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Newt Gingrich: What Kind of Catholic Is He? [Born Lutheran, Turned Baptist, Now Catholic]
Washington Post ^ | December 23, 2011 | Melinda Henneberger

Posted on 12/23/2011 10:27:32 AM PST by Steelfish

Newt Gingrich: What Kind of Catholic Is He? Melinda Henneberger

December 23

The Newt Gingrich who talks about finding ways around the U.S. Supreme Court ban on school prayer and says public schools should be required to “teach the Creator” is not immediately recognizable to those who knew the former House speaker when he was not much of a church-goer. These days, Gingrich is running an overtly faith-based presidential campaign with echoes of televangelist Pat Robertson’s run in 1988.

But on a quieter tour of Catholic America that began more than a year ago, the GOP candidate has been sounding religious themes for some time. Since 2010, Gingrich and his third wife, Callista, have been showing their documentary film about Pope John Paul II, “Nine Days that Changed the World,” in Catholic churches and schools across the country.

And as an announcement for a September screening at Trinity Heights in Sioux City, Iowa, made clear, politics, faith and commerce come together in these outings: “Newt and Callista will be available after the film for DVD signing and a signing of the book, ‘Rediscovering God in America.’ ”

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has praised the influence of his wife, Callista Gingrich, and the choir she performs with when discussing his conversion to Catholicism.

Gingrich’s critics look askance at this busy intersection of personal and public, new faith and old, tribal politics, Roman practice and American commerce. They question the timing and sincerity of the former speaker’s conversion to Catholicism two years ago, especially in light of the Gingrich’s unspoken but unmistakable “I’m one of you” message in the venues where he shows his film to fellow Catholics, who are a key swing voting bloc.

That’s perhaps especially the case because the candidate, who was born a Lutheran and previously a....

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Politics; Religion
KEYWORDS: baptist; catholic; lutheran; newtgingrich; politicsreligion; toowhite
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To: Steelfish

Wait, didn’t Gingrich “become” Catholic to appease his wife. Hasn’t he always been open that his real religion is Tofflerism?


41 posted on 12/23/2011 1:26:36 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: IbJensen
Newtie is a ‘born again’ novus ordo, phony Catholic.

So you are privy to his catechisis and to his Confession? I thought not.

42 posted on 12/23/2011 1:33:17 PM PST by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.)
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To: narses

Newtie infamously posed on a divan with Nutsy Pelousy to co-endorse cap and trade and gorebal warming!

He is a two faced nincompoop and Romney is no better

The bottom line is that both of these supposed candidates are utterly worthless to a nation that is in dire straits and in desperate need of a true leader!

His new-found religion is yet another example of his poor character.


43 posted on 12/23/2011 1:55:31 PM PST by IbJensen (Demint for President, Paul for Treasury Secretary, Apaio For AG)
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To: surroundedbyblue

It’s unfortunately that I felt compelled to make the comment, but it is, nevertheless, true.


44 posted on 12/23/2011 1:57:35 PM PST by IbJensen (Demint for President, Paul for Treasury Secretary, Apaio For AG)
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To: narses
As I've said before, unfortunately many times, neither candidate is worth a bucket of warm spit*!

*(Stolen from one of FDR's many vice-presidents.)

45 posted on 12/23/2011 2:02:40 PM PST by IbJensen (Demint for President, Paul for Treasury Secretary, Apaio For AG)
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To: indianrightwinger
I appreciate the straight-up, honorable response.

Have a Merry Christmas.

46 posted on 12/23/2011 2:20:12 PM PST by vbmoneyspender
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To: MayflowerMadam

Creighton Abrams apparently made the same error, going from a Methodist to RC. Ditto, Justices Bork & Thomas along with Tony Blair.


47 posted on 12/23/2011 2:27:22 PM PST by MSF BU (YR'S Please Support our troops: JOIN THEM!)
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To: IbJensen

Candidly I don’t know whether Gingrich is sincere or not. I do however amazingly arrogant you you to presume you can see into the heart of a person you probably don’t know.

When did God grant you these special powers?

Why not put your special gifts to use telling us who the child molesters are?


48 posted on 12/23/2011 2:37:08 PM PST by Leto (Damn shame Palin didn't run, The Presidency was Her's for the taking)
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To: IbJensen

As a happy & thankful convert to the Catholic Church I feel sad for you for yours assertion. Peace be with you.


49 posted on 12/23/2011 3:27:10 PM PST by TheStickman
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To: Cousin It
Newtie would be more comfortable as a Mormon.....before they did away with polygamy.

