Ana Marie Cox: 'I Know Mitt Romney Is Not Himself Christian'

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Ana Marie Cox: not just a snarky ex-blogger turned Time editor -- now a theologian who has pronounced Mitt Romney not a Christian.

The former Wonkette is all over MSNBC today. This morning, as I noted here, Cox [as seen here] cattily swiped at Katie Couric on "Morning Joe," surmising that the CBS Evening News anchor was traveling to the Middle East because she needed rugs.

This evening, Cox appeared on "Countdown" to discuss the Larry Craig matter with Olbermann. Talk turned to the way Mitt Romney (R-Ma.) has dealt with the Craig matter. The Idaho senator had served as Romney's co-chairman in the Senate. Romney was quick to disassociate Craig from his campaign, and Tuesday referred to Craig's behavior as "disgusting."

ANA MARIE COX: [Romney] has inserted himself into this story several times. I think the smart political thing to do would have been to get rid of the guy from your campaign staff, maybe take the [Craig endorsement] video down, but why would you perpetuate the story, why would you involve yourself in this? It really just seems politically inept in my opinion.

KEITH OLBERMANN: Are we again missing something here? Is there some base that he's appealing to by being cruel to somebody's who's in trouble? I'm quite serious about this.

Olbermann lamenting cruelty toward Craig? That's really just too rich. Olbermann is of course reveling in Craig's disgrace, going so far as to have produced a mocking "Joe Friday" re-enactment of the restroom scene.

COX: I think that his understanding of even the conservative base is rather incomplete. I think that someone like Sam Brownback, you may disagree with him, but you really cannot doubt his social conservative credentials, at least has the strength of character to extend Christian mercy.

That's when Cox ruled Romney off the Christian reservation.

COX: I know Mitt Romney is not himself Christian, or [trying to retrieve herself] that's a point of debate, but to show some kind of compassion for somebody who at least there family is going through something really terrible, I think it smacks of opportunism for him to, you know, throw the guy aside.

I wonder if "Time" endorses the view of its Washington editor of Time.com questioning Romney's Christianity?

[MHGinTN]

Where is your proof? There is DNA evidence to show your assertion is an absurdity that American Indians are descended from Hebrews. If you need it, I’ll post it.

[Count of Monte Logan]

But Christ doesn’t have the power to save you if you are not doing your part.

I think the problem is you don’t understand the difference between resurrction and salvation.

All men (evil and good ) will resurrect to a glorified body of Flesh and Bones (like Jesus). That’s the grace of God 100%. However, not all men will be saved in the kingdom of God. That has to be earned by faith and works. That’s why we are here on earth. Otherwise, being born on earth would just be a rubber stamp to salvation.

[ChocChipCookie]

Here’s a note of interest. The Smithsonian Institute considers the Bible to be a reliable book of historic record. It does NOT, however, use the Book of Mormon as a reference book in any way because it is not historically accurate.

[Sherman Logan]

I believe Calvin covered this in the doctrine of “irresistible grace.” (Not that I agree.)

His theory was that not only could you not choose to have faith in Christ and be saved, if Christ chose to save you he could not be resisted.

[colorcountry]

And Christ said this: Luke 8

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it....

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

[MHGinTN]

When Lehi left Jerusalem, according to the Book of Mormon, his group consisted of fewer than 20 people. Yet 19 years later the people had so prospered and multiplied in the promised land that they built a temple which "manner of construction was like unto the temple of Solomon: and the workmanship thereof was exceeding fine" (2. Ne. 5:16).
Looking at what the Bible says about the construction of Solomon's temple, we find that it took thirty thousand Israelites, a hundred and fifty thousand hewers of stone and carriers, three thousand three hundred supervisors (I Kings 5:13-16) and about seven years to build it. (See also I Kings 6.) And how many people could Lehi have had in his group after 19 years? The book further tells that in less than 30 years after arriving on this continent, they had multiplied so rapidly that they even divided into two great nations. Even the most rapid human reproduction could only have a few dozen in that brief time, and most of them still would be infants and children and about one-third older people.

