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Is Romney Making A Mistake? (Fear of Huckabee?)
Heading Right ^ | Dec. 03, 2007 | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 12/03/2007 6:53:46 AM PST by jdm

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21 posted on 12/03/2007 9:09:31 AM PST by redgirlinabluestate ( Unite 4 Mitt ----> STOP Huck & Rudy -----> beat Hillary)
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To: jdm

"I will do say anything to get elected!"

22 posted on 12/03/2007 10:11:35 AM PST by meandog (I'm one of the FEW and the BRAVE FReepers still supporting John McCain)
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To: jdm
Reasoning with bigotry doesn’t usually have much effect, because bigotry isn’t founded on reason but fear. If “Faith in America” amounts to an apologetic on the LDS religion, it won’t get a meaningful enough response to make it worth the effort...

He's right. How do you reason with the following statements?

"What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.270).

What's Smith view of Christian people? When asked 'Will everybody be damned, but Mormons'? [Smith replied] 'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).

This is reinforced by Brigham Young: "Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Journal of Discourses 10:230).

Romney’s relatives:

What about Romney’s uncle…has the Mormon church replaced Jesus Christ as “the way, the truth, and the life”? (quote from John 14:6): Marion Romney (LDS First Presidency) said, "This Church is the ensign on the mountain spoken of by the Old Testament prophets. It is the way, the truth, and the life" (Conference Report, April, 1961, pg. 119).

In replacing the Christian church with the Mormon church, what did Romney’s ancestor, Parley Pratt, label “Christendom?” Why it’s the “great whore that sitteth upon many waters.” (Quote in fuller context):

Parley Pratt: "The false and corrupt institutions, and still more corrupt practices of `Christendom,' have had a downward tendency in the generations of man for many centuries ...The overthrow of those ancient degenerate races is a type of that which now awaits the nations call `Christian,' or in other words, `the great whore that sitteth upon many waters" (Key to the Science of Theology, 1938 ed., pg.106).

Pratt’s brother, Orson, an LDS general authority, had even more to say:

"Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (The Seer, p. 255).

"Q. After the Church of Christ fled from the earth to heaven, what was left? A. A set of wicked Apostates, murderers, and idolaters, who ...left to follow the wicked imaginations of their own corrupt hearts, and to build up churches by human authority..." (The Seer, pg.205).

"This great apostasy commenced about the close of the first century of the Christian era, and it has been waxing worse and worse from then until now" (Journal of Discourses 18:44).

"But as there has been no Christian Church on the earth for a great many centuries past, until the present century, the people have lost sight of the pattern that God has given according to which the Christian Church should be established, and they have denominated a great variety of people Christian Churches, because they profess to be ...But there has been a long apostasy, during which the nations have been cursed with apostate churches in great abundance, and they are represented in the revelations of St. John as a woman sitting upon a scarlet colored beast, having a golden cup in her hand, full of filthiness and abominations, full of the wine of the wrath of her fornication; that in her forehead there was a name written - `Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots'" (Journal of Discourses 18:172).

"We have already proved in the previous numbers of this series that immediately after the first century the whole earth became corrupted by the great "Mother of Harlots," that apostasy and wickedness succeeded Christianity, that for the want of new revelation, all legal succession to the apostleship was discontinued that the gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit ceased and that the Church was no longer to be found on the earth: this being the case, all nations must have been destitute of the everlasting gospel for many generations - not destitute of its history as it was once preached and enjoyed but destitute of its blessings, of its powers, of its gifts, of its priesthood, of its ordinances administered by legal authority" (Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, No.6 (1851), pg.82).

Do LDS considers themselves one legitimate church among many? (No, it considers themselves the ONLY true church):

Joseph Smith: "This [the LDS] Church...is the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30).

LDS Pres. Ezra Taft Benson: "This is not just another Church. This is not just one of a family of Christian churches. This is the Church and kingdom of God, the only true Church upon the face of the earth..." (Teachings of LDS prophet Ezra Taft Benson, p.164-165).

What then, are the rest of the churches? Apostates? (Yes)

"Nothing less than a complete apostasy from the Christian religion would warrant the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Introduction to the History of the Church 1:XL). BH Roberts

Joseph Smith: "they [other churches] were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt" (from Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History 1:19).

McConkie: "Apostasy was universal...And this darkness still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol 3, p.265); "Thus the signs of the times include the prevailing apostate darkness in the sects of Christendom and in the religious world in general" (The Millennial Messiah, p.403); "a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom" (Mormon Doctrine, p.132); "virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine, p.269).

So, will Mitt address any of these Mormon "snapshots" of the Christian church? (Or is "tolerance" and "Religious liberty" a one-way street for Mormons?)

23 posted on 12/03/2007 10:54:15 AM PST by Colofornian
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To: jdm
Reasoning with bigotry

Joseph Smith saying: "I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true." (Joseph Smith, DHC 1:6) is "tolerant" and elevates "religious liberty."

Anybody saying Mormonism isn't true = "intolerant" and full of "bigotry."

