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Romney’s faith adds an extra obstacle in South: Anti-Mormon views stronger in the region
Boston Globe ^ | March 10, 2012 | Christopher Rowland

Posted on 03/10/2012 6:19:12 AM PST by Colofornian

JACKSON, Miss. - As one of 20,000 Mormons living in a state dominated by evangelical Christians, Van J. Bodin’s own life experience tells him what Mitt Romney is up against in the South.

“People don’t understand us,’’ said Bodin...

There are other strikes against Romney in the Deep South. He is a multimillionaire with strong Wall Street ties. He hails from Massachusetts, a liberal, Yankee state. His conservative credentials have gaps, given his change from supporting abortion rights to opposing them and his universal health care plan in Massachusetts.

But his Mormon faith also exerts a drag on his candidacy in places like Mississippi and Alabama, which hold primary elections on Tuesday...

“Mormonism seems to be part of the issue,’’ said Alan Cooperman...

...several hundred Santorum supporters greeted the former Pennsylvania senator at a meeting hall in Mississippi’s capital the other night...

One voter at the rally, Roy McMillan, said he prefers Santorum in the Republican primary because, among other things, he is a “devout Christian leader.’’

McMillan said he does not consider Romney and other Mormons to be Christians.

“I’m not saying he’s not going to be in Heaven,’’ he said. “I desire candidates who respect the teachings of the church.’’

Mormons consider themselves a branch of the Christian family, while many Christians do not believe they belong.

The Mormon concept of Jesus - that he is son of God, but a separate being - is different from the traditional Christian view that the trinity of father, son, and Holy Spirit make up a single divine entity.

SNIP

Richard Land, a high-ranking figure in the Southern Baptist Conference, a large and influential organization, told the website Newsmax last month that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a Christian faith and shares similarities with Islam...

(Excerpt) Read more at bostonglobe.com ...


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Other non-Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: antirepublicantoo; inman; kenyanbornmuzzie; lds; mittromney; mormon; newtgingrich; ricksantorum; south
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From the article: One voter at the rally, Roy McMillan, said he prefers Santorum in the Republican primary because, among other things, he is a “devout Christian leader.’’ McMillan said he does not consider Romney and other Mormons to be Christians. “I’m not saying he’s not going to be in Heaven,’’ he said. “I desire candidates who respect the teachings of the church.’’ Mormons consider themselves a branch of the Christian family, while many Christians do not believe they belong.

This is important: Christian voters aren't expecting candidates who agree with them theologically across the board. They do expect candidates who won't trash and disrespect their teachings with their wallets.

Most Mormons are like Mitt Romney in this way: They tend to stay silent (except for the two years they are on their missionary journeys) and carry a big wallet stick.

IOW, they'll donate 10% of their life income -- in Romney's case MILLIONS -- so that their multi-media apparatus and missionaries and "scriptures" can blast away @ the worldwide Christian church...
...labeling their creeds 100% as abominable to their gods (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History, vv. 18-19);
...labeling ALL their professing believers as "corrupt" (same source);
...labeling their churches as dead & false (D&C 1:30) & of the devil (1 Nephi 14:9-10, Book of Mormon)

It's not very "inspiring" to have a candidate who is privately blasting away and militating vs. what you believe -- all while simultaneously trying to dump you of your identity -- "Christian"...so that they can have it.

From the article: There are other strikes against Romney in the Deep South. He is a multimillionaire with strong Wall Street ties. He hails from Massachusetts, a liberal, Yankee state. His conservative credentials have gaps, given his change from supporting abortion rights to opposing them and his universal health care plan in Massachusetts. But his Mormon faith also exerts a drag on his candidacy in places like Mississippi and Alabama, which hold primary elections on Tuesday. Romney has done especially poorly in the 2012 primaries among religious conservatives, who dominate Republican primary elections in the South...“Mormonism seems to be part of the issue,’’ said Alan Cooperman...

Yup...add Romney all up...Mormon voters -- who are voting 88-95% pro-Romney -- made not care that Romney lacks conservative credentials...they may not care how inconsistent he is...but all that betrays how "mushy" they are...identity politics is all that matters.

