Posted on 10/07/2011 7:45:17 PM PDT by LouAvul
The pastor who introduced Texas Gov. Rick Perry at a conservative gathering Friday said rival presidential candidate Mitt Romney is not a Christian and is in a cult because he is a Mormon.
Robert Jeffress, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Dallas, made similar remarks about Romney when he ran in the 2008 campaign. Event organizers at the Values Voters Summit selected Jeffress to introduce Perry, but the Perry campaign was consulted about the choice and approved Jeffress to introduce the Texas governor.
Jeffress endorsed Perry at the event and introduced him as "a proven leader, a true conservative, and a committed follower of Christ."
After his remarks, Jeffress told reporters that Perry's religion is different from Romney's.
"Rick Perry's a Christian. He's an evangelical Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ," Jeffress said. "Mitt Romney's a good moral person, but he's not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. It has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity."
Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are commonly called Mormons.
Perry and his campaign made clear that he disagrees with Jeffress.
Asked by reporters Friday night in Tiffin, Iowa, whether Mormonism is a cult, Perry replied, "No."
Earlier Friday, spokesman Mark Miner said that "the governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult."
Still, the campaign refused to definitively say whether they were accepting his offered endorsement. "The governor is running a campaign of inclusion and looks forward to receiving the endorsement of many people," Miner said. "People can endorse whoever they like."
Jeffress had made similar comments about Romney before, during the former Massachusetts governor's first presidential run in 2008.
"Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Even though he talks about Jesus as his lord and savior, he is not a Christian," Jeffress said in a 2007 sermon. "Mormonism is not Christianity. Mormonism is a cult. And just because somebody talks about Jesus does not make them a believer."
In that sermon, Jeffress said he was frustrated that some religious leaders had backed Romney anyway. "What really distresses me is some of my ministerial friends, and even leaders in our convention, say, 'Well, he talks about Jesus, we talk about Jesus, what's the big deal?' It is a big deal."
The campaign initially said the decision to have Jeffress introduce Perry had been made strictly by organizers, but a Perry spokesman told The Associated Press Friday night that the campaign had agreed to it.
"It was their suggestion; it was their choice of who introduced us. They asked our campaign what we thought, and we said OK," Miner said.
Jeffress is a prominent religious leader in Texas. His First Baptist Church has more than 10,000 members. In 2009, Perry recognized Jeffress by name during his speech at a dinner for the Light of Life dinner and gala in Dallas.
Well Tulsa...
SO?
The man had an opinion and he expressed it.
Well i don’t know about a “cult”, but they definitely are not Christian.
You cannot control what your supporters say, but here’s hoping these two RINOs destroy one another.
Romney is a member of the cult religion of Climate Change.
Perry is a toasty Taco, Herman Cain is 20 points ahead of Romney. Perry has a ranch with “Ni$$erhead “ on a rock at the gate and he approved illegals getting in state tuition at the great Universities in Texas !! You can’t make this aggie cheerleader up!! He is politically gone!!! (we haven’t even got to his sexual stuff and his transfer of money from taxpayers to his buddy in Houston). He is Bye Bye.
I think a more actual headline sould be that Tulsa’s channel 8 and other ‘news sources’ prefer to paint and smear with the ugly brush and poke with chit stirring sticks, rather than report on the issues/positions of the candidates.
As much as I don’t really like Perry, this guy is right. Mormonism fits all 3 disciplinary definitions of a cult: anthropological, sociological, and theological.
Yeah, that is what I do not understand. There are SO many indisputable grounds to attack and destroy Romney. Why go for something as tedious to most people, so nebulous and so irrelevant as his asserted religious beliefs?
That’s fine, I will head off to Gingrich if Perry doesn’t step it up. I’ll pass on Cain, thanks.
One of the many reasons Romney is unelectable. That is precisely the view many if not most Christians have of Mormonism. Pricisely as this article reads.
