Five Questions Mitt Romney Still Needs to Answer
Thursday December 6, 2007
The speech was well written and might pass muster in an undergraduate class on religion and the founding fathers, though even there he made some glaring missteps.“We should acknowledge the Creator as did the founders – in ceremony and word....
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This blog is no longer updated and is closed for comments. We welcome your comments about Judaism in our Judaism forums.
Bruce Feiler is the New York Times best-selling author of seven books, including Abraham, Where God Was Born, and Walking the Bible, the story of his perilous 10,000-mile journey retracing the Five Books of Moses through the desert. He is also an award-winning journalist and the writer-presenter of the PBS miniseries Walking the Bible. For more information, please visit www.brucefeiler.com.About Bruce Feiler:
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I was deeply impressed and inspired by Mitt Romney's speech. He is obviously sincere about his faith, including his acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Savior. Are you going to demand that Pastor Mike Huckabee answer the same questions (and more) when the secular media and Democrats turn their negative attention to him? Don't you see that political infighting on strictly religious grounds opens the doors to the secular left to completely take control of our country? Mitt Romney is a good man of faith who is also a brilliant manager and leader. He should not be torn down by those who share his best values. I see him as the only candidate with a chance to defeat Hillary Clinton. Not only that, he would be a great president.
"Um, saying that explaining his church's doctrine enables this religious test is a stretch at best, and makes me wonder, at least, what he's trying to hide."
I don't think it's a stretch at all. I have heard some of the questions thrown at Romney, and if similar questions were thrown about anyone's faith, they would be taken aback. He is not running to defend Mormonism. If you have a question about the faith, go to a local chapel or contact the missionaries. They will be more than happy to discuss the religion.
"Is he proposing a Marriage Test for office?"
No, but it does show that his faith has made his family stronger, and given the marriage record of the other candidates, it is a valid comparison. What's that old saying? "I would rather have a polygomist who doesn't polyg, than a monogomist who doesn't monog."
Ummm... Romney never said the founders put "In God We Trust" on our currency. I don't see that. You are putting words in his mouth.
Romney is not running for a pastor and preacher. He is running for President. He is under no obligation, whatsoever, to explain his faith. Those that are curious can readily find out what his belief system is by going to www.lds.org or www.mormon.org, asking a Mormon, or contacting the Mormon missionaries.
Romney gave his marriage and family as an example from his life of the principles and values for which he stands for. It is not a "marriage test for office."
I think you can very well understand the character of Mitt Romney. You can gather a lot just by this one speech alone. And Romney did say quite plainly that the LDS Church will not dictate to him what he should, or should not, do as President of the United States.
I thought that it was one of the greatest speeches on religious freedom I have ever heard. That is the America that I stand for.
While he has the right to keep his religious thoughts private, we have a right to not vote for him.
I long for the day when the American public won't elect a religious person president, just as today they won't elect a person who claims to beleive in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.
I am a christian and was very impressed at Romney early in this race,but after the last Republican debate in Las Vegas,I am a lil concerned and confused of what His Beliefs are.
When you are a christian,the Word of GOD SHOULD be your Authority.
And he once sided with PRO-CHOICE AMERICA,that sacres me,that now,all of a sudden,He says He was wrong,ok,I respect the fact that he was humble enough to admit in front to the World,that He was wrong,that is a awesome quality to have,but IF HE was always MORMON,then why did He have that belief in the first place,becuase,the majority of christians,would overwhelming be aginst Abortion,if the truly believed in Gods Word,I really think that is gonna hurt Romney in the long run,the fact that He apoligized to me is again,to be admired,but if He wants my vote,He is gonna have to explain to me,why He was PRO-CHOICE in the First place,to be that is indicative with what He stands for.
I ceratinly feel that Huckabee,beats him hands down,on standing for something and not wavering.
I voted for Bush,because I really felt he was a man of his convictions,and was very strong in his Faith.I didn't feel like He would ever waver,I felt if He made a descion right or wrong that He would certainly stand by it,and thats what I like in a Candidate,and I certainly haven't agreed with alot of his choices,but He has shown that He is a man of His Word,He didn't and hasn't crumbled over the pressue that has been on him through his decisons on this War.He has stayed the course,and I just dont see that in Romney,I want to.