1 posted on 03/10/2012 6:19:16 AM PST by Colofornian
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To: Colofornian

Agreed.


2 posted on 03/10/2012 6:26:41 AM PST by GoDuke
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To: All
From the article: Richard Land, a high-ranking figure in the Southern Baptist Conference, a large and influential organization, told the website Newsmax last month that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a Christian faith and shares similarities with Islam...

Well, let's see...

Both killed innocent "infidels" on a 9/11 date (1857 for Mormons -- 120 children, moms & dads in the Meadow Mountain Massacre); 2001 for Muslims

Both had supposed angels visit -- despite the warnings we find in Gal. 1:6-9

Both were told no true religions existed on the earth.

Both were told to restore "true religion" to the earth.

Both claimed their new "Bible" were heavenly sent.

Both were polygamists.

Both borrowed from paganism -- even though Muhammed actually took on the paganism of his day...(Muhammad chose the moon god...hence the crescent as its sign)...Smith said god and men and animals always had existed...and evolved...

Both reference Christians as "infidels/apostates"

Both left unclear instructions about their successors

Both promoted elements of the Bible -- all at the same time attacking its reliability as a document that could speak for itself or was "enough" -- as is

3 posted on 03/10/2012 6:29:07 AM PST by Colofornian ( Tell us: Why do we want to vote for ONE socialist to defeat ANOTHER socialist again?)
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To: GoDuke

Here’s comes the southerner hit piece.
Southerners don’t like Mitt because we’re raaaaaaaaaaaaacist.

No. How ‘bout we don’t like Romney because he’s liberal?

No one I’ve talked to about Romney brings up his religion as the main reasons they don’t support him.

He’s a screaming RINO. That’s why.


4 posted on 03/10/2012 6:31:31 AM PST by sillsfan (Reagan and Sarah are right- WE win, they lose!)
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To: Colofornian

Lib Media Translation: Southern Christian Bigots won’t vote for Mormons. (i.e. Guilt Trip)

When in fact Mormonism has very little to do with the Anti Romney movement. And almost everything to do with his liberal record.

Although I despise him for what his hacks did to Sarah Palin the past three years (to sideline her).


5 posted on 03/10/2012 6:32:06 AM PST by nhwingut (Sarah Palin 12... No One Else (Maybe Tim Thomas))
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To: Colofornian

Good post; very informative.
I keep noticing one thing, though,

From the article: “Romney... hails from Massachusetts,”

Romney also hails from Michigan. And Utah, I suppose. And, as we are soon to find out, as the campaign wears on, from California too. Isn’t Romney registered to vote in California? By the way, how is that Western White House building project coming along?


6 posted on 03/10/2012 6:32:54 AM PST by ngat
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To: GoDuke

Lots of reasons not to like Mitt, LDS way down the list.


7 posted on 03/10/2012 6:36:17 AM PST by steve8714 (Thank you, Andrew. I miss you already.)
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To: Colofornian

If ya think we don’t care much for Romney and his mormanism here in the south, you ought to hear what we think of islam here.


8 posted on 03/10/2012 6:36:41 AM PST by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) Hey Mitt, F-you too pal)
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To: Colofornian

If the MSM wants to do a story on religious prejudice, they have no farther to look than the closest mirror. Them and their abortion-defending buddies on the left have been dumping on evangelicals for years.


9 posted on 03/10/2012 6:44:29 AM PST by ThomasSawyer (Democratic Underground: Proof that anyone can figure out how to use a computer.)
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To: GoDuke

Romney is a condescending arrogant jerk who is trying to BUY his way to the WH. He wants the unwashed masses to believe he cares. How many times has he mingled with someone from the middle class outside of campaigning? Now he has lowered his arrogant nose and asked us to put him in the WH.

They brought up Newts million dollar account. How about Romneys mansions, horses, his wifes two cars she brags about. I don’t like these people.


