Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Is America ready to elect a Mormon as its President?
Times UK ^ | Dec. 16, 2005 | Tim Reid

Posted on 12/17/2005 8:39:05 AM PST by Mr. Blonde

HE MADE millions as a businessman, saved the scandal-plagued 2002 Winter Olympics, appeals to social conservatives, is liked by moderates, boasts chiselled good looks and has been a successful Republican governor in one of America’s most liberal states. In Mitt Romney, the Massachusetts Governor who all but threw his hat into the 2008 presidential race yesterday, Republicans have the almost perfect candidate. Except for one potential problem: Mr Romney is a Mormon.

After announcing that he would not be seeking a second term as Massachusetts governor, a widely anticipated move that clears the way for a 2008 White House bid, Mr Romney implicitly posed a fascinating political question: can a Mormon win enough votes to become President of the United States?

Mr Romney, whom analysts on both sides of the political divide say will be a serious contender in 2008, was elected governor of Massachusetts — one of the bluest of Democrat blue states — as a social moderate. In the past year, however, he has changed his stance on social issues important to religious conservatives, the base of the Republican Party that wields enormous influence in the Republican primary race. Mr Romney once said that abortion should be “safe and legal”, but now opposes it. He denounced the decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Court to legalise gay marriage. Calling himself a “red speck in a blue state”, he has emphasised socially conservative positions on the death penalty, stem-cell research and birth control.

But Manuel Miranda, head of the Third Branch Conference, an alliance of conservative groups, said that many evangelicals view Mormonism — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — as a cult. Mr Miranda said that in 2000 he worked for Orrin Hatch, the Utah senator and a Mormon, during his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination. “Hatch had a poll done. He found that over 60 per cent of Americans would not vote for a Mormon.”

Richard Cizik, of the National Association of Evangelicals, said that Mormons were not Christians, and that profound doctrinal divisions would shape reactions to Mr Romney as a candidate for the White House. The view among evangelicals might change if Mr Romney’s main opponent is Rudy Giuliani, the former New York Mayor, who is socially moderate and supports abortion.

Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster, believes that Mr Romney’s religion will not be a significant issue. His biggest problem, Mr Luntz said, is that he comes from Massachusetts. Although he balanced the state’s budget, lowered taxes and improved education, “the last time Massachusetts produced a Republican candidate was never”.

Mr Romney may also face the charge of being a “flip-flopper” — an accusation that did so much damage to the last presidential candidate from Massachusetts with impossibly thick hair: John Kerry.

The last president to come from Massachusetts was John Kennedy, who successfully overcame concerns about being the first Roman Catholic in the White House.

Mr Romney can also take encouragement from the experience of his Mormon father, George Romney, who was Governor of Michigan. His 1968 presidential bid imploded after he said that he had been “brainwashed” into supporting the Vietnam War. “But until then,” Steve Hess, of the Brookings Institution, said, “there was no question he could have been elected.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: 1stladies; 2008; believeordie; candidatebush; christians; cult; governor; ldschurch; liberal; liberalmedia; liberals; liberalstate; ma; mittromney; mormon; mormons; noway; poll; president; religion; religioustest; republicans; rino; romney; romney2008; salamanderletter; usa; vote
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260261-269 next last
To: Mr. Blonde

I have worked at technology companies where there were quite a few Mormon executives and employees. I found them to be honest, hard-working and trustworthy people.


241 posted on 12/18/2005 11:08:41 AM PST by wideminded
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Blonde

NO!


242 posted on 12/18/2005 11:09:51 AM PST by Lady Heron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DoughtyOne

We have enough trouble with a president who won't fight back. Now we should consider one who isn't even conservative? No.


243 posted on 12/18/2005 11:10:24 AM PST by Luke21 (Political correctness is the insane religion of our rulers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Blonde

The statement about Massachusetts was a quote from Frank Luntz.


244 posted on 12/18/2005 11:12:51 AM PST by wideminded
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 240 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Blonde
Actually there is a lot of proof, it just takes delving into it on your part. It is an interesting study though.
245 posted on 12/18/2005 11:13:03 AM PST by Lady Heron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: Luke21

I agree Luke, but I do so because he isn't conservative, not because he is a Mormon.


246 posted on 12/18/2005 11:15:56 AM PST by DoughtyOne (MSM: Public support for war waining. 403/3 House vote against pullout vaporizes another lie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 243 | View Replies]

To: Paulus Invictus

**We are discussing a US presidential candidate's religion.**

So?

If a mormon is a good REPIUBLICAN and holds to a REPUBLICAN platform and principals why not vote for one! After all, we survived Jimmy Carter and the Sperminator.


247 posted on 12/18/2005 11:29:03 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (When someone burns a cross on your lawn, the best firehose is an AK-47.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 236 | View Replies]

To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

Clearly it is more important to some what someone personally believes in then what they feel about things that would have a more direct effect on the nation.


