Huntsman’s father released from Church leadership role
(CNN) - Presidential candidate Jon Huntsman's father, philanthropist and billionaire Jon Huntsman Sr., was released Saturday from his leadership position with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the church's semiannual "General Conference," held in Utah. The move was part of a routine rotation among the church leadership.
There is no connection between Huntsman Jr.'s presidential campaign and his father's release, as the Church maintains a strict policy of political neutrality and does not endorse political candidates, a Church spokesperson said.
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Huntsman Sr. had been serving as an Area Seventy, a high leadership position with the Church, since 1997. Area Seventies serve on a temporary basis and are assigned responsibility for Church affairs in various areas around the world. The spokesman, who declined to be named, said it was time for his release and that the move was overdue.
Individuals serving in full-time leadership roles with the Church do not "participate in political campaigns, promote candidates, fundraising and making financial contributions," according to the Church's political neutrality policy. Huntsman Sr. was not subject to this policy because he was not a full-time officer for the Church, however.
Huntsman Sr. and church members are "free to contribute, serve on campaign committees and otherwise support candidates of their choice," states Church policy.
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Released? It sounds like he was incarcerated or let back into the wild.
Then why in the h3ll is this even an article?? This has absolutely no place in news. The point of this article is to point out that Jon Huntsman and his family are Mormons. That is all. Has any paper EVER ran an article about a Baptist candidates' parents routine rotation out as a deacon? No, because it has absolutely nothing to do with anything in the world. The only thing it does it highlight that he has a religion different than that of 99% of all his party. Geez, if this was WWII would you be ratting out the Jews as well? Or the Commies during the McArthy period? This is either the most pointless journalism I have EVER seen or it's yellow journalism. I'm afraid CNN doesn't know the difference.
So why is this news?
This is not even news.
How involved is the father? I suspect that the Mormon Church is on interested is any appearance of favoring one member over the other (Huntsman over Romney). This may be routine, but it could have greater implications because of the possible influence.
Released from the Mormans? Huntsman's stock just went up in my book!
Are the Mormans any different from the Branch Dividians...not much. Moving on!
Why is this news? I haven't heard about Obama's illegal alien aunt recently. Are you going to dig into his family members lives as well, CNN????
Not tied to Huntsman Presidential run? Right. Republicans already consider Mormons to be "non-Christians". Huntsman's father being a leader in the Mormon Church would make his campaign far more impossible. Republicans decide who is a Christian and who is not. Funny how these same Republicans follow none of Jesus teachings- bear false witness against President Obama, ignore the poor and homeless, have no charity for anyone, no compassion for those in need or who have just experienced a disaster, and lie constantly. They are more like the moneychangers in the Temple that Jesus threw out for their greed and mockery of religion. No More Republicans in 2012.
Remember to most Christians the Mormon Church is not a religion, but a cult!
This does free him up to campaign for his son.
Please explain how 14 years is temporary. Of course the Huntsman Sr resigned so that he can work and donate millions to his son's campaign. In order words, Huntsman, Sr. and his other super rich Mormon friends, will now try to buy the election for Huntsman, Jr. whose ideology leans to the left.
A policy of "political neutrality"?!? How can CNN post that with a straight face? The Mormon church was the leading advocate in the CA ballot initiative to ban gay marriage. That is not "neutral" by any stretch of the word.
"the church maintains a strick policy of political neutrality" Tell that to gay people in California