I really believe as far as Business wise,he is great for the country,But will He waver again,in his decisions on marriage and pro-life?I'm willing to give Him another look,tonight,in his speech,but He needs to convince me that He is a man of God,first,and that the masses wont break em down,and thats on either side of the fence!
Mitt Romney is a human being, just like you and I. He is not perfect. To make a proposition that we should not vote for someone because they never change their mind, waver, or make a mistake is to think that there are infallible people out there.
The questions should be, what did he change his mind to? Where did he go wrong, and how did he correct it? Can he accept his weaknesses so that they might be made strengths? Were his convictions wrong, and now they are right?
I can't vote for a perfect President, because one does not exist. I would rather vote for one who recognizes he is not perfect, and occasionally makes mistakes and fixes them, then vote for one who will never correct himself, for political correctness, even if he comes to realize he is on the wrong path.
You can read Romney's speech here:
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Speeches/Faith_In_America
He did not do enough to explain how he could bring himself to deny a direct request by the prophet. If Romney views words out of the prophet's mouth as words from God Almighty, then how does he say no to God when a potententially senile prophet says "God said: 1. fire the nukes. 2. attack Iran and usher in armaggedon. 3. who knows what else God might demand of His preferred country's president".
how does one say no to God?
Because the prophet has specifically said that the prophet will stay out of political action, and will never tell a politician what to do.
It is not a question of what if it happens, because it won't ever happen.
I would prefer a candidate who put the good of the American people above the will of god. If the two coincide most of the time, fine and dandy. You can say all you want that god only wants what's best for the American people, but if holy books are any indication, god would have no problem destroying us all to prove a point to the rest of the world. Give me someone who would spit in god's face at such a command.
Or someone who doesn't believe in god to begin with - that would be even safer.
As an evangelical and a democrat, the fact that Romney says he believes Jesus Christ is his saviour, that is good enough for me. I would not vote for him because he is a Mormon, I would not vote for him because he is a republican.
Evangelicals need to get off the crap that they have a divine right to hold power all the time.
However I know thing must be different, when the President of Bob Jones university endorses a Mormon, times they are a changing!
I say each candidate should tell the people what he/she stands for, i.e., "I'm a jew and I believe all christians are meshugganah!" THEN let the people decide THEMSELVES whether or not to vote for the mensch.
Leave things out of debates because they're meaningless? Oy veh! I haven't heard a candidate say a meaningful thing since Jimmy Carter promised he wouldn't behave like Gerald Ford!
Come now, bubbeleh. Politics is for liars, so let's leave everything in for them to use. It's more interesting this way.
said it all
David, you got worked tonight by Chris Matthews and Pat Buchanan. Mitt Romney's speech delivered a masterful speech and hit all the points I wanted to know about his belief in Christ and his support of this nation's belief in God. All we need to know is if his religion will inform his presidency and he said no. The law will inform his presidency.
Let's get over this bigotry and MOVE ON!!! I'm voting for Mitt.
Mr Feiler said: "The speech was well written and might pass muster in an undergraduate class on religion and the founding fathers."
With all due respect Mr. Feiler, your article, with its emotional attacks and unsubstantiated claims, would receive a failing grade in an undergraduate journalism class. Mr. Romney's speech, on the other hand, is receiving high accolades from political analysts, politicians, and professional speech writers. Don't believe me? Spend a little time watching TV today or do some research on the Net. Mr Feiler, before you criticize a speech of this caliber, please put more thought into it.
Sloppy work, Bruce! Did you write this column based on the leaked excerpts? Because if you saw the speech or even read the transcript, you would know that Romney DID talk about Americans persecuting religious minorities. Example:
"Today's generations of Americans have always known religious liberty. Perhaps we forget the long and arduous path our nation's forbearers took to achieve it. They came here from England to seek freedom of religion. But upon finding it for themselves, they at first denied it to others. Because of their diverse beliefs, Ann Hutchinson was exiled from Massachusetts Bay, a banished Roger Williams founded Rhode Island, and two centuries later, Brigham Young set out for the West. Americans were unable to accommodate their commitment to their own faith with an appreciation for the convictions of others to different faiths. In this, they were very much like those of the European nations they had left."
