Osteen: Romney is a Christian
(CNN) - Famed pastor Joel Osteen reiterated his position that Mitt Romney is a Christian on Tuesday, saying as long as the likely GOP presidential nominee believes that Jesus is the Son of God then he subscribes to the Christian faith.
"When I hear Mitt Romney say that he believes that Jesus is the Son of God–that he's the Christ, raised from the dead, that he's his Savior–that's good enough for me," Osteen said in an interview to air on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
While Osteen described the Mormon faith as "not traditional Christianity," he said he believes Mormons fall under the Christian tent.
"Mormonism is a little different, but I still see them as brothers in Christ," the pastor argued.
Romney's faith has largely remained an outlier in this presidential cycle, though some have expressed skepticism at the likely Republican nominee's religious views.
A leading Baptist pastor in Dallas, for example, made headlines in October when he urged Republicans to vote against Romney, saying voters should elect what he called a Christian, not a Mormon. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints identify themselves as Christians.
More recently, some students at the evangelical Liberty University have taken issue with Romney being tapped to deliver the school's commencement address in May.
Recent polls, however, show a majority of Americans are open to having a Mormon as president.
Romney is not the only one who has taken heat over his faith. Polls have shown a small minority of Americans have questioned whether President Barack Obama is a Christian.
Countering the speculation, Osteen said Tuesday he has spent time with the president and has no doubt about his faith.
"I believe with all my heart that he's a Christian, as he says he is," Osteen said.
Watch the full interview HERE
Watch The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer weekdays at 4pm to 6pm ET and Saturdays at 6pm ET. For the latest from The Situation Room click here.
From CNN Politics
- Democratic candidates face most diverse electorate so far in Nevada caucuses February 22, 2020 08:25 pm
- The 2020 Nevada caucuses
- 6 things to watch in tonight's Nevada caucuses February 22, 2020 05:14 am
- Here's how the Nevada caucuses work February 22, 2020 12:54 am
- How to watch the Nevada Democratic caucuses February 22, 2020 02:28 pm
- Nevada Democratic Party asks caucus volunteers to sign confidentiality agreements February 22, 2020 06:11 pm
Osteen is a false prophet. He tells his followers that Jesus wants them to be rich. I'm sure Mitt Romney loves hearing that. If you combine the wealth of all presidents from Nixon to Obama, and double that, then you're in Romney territory. Maybe Osteen and Romney should both read Matthew 19:24 together.
For anyone who wants to know about Mormonism, ask a Mormon. Don't believe the nonsense you read in blogs from people who spin stories of magic underwear, polygamy, racism, rejection of divine grace, etc. and all of the other lies spread about Mormonism in the name of hate speech. Mainstream America doesn't need to invent stories about Mormonism to feel good about themselves, so you don't need to either.
How is this even a question? The Mormon church is called The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. It is right in the name. They believe in Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit and that Jesus was Heavenly Father's (aka God) son and that he died for our sins. I am a former mormon...although I disagree with some of their teachings this argument that they are not christian is lost to me.
I wouldn't put too much stock in the theological opinions of Joel Osteen - I suspect he believes Jesus and the Twelve all had a 401k and offshore accounts, as well. His "Prosperity Gospel" is a far cry from what Jesus had in mind, I'm afraid.
Uh... No! 1. Jesus was not married or a polygamist and did not have children. 2. Lucifer (the devil) was not his brother. 3. There is a trinity, i.e. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. 4. Man cannot become God. 5. God does not live on a planet where all the high level Mormons will go when they die. And on and on. Please. Mormons believe what they believe. That's fine for them. But they are not Christians. I wish the evangelicals would quit justifying their voting for Romney saying that he is a Christian. He's not, God said it, and it's the truth.
Believing that mythical people existed makes me wonder what kind of president he would make.??????????
So, guess it is ok for the President of the United States to think folks of color are "inferior" to those with white skin, if Joey says so?
Seems as though a German leader in the past had a similar assessment of some of the populace of which he was supposed to be representing, now, what was his name?
This just sounds like one bigot supporting another bigot to me!
From one greedy rich man to another...
PS- Mormons don't read the Book of Mormon over the Bible. They believe that it goes along with the Bible. One talks about what happend before, during and after Jesus's life in the Middle East and the other talks about what happened before, during and after his life in the Americas. The Mormons believe that they are companion books that support each other.
@Zil Zerimar @Luke Brown... could you people be any more ignorant? Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. Saying otherwise doesn't make it so.
I wonder what Joel would say if Mitt told him that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ONLY recognizes mormom baptisms – any other baptisms are not legit because their church is THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH on the planet today. No one is saved unless the baptism is through a LDS church. Food for thought.
LOL! This is really rich since these so called christians can't stand or believe in the mormon religion!
The flip flopper is a bishop in his church andhe gives them probably more money than all his homes and cars are worth.
To Zilzerimar: "According to the mormon teaching Jesus Christ is not the Son of God."
Where did you get that goofy idea from? Might not hurt to check your facts next time before posting. One of our Articles of Faith states that "We believe in God the Father, and in his SON Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost" [emphasis added] Jesus Christ is indeed the son of God.
who gives a damn what these so called christians think? They are so un-christ like to begin with that even christ wouldn't recognize them.
the day that "pastor in dallas" said that christians should vote for a christian should have been the day the IRS cancelled the churches' tax-exempt status.
Barry G. Jesus said to help those that can't help themselves, didn't say those that refuse to help themselves.
How would Mr. Osteen know? He is preaching a false gospel that portrays God as a cosmic Santa Claus. And becoming quite wealthy as he appeals the self focused goals of his followers.
Wonder what bible or LDS verse Joel Osteen is quoting from to come to that conclusion? Because making personal interpretation of christianity or the bible verse is sacrilege!
Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Anyone on here who claims otherwise is lying and has never read the Book of Mormon. Before you talk crap about the Mormon faith, read the Book of Mormon. If you seriously read it, you will see the entire faith is based on Christ as the Son of God. All of the church's leaders preach faith in Christ and his atonement. Get your facts straight people.
to: Zil Zerimar
"Osteen by now you should know who Mitt Romney is. He will say anything just to please everybody. According to the mormon teaching Jesus Christ is not the Son of God"
We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ
Mormon Childrens Song: How could the Father tell the world, of love and tenderness? He sent His Son a new born babe, with peace and holiness. How could the Father show the world, the pathway we should go? He sent His son to walk with men, on Earth, that we may know. How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice of death? He sent His son do die for us, and rise with living breath. What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say? Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way. What does He ask? Live like His Son.
Mormon Hymn: I believe in Christ, He is God's Son. On Earth to dwell, His soul did come.
If you want to see more of what we believe about Jesus being the Son of God, go to mormon.org or lds.org and do a search. But please don't tell me what you THINK I believe. Thank you.
Here it comes, the repackaging of a Mormon. You know, those annoying twits who show up uninvited on your porch, looking to spread lies and hatred? Elect Romney and you might as well count on them being not only on your porch, but in your bedroom as well.
Thank god this is settled.
So, really now–who cares? I distinctly remember something about the "separation of Church & State".
To Zil: "According to the mormon teaching Jesus Christ is not the Son of God."
Where did you get that goofy idea? Next time, do your research before throwing something up that's just not true.
LOL....Joel Osteen.