10 posted on 03/10/2012 6:46:11 AM PST by mardi59 (I AM ANDREW BREITBART)
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To: GoDuke
ROMNEY RINO REDNECK, MITT TRIES TO FIT
11 posted on 03/10/2012 6:46:47 AM PST by FrankR
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To: sillsfan

Agreed. Having lived in the South my entire adult life, I’d have to say it’s more about his BS than it is about his religion. In my experience, southerners don’t like a BSer. They don’t find them cute or funny. They tend to shoot straight and appreciate the same in return. IOW, they see through Mitt.


12 posted on 03/10/2012 6:55:50 AM PST by liberalh8ter (Barack has a memory like a steel trap; it's a gift ~ Michelle Obama)
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To: Colofornian
Anti-Mormon views stronger in the region

WRONG!!!

Pro-CHRISTIAN views (IE they know their bible) are 'stronger'.

13 posted on 03/10/2012 6:57:03 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: liberalh8ter
Having lived in the South my entire adult life, I’d have to say it’s more about his BS than it is about his religion. In my experience, southerners don’t like a BSer. They don’t find them cute or funny. They tend to shoot straight and appreciate the same in return. IOW, they see through Mitt.

Howdy's this for a straight shooter?

YEAR Obvious Pro-Abortion Romney Romney Feigning 'Pro-Life'
Bottom-Line Summary: ANN Romney Lies Thru Her Teeth Ann Romney, 1994: Romney's wife gives donation to Planned Parenthood (a href=”http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/ann-romneys-planned-parenthood-donation/”>Ann Romney’s Planned Parenthood Donation Ann Romney, 2011: In the past you’ve said he’s changed positions only once, on abortion. Was that your doing? No, no, I never talked to Mitt about that. Our personal opinions have never changed; we’ve always been pro-life (Ann Romney Reveals Mitt's Softer Side)
Bottom-Line Summary: Mitt Romney Lies Thru His Teeth “Over the last multiple years, as you know, I have been effectively pro-choice." (Bruce Smith, "Romney Campaigns in SC with Sen. DeMint," The Associated Press, 1/29/07) + ...”my position was effectively pro-choice." (Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate 8/5/2007) So, not only does Ann Romney tell Parade Magazine November 2011 that they've “never changed” re: abortion and that they've “always been pro-life,” but Mitt Romney told Chris Wallace part-way through their 2007 campaign that: “I never allowed myself to use the word pro-choice because I didn't FEEL I was pro-choice. I would protect the law, I said, as it was, but I wasn't pro-choice”...This was seven months after he said in January 2007 that he was “always for life.”
Romney, goin' back to 1970 when Romney's Mom ran for Senate "I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time when my Mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. (October, 1994 Senatorial debate vs. Ted Kennedy) "'He's been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly,'" Romney adviser Michael Murphy told the conservative National Review..., says the Concord Monitor = So I guess that made him a below-the-radar "flip" acting like a "flop?"
1994 (Campaign) "I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time when my Mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years that we should sustain and support it, and I sustain and support that law and the right of a woman to make that choice." (October, 1994 Senatorial debate vs. Ted Kennedy) = Mitt the flipster from what most LDS represent their faith as being...BTW, Romney uses the strongest word possible for support – “sustain” ...Note for non-Mormons: Lds use the word “sustain” for support for their own “prophet” Romney has since invoked a "nuanced stance" about what he was in 1994: He says "Look, I was pro-choice. I am pro-life. You can go back to YouTube and look at what I said in 1994. I never said I was pro-choice, but my position was effectively pro-choice. (Source: Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate Aug 5, 2007)
1994 (Planned Parenthood ties) → 2001 (a) Romney's wife gives donation to Planned Parenthood (Ann Romney’s Planned Parenthood Donation (b) On June 12, 1994, Romney himself attends private Planned Parenthood event at home of a sister-in-law of a Planned Parenthood board member where the president of Planned Parenthood recalls talking to Romney: "Nicki Nichols Gamble, a former president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, said today that the photo shows Mitt and Ann Romney at a private home in Cohasset in June 1994." Source: See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941932/posts; "Gamble said the pic was snapped at an event at GOP activist Eleanor Bleakie’s house and that she “clearly” remembered speaking with Romney at the event." Source: See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941627/posts; "In fact Romney personally attended the Planned Parenthood event in question on June 12, 1994. Gamble, the President of Massachusuetts Planned Parenthood in 1994, also attended the event at the home of a Republican, Eleanor Bleakie, the sister-in-law of a Planned Parenthood Board member. Both Romney and Michael Kennedy, who appeared on behalf of nephew of Ted Kennedy, attended the event." Source: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941240/posts 2001: "I do not wish to be labeled pro-choice." (Mitt Romney, Letter to the Editor, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7/12/01) = So he doesn't want to be known as a "flop" (so what is he?)