Newt just couldn't make the numbers work for that, better fit though it may well have been.

50 posted on 12/23/2011 3:32:50 PM PST by RegulatorCountry
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To: Java4Jay
I don’t get how a true Baptist can turn Catholic?

Well, looking at his string of sinful betrayals both public and private over the past twenty years, it's evident that he wasn't really all that into being Baptist. He rode the coattails of Baptists and southern evangelicals to political power and then immediately began going his own way afterward.

The same will happen now. Intelligent though he obviously may be, he still would appear to have the attention span of a gnat, the sexual continence of a baboon and the conscience of a snake oil salesman.

He'll embarass Catholics before the primary season is done. Actually, he already has, by going against church teaching regarding life beginning at conception. He knows better, you see, having a very elaborate explanation for everything, and that never fails to set the Beltway putative conservative set aswoon.

51 posted on 12/23/2011 3:42:29 PM PST by RegulatorCountry
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To: IbJensen

Why are you calling Novus Ordo Catholics phony?

We are baptized, just as you were. We are just as much Catholic as you are.

Have you read Newt’s documentary on Pope John Paul II? He is very much a historian, as I understand it — knows the facts.


52 posted on 12/23/2011 4:49:28 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Cousin It
Newt has changed dramatically. Here are some FR links about his conversion.

Newt Gingrich: What Kind of Catholic Is He? [Born Lutheran, Turned Baptist, Now Catholic]
Newt Gingrich: America’s Next Catholic President?
Clemson Palmetto Poll finds Gingrich (38%) momentum growing, most S.C. GOP voters still uncommitted
Gingrich Threatens GOP's Chance to Nab Independents

The Evangelical Case for Newt Gingrich
Gingrich Represents New Political Era for Catholics
Gingrich Represents New Political Era for Catholics [ecumenical}
Newt Gingrich on Catholicism and JPII
Why Newt Gingrich Converted to Catholicism
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich Opens Up on Catholic Conversion and Embracing 'Overt Christianity'
Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Gingrich Keeps Quiet on Catholic Conversion (received into Church over the past weekend)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich conversion details; plans release of JP2 documentary
Gingrich to Become Catholic During Easter Season
The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic

53 posted on 12/23/2011 4:51:51 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: babygene

You are correct. The process is abbreviated R. C. I. A.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.


54 posted on 12/23/2011 4:54:52 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: babygene
RCIA-ROUNDUP Apr-22-2011 - Dioceses around US welcome new Catholics at Easter [Catholic Caucus]
The RCIA Process -- The Rite of Acceptance
RITE OF ELECTION OF CATECHUMENS
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: The Process of Christian Initiation

How Does a Person Become a Catholic? [Ecumenical]
Beginning Catholic: The RCIA Inquiry Stage In the Catholic Church [Ecumenical]
Beginning Catholic: A Strong Start in the Faith: The Catholic RCIA Stages [Ecumenical]
Lutheran Wife has questions before joining Catholic Church
Belleville Bishop Braxton in Brouhaha with his priests (title mine)
A Ramble through My "New Catholic" Wish List {RCIA referenced]
Help with RCIA (Vanity)
Catholic Liturgy - Funeral Masses for a Suicide And More on Confession for RCIA Candidates
Confession for RCIA Candidates And More on the Prayer of the Faithful
RCIA and Holy Saturday

55 posted on 12/23/2011 4:55:19 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: MayflowerMadam; Iscool

**But a born-again Baptist couldn’t...**

Of course they could, all they would need to do is study and find the truth.

The truth is not based on the emotions of one moment at an altar call.

The truth is based in years and years of history.


56 posted on 12/23/2011 5:01:55 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: indianrightwinger

**Newt is an arrogant loose cannon is well established.**

An arrogant loose cannon does not write documentaries about Pope John Paul II.

Perhaps some more study of Newt’s conversion might help you with the truth here?


57 posted on 12/23/2011 5:03:52 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: IbJensen

**His new-found religion is yet another example of his poor character.**

In what way?

Would you rather have a Romney, the flip-flopper, character for President?


58 posted on 12/23/2011 5:06:42 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

I don’t want either one of these jokers!


59 posted on 12/23/2011 5:08:03 PM PST by IbJensen (Demint for President, Paul for Treasury Secretary, Apaio For AG)
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To: IbJensen

So are you in Obama’s pocket?


60 posted on 12/23/2011 5:10:05 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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