Signed, an evangelical, non-Mormon, non-Romney supporter who nevertheless is able to analyze this speech rationally and see how inspiring it was!
“We should acknowledge the Creator as did the founders – in ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places."
Where in this quote does Romney state that the founders had anything to do with putting God on our currency or in our pledge? The last time I checked a period, as in the period separating Romney's statement about the founders from his sentence about our currency and the pledge, indicated a separation of one complete thought from another. How is it, Bruce, that you became a best selling author without a basic understanding about the function of a period? - scary. I myself am a firm Huckabee supporter, but I know a political witch hunt when I see one.
"When you are a christian,the Word of GOD SHOULD be your Authority."
Then Christians shouldn't aspire to be politicians. It is inappropriate to set public policy based on the word of a god not everyone believes in. That is why we have the separation of church and state in the first place.
Take religion out of politics, and it will improve both politics and religion.
The problem for Romney is that he didn't use this speech the way Kennedy used his, and he never had the intention to. Kennedy spoke of the need of divorcing religion from politics. Romney seemed to say that religion and politics need each other, and instead used his platform to argue that Mormons will be just as reliable in forcing Christian thought into the executive branch as an Evangelical. So he doesn't really oppose the religious litmus test for office. He just thinks he ought to be included in it.
His statements that faith is required for freedom echoed George H.W. Bush's statement way back in which he said he didn't believe that atheists were citizens. How appropriate that Romney give the speech in his library. If faith is required for freedom, do agnostics and atheists lack a basis to be free? That is a fairly ignorant claim to make.
Furthermore, the speech contained this jaw-dropping line: “Americans do not respect believers of convenience. Americas tire of those who would jettison their beliefs, even to gain the world.” Coming from Mitt Romney, v.2007, who bears little or no resemblance to Mitt Romney, v.1990's, is pure comedy gold and should be featured prominently in any opposition advertising.
God is the power of this nation ! This nation that is FOUNDED on Christianity ! You can not separate a country from it's belief without detriment to the country and it's law based , moral power that brings about blessings. We are to observe the Word of God, both Old and New Testament, for the Old prophesies of the New , and the New is the fulfilment of the Old !
The Founding Fathers established our Constitution upon the Laws of Almighty God, and each state has followed suite ! Think not, than read each state Motto !
The separation of Church and State, has to do with keeping at bay any Church system that would takeover power of the State and impose oppressive taxes upon the people, as it did in England! This is the land of opportunity, or at least was intended to be. But now we have oppressive taxes and taxes with representation , that makes no sense this time and it is brought about by the central bankers, which have always been in cohoots with whatever power is at hand either religious or political ! Read up on some history concerning central bankers, or money changers of old, it is interesting how our people always become entrapped by them , until they wise up !
Romney seems just as quailfied as any other ! One thing I do know about Mormons is the fact that they know MORE, and I mean MUCH MORE, about the Word of God than most Christians ! They value God and family,
which is a great deal more than some Presidents we have had in office, excluding President George W. Bush and his father. The President between them could have cared less for either one and it showed ! His better so-called half is no different, power and the hunger for power will make people do strange things !
There are differences in the Mormon and the Christian belief , based on the fact Christians recognise God as three offices in One God, Mormons do not ! They do believe in Christ , but in a slightly different context.
I feel that we should have a President that is Christian, but to look at what is up in the Republican party at this time, Romney doesn't look so bad ! A Nation's values are of the upmost importance, and that is what needs be represented in office !
We are a Nation of Laws from Almighty God, that is what makes our Nation so desireable to the world, because a person has the right to live as law abiding, and make an honest living and to be able to pursue happiness, without interference or fear of being killed, because the Law protects us, UNLIKE some other nations !
