Mitt Romney to Give Major Speech on Mormonism
Posted on December 2, 2007
Via Mark Halperin we get these details:
While Romney has long considered giving such an address, he has up until now declined. But polls continue to show that many voters have reservations about (or outright hostility to) his Mormon faith. This is thought to be a particular problem in the early-voting states of Iowa and South Carolina. Some recent endorsements from religious conservative leaders were intended in part to defuse the issue.
Up until now, Romney has focused on a three-part strategy in trying to indirectly address the matter: putting his telegenic and deeply supportive family front-and-center in the campaign, to try to contextualize himself as a “typical†American of faith and family; emphasizing his place in the Judeo-Christian tradition of the nation’s spiritual life; and emphasizing that he was running as an American who happens to be a Mormon, not as a Mormon American.
Perhaps it is the sudden rise of the preacher Huckabee in the polls that prompted this. While he is doing it in the manner of JFK addressing his Catholicism, the question is will it help? I don’t think so. My major contentions with Romney have nothing to do with his religion. My apprehensions have to do with not knowing where he really stands on anything. A speech on his religion isn’t going to make a difference on what I think of him and I don’t think it will change many, if any, minds of other Americans. Most folks that hold his religion against him already know what Mormons believe. Even if they are confused by misconceptions on what Mormans believe, a speech won’t change their minds. I’m not sure a discussion on the particulars of the religion will help anything at this point. It just might hurt things. It may end up highlighting and announcing a fact that some folks didn’t even know. I’m not sure, but I doubt this makes any significant difference.
Hat tip Hot Air
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, ACLU, News, Politics As Usual
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29 Responses to “Mitt Romney to Give Major Speech on Mormonism”
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I am a “Mormon†(a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and I believe in Jesus Christ. I am a Christian. Yet, there are people who say that because I do not believe as THEIR demonination believe, hence – so many religions, so many denominations, than I cannot be a Christian, that I belong to a cult. Do you know how rude, arrogant, and offensive this is?
Who decides if I am a Christian or not?
Do you decide if I am a Christian? Is that your role?
What is a Christian?
I have read and heard so many lies about my church that it is appauling that these people can say they follow the Savior.
The Savior I know encourages unity.
Jesus prayed, as quoted in John 17:
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
> Most folks that hold his religion against him already know what Mormons believe.
I don’t know whether it’s self deception or fear or just plain bullheadedness, but I would sadly guess that most people who hold his religion against him have already DECIDED what they THINK he believes, and even though they are wrong, they will hold onto their misconceptions no matter what Mitt says in this address. It only takes a moment scanning google or youtube to find thousands of outright lies about Mitt’s faith… lies told by supposedly Christian people to boot.
Maybe you said it indirectly yourself. There’s a popular opinion out there that people who change their minds on something, even after having gained new information, are somehow weak willed and incapable, and thus discovering or admitting that Mormons aren’t nearly as bad as they’d been preaching would make them bad people somehow.
As a Mormon, I would not vote for Mitt BECAUSE of his religion, but because of who he is and what’s he done for America in business, in the olympics, as governor… even as a husband and father who’s set an example of a strong family. Consider his accomplishments compared to the other candidates. Consider the messes he’s cleaned up. And consider the mess we’re in. Consider with your mind and your heart; drop the anti-mormon filters you’re running the facts through. If you still disagree with him, so be it! Just don’t let your prejudices get in the way.
I really don’t care if he is Mormon or not. That has nothing to do with why I’m not rooting for him right now. I may even get behind him later if he gets the nomination. I agree that most who hold his religion against him will continue to do so no matter what.
Jay,
I would bet this was planned from the get-go. The mormon thing is just an excuse. Romney has used an early-state strategy. He has done well in those states, but he’s still in the rear nationally. He’s trying to parlay his “frontrunner” status into some free national exposure before he loses it.
The MSM is all too happy to oblige and Americans will eat it up. ::sigh::
I DOUBT this was planned.
I am a member of the “Mormon” church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and we believe VERY stongly in the separation of church and state, along with the freedom of religion.
11th Article of Faith:
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12th Article of Faith:
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
I’m glad Debrar is teaching me Mormanism. So the LDS believe strongly in the seperation of church and state? I’m guessing that would mean Romney does too. Well, I can’t find that belief in the Constitution myself, so….
