Posted on 08/20/2007 9:18:44 AM PDT by mojito
Even though Mitt Romney can't seem to dislodge Rudy Giuliani atop the national GOP polls, and can't even draw as much poll support as Fred Thompson, who isn't even running yet, there is an understandable anticipatory buzz about him.
He may well be the eventual choice of his party if the Thompson phenomenon fizzles or if Giuliani supporters simply grow weary of navigating the obstacles posed by his past and his politics.
In an appearance in Texas last week, I saw Romney energize a crowd with just the kind of speech a GOP nominee should give-- strong and unapologetic on the war, upbeat and resolute about the future. This is a typical Romney performance, and it earns him speculation that he has nowhere to go but up.
This is wholly deserved. But the issue of his religion, which some say has been overplayed, has in fact not been addressed with nearly the thoroughness and honesty that will be necessary to satisfy some in the Republican voting base.
It has not been addressed well by the candidate, and it has not been handled honestly by pundits. Until it is, it lurks as a torpedo that could spell the doom of his promising candidacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
I won’t hold my breath. Pan sounded rather desperate there at the end.
I agree. We shall see what Pan has to say about Titus 1:16.
Exactly. The next time around they'll rightly beat up Republican candidates for their religion. They'll (they've already done this) claim spirituality in believing in the 'spirit' of the religion, while the Republicans argue doctrine and superstition and whose staff hit which rock on which magic numbered day wearing which sacred robe.
Bigoted Christians are turning this whole political environment into an even bigger joke than it already was.
Whether or not it's helping or hurting any particular candidate, this bickering and arrogance is probably turning many people away from religion.
Romney captured this whole charade perfectly in describing these zealots as 'holier-than-thou'. They aren't humble people. They're Pharisees - arguing over Sabbath laws while Jesus walks right by them.
These people are shameful, plain and simple.
Some of these so-called 'Christ'ians act anything but. Somewhat intelligent people are falling for this garbage too...Mark Davis, Gallagher.
Aside from the innately zealous ones, I bet many of these people are new converts, who, like a toddler learning a new word, say it over and over again. They'll beat you over the head with it without end. They're so proud of their new word.
I was called to turn to Christ, accept his message and repent.
I have done so. In the Bible God didn’t say WHAT I need to repent from... meaning God didn’t write an Epistle to PYW. But, I’m not alone in my walk with Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells within me. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that TELLS me when I need to repent.
IF I do not repent of my sinful ways and call upon Christ, why should I expect His rewards? Better yet, why should I expect an answer? I don’t deserve one. But again, the Holy Spirit will intervene and tell me when I have wronged God, when I need to commune with Him more and when I need to stand still and listen to Him.
Doing works, if unrepentant, does not spread the love of Christ. Because the love of Christ needs to shine through all aspects in my life.
Works do not change my salvation because only blood atonement does that... but they are beneficial in my relationship with God. For God is all knowing and He still wants me to follow His path.
For example, if I claim to be a Christian but joyfully sin, there is no communion between me and Christ. Because Christ does not rejoice in evil. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit intervenes and tells my conscience when I have wronged God.
However, if I am a Christian who does repent, who does try to follow God’s message, the Holy Spirit will testify for me. And God will see that my HEART is in line with His teachings; NOT just any works that I try to dazzle Him with... because NOTHING I can do is pure enough for God.
WORKS didn’t earn my salvation. Works are A SIGN of my faithful obedience to living with God and amongst the world. Works are not THE MESSAGE that says I am one with God. The world can look at me and see the peace that God gives to me when I try to live the new life that He gave to me when I chose Christ. And from this peace, others may want to seek Him also.
It is common courtesy and well known net-ettiquette.
That was my reaction too, when I saw it. Wish I had thought of it. :-)
What they call seminaries is what we’d call Christian Education. What we call seminaries is what they’d call graduate school.
They are tag-teaming you, calling you names and tying to fluster you. It’s a common tactic. Come up Higher will now try to argue from law.
Don’t let them get you flustered.
Kinda like what they call “salvation.”
Translation: "Come up Higher will now try to tell you what the scriptures say. Don't listen to him."
As for Pan's diatribe above. That is your opinion and you are welcome to it. But the Lord and His Apostles have said something completely different and we have demonstrated it by scripture, not merely by what we feel or think. If you wish to ignore the words of Christ and His Apostles and cling to the traditions of your fathers, you do so to your own detriment.
You can’t even translate modern day English.
I said law, and I meant law. Not scriptural law, but the law of the land. It seems to be his/her specialty, showing how talking out against Mormonism is legal discrimination. It is the standard leftist appeal to our “feelings.”
We were not discussing civil “law”. If you can’t follow the thread, then move on.
I love you DL.
Great. I’ll send you an 8X10.
I would be honored. :-D
We can argue here on this thread all we like about whether or not LDS is Christian, etc. The big problem for Romney is that the MSM will NOT treat him with kid gloves if he gets the nomination. All of a sudden people like David Gregory will become experts on Mormon teachings and we’ll start reading all sorts of articles about their “strange and unusual” doctrines. I mean they tried to frame President Bush’s mainstream Christianity as going off the deep end.
Romney has got to come up with a better response than what he’s been giving so far. He’s the first top tier Mormon Presidential candidate ever. Also, I think the perception that he is a “devout” Mormon adds to the feeding frenzy. For some reason the MSM doesn’t pay much attention to the religious beliefs of candidates who are just occasional church attendees, if that. The MSM hasn’t even started playing hardball with him yet.
Romney has got to come up with a better response than what hes been giving so far. Hes the first top tier Mormon Presidential candidate ever. Also, I think the perception that he is a devout Mormon adds to the feeding frenzy. For some reason the MSM doesnt pay much attention to the religious beliefs of candidates who are just occasional church attendees, if that. The MSM hasnt even started playing hardball with him yet.
Good points. The MSM might be even more freaked out by a Romney presidency than they are of a Christian presidents. As we know, Mormons don't drink, not even coffee. And Romney's notorious for his worst curse word, 'gosh'.
I think the only answer is the answer he's been giving, that his faith informs his values but the doctrinal difference are trivial in importance in the larger American picture. What would you suggest would be a better response by Romney to the religion issue?
It's odd we haven't seen video of Romney going to church, maybe he's succeeded in having it privately, who knows. I wouldn't expect that to last long.
“Romney Can’t Ignore Questions About Mormonism”
I believe that he ought to hire a couple of burly guys to carry gigantic bags of the Book of Mormon and follow him about. Then, when some jackass that is more concerned about his religion than his ability or lack thereof asks yet another jackassed question about it, one of the henchmen can hand them a book.
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