We are the first to help other people when there is a disaster ! And true Americans help one another, neighbors helping neighbors. What has become of our people who just sit idlely by waiting for handouts, instead of helping themselves ! Why are we as a nation jumping at every opportunity to blame the Nation when there is a disaster, yet won't heed the warnings ? Sorry but I believe that people have become weak and rely to much on government handouts, a bunch of poor me babies ! So now we have illegals coming in that do the same thing and are taking down our way of life ! If you want to be a citizen, than come do it legal and work, pay into the system ! But don't sneak in and jump on our system ! Cut welfare and social security to all illegals and the system will work ! Cut out the Pork barrel, and stop over taxing the people, stop the home mortgage scams that steal peoples homes, and instead of increasing wages, how about making it affordable for people to survive ? Stop making American come down to the level of a third world country ! And most of all people stand up for your God and country ! Don't be a whimp then cry about the bad things that happen ! This is a true Republican agenda ! Will it happen, I don't know...I do know most have fallen asleep and allowed these bad things to continue much too long !
In Christ,
Nancy
It is ignorant to ask any person running for public office to give in-depth discussions regarding his religion. What you ought to do is investigate it yourself and stop being lazy. Answer the questions yourself through research of his faith so you can find out first-hand what Govenor Romney believes. Your questions on religion should be answered by the president of the church who has the authority to speak for the church, not Romney. Question him on policy, not on religion. And frankly, I think a couple of your questions are quite ignorant!
1)The Jews and Muslims worship the God of Abraham. Most Christians come off as tri-theistic with 3 separate and totally distinct personages competing for the lead spot in a "Godhead". Depending on the denomination, the vengeful God, the loving Son or the gift giving Spirit takes the lead with often little emphasis on the other 2 personages involved. They don't seem to meld well at all.
2)And, while some may call us a "Christian" nation, we were actually founded as "free", meaning Jew and Christian and Muslim and whatever are all as "American" as anyone else. If we are going to teach it, we should teach it all.
4)You can make the Bible say almost anything you want it to, using it as a resource means little, especially since most Americans have very little real background in Biblical Interpretation.
5) Liberty?? Democracy?? We have done a pretty lousy job of portraying the benefits of either. Before we EVEN try to spread it we need to work on developing it within our own borders.
Separation of Church and State simply means that the State will not endorse one beliefs over another. It does that mean that the State is totally devoid of any religious influence. Anything past this point is moot.
This does not address any of Bruce’s many prejudges or misinterpretations.
David, Are you serious? Do you actually believe these questions of faith should be posed to a USA presidential candidate?
Or do you believe that since Romney spoke about faith, then he has opened the door for such intrusive questions?
Talk about political gluttony... Your statements are apalling!
So, we are concerned about having a Mormon president. Now, how about some discussion about Obama as president since he was raised a Muslim -doesn't that concern us, too. He wouldn't salute the flag with his hand on his heart! What kind of loyalty to our country is that? Maybe a Mormon may have true love for this country - but to me, I'd cross them both off of my list of choices!!!
From the speech:
So, Mr. Romney, should atheists and agnostics be considered Americans? We don't acknowledge any Creator. Do atheists and agnostics not have liberty?
Why is it that Mr. Romney thinks we must respect his faith, but he doesn't have to respect my lack of faith?
It seems that some would applaud Mitt's "declaration" of separation of religion and State. Does anybody pay attention to the fact the Mr. John Smith (founder of the mormon religion) was a convict felon in upstate New York? And why anybody in his/her right mind accept the 3300 revisions the "book" as a matter of faith? I would say that those revisions are not less than "calibrations" or adjustments to the times, i.e. poligamy then and repudiation now, although they still practice it openly. Now my question is: which is it? I WILL NOT VOTE FOR A MORMON. I am agnostic and what is he going to do about the people such a me? I don't think he mentioned us in his presentation.
Ummm just a correction, it is Joseph Smith....not John Smith......And just a curious question, why would he want to do ANYTHING about agnostics at all? It's your faith and you are free to have it.
Umm... another correction. Mormons do not practice polygamy. Any member found in that practice is swiftly excommunicated.
