A great suggestion! And there is a great resource online!
Posted on 10/31/2007 11:21:56 AM PDT by truthandlife
The evangelical pro-Romney bandwagon recruited some vocal conservative heavyweights this past week, leaving behind only a few leaders willing to counter their peers and press the Mormon issue.
Concerned evangelicals oppose the belief that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s theological differences are less important than his seemingly shared conservative social values. They also emphasize Mormonism, by its own definition, is antithetical to historic orthodox Christianity despite its adherents’ push for association amid Romney’s bid for the White House.
“People have got to understand that the beliefs of the Mormon cult are totally inconsistent with biblical Christianity,” Bill Keller of LivePrayer.com told The Christian Post on Monday.
Keller, arguably the most vocal evangelical opposed to Romney’s quest for the presidency, said he has put in some 20 requests to Romney’s press representatives for the presidential hopeful to appear on his show, “Live Prayer AM with Bill Keller,” but has not received a response.
“If you are a true follower of the Bible and believe what God says, it basically says that those who follow other Gospels – false Gospels and false religions like Mormonism – are going to die, be lost in their sins and go to hell,” said Keller, who describes his LivePrayer.com ministry as the most successful online faith ministry with over 2 million e-mail subscribers.
Keller said he was concerned that having someone like Romney in the “highest visibility, highest power” position in the country would cause non-Christians and unchurched people to search out the Mormon religion.
“In doing so it is going to lead people into these false beliefs and ultimately die in their sins,” Keller warned.
The online evangelist was joined in his concern, though less blatantly, by the influential Rev. Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals.
Cizik, who only briefly met Romney once, refrained from making any direct political statements on the candidate or his Mormon faith. However, he challenged Christians to carefully examine Romney’s Mormon faith and how his religion would influence his decisions in office.
“It is inescapable that one’s religious views, or lack thereof, will shape one’s personal integrity. There is no question about that,” said Cizik.
He pointed out that a lawmaker’s Mormon faith might cause his policy decision to be different than that of an evangelical in the same position.
“Values are shaped by religious beliefs, or lack thereof, and one’s Mormon beliefs would surely in one sense or another shape one’s values, priorities, conviction, etc.,” said Cizik, who serves as the NAE’s vice president for governmental affairs. He pointed out that thus far Romney has not been willing to address the connection between his religious faith and public duty.
Cizik also believes, like Keller and many other Christian leaders, that Mormons are not Christians.
He advised Christians to first make sure Romney clarifies his Mormon religion before they “jump on the Romney bandwagon.”
“That’s just good sense,” added Cizik, who is arguably one of the most powerful leaders in the 30-million-member NAE.
Keller, meanwhile, emphasized that the god of Mormonism is not the God of the Bible and the Jesus of the Bible is different than the Jesus Mormons believe in. Jesus of Mormonism is a created being and not a deity, he is the brother of Lucifer, and will return not to the Mount of Olives as in the Bible but to Independence, Mo., pointed out the ministry leader.
“He (Romney) uses the name Jesus and people think he is talking about the Jesus in the Bible but the Jesus of Mormonism has nothing to do with the Jesus of the Bible,” Keller argues.
Both Cizik’s and Keller’s comments were in response to a memorandum sent last week by Mark DeMoss, a well-known publicist for religious leaders and groups, to 150 of his colleagues in support of Romney.
DeMoss, whose clients include the Rev. Franklin Graham, is an unpaid adviser to the Romney campaign and a leading evangelical voice in support of Romney.
In his letter, DeMoss said he found more in common with most Mormons as a Southern Baptist than with liberals in his own denomination or in any other liberal Christian traditions.
He “fully recognize[s],” however, that some evangelicals will have problems with him supporting a Mormon for the position of U.S. president.
“But I concluded that I am more concerned that a candidate shares my values than he shares my theology,” DeMoss stated in his letter.
His sentiments concerning the importance of similar social values over theology were shared by a number of conservative evangelical leaders including Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins, American Values’ Gary Bauer, Florida megachurch pastor Joel C. Hunter, the Institute on Religion & Democracy’s James Tonkowich, and Southern Baptist leaders Dr. Richard Land and Dr. R. Albert Mohler.
Cizik, however, disagrees with his fellow evangelicals, saying he did not think it was possible for the “same individuals” who for “years and years” said religious beliefs and convictions matter to all of a sudden to say they don’t matter because of a candidate like Mitt Romney.
“You can’t simply say it doesn’t matter or the only thing that matters is his stand on the issue,” he added. “Well, it is a little more complicated than that.”
As an explanation, LivePrayer.com’s Keller claims that a significant number of influential Christian leaders – such as Dr. James Dobson and megachurch pastor John Hagee – refuse to denounce Romney because of their personal ties to Mormonism.
The online evangelist said Dobson’s Focus on the Family, for example, is part of the World Congress of Families – an organization which the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the official name of the Mormon church, is a major funder of. Keller also claims Dobson and other leaders remain silent on Romney because they don’t want to upset the large number of Mormons who buy their books.