2002-2004 “I will preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose, and have devoted and am dedicated to honoring my word in that regard…(Nov. 2, 2002) = Well, now guess what? He's solidly pro-abortion AGAIN! See also: "I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose. This choice is a deeply personal one … Women should be free to choose based on their own beliefs, not mine and not the government's." (Stephanie Ebbert, "Clarity Sought On Romney's Abortion Stance," The Boston Globe, 7/3/05) = Ah, back securely in the "flop" saddle again? Nov. '04: Romney & his wife had simultaneous pro-life "conversions" linked to stem cell research: Romney met w/Dr. Douglas Melton from Harvard Stem Cell Institute: He recalls that it happened in a single revelatory moment, during a Nov. 9, 2004, meeting with an embryonic-stem-cell researcher who said he didn't believe therapeutic cloning presented a moral issue because the embryos were destroyed at 14 days. "It hit me very hard that we had so cheapened the value of human life in a Roe v. Wade environment that it was important to stand for the dignity of human life," Romney says. Source: Time Mag, March 9, 2007 = (So the pro-abortion-but-no-pro-choice-label-please-is-now-a-pro-life-convert?)
2005 May 27 2005: Romney affirms his commitment to being "pro-choice" at a press conference. ("I am absolutely committed to my promise to maintain the status quo with regards to laws relating to abortion and choice.") = OK, this is at least a flop from November '04! What about his gubernatorial record '03-'06? Mitt later says his actions were ALL pro-life. I assume somewhere in '05 some 'pro-life' decisions. "As governor, I’ve had several pieces of legislation reach my desk, which would have expanded abortion rights in Massachusetts. Each of those I vetoed. Every action I’ve taken as the governor that relates to the sanctity of human life, I have stood on the side of life." = So, THESE ACTIONS were not only an '02 commitment reversal, but his May 27, '05 press conference commitment as well. So "flipping" is beginning to be routine
2006 April 12, 2006--Mitt signs his "Commonwealth Care" into existence, thereby expanding abortion access/taxpayer funded abortions for women--including almost 2% of the females of his state who earn $75,000 or more. (Wait a minute, I thought he told us post-'06 that ALL of his actions were "pro-life?"). Also, not only this, but as governor, Romney could exercise veto power to portions of Commonwealth Care. Did Romney exercise this power? (Yes, he vetoed Sections 5, 27, 29, 47, 112, 113, 134 & 137). What prominent section dealing with Planned Parenthood as part of the "payment policy advisory board" did Romney choose NOT to veto? (Section 3) That section mandates that one member of MassHealth Payment Policy Board must be appointed by Planned Parenthood League of MA. (See chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006, section 3 for details). "As governor, I’ve had several pieces of legislation reach my desk, which would have expanded abortion rights in Massachusetts. Each of those I vetoed. Every action I’ve taken as the governor that relates
Early 2007 On January 29, 2007 during South Carolina visit, Romney stated: “Over the last multiple years, as you know, I have been effectively pro-choice." (Bruce Smith, "Romney Campaigns in SC with Sen. DeMint," The Associated Press, 1/29/07) = OK how could "every action I've taken as the governor that relates to the sanctity of human life..." AND this statement BOTH be true? Another South Carolina campaign stop has Romney uttering "I was always for life”: "I am firmly pro-life… I was always for life." (Jim Davenport, "Romney Affirms Opposition to Abortion," The Associated Press, 2/9/2007) = Oh, of course as the above shows, he's always been pro-life!
Summer 2007 "I never said I was pro-choice, but my position was effectively pro-choice." Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate 8/5/2007 = OK...looking at '94 & '02 campaigns, both his public statements, his 2002 voter guide responses, & his actions (which are a major form of expression, ya know!) how could he say he "never said" he was "pro-choice?" Then comes his 8/12/07 interview with Chris Wallace of Fox: "I never called myself pro-choice. I never allowed myself to use the word pro-choice because I didn't FEEL I was pro-choice. I would protect the law, I said, as it was, but I wasn't pro-choice, and so..." = Whatever he was from '70 when his mom ran as pro-abortion senator & he sided w/ her, to 5/27/05, w/whatever interruption he had due to a pro-life altar call in Nov of '04, whatever that was...well, he assures us it wasn't a pro-abortion 'inlook' or outlook 'cause he didn't feel "pro-choice..." = So does that make him a life-long pro-lifer?
December 2007 vs. November 2011 (Pro-treating offspring as research refuse late in previous POTUS campaign vs. now claiming 'never changed...always pro-life' December 5, 2007: Romney: ...surplus embryos...Those embryos, I hope, could be available for adoption for people who would like to adopt embryos. But if a parent decides they would want to donate one of those embryos for purposes of research, in my view, that's acceptable. It should not be made against the law." Any "inquiring minds" want to try wrapping their minds around how a politician in one sentence mentions "adopting" embryos out (yes, a great thing to mention!) -- but then in the very NEXT breath says if a "PARENT" wants to be "pro-choice" (Mitt used the word "decides" which is what "pro-choicers" say they want) "to donate one of those embryos for purposes of research, in my view, that's acceptable." Say what???? How about 8-month gestationally-aged infants in the womb, Mitt? Or already-born infants, too, Mitt? If a "parent decides they would want to donate one of those...for purposes of research, in my view, that's acceptable..." No??? What's the 'pro-life' difference, Mitt? Here you call an embryo's mom&dad "parents" -- but "parents" w/ "research" give-away rights? How bizarre we have such schizophrenic "candidate!" In the past you’ve said he’s changed positions only once, on abortion. Was that your doing? No, no, I never talked to Mitt about that. Our personal opinions have never changed; we’ve always been pro-life (Ann Romney Reveals Mitt's Softer Side)