Oh, and the 3300+ revisions in the Book of Mormon were to return it to the original as it was dictated from the lips of the prophet Joseph Smith. Subsequent scribes, transcribers, editors, typesetters, and between editions has caused small errors to be introduced (mostly grammatical and spelling). Royal Skousen, at BYU, is in the process of determining just what exactly the prophet spoke originally in a multiple volume series of textual analysis.
The voters should know if a candidate is a Good Christian (or any other religious/spiritual belief) by the their record and the way they live their life both public & private. It should be obvious. I my experience if someone tells me they are a Good Christian they most often are not.
Religious people scare me. I think Romney is desperate at this point.
Until the Mormons lift the veil of secrecy from their "belief system" LDS should just be labeled as a cult. Just ask former Mormons (aka "Jack Mormons") about being shunned when you live in a Mormon majority community and you choose to stop attending worship. Talking salamanders? Private planets in heaven with virgins? Please.... When is someone going to step up and ask Romney some real questions? And the only reason any of his private beliefs are an issue is because he made it an issue....and because he portrayed his "church" as mainstream as any other. What a laugh. LDS meets all the criteria of a quality cult. Romney would have been better off if he had just said yesterday, my faith is none of your business.
Where do you come from David?
When you dismiss Romney and the Mormons as not being a part of '..historic Christianity', I have to ask WHAT part of that history are you alluding to? Tell me when you speak of 'historic Christianity', do you speak to the world of revelation and prophesy that many 'modern' thinkers of today view as just a relic of times long gone, when humans were superstitious, technologically ignorant and believed in witchcraft, magic and monsters?
HELLO!!
Earth to Dave!!
These things that were written and spoken of in 'historic Christianity' were in many instances throughout the bible *metaphors* (ever heard of them?) for complex issues.
It's obvious that many of today's CHINO's are so secularized, externalized and shallow that the ability to parse deeper meanings in prophesy and personal revelation are lost.
Your own words ring true to this.
That the Mormon Church still HAS the capacity to see the Word of God and Jesus as being relevant must surely trouble many 'modern Christians'.
The Mormons I have met do have a deeper spiritual core to their lives and families than most others. This places them, in my view as walking closer to that 'historic Christianity' than the modern, secularized Middle-class (*lukewarm* from their comfort, I might add..), consumerist 'Chrsitians' I meet in my daily travels.
Many Mormons walk closer than not to the 'historic Christianity' of the past than Middle-class, consumerist America is comfortable to admit.
Your words sir, strike me as being written by one as shallow as a saucer.
About par for the 'modern Christanity' of today, eh?
Now, I'm no fan of Romney for his healthcare policies in Massachusetts, that he made a hash of and ran from, but his Mormon beliefs are less frightening to me than the current spiritual malaise and creeping Godlessness and secularism in all too many mainstream churches today..
Deb.
I am more disturbed by this RABID bigotry than I have been for some time. I'm losing my faith in a party where 46 percent say they won't vote for someone based solely on his religion, let alone specific denomination. There is such blatant laziness among these who grasp at straws to discredit Romney on imaginary doctrines. John Smith? Someone is confusing things with Pocahontas. Planets and virgins? Talking Salamanders? This "veil of secrecy" people are experiencing is simply their own willful ignorance. (Rich, you don't know what "Jack Mormon" means, you look like a fool when you misuse vocabulry)
If you knew the attacks and persecution he's gone through for his faith you'd understand his hesitance to bring theological questions into a presidential debate. People demand to know if he is Christian; he proclaims devotion to Christ and he is called a liar for it. People ask his opinion on the Bible, he says it's the Word of God, so they ask again like he mustn't have understood the question. He hesitates because the next question will be everything from the rapture to how often he speaks in tongues.
He won't win Iowa for the simple fact that 46 percent of the likely caucus goers are BIGOTS pure and simple.
I would no more vote or support Romney than I would Sun Myung Moon...or one of his "spit and polish" Moonie disciples.