24 posted on 12/03/2007 10:56:52 AM PST by Colofornian
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To: FastCoyote; colorcountry; Gondring; jdm; flaglady47

The author, Ed Morrissey, has no doubt that Mitt is the victim of anti-Mormon bigotry. This bigotry is fundamentally un-American. This small criticism of Mitt Romney, that he would actually respond to the likes of such bigots, causes revelry and gloat dancing in the pews of the self-annointed guardians of just who is a Christian and just who is not.

Normal people would be shamed and just go home, but these bigots are not normal. No wonder Ghandi said, “Jesus Christ, I am intrigued by this fellow, but Christians, they are another matter.”


25 posted on 12/03/2007 7:16:50 PM PST by mission9 (It ain't bragging if you can do it.)
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To: jdm

I think he’s making a mistake.

He should give a speech about his religion when everyone else agrees to do the same. And if the concern is that Mormonism is a negative, all he’s really doing is calling further attention to it.

Alas, if he had been a good Mormon on life issues during his 35 years of pro-abortion beliefs, he might not be getting elbowed out by a true pro-lifer from Arkansas.


26 posted on 12/03/2007 7:19:16 PM PST by Petronski (Reject the liberal superfecta: huckabee, romney, giuliani, mccain)
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To: mission9

I think you would have learned by now, that name-calling and labeling as bigots, Christians who can discern false teachings of Mormonism, is hurting Mitt.

It appears he has.


27 posted on 12/03/2007 7:19:58 PM PST by colorcountry (To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: Red Badger

Huckabee is soooooo not right as a credible Republican candidate — especially one who can beat Hillary, or Obama.

It will take a Republican who has cutting wit & satire, a feisty hard slamming personality.

Huckabee is Waaaaaay too nice and unassuming of a person to ever fill the shoes of a Hillary butt-kicking national candidate.

Oh, he might have played well in Arkansas, but he will falter quite dramatically on the national scene, and once people get past his aw-shucks abolish-the-IRS mantra.

Besides, the ONE issue with which I cannot compromise is amnesty for illegal aliens, and Huckabee has historically been the WEAKEST on immigration — not to mention the fact he refuses to pledge a hard line stance if he were to become President.


28 posted on 12/03/2007 7:28:40 PM PST by Edit35
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To: colorcountry
In America, we Cherish our religious liberty. The test of religious liberty is the tolerance for beliefs of the spirit that conflict with our own.
I support your right to engage the leaders and Apologists for LDS in any appropriate forum, but those who would try to besmirch the integrity of a good man with this dogmatic hair splitting are bigots. If the shoe described by Mr. Morrissey is yours, wear it.
29 posted on 12/03/2007 7:41:36 PM PST by mission9 (It ain't bragging if you can do it.)
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To: mission9

[The author, Ed Morrissey, has no doubt that Mitt is the victim of anti-Mormon bigotry.]

I am bigoted against racists, pedophiles, Jihadis, Scientologists, Satanists, charlatans, liars, False Prophets, killers, misogynists, communists, the superstitious, and those who think they are God. Thank goodness some of us still have a spine to oppose things which would harm the nation, even when we are called bigots by tiny minds.

[This bigotry is fundamentally un-American.]

So bigotry against racists is un-American? That’s news to me.

[This small criticism of Mitt Romney, that he would actually respond to the likes of such bigots, causes revelry and gloat dancing in the pews of the self-annointed guardians of just who is a Christian and just who is not.]

God will sort it all out in heaven. Unfortunately, he gave us free will, and the obligation, to do our best to sort it out here on earth. Mormons have a creed of deception I do not wish to see in a President, last time I checked even Hugo Chavez was forced to allow people to vote their conscience.

[Normal people would be shamed and just go home, but these bigots are not normal.]

He said as he peered into his peepstone.

[No wonder Ghandi said, “Jesus Christ, I am intrigued by this fellow, but Christians, they are another matter.”]

Last time I checked, Ghandi was neither an American, nor a Christian, nor would he even have fought World War II as a pacifist.

Yada yada yada bigot bigot bigot

I vote the way I please based on the issues I perceive to be important and you have zero ability to change that fact. Vote for whoever you please, I don’t care how bigoted you are in favor of Mormons.


30 posted on 12/03/2007 7:47:01 PM PST by FastCoyote
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To: mission9
I will give my own life to defend your right to practice any belief you choose, as long as it isn't infringing upon the rights of others. (freedom of religion)

I will not stay silent as you try to indoctrinate others into what I see, as irrational, and unfounded beliefs. I am grateful for the opportunity we have in this nation for the free exchange of ideas. It is another thing that makes this nation great!(freedom of speech)

31 posted on 12/03/2007 7:47:32 PM PST by colorcountry (To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: FastCoyote

“I am bigoted against racists, pedophiles, Jihadis, Scientologists, Satanists, charlatans, liars, False Prophets, killers, misogynists, communists, the superstitious, and those who think they are God. Thank goodness some of us still have a spine to oppose things which would harm the nation, even when we are called bigots by tiny minds.”

