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Evangelical leader says voting for a Mormon not a problem
The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 9/09/2006 | Peggy Fletcher Stack

Posted on 09/10/2006 4:20:44 PM PDT by restornu

Evangelical leader says voting for a Mormon not a problem Politics over religion: He says Romney's faith not a barrier to his presidential bid By Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune

The Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, said Friday he would have no problem voting for a Mormon for U.S. president. "We rejected an Evangelical [Harriet Meiers] for the Supreme Court and accepted a Catholic [Samuel Alito]," said Haggard, who was in Salt Lake City to address the annual convention of Religion Newswriters Association. "It's a question of competence."

Evangelical Christians are more interested "in good government," than in religious affiliation, said the founder and senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.

As the leader of the influential National Association of Evangelicals, which has 45,000 churches across the United States, Haggard's statement is significant because of the ongoing tensions over theology between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and evangelical Christians. To many, Mormons are viewed as non-Christians because of their extra-biblical scriptures, rejection of historic creeds, claims to divine authority and unique rituals.

Some political observers have already suggested that a candidate such as Mitt Romney, governor of Massachusetts and a Mormon, would have trouble wooing Evangelicals.

John Green, who studies religion and politics at the University of Akron, told The Salt Lake Tribune last year, "If [Romney] wanted to be president, he would have to get support of Evangelicals in the primaries, especially Evangelical foot soldiers," Green said. "Some of them might have some real reluctance to support a Mormon."

In July, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll reported that 37 percent of Americans surveyed would not vote for a Mormon for president - and that clearly included some conservative Christians.

But a group calling itself "Evangelicals for Mitt" takes a position similar to Haggard's.

"The 2008 election is for president, not pastor," says the lead essay on the group's Web site. "We would never advocate that the governor become our pastor or lead our churches - we disagree with him profoundly on theological issues."

Haggard is clear on LDS theology.

"We believe Mormonism is a Christian cult," he said after his speech. "But we have the same positions on many social issues, pro-life and so on. " He said that Evangelicals and Catholics have long joined forces on these social issues and a similar dialogue about them between Evangelicals and Mormons is "in the early stages."

"We are in search for areas where we can stand together," Haggard said.

When it comes to voting for Romney, it will depend on the other choice or choices. If it came down to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif., House Minority Leader) vs. Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney, the majority of Evangelicals would choose the Republican Catholic or Mormon, he said. "And don't think Evangelicals will vote as a block in the Primaries, either."


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: christianvote; electionlds; ldschurch; nae; romney2008
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To: JohnnyZ
For which you have only your blind faith.

Um, no, actually, he actually pretty much said exactly that when he was running for Governor.

I'm paraphrasing, but I believe the statement that got the most press was, "Personally, I'm pro-life, but I recognize I'm in the minority in our great state, and as Governor, I will not change the abortion laws and will protect a women's right to chose."

Is it a bit of a dodge? Sure, but it makes it pretty clear where he is coming from. Besides that, he wasn't even so much taking a stand as he was conceding the truth. He wasn't going to be able to change any abortion laws as Governor even if he wanted to with the legislature as overwhelmingly D as it is. What's more, actions speak louder then words, and he's vetoed several pieces of legislation favored by the pro-choice crowd, as well as been on the forfront in the fight against gay marriage.

41 posted on 09/10/2006 8:00:55 PM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: zbigreddogz; EternalVigilance
"What do you call people who support the gay agenda"

Romney does NOT suppport the gay agenda, nor is pro abortion etc

this guy is just imaginations!

One thing for sure EV could not get elected in a Blue State and help the good people beyond the Rats because of his in ability to walk the Rats mine field!

42 posted on 09/10/2006 8:09:16 PM PDT by restornu
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To: zbigreddogz

The California Church of Christ must be more "liberal" than the Texas brand. I have two great uncles who are Church of Christ ministers and they firmly believe my mother is NOT going to Heaven because she joined the Catholic church. They don't say she's going to Hell, they just say she is not going to Heaven (if that makes any difference).

