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Would a Vote for a Member of a Cult to be President help Legitimise their Cult?
Amerisrael ^

Posted on 01/21/2012 7:44:29 AM PST by Amerisrael

That's probably a better question to ask than the one posed by George Handlery over at the Brussels Journal:

"Would a Mormon President Subvert American Democracy?"

Handlery writes the following:

["What follows below is not a Romney-fan’s propaganda. Actually, my favorite used to be another aspirant. The LDS affiliation of Mitt Romney exposes us again to the temptation to make religion into a criterion for picking a candidate."

"Now then, the theological validity of Mormonism’s version of Christianity is beyond my competence and my interest. To many, the implications of a President embracing that creed are of concern."

"However, American public life and her high-level politics have created indicators that Mormons will not kidnap America and replace its system with their theocracy."]

"...Mormons will not kidnap America and replace its system with their theocracy."]

Most likely not.

But is that why many would be concerned over voting for Romney?

Aside from Romney's Mormonism many question whether he is a valid conservative.

But back to the Mormonism.

It is most likely not out of a concern that America's democracy would be subverted , but perhaps instead, indirectly helping to legitimise a cult religion that is the cruxt of concern for many. 

Handlery concludes his article with this:

["...What matters to me now that a Mormon has become a candidate for the Presidency is that, the faith not only teaches values, its adherents live by them."

"Good Mormons work hard, try to measure up to constructive norms, and are reliable. That amounts to a strategy that results in worldly achievement."

"Even so, being a Mormon is a bad rationale to elect someone. However, LDS membership does not amount to a reasonable or a fair reason to deny such person one's vote...."]

"However, LDS membership does not amount to a reasonable or a fair reason to deny such person one's vote...."

Perhaps the reason why Handlery adapts that view is because of what else he wrote:

["Now then, the theological validity of Mormonism’s version of Christianity is beyond my competence and my interest."]

That's the problem Driscol puts a spotlight on:

In his blog article "Is Mormonism a cult?", Mark Driscol noted the following:

["... but in that it, Mormonism] claims Christianity while subtly subverting it in both practice and theology."

"Because it claims to be Christian, uses Christian language, but is antithetical Christianity, it must be labeled a cult theologically. "

"Of course, the trouble is that most people are not Christians, do not understand the differences between Mormon and Christian doctrine, and are therefore confused or upset to hear Mormonism labelled a cult, as it simply sounds cruel."

"What makes matters even worse is when presumably orthodox Christian leaders add to the confusion by essentially declaring Mormonism as a new form of Christianity."

"While it is understandable that the average non-Christian, and many Christians, don’t understand the ways in which Mormonism uses Christian terms while importing them into non-Christian meaning, it’s incumbent for Christian leaders to act like shepherds and warn the sheep about the wolves."

["... but in that it, Mormonism] claims Christianity while subtly subverting it in both practice and theology."]

Most Christians that are informed and studied about Mormonism, probably don't think Mormons are out to subvert American democracy. But rather Christianity. 

To that end, would the election of a Mormon to be President help to legitimise the Mormon cult?


TOPICS: Government; Miscellaneous; Politics; Religion
KEYWORDS: cults; mormonism; romney; romneybotzot; vote
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To: ejonesie22

Why is that odd? The Religion Forum is fascinating: chockful of liars, bigots, saints, the lost, the angry, the searchers, the self-righteous. It’s a microcosm of the struggle of base of the conservative movement to try to come to grip with the realities of the world that are often outside of their control and its attempt to remain relevant in an increasingly hostile world.


61 posted on 01/22/2012 8:18:23 AM PST by magritte
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To: ejonesie22

If you look at my original post, I never indicated there was an overwhelming numbers of anti-Catholics in my sphere. I would daresay, there are many more anti-Catholics in the religion forum than I’ve ever met in real life. I have encountered a good number of them over the years, but as you said it’s mostly old-school Baptist bible thumpers. The main prejudice I tend to see is younger people who have great disdain for Evangelicals and would not vote for say, a Huckabee type.

Are the many Mormons in MS? I haven’t met a single practicing Mormon where I live in MO.


62 posted on 01/22/2012 8:23:09 AM PST by magritte
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To: Bot; Jim Robinson
So in post #43 you are saying folks in south Carolina are bigots for not voting for the Mormon ?

Perhaps you should explain how FLDS/LDS Book of Abraham Chapter 4 is based on the new testament.....You know where FLDS/LDS "Prophet" Joseph Smith rewrote the creation story of Genesis using the words "gods" in place of GOD !

This is freerepublic, and you're lying cult won't get away with stealing control of a second third of government on our watch. You should go to democratic underground is you want to shill for commie Romney !

I've got my eye on you, RomneyBOT.

63 posted on 01/22/2012 8:37:54 AM PST by SENTINEL (Romney is to Conservatism what Mormonism is to Christianity.)
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To: Bot
Photobucket

Photobucket

64 posted on 01/22/2012 9:08:01 AM PST by dragonblustar (Allah Ain't So Akbar!)
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To: Bot; darkwing104; 50mm; Old Sarge; 230FMJ; A.Hun; abigailsmybaby; AFPhys; Aircop_2006; ...
Those bigoted folks in South Carolina who now insist on their narrow Trinitarian and salvation-only- by-grace definition of Christianity for candidates for public office are doing our Republic an injustice.

