Posted on 08/08/2007 8:00:00 AM PDT by greyfoxx39
Mitt Romney's own Republican Party has made religion fair game, and Romney will be asked how his faith would affect his policies.
-SNIP-
But Mitt Romney is a serious contender in 2008, rich and disciplined, and he's running in an era when presidential candidates are virtually expected to parade their religiosity. This is particularly true in the Republican camp, where religion and politics are now routinely intertwined; indeed, candidate George W. Bush upped the ante in 2000, when he said that his favorite philosopher was Jesus, ''because he changed my life.''
So it's no surprise Romney is facing questions about his lifelong devotion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the breakaway theology that considers itself humankind's ''one true church.'' He had hoped to stonewall this issue, insisting in a TV interview 18 months ago that ''I'm never going to get into a discussion about my personal beliefs.''
But today word is circulating that Romney will discuss his faith in an autumn speech - and seek to disarm the skeptics much the way John F. Kennedy in 1960 dampened fears that a Catholic president would take orders from Rome.
Romney is dealing with potential hostility, fair or not, on several fronts. Many Christian fundamentalists, particularly southern Baptists, dismiss Mormonism as a cult (thereby imperiling Romney in the GOP primaries, particularly in pivotal South Carolina). Many secular voters are uncomfortable with the church's passion for proselytizing and its superior attitude, particularly its scriptural insistence that all nonbelievers are worshiping ''the church of the devil.'' Pollsters say that at least 30 percent of voters won't back a Mormon.
Romney's biggest problem is that skeptics are simply weirded out. They cannot quite envision having a president who believes that a man named Joseph Smith dug up a book of golden plates, long buried in a hillside, with the help of an angel named Moroni in 1827; that these plates, written in Egyptian hieroglyphics, spelled out the precepts of the true Christian faith; that Smith translated these hieroglyphics by wearing decoder glasses and burying his head in a hat; that Jesus visited North America after the resurrection; that the Garden of Eden was really in Missouri.
-SNIP-
Some questions do seem appropriate. First, the Mormon faith puts a high premium on ''faith-promoting'' information, sometimes at the expense of unpleasant facts. As a high-ranking Mormon leader said in a famous 1981 speech, ''Some things that are true are not very useful.'' Would Romney be able to assure swing voters that he would not merely perpetuate the faith-based thinking, and the rejection of empirical reality, that has trapped us in a ruinous war?
Second, since the Mormons consider themselves stewards of ''a quintessentially American faith'' (Romney's words), and since Mormons believe Jesus will return and rule the world from U.S. territory, does this suggest that a President Romney might wave the flag a bit too fervently, at a time when we need to repair our relations around the world? The Mormon faith is heavily rooted in what is commonly called ''American exceptionalism,'' the belief that we are special and we know best. Would Romney govern accordingly, and, if so, would that be a help or a hindrance in the war on terror?
-SNIP-
What matters, in other words, is not whether he really thinks Joseph Smith met an angel in 1827. The crucial issue is whether, or how, a devout Mormon would apply his faith on the job in 2009. His supporters have suggested that any such questions are symptoms of religious bigotry, but it is the Republican Party, over the past several decades, that has put religion front and center. They have made Mitt Romney fair game.
That was amusing. Reminds me of the Oz Wizard, ‘Don’t pay any attention tot he man behind the curtain’. Must have had too much truth in it for you to refute it succinctly so you play wizard, maybe wizard of ID. Haha
~ Hey, Romney! Answer the Questions Placemarker ~
I know what your answer will be.
Ok, I’ll rise to your bait, but just a little.
Let’s just address the first couple of them, shall we? As you can see, the pattern of deception is not worth the time rebutting them all, they go on an on an on. Using half truths to misguide and entrap is an age old technique. It was first practiced in the Garden of Eden. The author seems to be familiar with those practices.
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1. The atonement.
Your chart says:
(1) Used almost exclusively as a reference to Jesus’ conquering physical death for all people.
(2) At times atonement includes the thought of Jesus’ paying for people’s sins.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ serves these two purposes equally, and in fact, emphasis on the Atonement in LDS doctrine is placed very heavily of Christ’s suffering for our sins. His resurrection brought about the resurrection of all men, and his suffering and agony, both on the cross and in the Garden of Gethsemene, was when He took upon Himself the sins of mankind, which no other but God Himself could have done, the last and great sacrifice.
A scriptural reference on the LDS doctrine of the Atonement can be found here: Important points are highlighted in yellow...
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/9/10-29
This is just one of many many references on the twofold mission of the Atonement of our savior.
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2. The Bible.