248 posted on 12/18/2005 2:50:38 PM PST by Mr. Blonde (You know, Happy Time Harry, just being around you kinda makes me want to die.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 247 | View Replies]

To: aMorePerfectUnion

Your not serious


249 posted on 12/18/2005 10:51:38 PM PST by BlueMoose
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 238 | View Replies]

To: apackof2

What's the difference between a cult and a religion?


250 posted on 12/18/2005 10:55:07 PM PST by streetpreacher (If at the end of the day, 100% of both sides are not angry with me, I've failed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 203 | View Replies]

To: apackof2

Answer:

A university and a football team.


251 posted on 12/18/2005 11:01:27 PM PST by streetpreacher (If at the end of the day, 100% of both sides are not angry with me, I've failed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 250 | View Replies]

To: aMorePerfectUnion
Here Is what Mormons teach.

Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is Heavenly Father’s Only Begotten Son in the flesh. He is our Redeemer. Through Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father has provided a way for all people to become like Him and return to live with Him forever.

We love Christ. We worship Christ. He is our example and our Savior.

252 posted on 12/18/2005 11:04:46 PM PST by BlueMoose
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 238 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Blonde

Please no more morons. Carter and Clinton did me in.


253 posted on 12/18/2005 11:09:10 PM PST by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BlueMoose

entirely


254 posted on 12/19/2005 8:26:48 AM PST by aMorePerfectUnion (outside a good dog, a book is your best friend. inside a dog it's too dark to read)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 249 | View Replies]

To: BlueMoose

BM,
It is what you leave out that Mormonism also teaches that
is a mormon heresy of orthodox Christian doctrine -
as has already been pointed out on this thread...

multiple gods, Christ not being eternally God past
present and future. Salvation through his work alone
without added works or temple marriages, or mission
trips, etc. The preexistence of souls waiting to
be born.

Over many years, Mormonism has carefully honed their
message to not mention the heresies so that it can
appear as normal christian teaching. It is not.

Your post, in that sense, leaves out everything that
mormonism teaches that conflicts with scripture. That
is a deception by ommission.

best,
ampu

PS - I've had these same discussions at my front door,
in Salt Lake City going door to door, and in the Visitor's
Center in SLC. I know the drill. I know the heresies. Ten
minutes of conversation and all appeal to OBJECTIVE truth
is abandoned and an immediate retreat to SUBJECTIVE
experience occurs. At that point, I realize the person I'm
speaking with isn't interested in seeking truth. It
rattles them to their very core when they find out
that the Bible doesn't teach what they have been told it
teaches. At that point, they will either seek truth or
tell all about their subjective reasons for knowing something
is true.

If you ask how they know that the burning in their bosom
is not from what they had for dinner the night before instead
of being a sign of what is truth, they "just know" - and
this in the face of objective truth that says the opposite.


255 posted on 12/19/2005 8:38:39 AM PST by aMorePerfectUnion (outside a good dog, a book is your best friend. inside a dog it's too dark to read)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 252 | View Replies]

To: BlueMoose; aMorePerfectUnion; All
What the Mormon Missionaries Won't Tell You

Most of us have had a Mormon Missionary knock at our door. If you have ever invited them in and listened to a presentation of their beliefs, you probably found most but not all of what they said very similar to those beliefs held by Christians. However, while trying to convince you that your Church is wrong and the Mormon Church is right, there are several points they intentionally leave out. Below is a list of Mormon beliefs the missionaries will be reluctant to tell you about:

They will be reluctant to tell you that the God they worship was not always God. "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 345)

They will be reluctant to tell you that they believe Jesus Christ is the spirit brother of Satan: "The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind." (Milton R. Hunter, Gospel Through the Ages, pg.15)

They will be reluctant to tell you that, according to Mormonism, Jesus Christ was a polygamist. "I discover that some of the Eastern papers represent me as a great blasphemer, because I said, in my lecture on Marriage, at our last Conference, that Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children." (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses 2:210)

The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were 'Mormons'" (Jedediah M. Grant, Journal of Discourses, 1:346)

They will be reluctant to tell you that for at least half a century church leaders were teaching that Adam was really God and the only God with whom we have to do. "Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint and sinner! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the Archangel, the Ancient of Days! about whom holy men have written and spoken--He is our Father, and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 1:50)

"I have learned by experience that there is but one God that pertains to this people and he is the god that pertains to this earth--The first man. That first man sent his own son to redeem the world..."(Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses 4:1)

They will be reluctant to tell you that Brigham Young, who held the office of President of the Mormon church longer than any other man, taught that men must practice polygamy in order to become Gods. "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy." (Journal of Discourses 11:269)

They will be reluctant to tell you that the book of Mormon fails to contain any Mormon doctrine Many portions of this Mormon Scripture even contradicts Mormon theology.

They will be reluctant to tell you about their secret temple ceremonies which, until April 1990, portrayed Christian ministers as hirelings of Satan. Nor will they tell you about the sacred underwear they are wearing which, they believe, actually protects them.