The base of Christian conservatives will not trust him or vote for him, and he’s a Republican which means none of the Dems will vote for him either. What does that leave for a voting block in the general elecion? 30-some percent of POTENTIAL voters being the maximum possible and going down from there? The election will be a battle of which party has more people NOT vote compared to the other. We can’t win that fight, the Dems can fraud the numbers in every state to make up the difference. We must have massive turnout, nothing else will get it done. Romney has a 0% chance of getting massive Republican voter turnout. He cannot by his own past political stances and his current religion get a good turnout going across the entire Republican voting base. Simple fact, love it or hate it there is no way to change it by the election. Romney is not the guy.
Now look at where Herman Cain is right now... it’s because OUR 20% base is fully on board with his message right now, plus a good chunk of the the middle and those who consider themselves Libertarian due to his message.
Absolutely no contest in terms of the size of the voting pool he can appeal to.
And to be fair I’m not locking down to one candidate this race, if Perry is the man so be it, but even Perry reaches more of our voters by far.
The N-Head issue is nothing but a tempest in a teapot. Besides, Cain played the race card against Perry on that.
Perry didn't approve in-state tuition. The Texas state legislature passed it 177 to 4.
Perry may be on the ropes, but he's fighting like hell and that $17.1 million he raised in just 49 days will go along way in advancing his campaign. A good debate next week at Dartmouth and Perry is back in the saddle again.
Why go for something as tedious to most people, so nebulous and so irrelevant as his asserted religious beliefs?
- - - - -
IMO, Romney’s religion is a valid issue, it determines his worldview and the culture and frankly, also affects his political stances and his flip flopping.
Also, this is just the tip of the iceburg if (God forbid) Romney gets the nomination. If he makes it to the general, the MSM will make it all about Romney’s Mormonism.
Since when has religion become a reason to vote for or against a candidate? This is becoming an obsession with some here at FreeRepublic.
Do you really want Obama for another term?
Perry, in response, said that he does not believe Romney is a member of a cult. A lot of FReepers will be disappointed in Perry for saying that.
If believing that Jesus Christ is my Savior makes me a member of a cult, I am guilty as charged. If believing in Jesus Christ, that He suffered and died for me to save me from my sins, makes me NOT a Christian, I am guilty as charged. P.S. I thank my Heavenly Father that this pastor is not my judge; he is not qualified or authorized to condemn anyone to hell. He looks just plain silly and makes Perry look bad, too.
How about this. Make a rational case FOR Perry based on his Presidential Agenda.
OH but that right. He has yet to tell us what it would be.
So you would rather support a guy who whole campaign consists of continually telling us "Vote for me I am a great guy from Texas" then one who is offering a solid Conservative agenda with real solutions to problems.
I don't have anything against Mormons no more than I do the people attending the Buddhist Temple up town. Good people doing good things. But not Christian.
No he did not. So how about this. Instead of recklessly smearing the other candidate, tell us why we should vote for Perry. Tell us what Perry's Presidential agenda and plans are. Oh but that right, Perry hasn't bothered to tell anyone what he plans. His whole campaign amounts to "vote for me I am a great guy from Texas".
Perry better prepare himself for the question to be coming his way at the next debate Tuesday. It is the perfect gotcha question. No matter how he answers it he is going to be in hot water with one group or another.
Exactly.
If you get down off your high horse and look around you can easily find where Perry stands on all the issues. Perry for President covers some of his stances and On the Issues website fills in the the blanks with all the hard data any one could ever use. Stop being laqzy. Google is your friend. And NO, don't ask me to help you. Do your own research, smear merchant.
Btw, you should stop eating those bennies like they were candy. LOL
IMO, Romney’s religion is a valid issue, it determines his worldview and the culture and frankly, also affects his political stances and his flip flopping.
*************************
I certainly respect your take on Mormonism reaganaut, and sometime would like to know why it would have bearing on his politics and flip flopping. LEADING with that as a criticism though is bad politics, IMO. The majority of Americans have scant understanding of Christianity, far less Mormonism. Few care, in what is frankly a witlessly apostate general population. I just don’t see the percentage in choosing that as the principal point of attack when so many other approaches are easier and will have more resonance in an anti-statist atmosphere.
Say what you will as long as you have facts to back it up.
This is nothing but nasty slander.
The MSM will never attack him for being a Mormon because their hero Harry Reid is a Mormon too. Better a Mormon than a Muslim.
How about this. Make a rational case FOR Perry based on his Presidential Agenda.
