Posted on 10/19/2011 5:21:41 PM PDT by wmfights
Hearing Mitt Romney’s surrogate Bill Bennett refer to me as a bigot and Jon Huntsman call me a “moron” last week after my controversial comments on Mormonism, amid calls for civility and tolerance in public discourse, reminds me of the exclamation: “We will not tolerate intolerance!” But beyond the personal insults, I am concerned that these men are attempting to prematurely marginalize religion as a relevant topic in elections. Utilizing such incendiary rhetoric against those of us who dare bring up a candidate’s spiritual beliefs cuts off discussion about religion before it begins.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Ping
I might be a bigot but i don’t care. Religious belief DOES matter to me. I don’t want a muslim for instance to be the POTUS for obvious reasons. What a person believes in tells us alot about what kind of decisions he’ll make in office.
Conservatives spent most of the 2008 election calling for an investigation of Barack Obama’s religious beliefs in relationship to his membership in the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s church. Did he embrace the views of his pastor? Again, a fair question because no religion I’m familiar with allows for a separation of faith from behavior. The question is not whether personal spiritual beliefs shape a politician’s values and policies, but what spiritual beliefs mold those values and policies.
Once the real investigation into Mormonism begins Romney won't look like a victim, but will look like a bigoted fool.
I agree.
I have the right to consider whatever I choose to consider about a candidate...and the FIRST THING I consider is whether or not a candidate is a Bible-believing Christian who lives their faith.
That is why my choice is Herman Cain.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
It should be a reliable barometer but it isn't. If it were almost all Roman Catholics would vote similarly and they don't. Santorum and the Kennedy's have very little in common.
This seems reasonable to me.
That is why my choice is Perry. Plus, I can look at 10 yrs experience as Gov.
A candidates character is in issue as to piety but not his religion......touting ones religion always is disasterous with the US electorate, because we have freedom to worship as we wish,and an establishment clause which separates church and state. Thats the moral base.
Benjamin Franklin said it well:
“You desire to know something of my religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your curiosity amiss, and shall endeavour in a few words to gratify it. Here is my creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His providence. That He ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render Him is doing good to His other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental principles of all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.
“As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in His government of the world with any particular marks of His displeasure.
“I shall only add, respecting myself, that, having experienced the goodness of that Being in conducting me prosperously through a long life, I have no doubt of its continuance in the next, without the smallest conceit of meriting it... I confide that you will not expose me to criticism and censure by publishing any part of this communication to you. I have ever let others enjoy their religious sentiments, without reflecting on them for those that appeared to me unsupportable and even absurd. All sects here, and we have a great variety, have experienced my good will in assisting them with subscriptions for building their new places of worship; and, as I never opposed any of their doctrines, I hope to go out of the world in peace with them all.”
[Benjamin Franklin, letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale, shortly before his death; from “Benjamin Franklin” by Carl Van Doren, the October, 1938 Viking Press edition pages 777-778 Also see Alice J. Hall, “Philosopher of Dissent: Benj. Franklin,” National Geographic, Vol. 148, No. 1, July, 1975, p. 94]
You might want to click on the link and read Pastor Jeffress’ entire opinion.
That is why my choice is Perry. Plus, I can look at 10 yrs experience as Gov.
Do not Steal ! Perry is in open rebellion towards YHvH ! When Perry steals from American Taxpayers
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
to give the money to Illegal alien criminals
he is not following the creator of the universe.
I agree. Unless someone is a muslim, I don’t question their faith.
Only God knows what is really in a person’s heart and most politicians say what they think is acceptable about religion.
That being said, you can tell something by the way someone has lived his/her life.
Thou shalt not bear false witness.
Might remember that before you post lies.
It gets nauseating that people do not think a persons religious beliefs have any affect on their decision making when serving in office.
Romney’s ‘decisions for our country’ would be played according to the mormon agenda and political ideology.....which is really an organization/corporation positioning itself on the world stage in order to gain power and authority as the world governance continues to formulate itself.....cloaking itself as a religion when in fact it is a political ideology for power.
Here’s an interesting taste of how their organization is hardly a religion.... which I am fast coming to see as another “party” hiding behind the skirts of calling itself a religion....
.....”The Mormon Stock Index”.... tries to measure the stock market performance of companies run by Mormon executives. More than 50 companies have been part of the index in its two year history, including more than 30 companies on the index today. Companies are included..” as long as they have a Mormon executive on their management team,”.... and as long as the company’s public stock market capitalization exceeds $100 million.
Interestingly, John Jay, the first chief justice of the Supreme Court and co-author of the Federalist Papers, thought a candidate’s religious beliefs should be a primary consideration in voting. Jay wrote, “It is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” According to Jay, preferring a Christian candidate is neither bigoted nor unconstitutional.
AL: Unless someone is a muslim, I don’t question their faith.
I think the question is what is it this faith believes that the candidate claims is important to him.
I wasn't aware of this.
I did read the article at the origin link. I disagree with the good pastor, and all such a topic does is contribute to conservative disunity at the hands of the Washington Post. Little things are blown out oif proportion and context about religious beliefs and practices, and the larger context of taking back our nation from the left is lost.
The WAPO loves to lecture us about how religion matters because they know it divides the conservative right.
Obama’s relion was ignored by the MSM for a reason, they wouldn’t go near it. But the left sure wants that approach to change with conservatives.
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.