It is a good thing I know you better, because the casual reader might think you are ascribing these qualities to Mitt Romney. It is wise to oppose evil doers, it is bigoted to assign evil motives to those whose only crime is to enter the body politic with the Faith of their Fathers.


32 posted on 12/03/2007 8:06:51 PM PST by mission9 (It ain't bragging if you can do it.)
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To: mission9

[It is a good thing I know you better, because the casual reader might think you are ascribing these qualities to Mitt Romney. It is wise to oppose evil doers, it is bigoted to assign evil motives to those whose only crime is to enter the body politic with the Faith of their Fathers.]

I’m not assigning evil motives to Mitt, I assign those motives to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young et. al. who were charlatans who led their flocks astray. I just believe the remnants of those doctrines make Mitt a risk as a leader. Hate me for it if you will, but I’ve done my research.


33 posted on 12/03/2007 8:44:16 PM PST by FastCoyote
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To: mission9
Normal people would be shamed and just go home, but these bigots are not normal.

How do you define a bigot?

The foundations of Gov. Romney's religion refer to Catholics and Protestants as being on the side of evil...is that bigotry or difference of opinion?

Sorry, but as much respect as I have for many aspects of Mormonism (e.g., pro-family), I won't play the persecution-complex game.

There are some very important and relevant points about his faith. For example, does he agree with Joseph Smith's view that the majority of Americans are supporters of evil?

34 posted on 12/04/2007 4:32:46 AM PST by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: Gondring; FastCoyote
I don’t hate anyone, I am embarrassed for you as my brother. The above discussions quite clearly delineate the boundaries of bigotry.

As a matter of simple human decency, it is always best to assume the best in your neighbor rather than to assume the worst. When you assume the worst, you provoke a response from your neighbor, which seems to confirm your worst suspicions. I can have honest policy differences with Rudy or Huck or a Log Cabin yet show them respect for their beliefs. That courtesy to Mr. Romney is lacking here. There is no doubt that a long history of controversy and heresy has made attempts at ecumenical respect of Mormonism difficult. I invite you to rise above this and Judge the man by the content of his character, and not the echo of rantings from the 1840s.

35 posted on 12/04/2007 5:29:55 AM PST by mission9 (It ain't bragging if you can do it.)
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Comment #36 Removed by Moderator

To: mission9
As a matter of simple human decency, it is always best to assume the best in your neighbor rather than to assume the worst.

Okay, so what's the best to assume?!?

Or do we take his word that he believes "the echo of rantings from the 1840s"...and might be either disingenuous or gullible? Or are we to take it that he just is very open to change, from the lack of a closed canon?

How would it be "bigoted" to ponder these questions, any more than to question whether Sen. Fred Thompson's membership on the Senate Centrist Coalition indicates he might not be a conservative, as an example?

37 posted on 12/04/2007 4:40:11 PM PST by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: steve86
Many LDS individuals, including some close friends of mine, are extraordinarily skillful at handling adverse questions about their religion. This comes from a long history of training missionaries for debate and persuasion. Mitt, being a slickster, will be all that much better at it.

I hope so, because the more you look at the LDS church, the more problems become apparent.

An example problem relevant to an office-holder: with Christians, their Scripture is laid out and set; with Mormons, you never know what you're gonna get. Tomorrow, they could announce another Revelation that overrides current Scripture, and >poof!< Blood Atonement, (Joseph Smith/Brigham Young-Style), can suddenly be back in fashion! Or polygamy. Or banning blacks from the priesthood.

After all, there are nine(?) different versions of Joseph Smith's story of how he first encountered the plates/angel(s)/etc.

38 posted on 12/04/2007 4:54:11 PM PST by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: Gondring
It is BAD to attempt to paint Mitt into a theological conundrum when he has never been accused of religious intolerance, only implied blasphemies about which are of things that can only be matters of faith.

You are attempting to change another man’s faith by coercion. The implied threat - conform to my religious world view, or never aspire to high office.

His beliefs, and the condition of his immortal soul are both a matter for the mercy seat, not religious gate keepers of other faiths.

You speculate that he may someday engage in religious intolerance, yet you have no capacity to judge such a predicate in your argument.

If Mitt Romney fell to his knees and begged forgiveness for the teachings that he received in the Mormon Church from the inheritance of his Father, critics would dance and sing, about how Mitt has committed another flip-flop.

39 posted on 12/04/2007 5:02:50 PM PST by mission9 (It ain't bragging if you can do it.)
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To: Admin Moderator

Thank you for removing that last offensive post. I believe that it is appropriate for more than the usual Anti-mormon posts, given the topic. However, could you please give me some guidelines as to how much the charge of blasphemy is permissable in a thread about Mitt Romney which is not topically about LDS? None of us are perfect, and I confess some of my replies are over the top.


40 posted on 12/04/2007 5:08:10 PM PST by mission9 (It ain't bragging if you can do it.)
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