OH but that right. He has yet to tell us what it would be.
So you would rather support a guy who whole campaign consists of continually telling us “Vote for me I am a great guy from Texas” then one who is offering a solid Conservative agenda with real solutions to problems.
********************************
I don’t need to make a rational case for Perry to suit your whims, you’ve shown yourself to be loud and rude in my best estimation.
You like Cain, that does me no harm—get on with your bad-self but don’t expect me to kowtow to your demands.
When my Savior tells me,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Mathew 11:28-30I believe Him... and have done so.
I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what many call a "Mormon."
And I am supporting Herman Cain for President now that Sarah Palin is not getting in.
The MSM will never attack him for being a Mormon because their hero Harry Reid is a Mormon too. Better a Mormon than a Muslim.
- - - -
Nope. Double standard. If Mittens gets the nom it will all be about the racist history of Mormonism, them becoming Gods, the White Horse prophecy and a lot of other stuff.
And Mormonism is a lot closer to Islam than most realize, even to the point of the LDS shunning Christian charities in favor of Muslim ones.
In the heat of the Missouri “Mormon War” of 1838, Joseph Smith made the following claim, “I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!’ - Joseph Smith
And that is just for starters...
I know far too much about Mormonism (from personal experience) to ever vote for one.
Since when has religion become a reason to vote for or against a candidate?
Do you really want Obama for another term?
- - - - -
Since I became a Christian and realized how much worldview is determined by religion. I know way too much about Mormonism to ever vote for one.
I don’t want Zero, but I sure as Hell don’t want Romney either. Neither is acceptable.
What makes you a member of cult, Sandy, is the LDS teachings you fail to mention...like you can become Gods, Jesus is only one of 3 gods of the godhead, Jesus is a created being, God wasn’t always God, Jesus only saves you ‘after all you can do’ and you have to ‘pay him back’, that the Bible is corrupt, that Christ died only so you could be resurrected, exaltation (aka Heaven for Christians) only comes to good ‘worthy’ temple LDS.
And I can source all of those using LDS sources if you would like.
There is certainly many other reasons to not vote for (or vote against) Mitt, but it concerns me that there are people who buy the propaganda so easily. For me, and many others, Mitt’s religion is an issue and it will be a major factor if he gets the nomination. It is better to be prepared, IMO of the arguments that will be presented.
Amen Sister!
Jeff, have you done ‘all you can do’ according to your church’s teachings for grace to kick in? Are you fully obedient to the ‘laws and ordinances’ of the gospel so that you may be saved?
Your post sounds nice, but it isn’t Mormon theology at all, and I can source that.
Sorry.
Ah yes... but according to Glen Beck (sorry for the mention) you do have to choose between the lesser of two evils (at times)...
So... what/who do you choose?
I have said several times, I will not vote for Romney and if he is the nominee, like JR, I am out of the GOP for good.
Neither is acceptable and I will stand by my Christian principles. I cannot, as a Christian, vote for Romney.
Courtesy ping to JR.
Can understand you position... but when the forces of evil are elected, you should look to yourself...
Keeping up this nonsense plays into Obama’s hands. Think about it, especially if Romney gets the nomination. Obama and his tools will use this and make it look like the Republicans bad-mouthed Romney’s religion. I believe that it is illegal to discriminate based upon race, creed, etc.... but here we have this pastor doing just that with his character assassination!
No, I will look to the GOP, it is their election to lose, and by shoving Romney down our throats they will be the ones who re-elect Obama.
I for one will do my best to make sure that Romney doesn’t get the nomination, even if that means fighting the GOP establishment.
Understand you reaction... do not necessarily agree (especially if Obama gets reelected) but do understand..
Oh and Reaganaut, life saving decision on your becoming a Christian and leaving the Mormon faith.
A Essay on Mitt Romney. Its damning.
Before the RNC, the media will be all about how GOP narrowmindness and hatred threatens to deny Mitt the nomination.
As soon as he wins, the MSM will switch to a 9 week seminar in LDS doctrine, history, ritual, and customs. By the time they’re done with it, even Mormons will be amazed at what Mormonism is all about.
Surely NOT!!!
Thank you for showing us that you, too, are a Hateful, Bigoted Apostate!