Like the followers of Moon (Moonies), Mormons are simply part of a large highly polished bizzare cult where allegiance and support of the LDS organization and leadership is more important that individual faith.
LDS members find it difficult to leave, when they find out that church teachings are false, or otherwise become disenchanted with the church. Terrible things may happen to them, and their family if they leave. Those who do leave, often lose their family, friends and other social contacts within the Mormon community.
You know you're in a cult if:
There is no official doctrine.
Prophecies contradict each other.
Members are discouraged from researching complicated or negative Mormon history.
Your services are constantly telling you to follow the prophet.
Your scriptural account of the early Americas has never been proven, not one city or settlement has ever been found.
Q: Do you know the difference between a Mormon and God?
A: God does not think He is a Mormon.
calling people bigots because a candidate's beliefs affects their votes (my, how unreasonable!) is just name-calling. first of all, the assumption behind your reasoning is that all beliefs are valid, which is untrue. one person may believe the earth revolves around the sun, another may believe the sun revolves around the earth. just because they each have a belief does not put them on equal ground.
regarding Mormonism, we are, after all, discussing a faith that gives experience and feelings priority over logic and reason. voters have every right to consider the ramifications this could have on a leader called to make important decisions. we currently have a president who shoots at the hip and makes decisions from his gut, and look where that got us? i fail to see why we should overlook this aspect of a person's decision-making again.
Isn't the underlying question for Mormons...
DO YOU BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST IS GOD?? I have an aquaintance who said she was a Christian, but also a mormon. I asked her, "do you believe in Jesus Christ? "yes"; "do you believe He is the son of God? "yes"; Do you believe Jesus IS God?" "NO".
Okay, that settled it for me. Mormons are not Christians.
What's needed to run this country is someone with sound business acumen, significant intelligence, a solid morale code, the ability to develop cooperative relationships with other countries' leaders, and the fortitude to stand up to other world leaders whose practices and policies are not acceptable to the US. To base a decision on president so specifically on their statements about faith is short sighted. Bush spoke wonderfully to the christian community, but has back tracked on much. This country is in such a mess right now, I'm less inclined to look at someone's specific answers to five questions, than I am to look at a candidate who has the real ability to help this country. And let's get real. Christian's can't even agree on what they believe in on a lot of fronts.
The Mormon Church teaches that Jesus and Satan are brothers, therefore Jesus is a created being just like Satan (Lucifer). Reading from the Mormon book The Gospel Through The Ages, written by Milton R. Hunter, First Council of Seventy of the Mormon Church, "The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God --- Lucifer. This spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind."
The Mormon Church teaches from their Journal Of Discourses, written by Brigham Young, that, "Joseph Smith will be our final judge. ‘No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are.'"
And the argument of the ages continues: for the likes of me - aren't we ALL created by the same entity/force?? So whatever earthly religion a person embraces we as homosapians must logically figure (the one God) created us. Naturally we call it/him/her "God" depending on our culture, social exposure, etc. by many names, but we certainly worship the same Creator, by whatever name. Re: Mormans.
I find it VERY interesting that Thomas is so very damning, and even says, "terrible things may happen to them and their family if they leave." WHERE in God's name does he get this notion??? Sounds like fanatical fundamentalism to me!! I bet, though, that he thinks a talking snake actually enticed "Eve" to eat(the "poison apple") - so it goes - one innane story for another (I believe these stories are allegoreous and meant to teach, not record actual events!) As to "being a Christian.."this means a person who endeavors to follow the teachings of "Christ." Guess what - this would include Mormans!!
Anyone who critically examines the LDS....and compares it to Christianity, and says it's all the same is either a Mormon, a non-thinker...or both. The issue at hand isn't just what the Mormons believe. It's also how they control their people and control dissention and how they squash questioning of the faith.
In terms of former Mormons and what happens to them, just pay attention to what former Mormons have to say about this topic. There is a lot testimonials on-line.
Finally, there is a lot more to being a Christian than believing in Jesus. It is said that even Satan believes in Jesus. There is more to being a Christian that following the teachings of Jesus. Many non-Christians out there claim to admire Jesus and adhere to some of his teachings.
