Romney bid was a crucible for Mormons

Associated Press ^ | February 9, 2008 | Rachael Zoll

[Zakeet]

Mitt Romney isn't the only casualty in his failed presidential bid. The Mormon church, yearning for broad acceptance, also took a beating.

Extremists denounced Romney's campaign as a Mormon plot to take over the country. Some Evangelicals feared that a Mormon in the White House would draw more converts to his faith.

Mormon practices were picked apart, even ones that had been abandoned long ago such as polygamy. Romney tried to focus on politics, but was often asked about sacred Mormon undergarments.

"It is prejudice," said Richard Bushman, an emeritus professor at Columbia University, who is a leading historian and devout Mormon. "Underlying all these questions is that these beliefs are basically crazy so you've got to explain them to us."

[Snip]

"I was surprised at the level of intensity and sometimes flat out animosity," said Lowell C. Brown, a Los Angeles attorney who is Mormon. "I had no idea. I'm in my 50s, I've been a Mormon all my life, I've lived in L.A. for 25 years, and it floored me."

Many Christians said they were raising legitimate theological concerns, not Mormon-bashing.

The news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, which considers the LDS church a cult, ran a six-part series through December explaining why they don't consider Mormonism to be Christian.

[Snip]

Mormons were especially outraged when GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist pastor, asked whether Mormons consider Jesus and the devil brothers. Latter-day Saints say Huckabee's question is usually raised by those who wish to smear the Mormon faith rather than clarify doctrine.

[Always Right]

We are about to elect an ex-Muslim black Christian.

[Old Landmarks]

Since the left's anti-Christian bigotry has influenced so many gullible minds, this anti-Christian bigotry can even be seen on Free Republic.

Mostly it is seen in the form of attacking conservative or fundamentalist Christians whose religious views are those which shaped America more than any other's views. These conservative religious views are those the left hates the most.

The real bigots are the ones making the accusations against conservative and fundamentalist christians.

[restornu]

I think he just came across as being to fake, plastic, and being a serial flip-flopper.

Mitt only flip once and NEVER flop!

I think he is probably a great guy and nice as hell,

Hell isn't a very nice place!

I think some people have a prejudice against decent people they scare you for you don't believe there are people like that on earth!

[nicmarlo]

Mormonism is a cult.

But that wasn’t on my list as to why I wasn’t voting for Romney.

[restornu]

Seems impossible does it not?

***

Nothing is impossible through God!

[nicmarlo]

He lost because of his political positions past and present.

Just like John Kerry.

Say.........he's Catholic....that must have been why he lost. /s

[Nate505]

It may not have been the main one but it was up there. I saw plenty of mention about it by tons of people.

[restornu]

[Evangelical Christians are bigots alert]

Still stirring the pot Zakeet!

You should be up front that you are one of them that argue over the validity of the LDS faith!

[JaneNC]

[GOP_Lady]

WOW!

[broncobilly]

I saw it for myself on FR.

---

Same here. I am retired, and I spent a career working in non-Mormon environments. Never in my whole life have I encountered such blatant anti-Mormonism as I saw the last three months on FR. It didn’t involve everyone, however. I appreciated the tolerance and understanding expressed by many. One poster said the reason Romney wasn’t received was he was so fake, plastic, and a flip-flopper. Once you have animosity towards someone, it is easy to see the worst in them. We had four candidates that were better than McCain. There gone. We did them in by splintering our vote and focusing on knocking out our particular unacceptable. That is my opinion.

[seoul62]

You are sure of that? I keep hearing from by black friends and the current rumour in the black community: is that they are afraid that someone will try to assasinate him. I hope to God that this is not true, that is the last thing this country needs - this senseless action will start a race war. Even if Obama is not elected and if the au-si hits the fan and there is trouble, any suggestions where Me, My Hubby and Daughter can run to?/Just Asking - seoul62.......

[adc]

CINO catholic in name only

[elk]

"We are about to elect an ex-Muslim black Christian."

WHATEVER Obama or Hillary's gender/religion/boxer-or-briefs, socialists are socialists.

Romney's Massachusetts record (socialized healthcare, etc) weren't passing the socialism sniff-test. (Don't get me started on McCain or McHuckabee).

If being discriminating against socialists is what we're talking here...

If the shoe fits.....

[restornu]

Did you ever stop to think it is the press and not Mitt who keeps this going?

and friends like this poster who waddles in this stuff...

through this whole election about anyone, anytime it is the worst part of human nature to say and print things just to get gain $$$.

They care not who they damage in this racket.

I don’t buy newspapers any more and why should I give them aid to post this immoral rags!

[humblegunner]

Mitt’s religion was about 20th on the list of reasons he lost.

Nah.

It was just convenient that he was a flip flopper.

Mostly it was the Mormon thing.

[nicmarlo]

Just like Kennedy that way.

[restornu]

all faith are cults by their very nature!

[nicmarlo]

It was just convenient that he was a flip flopper. Mostly it was the Mormon thing.

Naw. It's because his claims to conservativism rang hollow.

[Rider on the Rain]

like it or not and Huckleberry fed it

Let's get this straight. I'm no fan of huckleberry, he would be last on my list of Repubican candidates. Hell, I love Mormons, and some day I pray they will renounce the Smith doctrine and become mainstream children of God.

That has absolutely nothing to do with my choice for POTUS. We're at war. I want to take the war to those islamo bastards. I don't think Romney is up to the job of wartime leader. John ain't perfect but who is?