The Founding Fathers were Deists, So Is Mitt Romney's Mormonism keeping you from voting for him?

http://members.aol.com/TestOath/deism.htm ^

[klimeckg]

Thomas Paine and the Age of Reason

Thomas Paine is sometimes grouped with the Founding Fathers. Your daily newspaper might reinforce this view with editorials like this:

Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, Paine and most of our other patriarchs were at best deists, believing in the unmoved mover of Aristotle, but not the God of the Old and New Testaments.[1]

It would be difficult to name a single one of the Founding Fathers who approved of Paine's Age of Reason, his famous tract attacking religion in general and evangelical Christianity in particular. Even less-than-evangelicals like Benjamin Franklin and the "Unitarians" all denounced Paine's book.

Before Paine published his Age of Reason, he sent a manuscript copy to Benjamin Franklin, seeking his thoughts. Notice Franklin's strong and succinct reply, and keep in mind that those on all sides of the religion question would concede Franklin to be one of the least religious Founders:

I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear his displeasure, or to pray for his protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion that . . . the consequence of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits into the wind, spits in his own face. But were you to succeed, do you imagine any good would be done by it? . . .

[maine-iac7]

wrote the “Jefferson Bible”

I have a copy - he simply cut and pasted - with literal scissors and paste

the 'red letter' parts of the New Testament - i.e., the words of Jesus - and put them, alone, together.

I have another book, beautifully illustrated in the old 'illuminations" style of the old Bibles, that also are just the words of Jesus.

I find it helpful, sometimes, for remembering what Jesus said and taught, without all the 'explanations' of what he said and taught, as interpreted and/or expounded upon by others.

[org.whodat]

Some of the Hucksters have turned the primary into a modern day version of the Salem witch trials. I has someone tell me, today, that a vote for Romney was a vote for Satan. I wonder what they think of a vote for McCain.

That is true, I think some of these people will drive many Mormons away from the republicans for years. Hope lamebrain McCain and huckster are not planning on getting elected dog catcher in Utah.

[Eva]

The Trust Huckabee PAC workers are probably responsible for the anti-Mormon campaign. Trust Huckabee was formerly, Common Sense issues, a PAC that was founded in Ohio by Carl Lindner.

Now, you may not know who Lindner is, but I can tell you who he was, part of the Keating five, and a friend of McCain (and an FOB who stayed in the Lincoln bedroom). Lindner, among other things is into ethanol and renewing his friendship with McCain is just good business.

The PAC, actually, has very little to do with Huckabee, other than helping him win. I think that they get their marching orders from McCain.

[Just mythoughts]

You don't want an answer because you know the question was worthy of a fourth grade special-ed student.

You are the one who who posted an I am lost don't know what to do. I am not the one with the problem figuring out what to do.... Nor do I wish to attempt to tell you what to do.

And I am the one with a learning disability.

[Eva]

I think that the Hucksters that have taken over this election will be disavowed by the rest of the party. They are an embarrassment. McCain is only keeping them around until after the election.

[maine-iac7]

Lets not make this a thread hijacking. Christianity v Mormonism

'scuse me?

The title includes Mitt Romney's Mormonism - but we're supposed not to answer all the "Mormons aren't Christian" posts?

You have also directed this "Let's not make this a thread hijacking" to the Mormon accusers, haven't you? I think I must have just missed it.

[klimeckg]

The more reasons to NOT vote for McCain. Texas Primary is in March and early voting starts Late Feb. I think I have to vote for Romney.

[Starwolf]

Lastly, all religions are cults, unless you are using the perjorative definition of cult, then you are wrong about the LDS faith.

[I am not wrench]

The term cult when used in a theological context by historic Christianity means a group that claims to be Christian but in fact is not due to their doctrine and practices. Heretics would also be applicable. It is not the 6 o'clock news version that applies to Jonestown etc. In that context it is not pejorative. Also according to that definition, Satanism, Buddhism, Baha'i, and Islam are not cults, but Jehovah Witnesses, Mormon, and Christian Scientist are cults. Some consider that a pedantic definition, but its important to keep context and meaning clear, especially since the topic inflames just about everyone.

The "are Mormons Christian" argument has been beat to death here, so lets avoid hijacking this thread over it

[maine-iac7]

On all religions being a cult, I guess if you are of that belief, then you can’t see the problem.

If you're going to so judge the poster, you may also want to take it up with Webster's?

" CULT:

1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.

2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.

3. the object of such devotion.

4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.

5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols."

But what do I know - perhaps your church doesn't fit the above?

[humblegunner]

You are the one who who posted an I am lost don't know what to do

Uh.. no. I said:
No, not that I know of.

I think you may have a reading comprehension problem.

I am not the one with the problem figuring out what to do

You seem pretty disoriented, you may have some focus issues.

And I am the one with a learning disability.

Dang, can I call 'em, or what!!!???

[Tennessee Nana]

I didnt vote for him because he is RINO Romney

I also didnt vote for him bacause he is not Duncan Hunter

[klimeckg]

Where did you get the Muttley pic?

[Starwolf]

The title includes Mitt Romney's Mormonism - but we're supposed not to answer all the "Mormons aren't Christian" posts?

The thread is whether his religion is impacting people voting for him, not if Mormonism is Christianity. If you want to hijack it, its up to you.

In answer to the seminal question, I think the answer is "Clearly it is" based on the post here on FR alone.

[allmendream]

Jefferson’s Mormonism? Maybe you could rephrase your question so that it makes sense and follows actual history and chronology; there was no such thing as Mormonism until Joseph Smith started talking to angels.

Did you mean...

‘What makes Romney’s Mormonism any different that Jefferson’s belief in Jesus only as a philosopher and not God made man?’

If that is your question I would answer that Jefferson was admired as a thinker, attended church (and was admonished “You don’t believe a word of it”; a charge which he did not deny, but said as ‘chief Magistrate’ it was up to him to provide an example), and had political beliefs that rallied the men of his day to his side. Like Romney Jefferson was attacked by his political opponents as being anti-Christian or non-Christian. But unlike Jefferson Romney seems unable, for whatever reason, to attract the votes of his contemporaries (although he got mine yesterday).

[Eva]

I think that Romney is the only choice. You know, I was dead set against Romney until this idiocy started on FreeRepublic, criticizing Romney for being Mormon. It made me so angry and embarrassed that the rules were changed to allow that bigotry was allowed on FreeRepublic, that I decided to give Mitt another look, after Thompson dropped out.

[klimeckg]

Thank you, you’re correct and we can kill this thread.

Thanks for all of your comments, both good and bad and arrogant and ignorant, etc...

[Starwolf]

If you're going to so judge the poster, you may also want to take it up with Webster's?

You need a Christain theology dictionary, not Websters. Reason is given in Post #88, so I won't repeat it here.

[wrench]

” CULT:.......

Morman
Peoples Temple
Unification Church
Baptists

One of the above doesn’t belong in the grouping.
The others bear striking similiarities in their teachings, treatment of families, and organization.

[muawiyah]

Yup. All the churches are supposed to be doomed because they don't all tell the same story in the same way at the same time, and have different organizational structures.

Which is to say none of us can be good Christians if there are any religious doctrine or ecclesiastical differences.

Leastwise that was the story way back in the early 1800s.

[Just mythoughts]

I stand corrected, my initial post was NOT to you... which based upon what you copied and pasted appeared as though you were responding to my initial post.

IT WILL NOT HAPPEN again.