I’m not sure you are convincing me to support Romney Debrar.
The Mormons claim JC and The Guys roamed around North America
but there isn’t any archeological evidence for their hanging out.
Maybe LDS is about to grace us with some proof.
If it’s not, the Romneys and Glenn Becks need to quietize.
Oh, is Glenn Beck Mormon too? I’m not sure if the commenters here are understanding something. I DO NOT CARE WHAT RELIGION ROMNEY IS. I DO NOT CARE WHAT MORMONS BELIEVE. As long as Romney doesn’t try establishing his religion as the official religion of the U.S. I could not care less.
My point is…I don’t think a speech on his religion will change anyone’s mind who is holding that religion against him. They have their biases already. I wouldn’t expect them to change it.
My other point: The qualms I have with Romney have NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS RELIGION. Am I being unclear somehow?
Far be it from me to convince you of who you are to vote for. My comment was because of misleading comments posted here.
And, I am not certain why you think you need to be rude.
I take it as a great compliment to be called Romney Debrar. Thank you.
Jay, I agree with you on looking at Romney for what he would bring to the table as your President, not as your church leader. Separation of church and state.
I have a question for WhyWhyWicki, since you say that “proof” is required.
Can you prove that Christ physically existed? And if you can’t, do you still believe He did exist?
I almost asked the same thing.
>>Most folks that hold his religion against him already know what Mormons believe.
I disagree. They think they know what he believes because they have been taught to fear Mormonism by the preachers in their church who are afraid of losing their members. Richard Land admitted so much himself: http://tinyurl.com/22obb3
The separation of church and state is a legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .”
link
The phrase “[A] hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the church and the wilderness of the world” was first used by Baptist theologian Roger Williams, the founder of the colony of Rhode Island.[4][5] It was later used by Thomas Jefferson as a description of the First Amendment and its restriction on the legislative branch of the federal government, in an 1802 letter[6] to the Danbury Baptists (a religious minority concerned about the dominant position of the Congregationalist church in Connecticut), assuring that their rights as a religious minority would be protected from federal interference. As he stated:
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
link
Jay, that last post was pretty lengthy — my apologies — but I was included it to show you what I’d meant in an even earlier post.
You’re right and there’s no way they don’t already know it. They just want to get some free face-time to boost his national numbers.
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often accused by Evangelical pastors of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This article http://mormonsarechristian.blogspot.com/ helps to clarify such misconceptions by examining early Christianity’s comprehension of baptism, the Godhead, the deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) adheres more closely to First Century Christianity and the New Testament than any other denomination. Harper’s Bible Dictionary entry on the Trinity says “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the New Testament.â€
Perhaps the reason the pastors denigrate the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is to protect their flock (and their livelihood). It is encouraging that Paul Weyrich, Wayne Grudem and Bob Jones III, (along with Jay Sekulow and Mark DeMoss) have rejected bigotry and now support Mitt Romney on the basis that he is the most moral candidate with the best qualifications.
I just read a great book that gives a unique dimension to the Romney/religion discussion — “Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values, and His Vision.” It’s written by two authors — one an evangelical Christian, the other Mormon – so it’s balanced and very interesting. Short and entertaining too!
I think most people just want to hear him say uncategorically and definitively that he will not be governed by the leaders of the Church. Until he does so, it sounds like he’s trying to be elusive and noncomittal.
I think the real issue here is teh Southern Baptist Conventions turning radical and kicking women out of thier sect. Ask Goober about that.
