Romney Can't Ignore Questions About Mormonism

RealClearPolitics ^ | 8/20/2007 | Mark Davis

[mojito]

Even though Mitt Romney can't seem to dislodge Rudy Giuliani atop the national GOP polls, and can't even draw as much poll support as Fred Thompson, who isn't even running yet, there is an understandable anticipatory buzz about him.

He may well be the eventual choice of his party if the Thompson phenomenon fizzles or if Giuliani supporters simply grow weary of navigating the obstacles posed by his past and his politics.

In an appearance in Texas last week, I saw Romney energize a crowd with just the kind of speech a GOP nominee should give-- strong and unapologetic on the war, upbeat and resolute about the future. This is a typical Romney performance, and it earns him speculation that he has nowhere to go but up.

This is wholly deserved. But the issue of his religion, which some say has been overplayed, has in fact not been addressed with nearly the thoroughness and honesty that will be necessary to satisfy some in the Republican voting base.

It has not been addressed well by the candidate, and it has not been handled honestly by pundits. Until it is, it lurks as a torpedo that could spell the doom of his promising candidacy.

[gondramB]

>>The Christians that I know, do not consider Mormons Christian.

They believe that Mormons belong to a cult. Because of this these Christians will not vote for Romney.<<

You’re from Georgia too? I’ve never heard anything like that at a Georgia Baptist Church. I’ve heard Mormons called “weird” and I’ve heard Catholics called “Idols worshipers” but never actually heard their Christianity denied.

We’ve got what, 5 of 9 supreme court justices who are Catholic and I don’t think I’ve ever heard that brought up except online.

interesting.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

My father in law is a retired Southern Baptist preacher and Director of Missions.

My brother-in-law holds a Doctorate in Theology.

My pastor holds a Doctorate in Theology.

And my mother-in-law has a degree from seminary and became a missionary. She is also a published author.

Every single one of them has studied Christianity in depth, and Mormonism, too.

They can list all of the deceptions in Mormon doctrine, point by point.

I stand by their position and their knowledge.

[Max in Utah]

One of Brigham Young’s speeches?

[gondramB]

>>They can list all of the deceptions in Mormon doctrine, point by point.

I stand by their position and their knowledge.<<

There are all kinds of things wrong with Mormom doctrine and certainly their is weirdness in its founding.

But they worship the God of Abraham, ask forgiveness in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, love their neighbors and do good works in His name.

That’s what makes a Christian. So I am surprised at the conclusion your family has drawn. I nonetheless suggest its a rare position (about 8% who won’t vote for Mormons)

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“The mormons don’t have seminaries, and bishops aren’t necessarily theologians...”

True words. And it shows.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Jesus said HE is the only Way.

God’s message has lived for thousands of years under His protection. It was not brought asunder by man as the LDS faith claims. The Mormons want you to believe that they have THE RESTORED church. When they say this they mean, their church is the only true Christian church.

This is not Christian theology. Christianity is based upon the life and resurrection of Christ. Jesus completed God’s message. Nothing need ever be added to that.

The LDS faith believe that only they have the path to God. They believe that their prophets speak for God.

When they say this they reject all of Catholicism and Protestantism.

[gondramB]

>>This is not Christian theology. Christianity is based upon the life and resurrection of Christ. Jesus completed God’s message. Nothing need ever be added to that.

The LDS faith believe that only they have the path to God. They believe that their prophets speak for God.

When they say this they reject all of Catholicism and Protestantism.<<

And Catholics reject all other Churches. I’m sorry they feel that way but it doesn’t stop them from being Christians. If a person sincerely asks forgiveness in Jesus’ name -they are save and are by definition a Christian.

God has not empowered man to judge the hearts of others, only their acts. Its one thing to say one thinks Mormon have made errors in theology. But when you judge them non-Christians after they have asked forgiveness in Jesus’ name you have overstepped man’s role.

[colorcountry]

And Catholics reject all other Churches

Not true. Are you Catholic?

[gondramB]

>>And Catholics reject all other Churches

---

Not true. Are you Catholic?<<

No. But i do find it odd when Catholics say Mormon are not Christians because they morons claim to be the one true church and that their Prophets can speak infallibly for God when Catholics do the same.

>>LORENZAGO DI CADORE, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches.<<

>>Primacy

(Latin primatus, primus , first).

The supreme episcopal jurisdiction of the pope as pastor and governor of the Universal Church.
<<

http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=9630

[colorcountry]

So you are Mormon?

[gondramB]

>>So you are Mormon?<<

Nope. I’m a Christian from a mixed marriage - Southern Baptist and Primitive Baptist.

[Jacobs Ladder]

The huge problem with Romney being a Mormon is that almost all Christian Conservatives who are familiar with Mormon doctrine will NEVER vote for a Mormon regardless of how well he/she can deliver a speech. Of course this is simply my opinion.

Do the polling companies and political scientists who study these things make a differentiation between Christian Conservatives and Mormon Conservatives? If not, then when someone talks about Christian Conservatives in a political sense, they're including Mormon Conservatives.

How this would affect support for Romney is unclear.

[gondramB]

And I might add I have no more confidence in Protestant preachers who claim that only their denomination offers a “true church” or anyone else who claims to judge faith instead or on behalf of God.

Human can judge works and words but not faith.

>>Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.–Matt. 18:20<<

[Rameumptom]

>>My brother-in-law holds a Doctorate in Theology. My pastor holds a Doctorate in Theology. And my mother-in-law has a degree from seminary and became a missionary. She is also a published author. Every single one of them has studied Christianity in depth, and Mormonism, too. They can list all of the deceptions in Mormon doctrine, point by point.

Thankfully Jesus went with the "unlearned" Fishermen. You know what they say about PhD's....

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Man’s role is to declare their faith in Christ and it’s truth based upon the Word of God.

Saying that another does not hold the salvation that Christ offered is not an attempt at slander.

This is discernment. God gave us thinking minds which we are to use. In studying the fallacies of the Mormon faith, and stating that the Mormons do NOT follow Christ’s gospel, I AM contributing to the very truth and honesty in Christs’ message.

My salvation with the Lord is protected by His promises, thank you very much. You need not be concerned about it.

[gondramB]

>>Saying that another does not hold the salvation that Christ offered is not an attempt at slander.

............
My salvation with the Lord is protected by His promises, thank you very much. You need not be concerned about it.<<

And you don’t see a conflict between your two statements?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Men who selflessly give their lives to Christ, spend years learning his Gospel and spread God’s message to thousands are welcomed with open arms by the Lord.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Muslims claim that Christ was a prophet, Adam too among others. Their co-opting Christianity’s most important figures does not give them cover, either.

[colorcountry]

And you have no problem with Mormonism declaring Christianity a failure and only through Joseph Smith’s restoration can we come into full fellowship and spend eternity with God the father who is a separate personage than Jesus Christ?

Interesting.....

[Rameumptom]

>>Man’s role is to declare their faith in Christ and it’s truth based upon the Word of God.

Mormon's agree with this. We just differ on our defnition of the "Word of God". We don't believe the Bible is the only word of God. We also believe the Word of God as he speaks it through modern Revelation. If the Word of God is found only in the scripture, what was it before it was written down? Was it the Word of God when he spoke it? or only after it had been copied down in later acounts by the Aposltes? Mormons belive the Word of God as it proceeds from his mouth and as it is preserved by man's hand.