Not only did they divide into "two great nations," but throughout the book, about every three or four years, they had devastating wars that killed thousands (i.e., Alma 28:2). Starting after the first 19 years or so, Laman and Lemuel and their descendants and followers (!) turned dark skinned because of their disobedience (2 Ne. 5:21). According to the Book of Mormon, dark skin color was a curse from God! This change of skin color is happening throughout the book. In 2 Ne. 30:6 we read that if Lamanites accepted the true gospel, they became "white and delightsome" (and since 1981 printing of the Book of Mormon, they become "pure") but if they left this true gospel, they became "dark and loathsome." People's skin color does not change if they believe or do not believe! Nor is the skin color a curse! The Book of Mormon teaches that Indians originated from these Jewish settlers. Indians are distinctly Mongoloid - they have the "Mongoloid" blue spot, specific blood traits, and their facial features are of typical Asian origin, not Semitic at all.

[Count of Monte Logan]

One study you can look at for scientific proof of the Book of Mormon is wordprint computer analysis.

It shows conclusively that the book was written by 100 different authors and could not have been written by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Signey Rigdon,e tc.. That’s probably a good proof. The Bible also stands up under this analysis.

[colorcountry]

Thanks ,-)

[ChocChipCookie]

Count, wouldn’t a few simple DNA tests prove whether or not American Indians were originally Israelites?

[Count of Monte Logan]

See my points on computer wordprint analysis. Joseph Smith did not write the Book of Mormon.

That alone is pretty powerful if you think about it.

[Sherman Logan]

Matthew 13
27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

I’m not claiming that the weeds don’t exist. Just that Jesus directly instructed us to let them grow along with the wheat. His angels, not men, will do the separating, and this will be done in his due time, not ours.

[colorcountry]

100 different authors? Link please.

We know that it was written by 30 something, because most of the Book of Mormon is copied verbatim from the Bible and its authors.

[Count of Monte Logan]

There are alot of different levels of proof in science. The BIble is constantly challenged .. as is the argument of design vs big bang. The Book of Mormon is pretty strong on evidence found in North and South America. THere are books on it.

However, prayer is the best way ultimately. Even if you had scientific evidence, that doesn’t convert you. Salvation doesn’t come that way.

[ansel12]

“”So will I go to heaven if I solely believe in Jesus Christ but don’t believe in Joseph Smith?”’

---

So, what is the answer?

[restornu]

I actually don’t know...are Mormons Christians?

Well we Believe in the Father Son, and Holy Ghost, and the Church Name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The Truth About Mormons

many hold the belief we are not!

[colorcountry]

You are correct. I am simply pointing out that Christ said thorns will choke out the seeds and not allow them to grow.

We are perhaps arguing the same point. I am saying seeds will not grow among thorns, but if those tender shoots DO spring up, they are better left undisturbed among the weeds rather than risk pulling them up while weeding.

I think that is why God allows us poor tender little shoots to remain until he purifys the world with fire and all the weeds with it.

[Cyropaedia]

I know that you’re no fan of Romney but have to agree with his response to Craig’s implosion.

Craig betrayed the trust that the voters, his fellow colleagues, and his family placed in him in the most callous manner imaginable. Craig was was so mind-numbingly stupid in his actions and his response to those transgressions that he should simply resign his seat in the Senate.

If I was Romney I would have done the same thing.

[Sherman Logan]

the argument of design vs big bang

Just curious. I don't see the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe as at all inconstent with the biblical account. Quite the oppposite, as the Big Bang posits a Start of things, which can reasonably be considered a Creation. The various "steady state" theories are by contrast in direct contradiction with the Bible.

Am I missing something?

[colorcountry]

So, what is the answer?

Starts with a "T" as in Telestial Kingdom. I however, am going to outer darkness, because of my apostacy.

They won't tell you to your face that it takes faith in Joseph Smith and his Church to reach the Celestial Kingdom - the dwelling place of God.

[Count of Monte Logan]

http://www.fairwiki.org/index.php/Book_of_Mormon_wordprint_studies

As John Hilton put the matter, if wordprinting is a valid technique, then this analysis suggests that it is “statistically indefensible” to claim that Joseph, Oliver, or Solomon Spaulding wrote the 30,000 words in the Book of Mormon attributed to Nephi and Alma.[9] The Book of Mormon also contains work written by more than one author. Critics who wish to reject Joseph’s account of the Book of Mormon’s production must therefore identify multiple authors for the text, and then explain how Joseph acquired it and managed to pass it off as his own.