They will be reluctant to tell you that Mormon leaders have taught that Jesus was conceived by way of a sexual relationship between God and Mary. "..how are children begotten? I answer just as Jesus Christ was begotten of his father. The difference between Jesus Christ and other men is this: Our fathers in the flesh are mortal men, who are subject unto death: but the Father of Jesus Christ in the flesh is the god of Heaven" (Joseph F. Smith, Family Home Evening Manual, 1972, pg. 125)

They will be reluctant to tell you that they believe the bible has been corrupted throughout the centuries and cannot be trusted fully by itself. "I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph smith, pg.327)

"But the Bible has been robbed of its plainness; many sacred books having been lost, others rejected by the Romish Church, and what few we have left, were copied and recopied so many times, that it is admitted that almost every verse has been corrupted and mutilated to that degree that any two of them read alike." (Orson Pratt, The Seer, pg.213)

They will be reluctant to tell you that the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, which they claim to be both sacred and without error, contradict each other many times. For example, in the Book of Mormon, God called David and Solomon's act of polygamy an abomination, whereas in the Doctrine and Covenants He claims to justify it. Jacob 2:24 in the Book of Mormon says, "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord." Section 132:1 in the Doctrine and Covenants, however, states: "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines."

They will be reluctant to tell you that they use Christian terms with Mormon meanings.

For example, a Mormon would probably agree with you that a person must be born again. To the Mormon, however, "born again" is a process which begins with water baptism. Another example are the words "salvation" and exaltation," which are synonymous in the Christian's mind. However, general salvation to the Mormon merely means the resurrection which everyone in the world will receive at death. Exaltation, or individual salvation, is the reward earned by the Mormon by following the laws of the Moron church. "Eternal Life" to the Mormon means Godhood. Regarding the word "scriptures," the Christian thinks of the Holy Bible while the Mormon could be thinking of not only the Bible but the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price as well.

They won't want to tell you that in order to gain entrance into the highest form of Mormon heaven, the Celestial kingdom, you must accept Joseph Smith, Jr. as a prophet of god. Faith in Jesus alone, Mormonism teaches, will force you to spend eternity in a lower form of heaven.

Tenth LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith stated in his book, doctrines of Salvation, that there is "No salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. The word "salvation," used in this context, must really mean "exaltation" because former Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie stated in his book Mormon Doctrine that general salvation is given to everyone regardless of belief. Personal salvation or exaltation to the highest form of Mormon heaven comes only by accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of god and by following the laws of the LDS church.

They will be reluctant to tell you that their founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., made many false prophecies which, according to the Bible, would classify him as a false prophet rather than a true prophet of God.

For instance, in 1835 Smith claimed that the Lord would again come in just 56 years. We would gather from this "prophecy" that Jesus Christ would again come to earth on or before 1891; no doubt Joseph Smith was incorrect (History of the church 2:182). In 1832 Joseph Smith claimed he had a revelation concerning the building of a temple in Independence, Missouri. According to section 84, verses 4 and 5, of the Doctrine and Covenants, he stated this "temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it..." to this day the spot consecrated by Smith fails to be the sight of a great temple, but instead is covered with a well-kept lawn. In fact, the Mormon church does not even own the land.

256 posted on 12/19/2005 2:41:20 PM PST by apackof2 (You can stand me up at the gates of hell, I'll stand my ground and I won’t back down)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 252 | View Replies]

To: apackof2

apackof2,

Thank you for posting JUST A BRIEF GLIMPSE of how mormonism differs from what the Bible teaches. Here is one more to add to the discussion...

The Bible teaches that salvation is wholly based on the saving blood of Christ - Mormonism teaches that there is No salvation without accepting Joseph Smith:

In his book Doctrines of Salvation, 1:189, Joseph Fielding Smith proclaims, "NO SALVATION WITHOUT ACCEPTING JOSEPH SMITH". Brigham Young said, "From the day the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, Junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are." He also said, "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of god without the consent of Joseph Smith" (Journal of Discourses, 7:289).

And here is the key. Salvation - knowing that if you were to die tonight, you would spend eternity with God in heaven - the ONE heaven in the presence of God as scripture teaches - comes only when we see and fully trust that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is our only hope... and we leave our own righteous behind and accept His payment for our sins.

May we all accept His free gift.


257 posted on 12/19/2005 4:56:02 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion (outside a good dog, a book is your best friend. inside a dog it's too dark to read)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 256 | View Replies]

To: aMorePerfectUnion
May we all accept His free gift.

Amen

258 posted on 12/19/2005 4:58:05 PM PST by apackof2 (You can stand me up at the gates of hell, I'll stand my ground and I won’t back down)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 257 | View Replies]

To: toddrundgrenisgod
".....who will fold like a cheap suit when the political going gets tough?"

The geometry of Ted Kennedy woudn't allow him to fold like anything.

It's more likely that Romney will whip Teddie's fat @$$ in a race for U.S. Senator, if the red-nosed puke continues to beat the Reaper long enough...

259 posted on 01/03/2006 8:55:28 PM PST by tracer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: peyton randolph

According to your definition, Jeus Christ Himself would be defined as a founder of a cult....


260 posted on 01/03/2006 9:01:49 PM PST by tracer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260261-269 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson