Reader comments
Mitt 'no shrinking violet' about faith

Thanks goodness a Mitt story! It has been several minutes since the DMN ran one!

It will be interesting to see how he handles the movie about the Mountain Meadows Massacre to be released on 9/11.

I wasn't sure if I really believed that Mitt Romney was sincere in the positions that he's taken, but after seeing that youtube video my confidence greatly increased.

Mitt is a great man, proven by the life he has lived, and the words he says. Only "nit pickers" can say otherwise.

Anyone who has been a Bishop should not have ever been confused about abortion.

Don't you mean "Mitt pickers"?

I admire Mitt Romney. I feel when someone is honorable to their Spouse who should mean the world to them then they have a better chance of being that way with the country. Doesn't believing in Christ and trying to follow his teachings mean you are a Christian?

Contrary to what his opponents and the media say, I must say Mitt seems to be the most genuine and grounded of all the candidates for me. I have been very impressed with the way he takes on all questions and doesn't run away from people that want to confront him. I think he would make a great president.

The question of whether Mitt is a Christian, should be simply answered: "not if you narrowly define it as a Nicene Creed Christian. I believe that Early Christians (1st through 3rd century, before the Emperor Constantine) would agree with my understanding of God and Jesus Christ. I have a broader definition than some: I consider anyone following the Lord's teachings and consider Him divine as a Christian."

No other presidential candidate has had to give a speech defending his personal beliefs. Why start now?

Bill, "Anyone who has been a Bishop" should not be confused about the morality of abortion. Anyone who knows the LDS Church's stand on the legality of abortion indeed has privileged information.

Hey Chuck L,

You are right. Because Mitt was involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, it will be interesting to see what his reaction in.

By the way, what was your reaction when such movies like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or "Race to Freedom - The Story of the Underground Railroad" came out?

Good grief, people! Are you seriously going to tie in an incident like this, that has very little to do with modern Mormonism? If everyone posting on this sight went back in their history far enough, you would each be able to find an incident that you aren't too happy about.

I've attended two "Ask Mitt Anything" events in CR now and each time have come away more impressed with Governor Romney. He does stand by his beliefs but is also a political realist.
I do not believe, from his statements, he was ever confused about abortion. I believe he had to take a stance that was supportive of the constituency majority in his state when he ran for governor. As in life, gaining a greater understanding of the issues surrounding abortion (not just the moral but also the legal and medical) I think has helped refine his position and establish it as he is now espousing. Being a former Bishop or Stake President has no bearing on that.
I don't think I've ever heard him say that he is in favor of abortion, only that he recognizes the legal right of women to have one...under the law. That is different than saying you believe in abortion - which he's never done.
So, my vote is for Mitt and Ann! See you Saturday at the Straw Poll.

I realize the folks in Utah have 'faith' and a great belief in their religion, but it IS 2007, and we need someone to lead us who is also grounded in reality.
A man in this day and age who doesnt 'get' evolution,
or someone who doesnt 'get' the reason the founding fathers demanded a true separation of church and state,
is not what this country or this planet needs right now.
We need reality.

In regard to S.D.K.'s comment "I relize the folks in Utah have "faith" and a great belief in their religion..." Doesn't this person realize that there are millions of Mormons who DON'T live in Utah. There are Mormons everywhere in this country not just Utah. We're your neighbors and we try to live good lives. Hey, and not all Mormons are Republicans. Get informed!

S.D.K.: "A man in this day and age who doesnt 'get' evolution,
or someone who doesnt 'get' the reason the founding fathers demanded a true separation of church and state,
is not what this country or this planet needs right now.
We need reality."
These two comments illustrate how far many in this country have come in their understanding of 1)what the Founding Fathers meant by "separation of church and state" and 2)the emphasis placed on "evolution" as an integral part of society -
Anyone who has studied the history of the founding know that the founders did not want an officially recognized church, such as the Church of England was. Lawyers from the ACLU and others who have demonstrated hostility to Christianity have worked feverishly to eliminate Christianity from not only the history of this country, but from all public utterances. The difference between NO Christianity and no recognition of "a" Church as the official religion are too great to be misunderstood.
With regard to evolution, not acknowledging that "man/life began by evolving" is strictly a personal belief, as the science to prove evolution has NOT been done beyond a shadow of a doubt, though of course many would dispute that, just as some have stated unequivocally that "mankind causing global warming is true with no arguments".

S.D.K.

The founding fathers were almost all influenced greatly by religion. There is a difference between not having a state sponsored religion and banning anyone but an atheist from positions in our government (although I would argue that atheism is just another religion). I also don't understand why our President needs to "get" evolution. The "reality" is that it's called a theory for a reason. While evolution is certainly a possibility, I don't know of anyone who has claimed to have "proven it."

Hey Chuck L,

You are right. Because Mitt was involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, it will be interesting to see what his reaction in.

By the way, what was your reaction when such movies like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or "Race to Freedom - The Story of the Underground Railroad" came out?

Good grief, people! Are you seriously going to tie in an incident like this, that has very little to do with modern Mormonism? If everyone posting on this sight went back in their history far enough, you would each be able to find an incident that you aren't too happy about.

Hey Chuck L,

You are right. Because Mitt was involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, it will be interesting to see what his reaction in.

By the way, what was your reaction when such movies like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or "Race to Freedom - The Story of the Underground Railroad" came out?

Good grief, people! Are you seriously going to tie in an incident like this, that has very little to do with modern Mormonism? If everyone posting on this sight went back in their history far enough, you would each be able to find an incident that you aren't too happy about.

S.D.K., evolution, like all theories, is exactly that - theory, not fact. Not 'getting' evolution doesn't mean that he or anyone else who believes in divine creation doesn't understand evolution or give merit to some of its elements. It simply implies disbelief that those so opposed to an irrational or "unrealistic" belief in a God would put so much of their trust in that which itself has yet to be proven as stable, factual and indeed unchanging. I would caution such hasty argumentation or conclusion making. Look at the man, look at his positions, look at his track record and make your conclusions based on his qualifications for being president.