These comments are interesting, yet predictable. Here is what mystifies me. Mormons claim that Christians persecute them for their beliefs and spread lies about them. Now, if Mormons believe their founder, Joseph Smith—and all good Mormons do (including Mitt Romney, since he has stated that he is a true blue Mormon), then they believe–although they will never come out and state it–that all Christian religions are false and their pastors are corrupt–see Doctrine and Covenants–the first vision story. Their own missionaries teach this! Talk about intolerance! And yet, all we hear about is how the Christians are picking on the poor Mormons. Give me a break. There are reasons to be worried about a Mormon becoming President of the United States, and the answers can be found in Mormon history. Although I’d love to go into that, this venue won’t allow me the space. However, good Mormons aren’t taught the “dark side†of their religious history, and they’ve been taught not to think for themselves. One of their own “prophets†stated that when a prophet speaks, the thinking has been done. Now tell me, since Mitt Romney is a temple endowed, true blue Mormon, how can I possibly believe that if the Mormon prophet tells Mitt to do something, Mitt won’t obey? Mitt is under obligation to follow his “prophetâ€. If he doesn’t, he stands to lose a great deal. The majority of people don’t understand how powerful the Mormon church is, and how corrupt its history is; if they did, they’d all have serious reservations about Mitt, regardless of how great a guy he seems to be. I do. I was involved with the Mormon church for 38 years, held high positions within the church, etc. I know what those temple covenants commit a Mormon to do—follow the Mormon leadership unquestioningly. I don’t care what religion a person claims loyalty to—but I don’t want the president of my country in the back pocket of any church or other powerful organization.
JFK’s anti-religion speech would alienate some and maybe most Republican voters. I suggest Romney try a speech about the U.S. being religious inclusive instead. He has done OK toughing on the subject so I hope he doesn’t ruin it by going in the JFK direction as many RINO’s want him to.
Debrar and Jay:
The greatest minds in hx (Ths. Paine**, Madalyn Murray O’Hair
et al.) have debunked the entire god idea). Previous post wsa a bit facetious.
Sorry about it.
**Deism is essentially atheism.
Members of the Mormon faith believe that all religions provide good. Get some facts stright! There is no dark side to the religion except people like you who have no understanding of the truth about the good of the momon faith. I know you were involved in the church for 38 years and something must have had a bitter falling away. Stop slandering the church and move on with your life. Take what good the church gave you and become a better person. We live in America where freedom of religion makes us the country we are. Catholics are to follow the Pope, so should we never elect a catholic? Come on! It is politics not religion. If anyone, you should know as a former member that the LDS faith only means well and the members of the church are great citizens!
I have never seen a church so open about what it believes and teaches. Instead of posting a bunch of sites that are put out by individuals who think they know all the answers, or have turned “anti-”, go the the churches official websites. They are http://lds.org or http://mormon.org The mormon church doesn’t believe it has all the answers, or that all other churches are false. What is taught is that all christianity teaches truth to the degree they know it, and the mormons believe that through modern-day revelation, more truth has been given to the world. They are trying to share it through missionary work. If you take time to look at it honestly, you’ll see there is nothing contrary to the bible in the book of mormon. There are extremly few issues the church takes an official stance on and does not endorse ANY candidate- even a member like Romney. Rather it encourages each person to think and decide for his/herself. Nobody will be telling anyone they have use their political position to do or not do anything, or risk damnation. Otherwise, I’d have thought they’d have spoken up on the whole gay-marriage issue while he was governor of Mass. The church teaches that each of us is entitled to personal revelation to guide our own lives with. It’s recieved through sincere prayer. Which means you have thought out an issue and you are asking the Lord. He answers your prayers, and since you are listening for His answer, when you recieve it, you know. Then, the thinking stops about that issue and our troubled worldly minds go on to the next issue. Is anyone afraid the pope is going to exercise “unrighteous dominion” over a catholic candidate? It’s just as silly to think the prophet would.
I am confused! Why would Mitt Romney
have to explain his faith any more
than any other candidates. Catholics
could explain why their church had
to pay to help those that have been
hurt by their men of cloth. Southern
Baptist stick strong to their faith-
you can’t tell me they might not be
swayed by thier faith. I have attended
many different congregations including
The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter
Day Saints(mormons) and I actually found
it to be the most peacefull. LDS folks
have very humble and morally correct lives.
I would find his lifestyle much more
trustworthy than Guilanis or Clintons.
I look at how religion has maybe
influenced a man’s growing, but not the
religion itself. LDS is a christian church
just like any other christian church is
in America. If you are questioning that
you know nothing about LDS people.
No church is going to have all the perfect
pieces and the fact that it is continually
coming up with Mitts name so confusing to
me. What bothers all of you about it.
