From the article: “I would not vote for him just because he is Mormon." [Unlike 90 pt whatever % of other Mormons, eh?]
From the article: “Mitt Romney is having a terrible impact on how we are perceived,” explained Brigham Young University law student Marshall Thompson, a former intern to Orrin Hatch, an Iraq vet and a faithful Mormon — the type of person, in other words, you’d expect to be part of Romney’s base. “I’m told he’s a very nice person in real life,” Thompson continues, “but he comes across as out-of-touch, materialistic and disingenuous.”
Disingenuous...sounds like the common Mormon missionary tactic of bait switching to me...presenting the Book of Mormon to potential proselytes...yet most mainstream Lds doctrine isn't found there!
Besides, if people want to understand how Mormonism's approach to the socio-political realm at the local level, people need to read these two articles (the first written by a Mormon; the second by an ex-Mormon):
* Mitt Romney mirrors his Mormon church [Lds writer says Romney flip-flops 'cause Lds church has/does]
* Who is Mitt Romney? [Ex-Lds author reveals why Mitt's wishy-washy culture waffles & flip-flops]
In the first linked article above, Mormon Neal Chandler highlights how in the 19th century...
* Mormons forced communism upon its people -- and then not (United Order)
* Adhered to theocracies under its first two "prophets" -- and then slowly drew back
* Said polygamy was a condition of the highest degree of glory -- and then not
* Encourage its Utah Territory voters to be Democrats -- and then told whole groups of people wholesale to "balance it out" as Republicans as statehood approached
* Excluded blacks -- and then late in the 20th century not
From the second article linked above: What makes Mitt the kind of person he is — ruthlessly opportunistic, dishonest, insincere, willing to say anything for advantage, lacking in conscience, preoccupied with appearance, etc., on the one hand, yet squeaky clean, family-oriented, disciplined, boring, and predictable, on the other? My new e-book, A Mormon Story, sheds light on the culture that produced Mitt Romney.
Good question. (It's one I've raised -- and answered numerous times on various FR threads)
The answer, says this ex-Mormon in the book referenced above is: (From the article): The book reveals a value system that ultimately has no absolutes, other than the need to conform to deep-seated, highly-controlling authoritarianism that pervades LDS culture. That culture emphasizes a Mormon tradition known as "eternal progression" — undoctrinal spiritual evolution in which even God is changing. It also emphasizes the notion that the latest words of governing church leaders trump the Word of God found in the scriptures (including LDS scripture).
IOW, EVERYTHING in Mormonism -- from its theology to its social practices -- is up for potential change at the whim of the Mormon god. Bottom-line: There is no bottom-line in Mormonism! There is no bedrock doctrine that cannot be replaced!
There isn't even an Ultimate god in Mormonism...Nobody knows who the gods are that were part of the council which appointed the god of this world -- a former man, say Mormons.
So there's not even any Ultimate Authority in Mormonism!
Consider the source of this article. Salon is about as insanely leftist as you can get without being actually communist.
Salon’s next headline article will probably be something like this:
“Famous biologist says that if Romney is elected, flowers will not bloom.”
Oh, please, who does this author think he is fooling. Gladys Knight being a Mormon has nothing to do with why she will or will not vote for Mitt Romney. Gladys Knight being black has everything to do with why she most certainly will vote for Barack Obama. Put in terms that Mickey Cochran, Jessie Jackson and other black “leaders” could appreciate: “Racism is all right if your skin ain’t white.”
I might agree with everything you said. . but there are heresies in many other religious sects. Most of the day to day followers are not even aware of some of these anomalies. Our focus in this year’s election is not to castigate Mormonism. We have to extricate this marxist antiamerican President from the White House. Mitt is nowhere near my first choice for President, but he is a hundred times better than the opposition. Incidentally I lived in Mormon towns for several years out West. They were uniformly conservative, family-oriented people that that were charitable and good neighbors.
So now we are happy to promote Salon’s effort to demoralize Republicans, all because we hate Mormons that much? Got it.
By Gladys Knight’s comment, then Barack Obama should never be president because he would give a false impression of black people and would interfere with their “true mission.” Bogus.
Face the facts, colofornian: all religions can get really nutty! Christians are no different.
Robert Tilton has been my hero. Oh, the prayer cloths, the commercials, the acting; he is a wonderful example of today’s Christian. But, he’s forgiven!
The Christians I know have this idea that they are forgiven, so they can sin all they want! What Ten Commandments? They are nothing more than suggestions to a good believer! If the believers kiss up to the Boss enough, especially by attacking what they see as false idols, they gain more brownie points!
Is that what you’re doing?
Before you reply with pings to your cadre of religious brownshirts, please understand one thing that’s hard for your cult to get through their heads: I am not defending the LDS people — I’m attacking your absence of logic. Your foundations are without proof. You are arguing that one concept is a sham while assuming that yours is not; but your beliefs are unproven as well.
There has always been a big problem when people attach their egos to their beliefs. It’s a reason why so many people think Republicans are religious nutcases. You vehemently argue things that can’t be proven. It hurts conservatism.
So, you have no *proof* that you’re right or they are wrong. Despite that, you continue with your bearing false witness? How can you do that? Hmmm...oh, I almost forgot: You’re forgiven!
The Mormons have never been politically monolithic, and that may have even cost Joe Smith his life.
Back east, Joe was put on the hot seat by local politicians who demanded to know what political side the Mormons were on. One party plain didn’t like Mormons, but the other said it would not oppress them if the Mormons voted for them and they won. A real devil’s bargain.
So, in exchange for “tolerance” from one party, he promised the Mormon vote to them. But this was before the “Australian” (secret) ballot, and the actual vote was split.
So both parties had it in for the Mormons. Time to bug out.
In any event, this remains the great secret of Mormons, that despite their social conservatism, they just will not become politically monolithic. There is still a sizable block of liberal Mormons who consistently vote for people opposed to everything their religion stands for.
Religious affiliation in the U.S. Affiliation % of U.S. population
Christian 78.4
Catholic 51.3
Evangelical Protestant 26.3
Mainline Protestant 18.1
Black church 6.9
Protestant 23.9
Mormon 1.7
Such a huge loss. /s
“Mitt Romney is having a terrible impact on how we are perceived,”
On the other hand there is Harry Reed. Oh, wait.
If there is anyone who reads this article who does not immediately understand it was funded by Obama reelection forces is a fool
Why don’t we wait and see what MSNBC says about what CNN says about what Salon says? Then we’ll really be cooking with a massive surplus of journalistic integrity and truthfulness.
You posted something from radical left wing Salon here ?!
Who are you working for Obama ????
Salon ,Your kidding ???
It’s a left wing nutter site !
Mitt gives $7 million a year to the Mormon Church. I wonder if these isolated critics contribute at least 10% of their earnings to the church they profess to speak for.
These are the Harry Reid wing of Mormonism.
Some choice we have.
You would think that they could have written this article months ago, but they didn't think of it until now.
So amazing.