14 posted on 03/10/2012 7:04:46 AM PST by Colofornian ( Tell us: Why do we want to vote for ONE socialist to defeat ANOTHER socialist again?)
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To: Colofornian

Moroni won’t like you posting this. And the wives of Joseph Smith on the planet Krypton will scold you if perchance some Mormon takes you to their baptismal tank after you’re dead.


15 posted on 03/10/2012 7:06:26 AM PST by rovenstinez
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To: Colofornian

16 posted on 03/10/2012 7:10:46 AM PST by AnTiw1 ("Where Liberty is, there is my Country." B. Franklin)
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To: Colofornian

I would say the south is not anti-mormon, they are anti-mormonISM. And they are anti-mormonISM because mormonism is anti-Christian.


17 posted on 03/10/2012 7:16:50 AM PST by svcw (CLEAN WATER http://www.longlostsis.com/PI/MayanHelp2012.html)
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To: Colofornian

Exactly. Oh and did I mention that Southerners tend to come to their conclusions rather quickly? It wouldn’t even take all that.


18 posted on 03/10/2012 7:24:33 AM PST by liberalh8ter (Barack has a memory like a steel trap; it's a gift ~ Michelle Obama)
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To: liberalh8ter
Oh and did I mention that Southerners tend to come to their conclusions rather quickly? It wouldn’t even take all that.

(yes...basic human discernment of others'...even when it can't all be "placed"...all that chart does is "place" things)

19 posted on 03/10/2012 7:32:12 AM PST by Colofornian ( Tell us: Why do we want to vote for ONE socialist to defeat ANOTHER socialist again?)
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To: FrankR

Nice fotochop.


20 posted on 03/10/2012 7:52:11 AM PST by magslinger (If I wanted to vote for a Commie I would vote for Obammie. He has a chance of winning.)
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