My point is that there are many evangelicals and other "Bible Belt" Christians who make very clear boundaries between what denominations they will accept and what they will not. And sometimes they even draw lines within their own denomination. The local Church of Christ where I live had a huge falling out a few years ago when they built a new church. Most of the people wanted to have a kitchen in the new building, but a small faction of old timers (lead by my mother's first cousin who is also a Church of Christ minister) said it was against the Bible to have a kitchen in the church building.


43 posted on 09/10/2006 8:15:04 PM PDT by Burkean
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To: Imnotalib

to paraphrase: "The ignorant you have among you always..."


44 posted on 09/10/2006 8:17:54 PM PDT by maine-iac7 ("...but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." Lincoln)
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To: zbigreddogz
"Personally, I'm pro-life

Um, great. Romney is personally pro-life, along with Mario Cuomo, John F'n "Life begins at conception" Kerry, Bill Clinton, and every other pandering liberal scumbag out there.

It means absolutely nothing. Mitt Romney cannot get pregnant. Mitt Romney will never have an abortion. Who cares if Mitt is personally pro-life, it affects no one.

What DOES matter is that he has repeatedly endorsed Roe v Wade and the "right" to abortion.

45 posted on 09/10/2006 10:20:55 PM PDT by JohnnyZ ("I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose" -- Mitt Romney, April 2002)
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To: JohnnyZ

Did you even bother reading my entire post? Did you bother to understand the context of his words? Or are you just interested in proving how right you are?


46 posted on 09/10/2006 11:55:42 PM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: Burkean

I've heard that before, and I have trouble believeing it. Do the loudest people in these churches have beliefs like this? Perhaps. But I'd like to think that at least a majority of them actually read the Bible and know what they are talking about, and there is simply 0 Biblical support for saying all Catholics are barred from heaven.

I could be wrong, but we'll see.


47 posted on 09/11/2006 12:11:50 AM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: zbigreddogz
I suppose you would be right under those circumstances. But seeming as how he doesn't support abortion, doesn't support the gay agenda, and seeming as how his healthcare plan was created in large part by the Heritage Foundation, I'll just go on assuming you aren't a serious person.

Assume whatever you want. But the fact remains that everything I said is true. Anyone who is spun into believing that Romney is pro-life and against the gay agenda is either very naive, very stupid, or simply wants to be deceived. And a plan that forces MA businesses to pay for healthcare for everybody is socialized medicine, whether you like it or not, or whether Heritage or the DNC came up with it.

48 posted on 09/11/2006 7:13:43 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: JohnnyZ

Given the rest of the politicians in this crazy state, Romney is a breath of fresh air, despite his squishiness and compromises. I do think his heart is in the right place.


49 posted on 09/11/2006 8:02:29 AM PDT by Unam Sanctam
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To: EternalVigilance

You clearly don't understand his record, and you CLEARLY don't understand his healthcare plan.

Do me a favor and go here: http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed012806a.cfm


50 posted on 09/11/2006 10:56:34 AM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: JohnnyZ

Hey JohnnyZ thank you for introducing me to some facts I didn't know about. Don't get discouraged when people criticise you for pointing out uncomfortable truths.

I am really very ignorant about Romney but willing to give him a fair go as I learn more. I already have written McCain and Giuliani off. Newt seems to me like a person who would be a fantastic president, depressing that no one seems to think he has a chance. So if not Romney, McCain, or Giuliani, then who? Who is the most viable candidate for conservatives


51 posted on 09/11/2006 10:13:00 PM PDT by Mount Athos
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To: Mount Athos
I think there is no rush to choose a conservative to rally around.

I believe there will be at Least one surprise conservative candidate entering the field next year. A lot of candidates seemingly come from nowhere, and a lot of early campaigners flame out by the first primary.

Let's see how it shakes out.

52 posted on 09/11/2006 10:20:09 PM PDT by JohnnyZ ("I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose" -- Mitt Romney, April 2002)
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To: zbigreddogz

I admire Mormons for their hard work and commitment, but the religion is pretty weird.