At the core of Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is God....that Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God make up the Holy Trinity.
What LDS is selling is heresy if you take the New Testament seriously.
What does any of this have to do with Presidential politics? To have Romney present his beliefs as mainstream is just a lie. The LDS "religion" is a cult where you're not allowed to question, question church/stake/bishop authority, choose to move as you please, or to have the freedom to form a "reformed" church/stake.
I understand that it frustrates many Christians to no end, but in reality, whether or not God is a trinity, whether Mary was a virgin her entire life, is Jesus the son of god, god himself or both, or even if you believe Jesus is the only way to get to heaven don't amount to very big differences to someone who doesn't believe the fate of their soul depends on such things.
I wouldn't say that Mormon beliefs are identical to Lutherans', but I would still lump them both together along with Catholics, Quakers, Baptists and all the rest in the "Christianity" pile of stuff I don't believe.
As a Jew, I have always felt a tinge of prejudice when it comes to American politics and how politicians interface with religion in the name of politics. I felt that prejudice even more after Governor Romney's speech and the follow-up commentary on MSNBCs' Hardball. The speech and commentary following show only too well how out of touch America is with the rest of the world as well as with millions of Americans; Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, and others who don't believe in Jesus Christ or any form of Christian doctrine.
One outstanding principal of the "American Way" is complete separation of church and state. The co-mingling of the two even in the most minor or innocent of ways can only cause problems and misunderstandings. Governor Romney's reference to the founding fathers need for "a prayer" has nothing to do with "Christianity" but with a higher spirit and possibly "natural law" associated with an event that is filled with emotion or great anticipation, which to the best of my understanding is not exclusive to Christianity. The over-riding reason for this country's founding was to eliminate persecution and create freedom for the American colonies from England, not to create a country founded solely on "Christian" principals and practices. The true greatness of this country at the time of its founding as well as today, was freedom for all to worship as they wish, to be equal to the next person whatever that person's beliefs are, and to offer opportunity to anyone willing to work toward it. Over the centuries America has used that democratic ideal to free African American slaves, allow women equal rights, and address prejudice against minorities and others to name a few.
Religion although noble and relevant in many people's lives was never meant to define democracy. Conversely, American democracy provided Americans the freedom to worship however they so desired.
If Governor Romney and others want to attract the Christian right or others they should be aware that it is a double-edged sword with many Americans believing that no one group, especially a religious group should influence so strongly the election process.
Religious scholars have for centuries debated and written about religion. They will continue to do so for centuries to come and still not have any better answers. They are far more experienced and knowledgable to do so than any of the candidates running for office. Let the candidates talk about their solutions and ideas regarding all of the problems face by the American people as well as all as the rest of the world. The one candidate that best addresses those concerns will most likely be our next president, not the one that needs to define his religious beliefs to any one special interest group. savior.
I would absolutely love to hear Gov. Romney as well as the other candidates answers to your questions.
Shouldn't we be more concerned with Romney's political position than his religion? We don't see the same commotion for any other candidate concerning his or her religious views.
Stop asking Romney about his religion. If you want to know what the Mormons believe, I'm sure the Mormon missionaries can answer your questions.
I find it frustrating that a nation founded on religous freedom still can't figure out how to extend it to everyone.
Although I think some of your questions to ask Governor Romney are good ones, I think he should speak up on his beliefs (Huckabee did!)
Mormons used to say they were not Christians but Latter-day Saints or Mormons, but now claim that they are Christians even though their beliefs are VERY different from those in mainline Christian denominations.
Mike Huckabee's question about the devil (Lucifer) and Jesus being brothers is very ligit and was not answered by Romney and glossed over by the LDS spokesperson.
There is ample evidence that this is taught by the LDS church:
(A Sure Foundation, p. 224 [LDS publication]; An American Prophet by John Henry Evans, p. 241; Gospel Through The Ages, p.15; and Satan declares in The Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price section: Moses 5:13 that "I am a son of God."
Mike Huckabee should not be characterized by attacking a relgion but pointing out a very significant difference between Mormonism and Christianity.
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