--MormonDude(But we will STILL take you back if you truly repent and are obedient to the Laws of the Gospel.)
Yeah; but what can you do?
So many FReepers have stated publically that they would NOT vote for a MUSLIM.
The Articles of Faith outline 13 basic points of belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Prophet Joseph Smith first wrote them in a letter to John Wentworth, a newspaper editor,
in response to Mr. Wentworth's request to know what members of the Church believed.
They were subsequently published in Church periodicals.
They are now regarded as scripture and included in the Pearl of Great Price.
|
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp. 535—541
Joseph Smith |
Better a Mormon than a Muslim.
If Perry was a committed Christian, he would know that Mormonism is a cult.
Surely NOT!!!
"You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind.
The first man that committed the odious crime of killing one of his brethren will be cursed the longest of any one of the children of Adam. Cain slew his brother. Cain might have been killed, and that would have put a termination to that line of human beings.
This was not to be, and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin. Trace mankind down to after the flood, and then another curse is pronounced upon the same race--that they should be the 'servant of servants', and they will be, until that curse is removed."
Brigham Young-President and second 'Prophet' of the Mormon Church, 1844-1877- Extract from Journal of Discourses.
Here are two examples from their 'other testament', the Book of Mormon.
2 Nephi 5: 21 'And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people, the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.'
Alma 3: 6 'And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.'
|
August 27, 1954 in an address at Brigham Young University (BYU), Mormon Elder, Mark E Peterson, in speaking to a convention of teachers of religion at the college level, said:
(Rosa Parks would have probably told Petersen under which wheel of the bus he should go sit.)
1967, (then) Mormon President Ezra Taft Benson "The Communist program for revolution in America has been in progress for many years and is far advanced. First of all, we must not place the blame upon Negroes. They are merely the unfortunate group that has been selected by professional Communist agitators to be used as the primary source of cannon fodder."
We are told that on June 8, 1978, it was 'revealed' to the then president, Spencer Kimball, that people of color could now gain entry into the priesthood. According to the church, Kimball spent many long hours petitioning God, begging him to give worthy black people the priesthood. God finally relented. |
Sometime before the 'revelation' came to chief 'Prophet' Spencer Kimball in June 1978, General Authority, Bruce R McConkie had said:
"The Blacks are denied the Priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty.
The Negroes are not equal with other races where the receipt of certain blessings are concerned, particularly the priesthood and the temple blessings that flow there from, but this inequality is not of man's origin, it is the Lord's doings."
(Mormon Doctrine, pp. 526-527).
When Mormon 'Apostle' Mark E Petersen spoke on 'Race Problems- As they affect the Church' at the BYU campus in 1954, the following was also said:
"...if the negro accepts the gospel with real, sincere faith, and is really converted, to give him the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, he can and will enter the celestial kingdom. He will go there as a servant, but he will get celestial glory."
When Mormon 'Prophet' and second President of the Church, Brigham Young, spoke in 1863 the following was also said:
"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God is death on the spot. This will always be so."
(Journal of Discourses, Vo. 10, p. 110)
Yeah; Native Americans are althroughout the Book of MORMON; too.
“I saw a striking contrast in the progress of the Indian people today ... they are fast becoming a white and delightsome people.... For years they have been growing delightsome, and they are now becoming white and delightsome, as they were promised.... The children in the home placement program in Utah are often lighter than their brothers and sisters in the hogans on the reservation.
At one meeting a father and mother and their sixteen-year-old daughter were present, the little member girl-sixteen-sitting between the dark father and mother, and it was evident she was several shades lighter than her parents—on the same reservation, in the same hogan, subject to the same sun and wind and weather.... These young members of the Church are changing to whiteness and to delightsomeness.
One white elder jokingly said that he and his companion were donating blood regularly to the hospital in the hope that the process might be accelerated.
(Improvement Era, December 1960, pp.922-23). (p. 209)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
"The discussion on civil rights, especially over the last 20 years, has drawn some very sharp lines. It has blinded the thinking of some of our own people, I believe. They have allowed their political affiliations to color their thinking to some extent.I think I have read enough to give you an idea of what the Negro is after."
said,