer is: null. It is Mormonism itself that FIRST declared "all other churches" to be corrupt and of the Devil at worst, incomplete and deluded at best - and only the "Restoration" as provided by Joseph Smith was declared capable of extending salvation to mankind.
So all you well-meaning but not particularly religious folks who seem to just want everyone to be "nice" to each other, please don't call others narrow-minded or bigoted unless you truly understand where they may be coming from. The response of non-Mormon believers to Mormon teachings is simply an honest reaction to what has been dealt to them.
Why does a Mormon have to say anything about his reiligon, Bush and the Republicans are the ones who listen to Crazy Evangelicals.
Why does the gay guy from Colorodo Springs, and Pat Robertson have a open phone line to the President.
They are worried when a Catholic or Mormon runs for president because they think in some way the heads of those religons will control the Presidents action.
The only religon that cannot be trusted are Evangelicals/Baptists because their leaders are the ones who try and control the leaders and have proven the point.
Mormon's,
Christians have not excepted your faith as Christianity simply because your church has very little in common with orthodox Christianity. We do not hate. We are not bigots. We love the Lord and are concerned how you've been misled. At the same time we are also obligated to honor His name and correct what needs to be corrected.
I've read several comments that say you have the word Christ in your title. I've read comments that say you believe in and love Christ. However the Christian church as Paul and the disciples started, and Christ as taught in the bible are NOT consistent with the mormon faith by any means. Joseph Smith created a faith and used the name of Christ. Sadly, it's not that simple to become a Christian.
I urge Christians to read "Reasoning from the Scriptures" by Ron Rhodes to equip you when speaking with Mormons.
I urge Christians to read the book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants. Go to mormon.org. Understand their faith. It is obvious very quickly the mormon faith is not a Christian faith.
Pray for our mormon friends and use your knowledge of the bible and church leaders.
#1 Mormons are actually Christian. They blieve that it is through Jesus Christ that Salvation comes to all people who seek it. Sounds Christian to me. No matter how ticked off it makes other Christians. I wonder why it bothers them so much that Mormons are also Christians. Don't they want people to believe in Christ and accept Him as their personal Savior? Mormons have done that, so what is the problem? Have they ruined your hate fest?
#2 Whis is it that all of the candidates are not forced to explain their relegions? Is anybody actually talking about Romneys qualificatons to be president?
#3 Those who are so bigoted against any group of people will never be satisfied because they are so caught up in the intensity of their own prejudices and hatred. Crawl back under the rocks you came from.
#4 CNN sucks to allow this sort of prejudice to pollute their blog. If people were slandering a race, it would not be tolerated. Shame on you CNN.
Finally, is there anyone out there who would like to talk about this man's qualifications? SHEESH.
Talk Politics or shut up!
I am a Mormon.
I am NOT a Republican.
I do not support Mitt Romney.
I believe in Jesus Christ and the Bible.
I do not consider myself a Christian, because too many people have ruined that for those who believe in Christ.
Something tells me Jesus would probably agree.
I think one of the worst things that happens in this country is the mixture of Church and State.
Oh, and I like gay people too.
Interesting how people use the Book of Mormons to support Mormons. The New Testament (Jesus) is supported by the Old Testament (prophecy) in the Bible, therefore it would mean the Book of Mormons should of been pointed to in the Old Testament and New Testaments – HHHHMMMMMMM?
Jeff Fort Collins (GO COLORADO)
One minor point. John that wrote the gospel and john that wrote the book of revelation were two different people and the books were written years apart. Just an FYI. Adios!
Jim,
Mormons use the Book of Mormon (singular) to support Jesus Christ, similarly to how they use the Old Testament to support him. It also contains prophecies pointing to the coming of Christ, similar to the OT.
So far as I am aware, nowhere in the Old Testament does it insist there will be a New Testament, or any other future body of scripture. The Book of Mormon claims to have been written between 600 b.c. and 400 a.d. in a geographically distant place from Palestine- during the same period of time the body of work which was later edited to become the New Testament was written in. Neither work would be likely to refer to the other, as it would be geographically and temporally impossible, beyond the speculation that the Atonement of Christ might actually apply to peoples outside Palestine, and who might have some notice of it from similar ancient prophecy as the Jewish people, rather than finding out about it in extreme hindsight 1500 years later.
The Book of Mormon isn't intended to be a replacement for either the Bible or Christ, but rather a supplementary witness OF Christ, from the perspective of another people. You may not like it or believe in it, but your line of argument is illogical.
Mike
Steve- well, I get what you are saying but you have to remember that the canon was a work of man not God. I do not put my faith in man but in God. men decided the canon and where the books went. so not much there to discuss. but why would God chose not to reveal anything to our time. does he not love us, too? does he not speak to you by the holy spirit? and why do we have the "stick" of Judah and where is the "stick" of Joseph that Ezekiel speaks of. You see, God believes that both are important not just the record of Judah.
Mike
"Claims to be written"- wasn't it revealed to Joseph Smith, he read it (him only), and then it was taken back to heaven. Why would God do that? Christ hung on the Cross for all to see – his resurrection was seen by witnesses, his teachings were written and confirmed by different writers. If heaven is indeed real (and more importantly Hell) I would hope that you would rest your faith on grace – not works – nobody that I have met is good enough to enter heaven on their own merits. No one. Not even Mitt Romney.
What's my problem with Mitt &
Mormonism? Let me see, just off the top of my head: Joseph Smith...Occultism....Masonry and Mormon Temple Ceremonies....Kinderhook plates ....Ha Ha Ha... it's times like these that I thank god I'm an atheist.
Atheism – let me see, a frog into a prince? This life time is all you get. WOW, what a disappointment. Faith in something greater than this -who would want that?
Re: Are Mormons Christian?
The Book of Mormon, Jacob 4:
.
10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.
.
11 Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.
.
12 And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come?
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
- The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 32:3
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
- 2 Nephi 32:3
those of you who so openly are against Mitt Romney know nothing about the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. The name alone lets you know these people are christen,and that christ is the center of their lives. Here is their first article of faith 1.We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. Now do your homework and find out the other 12, then make your decision on whether these people are Christen or not.
Here is the primary point, folks ...
Mormons believe the seated president of their church (currently, Hinckley) to be a living prophet
What could Romney do when contacted by his church president on a matter of national policy, but follow his prophet's "revelation" ?
Scary ?