Your chart says:
One of four books Mormons consider scripture. They believe it to be the Word of God “as far as it is translated correctly” (Eighth Article of Faith). They believe many precious parts have been lost from it (1 Nephi 13:28). Consequently they consider it the least reliable of the scriptures. Many Mormons are not familiar with it.
First, it’s amazing how many times I bring up scriptures from the King James bible, only to have anti-Mormons say that is not a “correct translation.” The hypocrisy astounds me here.
Second, the bible is most certainly not the least reliable. In fact, we LDS tend to rely on the whole bible, an all encompassing revelation from God’s many ancient prophets. All things are relevant, both Old and New. God is the same, always, and his purposes shall all be fulfilled. Many orthodox Christians, including many here on FR have discussed these matters, while discounting the Old Testament. This is dangerous, and throwing out the old to bring in the new is not why God preserved the Holy Bible for us. Many in today’s society think the bible is to be discarded. The Book of Mormon testifies of the truth of the bible. It is a second witness of Jesus Christ, it testifies of the bible’s divinity and truth
Third, to say that many Mormons are not familiar with the bible is pure deception. It is part of our standard works, and the LDS study it regularly, both in personal and public settings. Shameful!!
A scriptural reference on the LDS doctrine of our love for the Bible can be found here: Important points are highlighted in yellow...
Mormon lack of basic Bible Study skills has been evident
on every thread regarding mormonism/romney these past months.
Instead of understanding structure, context, words usage,
original language, history, etc., in a unified whole of
interpretation... [and any suggestions on how to really
study the Bible are rebuffed with offense]
... they continually post “whack-a-mole, see a word,
make huge assumption” diatribes. Most of it copy and paste
form the morm-o-matic software the church hands out
to buttress itself against critics. They engage in magical
thinking to explain or rather justify every kind of historic
Christian heresy.
The low view of scripture by those entrapped in mormonism
has been on display for months - in fact, years, starting
with the false prophet smith, who actually added words
to Genesis to make it predict himself. There’s a prophecy
he made that came true... the only way he could make
a true prophecy.
Then they have the nerve to claim to revere the scripture
and study it regularly. Rearranging moronism beliefs is
not study.
ampu
Do not make the mistake, AMPU, of attributing an alternative explanation of scriptural meaning to a lack of basic Bible study skills. That would be an underestimation of your opponent.
The interpretations differ. This is not an indicator of ignorance.
tant,
I am not making that assumption.
There is flat out virtually nothing deeper
than “topic searches” and point to words.
Which explains how mormonism justifies the
“alternative meanings”.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
(2 Timothy 2:15).
That is what is missing.
BTW, since you didn’t get my point, I won’t continue to make it. You can feel free to play your ignore game with DU, doesn’t bother me. Just trying to help.
Mormomatic software the church hands out to buttress itself against critics?
ROTFLOL.
For someone as seemingly learned and esteemed as you make yourself out to be, you can’t do a simple search of the LDS site, which you seem to know so much about?
Here is the tool. It’s called a topical guide. Look up whatever topic you like, it’s cross referenced with all the scriptures. Very useful tool in studying the scriptures, you might actually like it as if may even help you in your Mormon bashing. Give it a whirl.
To help you out, I put in your first search for you, you may find it useful.
Great reference. Be sure to read this one too, it’s all encompasssing.
2 Timothy 3: 7
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Seven,
You are posting to me. I hesitate to post back, since
you asked me not to... but I don’t know how else to
find out if I am supposed to post to you.
Here is a system we can use.
I have two windows in my master bedroom. One more
window in the master bath.
Once it is dark, if we are talking again, flash
a flashlight 6 times. Two short, two long, two short.
Repeat this twice.
I will take that as the initiation phase. After I
confirm two distinct sets of signals, I will respond
with 7 unique flashes, broken up into two segments
as such: 3 shorts, 1 short PLUS 3 long flashes.
When you receive this signal, FLASH one time and
circle your flashlight clockwise, so I know you
received it. I will point my flashlight toward Denver
and Tant will verify that I circle my flashlight
counterclockwise. He will give you a confirming
signal of three long flashes and 1 short, repeated
three times, followed by two quick, up and down
motions and the letters AC [for all clear].
I will be ready to receive the signal at 12 am EST.
all the best,
ampu
that was the tool I referred to as the mormomatic!
2nd line. Apparently the message was lost or not heeded, so I gave up. Feel free to post to me, either way. I was making a point.
No flashlights needed.
Darn! I got my E2E Executive Elite® flashlight out
and put it by my window already! It is so fun to
use, I was looking forward to our signals. :-)
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