Posted on 09/10/2006 4:20:44 PM PDT by restornu
Evangelical leader says voting for a Mormon not a problem Politics over religion: He says Romney's faith not a barrier to his presidential bid By Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune
The Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, said Friday he would have no problem voting for a Mormon for U.S. president. "We rejected an Evangelical [Harriet Meiers] for the Supreme Court and accepted a Catholic [Samuel Alito]," said Haggard, who was in Salt Lake City to address the annual convention of Religion Newswriters Association. "It's a question of competence."
Evangelical Christians are more interested "in good government," than in religious affiliation, said the founder and senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.
As the leader of the influential National Association of Evangelicals, which has 45,000 churches across the United States, Haggard's statement is significant because of the ongoing tensions over theology between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and evangelical Christians. To many, Mormons are viewed as non-Christians because of their extra-biblical scriptures, rejection of historic creeds, claims to divine authority and unique rituals.
Some political observers have already suggested that a candidate such as Mitt Romney, governor of Massachusetts and a Mormon, would have trouble wooing Evangelicals.
John Green, who studies religion and politics at the University of Akron, told The Salt Lake Tribune last year, "If [Romney] wanted to be president, he would have to get support of Evangelicals in the primaries, especially Evangelical foot soldiers," Green said. "Some of them might have some real reluctance to support a Mormon."
In July, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll reported that 37 percent of Americans surveyed would not vote for a Mormon for president - and that clearly included some conservative Christians.
But a group calling itself "Evangelicals for Mitt" takes a position similar to Haggard's.
"The 2008 election is for president, not pastor," says the lead essay on the group's Web site. "We would never advocate that the governor become our pastor or lead our churches - we disagree with him profoundly on theological issues."
Haggard is clear on LDS theology.
"We believe Mormonism is a Christian cult," he said after his speech. "But we have the same positions on many social issues, pro-life and so on. " He said that Evangelicals and Catholics have long joined forces on these social issues and a similar dialogue about them between Evangelicals and Mormons is "in the early stages."
"We are in search for areas where we can stand together," Haggard said.
When it comes to voting for Romney, it will depend on the other choice or choices. If it came down to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif., House Minority Leader) vs. Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney, the majority of Evangelicals would choose the Republican Catholic or Mormon, he said. "And don't think Evangelicals will vote as a block in the Primaries, either."
It will also really help when the aliens come.
Good.
LMAO!
What's the point? There is no difference between voting for an atheist, a Christian or a Mormon. A person should vote the issues.
I would vote for Romney over Giulani or McCain any day
I won't vote RINO
You certainly can't equate Mormons and Catholics - Mormonism has more in common with Scientology.
Mormonism is such a nutty religion, I can't believe intelligent people fall for it. Catholicism is Christian; Mormonism only claims to be.
Wow, that throws cold water on the "Evangelical Christians are planning a fascist theocracy takeover of the US government" conspiracy DU thread posted several times a day
Must be a Rovian plan.
If it came down to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif., House Minority Leader) vs. Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney, the majority of Evangelicals would choose the Republican Catholic or Mormon, he said
That's a choice between three social liberals.
Pelosi is a liberal pro-gay pro-abortion "Catholic", Rudy is a liberal pro-gay pro-abortion "Catholic", Romney is a social liberal pro-gay pro-abortion Mormon.
Thanks for pointing that out.
After deciding what was orthodox for almost 15 centuries Catholics now get placed with fringe groups like Scientolgy or Heavens Gate.
And Haggardy is proud to point out: "We even sometimes endorse Catholics!" as if that is a feather in his cap for being open minded.
"I would vote for Romney over Giulani or McCain any day"
ABSOLUTELY!!!
"I would vote for Romney over Giulani or McCain any day"
While McCain is a back-stabbing liberal, he has something neither of the other two can claim: a pro-life record.
"We are in search for areas where we can stand together," Haggard said.
Sounds like those who believe in any religion are uniting against those who believe in no religion.
If those who believe in no religion hadn't been so aggressive, it never would have happened.
Anyone foolish enough to believe the fairy tale, perverted theology proclaimed by the cult of Mormonism (People here can do their own research as to what I mean, the information is readily available.) has no business running the country no matter how good they look on TV or how much they are opposed to Abortion.
Isn't it amazing how "the one true faith" has schismed into 189 different churches? So many pastors promising heaven in return for tithes and support.
oh, yes, billy clintoon was often seen leaving church with a bible in hand. That made him a perfect President.
Your standards are misguided.
Sorry, Mr. Haggard. You're wrong, and as a Christian leader you should know better.
Mussolini was "competent". He made the trains run on time. But he was a fascist leftwing statist socialist.
It's first and foremost a question of adherence to the moral principles that undergird our free republic's institutions...a firm belief, carried out in actions, in support of limited self-government, under God.
Competence, of course, is critically important, but it shouldn't be the first thing out of your mouth, sir, when you're talking about the qualifications for the highest office in the land, and possession of the most powerful position on the planet.
Many Mormons could easily meet the conservative constitutional test in the eyes of many evangelicals. Most Mormons and most evangelicals share a commitment to the same moral code as it applies to human governance.
Mitt Romney does not. As a proven liberal, he is disqualified. And it has nothing to do with his LDS membership.
Just whose side are you on, Ted?
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