Focus on the Family was contacted in regards to Keller’s claim but declined to respond as Dobson’s personal opinions and actions are expressed or done as a private citizen and not on behalf of Focus on the Family or its registered trademarks.
"The Creed of Abraham Lincoln in His Own Words:"
"I believe in God, the Almighty Ruler of Nations, our great and good and merciful Maker, our Father in heaven, who notes the fall of a sparrow, and numbers the hairs of our heads.
I believe in His eternal truth and justice.
I recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history that those nations only are blest whose God is the Lord.
I believe that it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to invoke the influence of His Holy Spirit; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.
I believe that it is meet and right to recognize and confess the presence of the Almighty Father equally in our triumphs and in those sorrows which we may justly fear are a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins to the needful end of our reformation.
I believe that the Bible is the best gift which God has ever given to men. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book.
I believe the will of God prevails. Without Him all human reliance is vain. Without the assistance of His divine Being, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail.
Being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, I desire that all my works and acts may be according to His will; and that it may be so, I give thanks to the Almighty, and seek His aid.
I have a solemn oath registered in heaven to finish the work I am in, in full view of my responsibility to my God, with malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right as God gives me to see the right. Commending those who love me to His care, as I hope in their prayers they will comend me, I look through the help of God to a joyous meeting with many loved ones gone before."
First there was the Old Testament, then the New Testament, then the Book of Mormon... God updates all the time. It’s no big deal.
“Oh, your Jesus is a different Jesus, you say.”
Does your Jesus have a supernatural brother?
This guy needs to get a grip. Romney's not running for a clerical position.
My Jesus suffered and died for me. Because of His atoning sacrifice I am a joint-heir. Hallelujah!
Don't get so huffy, Duffy. Most here aren't anti-Mormon but, rather, anti-Mitt!
I’m glad to hear that, but can you answer the question please?
A great suggestion! And there is a great resource online!
For accurate information on LDS doctrine and why Mormons believe they are Christian, here are links to the teachings of two LDS Church leaders from the LDS General Conference on October 6-7, 2007:
The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent, by LDS Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland: HTML Text, MP3 Audio, or WMV Video.Other formats and languages and other LDS General Conference talks are available here.The Stone Cut Out of the Mountain, by LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley: HTML Text, MP3 Audio, or WMV Video.
There will be many who will share their oppinions about LDS doctrine from a non-LDS (or anti-LDS) perspective. If you have questions after reviewing any of this, Mormon.org offers the ability to ask questions by email or anonymous online chat.
BTW, Romney is not at the top of my list, Hunter is. I'm still looking at Romney & Thompson. I have no interest in the rest.
You are being profoundly dishonest, as is Mitty. You support the liar because he tells the same lies as you do. I reject lying altogether.
I’m glad to hear that, but can you answer the question please?
Agreed. Anyone but Hillary. Heck ... I’d even settle for her other half.
That is my one and only problem with him as well. But if he wins the nomination I’ll pull the lever for him against Hillary.
Unless we have an actual conservative third party with many billions of dollars and two candidates that can win. Not likely but I can dream.
If somebody wants to debate the beliefs of the Mormons, that's a different kettle of worms. Even a Muslim would handle the problems in homosexual marriage, adultery, abortion, etc in a "conservative" manner. If we are ready for stonings and beheadings, well, maybe he could be elected. I don't think Romney is saying we all have to report to Salt lake to get our "holy underwear" yet. If he's truly against homosexual marriage and abortion, then I'm not threatened as a Baptist with those tenets. I worry about ALL the candidates being waffling flippers no matter what their stated denomination. And that includes Huckaby. He seems to love illegals. We can send missionaries to Mexico to "save" them, without letting them draw Social Security and Medicare.
That is revisionist history. Abe Lincoln's last act was to issue an edict that henceforth, on every coin would be printed the words: "In God We Trust." Would an atheist or agnostic do that? I don' think so.
Or we simply render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. Not exactly an unchristian position.
I would love to have a president who was also a perfect Christian (although I haven't yet met one), but I don't look to any politician for spiritual guidance. I already gave that job to Christ.
Yes, but not in the way that it is usually portrayed. LDS believe that all humans and angels are “sons of God.” Since Jesus is also the Son of God, His Firstborn, His Only Begotten in the Flesh, then Jesus Christ is the brother of all of us.
Of course He is our Lord, Master, Savior, Redeemer, and God, so that relationship of “brother” needs to be understood properly. So yes, Jesus and Satan are brothers, but only in the sense that all the angels and humans are brothers of Jesus. We don’t mean it in a sense that elevates Satan or lowers Jesus.
Normally people who bring up this fact do it for the shock value rather than explain the fundamental LDS idea of all of us being children of God.
..., something we all must prayerfully consider before voting.
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