They believe that Jesus was once a human like us and was 'promoted' to God status. If we humans buckle down and do the right things, then we get similar promotions, and eventually we can get our own planet to populate.

That said, I wouldn't refuse to vote for someone because he was a Mormon. I'd vote for an anti-abortion Mormon ahead of McCain or Giuliani any day!


53 posted on 09/13/2006 8:44:49 AM PDT by Imnotalib
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To: truth_seeker; thomaswest; Burkean

Not doing it right and an almost completely different religion are 2 different things.

I think there will be plenty of Catholics in Heaven, and I suspect plenty of Mormons - it just depends on whether they put their faith in Jesus Christ or some man-made salvation. (not a judgment of anyone, just an opinion)

Not too surprising to me that there are many schisms in Christianity - the Bible is a complex Work subject to interpretation, both good and bad. Again, the important thing isn't which 'schism' you're following, but in Whom you place your faith.


54 posted on 09/13/2006 8:52:44 AM PDT by Imnotalib
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To: Imnotalib
McCain has 100% from right-to-life. Just thought I'd mention.

And as to this: They believe that Jesus was once a human like us and was 'promoted' to God status. If we humans buckle down and do the right things, then we get similar promotions, and eventually we can get our own planet to populate.

That's...kinda right. I just got finished reading this book that was a collaboration between a professor at BYU and a Protestant professor about what Mormons believe, how it's different, etc. I'm not sure that it's quite a fair interpretation that Jesus was once just like us and was promoted, (Jesus's status is all over the place, I do know they believe that since he's fully man and fully God, he's essentially two different beings in one) and they made it clear that, while yes, we do get 'promoted' and have our own planet, that we still wouldn't quite be like God, and that we'd have to answer to him and worship him still...

So yah, their religion is a bit weird. But I'm like you, they seem to do just fine here on earth, and while their theology might be all messed up, they at least seem to believe in some concept of grace and needing salvation. So I'll vote for them when it's appropritate and let God sort out their eternal questions as to their salvation.

55 posted on 09/13/2006 11:18:18 AM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: Imnotalib
I think there will be plenty of Catholics in Heaven, and I suspect plenty of Mormons - it just depends on whether they put their faith in Jesus Christ or some man-made salvation. (not a judgment of anyone, just an opinion)

Not too surprising to me that there are many schisms in Christianity - the Bible is a complex Work subject to interpretation, both good and bad. Again, the important thing isn't which 'schism' you're following, but in Whom you place your faith.

Totally agree.

The biggest question for most people with Mormonism is "Do they believe they can earn their way to heaven?" and if so, frankly, they are screwed. They insist they believe in grace, but even they admit it's a 'different concept' of grace, which...makes things confusing to say the least. You can interpret their concept of grace to be real grace or not.

Like you said, I guess it depends on the person. The protestant theologan that wrote in that book I mentioned wrote in the afterward that, while he was no more convinced of the authencicity of the Book of Mormon or the writings of Joseph Smith then he was before (he heard Walter Martin, a now deceased minister who was an expert on what he believed were cults, rip up the Mormon religion), and that he still had the same basic problems with their theology, the better he got to know his Mormon friend, the more he believed him when he said that, if he were asked at the gates of heaven why he should be allowed in, that his reply "Because Jesus paid the price for me," that he was sincere, and that he'd let God sort out the rest.

56 posted on 09/13/2006 11:23:31 AM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: zbigreddogz

Thanks for your fair analysis. I wonder if the book you mention is the same one I have read or a different one?

"How Wide the Divide?: A Mormon & An Evangelical in Conversation" By: Craig L. Blomberg, Stephen E. Robinson

As a Mormon the book changed some of my ill-informed views of what Evangelicals believe. I appreciate it for that, as well as fairly presenting our belief in the Divinity of Christ.


57 posted on 09/14/2006 10:54:36 AM PDT by Rameumptom (Gen X= they killed 1 in 4 of us)
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