Are you worried he will pray about something
and maybe feel an answer to his prayer
that might sway him. Isn’t that what prayer
is for. Do you think Guilani is not praying
and feeling answers. I think maybe
those doing the questioning need to go to
LDS.org.
Do your research or quit talking about it!
I don’t care what people say. What you believe, DOES influence your choices and decision making. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh and that’s the BIG difference between Christians and other faiths. From my research on Mormonism, they teach that God, Ellohim, lived on planet Koleb with many wives and offspring. That Jesus and Satan were spirit brothers, and Jesus came up with the better idea for salvation. Satan was cast to the earth with 1/3 of those who agreed with him and those who remained nuetral were the dark skinned, or black people, of the earth. In order for Jesus to have a physical body Ellohim came to earth and had sex with Mary. Then later Jesus had many wives and offspring as well. This is totally contrary to scripture. It devalues Who Jesus Christ is and What He did on the cross. He was fully God and fully man. Joseph Smith and his family were heavily involved with the occult. The angel Mornoni was more than likely a demon. The Bible says satan comes as an “Angel of Light”. The Mormons have been deceived. Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father except through Me.” The Bible also says in Ephesians “For it is by grace, through faith, you have been saved, not of works, lest any man should boast.” The Mormon faith teaches good works first. They must earn their salvation. The Bible doesn’t teach this. If this were the case, then Jesus died in vain. He was the spotless Lamb of God. Without any sin. He was our sin offering. When someone realizes that they can’t save themselves and are without hope, totally wretched and sinful, then they will realize how much they truely need a Saviour. Only Jesus Christ is our salvation. You cannot earn your way to heaven. Jesus was crucified because He claimed to be God. The pharisees felt threatened by Him. They are expecting their Messiah to “look” like a Messiah, not a lowly, homeless man. God’s word and only God’s word is the Truth. No additional books of revelation are to be added. Read the end of Revelation. “If anyone adds to this book, let them be accursed!” I didn’t say that, Jesus did.
wow you are really confused and I have no idea where you are
getting this information. It is people like you that
go through life with demented ideas taught to you by ????
I wouldn’t share those thoughts with too many people. You are
missing some key information. I am sorry for you.
Regardless, my point was I would rather have someone morally
correct lead our country regardless of his or her religion.
Whether you claim you are Christian or not doesn’t mean you are
living a Christian life.
Wendy, my wife visited this site hopeing to gain some insight
on current political issues and find out any real reason for not
supporting Mitt.Instead she found misinformation and lies.I
spent a fair amount of time studying religion.
Now “Mormonism” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
as they prefer) are by name and belief believers in Christ and his
atonement. You state that they believe their works will save them..
Where ever did you hear that? Its my understanding that Christ set
the perfect example (including but not limited to) being Baptized,
and proclaiming his Gospel as well as seeing to the needs of the
sick and afflicted.ie. Work!!! The good book could not make it
any more clear to me than it does in James chapter 2, and since
you must not enjoy studying this book go ahead and skip to around
verse 14 or so, if its not clear by the time you get to verse 17
(”Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead,being alone.”) than
it never will be.In studing mormonism it was clear to me that to
truely except Christs atonement one must be moved to action
therefor grace and works are neccassary.Do I beleive this makes
Mormonism true? No, but its the first of
many misunderstandings you seem to foster. What offical mormon
doctrine did you find info for these claims about the nuetral 1/3
or Jesus’ offspring?(although,I actually like the idea of THEE
perfect example being a family man). Now there is no need to
continue pointing out yours (as well as others on this blogs)non
researched accusations but please represent it as your thoughts
not Mitt’s or any one elses religious beliefs. I must also ask
one small question, You claim Mormons think Ellohim came and had
sex with Mary? Is that Immaculate or what? Oh yea just between
us, Chronologically speaking, Revelations was not the last book
written in the Bible (King put it there) so I guess you need to
toss part of the Bible out because it came after that verse
about adding to this book. oops. As for me I’ll just keep working
at studying all of it and praying for a good political leader.
Form your beliefs through study and prayer, don’t just accept
what someone has told you, I may be wrong. Lets search out our
own beliefs and then elect a man(or woman) based on their morals
character,and leadership not religion because after all we have
all just proven thats the one division in our great nation. Funny,
thats how this whole country came to be.