Moron. Smart South Carolinians voted against Myth, not because of his religious beliefs, but because they know the truth. Myth is pro-abortion, pro-homosexual agenda, the father of government-mandated health insurance and anti-second amendment. He's completely devoid of conservative principles. ZOT!

To be added or removed from the Viking Kitty/ZOT Ping List, FReepmail Darkwing104 or 50mm.

65 posted on 01/22/2012 10:13:14 AM PST by 50mm (Trust nobody and you'll never be disappointed.)
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To: Bot
You Deserve a Seizure For Your Posts!
66 posted on 01/22/2012 10:18:07 AM PST by Darksheare (You will never defeat Bok Choy!)
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To: magritte
As a former Catholic who became a Baptist, I don't call the Pope the antiChrist. I call him a fallible human and a man in need of a Savior. For many Catholics, that is as bad as calling him the antiChrist.
67 posted on 01/22/2012 10:59:36 AM PST by Grizzled Bear (No More RINOS!)
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To: Bot; darkwing104; 50mm; Old Sarge; 230FMJ; A.Hun; abigailsmybaby; AFPhys; Aircop_2006; ...
Destroy All Mittbots MegaZot!!

68 posted on 01/22/2012 11:01:36 AM PST by DarthVader (Politicians govern out of self interest, Statesmen govern for a Vision greater than themselves)
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To: Bot

Mormons’ theology is based on New Testament Christianity
_______________________________________________

No kid its not

anything but...

Mormonism is closer to Islam...

Joey Smith wanted to be Mohammad not Jean Cauvin...

Mormonism is not Christianity


69 posted on 01/22/2012 11:16:24 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: Amerisrael

For a Mormon to say they have a faith and that faith does not conflict in practice with my faith, then I have no problem. When JFK became President many people were horrified to find he was a Catholic. Same thing, no problem.

Romney being Mormon hasn’t bothered me as he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve that I know of. Same thing with Huntsman. He proudly says he is Mormon but he never seemed to indicate that would be driven against Christians.


70 posted on 01/22/2012 11:19:35 AM PST by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
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To: Astronaut
Mormonism is no more or less of a cult than any other religion. Knock Romney on policy if you disagree with him, but attacking his religion is below the belt.

And God knows we wouldn't want to wrinkle that golden underwear with anything below the belt.
71 posted on 01/22/2012 11:21:53 AM PST by mkjessup (I support the *NEWTerizer* - the only candidate who WILL Kick 0bama's AZZ!!)
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To: Sacajaweau

...”You’re the folks that can have a bunch of wives, right?”
__________________________________________

Yes this is an open marriage religion...


72 posted on 01/22/2012 11:23:09 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: svcw

a statement attributed to Joseph Smith, according to which the Constitution would “hang by a thread” and be rescued, if at all, only with the help of the Saints. (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.1, 1992)
_____________________________________________

Yes well...

Whats different now about the Constitution that Joey Smith and the early Mormons would consider fatal ???

Slavery has been abolished...

Women and blacks have equal rights..

Women and blacks have the vote...

Oh noez


73 posted on 01/22/2012 11:32:41 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: magritte

The Religion Forum is fascinating: chockful of liars, bigots, saints, the lost, the angry, the searchers, the self-righteous.
________________________________________

and you are often over there...


74 posted on 01/22/2012 11:37:13 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: Tennessee Nana

Yes indeed, I am...I’ve been them all to varying degrees over my years. Haven’t you?


75 posted on 01/22/2012 11:40:36 AM PST by magritte ("Welcome to Stepford.")
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To: Bot
"Mormons’ theology is based on New Testament Christianity"

Mormons’ theology is based on Satanic Theology.

Fixed it for you.

76 posted on 01/22/2012 11:42:05 AM PST by aMorePerfectUnion (Proud RINOmney Denialist since 2007!)
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To: magritte

Just checking...

You did list what you felt were the personal attributes of the participants of the RF

I was just wondering if you were including yourself

or whether you had forgotten you did hang out there a lot...

Maybe youre getting to be an old man and short on memory...

So I was just gently reminding you...

Youre welcome...


77 posted on 01/22/2012 12:21:57 PM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: magritte

Well, if FR is not your cup of tea, you can always turn the channel.


78 posted on 01/22/2012 12:44:20 PM PST by Jim Robinson (Rebellion is not just brewing, rebellion is here!!)
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To: impimp
But given the choice between a Mormon and an athiestic Marxist I would prefer the Mormon.

Interesting.

Can you state WHY?

79 posted on 01/22/2012 1:03:16 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Tennessee Nana

Your shirt is in the mail!

80 posted on 01/22/2012 1:04:06 PM PST by greyfoxx39 (When GOP wants to guarantee a loss, they pick from MA: Dukakis, Kerry and now Romney.)
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