Posted on 12/06/2007 8:22:12 AM PST by La Enchiladita
(CNN) -- White House hopeful Mitt Romney said religious liberty "is fundamental to America's greatness," in his Thursday address on faith in America.
..."There are some who may feel that religion is not a matter to be seriously considered in the context of the weighty threats that face us. If so, they are at odds with the nation's founders," Romney said.
"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone," he said.
..."If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest. A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
“A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States.”
Fred Thompson worked for the Campaign Finance Reform legislation, along with McCain. Lately, FT says maybe it was not a good idea. Do you call that flip-flopping? Or, can people change their views depending on further information and insight?
Why does he have to defend his religion? Why are Hillary and Obama not required to do the same? This is unfair.
(I won’t vote for Romney in any case)
The part that really rocked for me was when he spoke about the empty cathedrals of Europe, and went on to describe the “theocratic tyranny” of violent islamic jihad. He was most on fire at that point.
Amen to that.
Even within the same Religion, each one of us have our own distinct beliefs.
Did you watch the speech?
He chose to give this speech, he was not forced into it. And I see no evidence that he's been persecuted in any way.
In fact, Romney's religion comes up as a topic almost solely as a result from those in Romney's camp. Today's speech, no matter how well wordsmithed, still comes out as "I'm a devout Mormon, but don't you dare take that into account nor ask me to defend my beliefs. And, if you don;t vote for me you're a bigot." It's defensive and a reaction to the fact that he's on pace to lose Iowa, no matter how many millions of dollars he thought he bought it with.
And he's losing not because of his religion, but because of his record.
I thank you for your kind words. Your recent posts have given me renewed inspiration and courage, and I know I'm not alone in feeling that way. Add to that the inspiration Mitt gave all of us today and we're just bursting at the seams! : )
Mitt's supporters on this board are among the best I've ever encountered. I am not in their league, but am honored to be working with them.
I might vote for Romney (still undecided), but I *do* care that he believes that Jesus came to America and other unorthodox and weird beliefs. How is following Joseph Smith different than following Jim Jones? Neither Mormonism nor Peoples Temple is orthodox Christianity.
Isn’t the main difference between a cult and a religion (other than longevity and acceptance) the fact that in a cult you cannot leave without repurcussions? Can Mormons leave without repurcussions? Perhaps they can.
But it nevertheless worries me that Romney can be taken in by a con man like Joseph Smith.
On the other hand, it also worries me that some adults at my children’s Lutheran school seem to honor Martin Luther so much, and Catholics the Pope. . .I just wish more Christians would focus on Jesus alone and not all the other extraneous people, you know? Especially weird ones like Joseph Smith.
Yes. The whole thing was a farce. Anti-Mormon bigotry is not why his campaign hasn’t taken off. It hasn’t taken off because people don’t trust him. The speech was based on a false premise.
Yes - on one policy issue. Mitt Romney has flip-flopped on core principles that define a person.
Honor and worship are two different things. I see no problem with honoring any great person.
Bump for later
Rush says the speech is about AMERICAN VALUES...that we are all created by God and that this is the perfect place for it during a presidential campaign.
WOW do you have it wrong. What an out and out LIE! There are posters on this board who jump on most every Romney thread, turning each and every one into a referendum on Mormonism. I never envisioned when I chose Romney as my presidential candidate, that I would also have to defend Mormons and their right to practice their faith.
"And I see no evidence that he's been persecuted in any way."
I see you're also blind. The evidence is all over these boards.
"And, if you don;t vote for me you're a bigot.
Another boldfaced lie. Governor Romney simply and clearly stated as Americans we don't pick or exclude candidates for president based on their religion.
Furthermore, he strongly believes in his religion, does not apologize for it and refuses to abandon it.
Mitt’s campaign has taken off rather well. He is in a good position to win the majority of the early primaries. And I suspect this speech helped a great deal. : )
It was a good speech.
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.