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Mitt dodges questions about LDS faith

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Van | 8:24 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

The question is the problem. Mitt Romney has illustrated what his religous affiliation means to him and his family. He has openly discussed what role it plays in his life. He has spoken of the standards upheld by the LDS chirch. What he has not addressed and should not be expected to understand is why those of other faith choose not to accept or "fear" his religion. He may choose to respond to those perceived fears but identifying those fears is not his responsibility. Ask Hillary why many voters are fearful of voting for a presidential candidate who's husband has had an affair in the whitehouse. Any response would only open her up for more criticism. Those asking this question of Mr. Romney, are only seeking to do the same.

Bad idea | 8:25 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Nothing scares me more than a Mormon president. Down with Mitt!!!

Hunchy McCrunchy | 8:38 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Mitt is smart, he knows that Mormons are voting for him regardless of his answers. So he gets to pander to other audiences while being vague. Sure some of you may be upset now, but you know who you are voting for when you step in that booth, regardless if he takes a stand on his religion or not. Crafty politician that Mitt.

Comments continue below

Ask | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

How can anybody seriously say "who cares what Mitt's religion is?"!! The world is being torn apart because of people's beliefs in religion. The most destructive influence in the world (arguably for all of human history) has been religion! It is not only relevant to know the religious beliefs of any person aspiring to lead the most powerful nation on earth, it is really the MOST RELEVANT thing! By all means, ask the other candidates all about their religion. It is the most important question to be asked!

Chris | 8:47 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

So, was it a bad idea to also have an LDS Senate Majority Leader? If your baseing it all on faith, then Reid is a REALLY bad idea.

BH | 8:51 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Bad Idea:

Those like you that express religious prejudices will do more to get Mitt elected than you will to stop him. Most Americans are turned off big time by such prujudices.

I believe that most Americans will seek to learn more about this man, Mitt, who gets such shallow attacks against him, not based in the least upon his qualifications. When they do so they will find his strengths and be inclined to vote for him.

So, Bad Idea, keep it up. And encourage all your like minded friends to continue to express such shallow disregard for Mitt. With your help we can elect Mitt.

Jay | 8:52 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

These are just a FEW of the reasons I'm not voting for "Brother Romney," who is nowhere close to being a conservative (Mormon?).

The following is a matter of public record:

Romney supports abortion in general, and believes in sustaining Roe v. Wade

Romney campaigned for Governor of Massachusetts as a pro-choice candidate, and was endorsed by a pro-abortion political group
Romney Approves of Abortion Pill and Supports the Legalization of RU-486
Romney has a long history of promoting and furthering the homosexual agenda, and working closely with leading gay activists

Romney twice sought and received the endorsement of the homosexual Log Cabin Republican Club

Romney's campaign distributed pro-gay rights campaign literature during Boston's "Gay Pride" events

Romney supports homosexual "anti-discrimination" laws

Romney advocates homosexual couples' adoption rights be recognized by the government
Romney supports homosexual domestic partnerships
Romney supported and promoted legalizing homosexual civil unions

Romney Opposes the Boy Scouts' Ban on Homosexual Scoutmasters

Romney barred Boy Scouts from public participation in 2002 Olympics

Jimbo the American | 8:52 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Why he's not answering questions is obvious. If he answered the question "do you believe you will become a god after death" with his full belief, he'd get shot into the ground immediately.

He doesn't want to separate himself from others of the Christian faith. So he walks the line.

Listen | 8:57 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Romney has already given the Kennedy speach many times. He has explained his basic beliefs. In one of the early debates he was asked to explain something about his beliefs and Romney responed that it was a fair question, to know what a presidential canidate believes and answered the question with the added comment that he also belives that there are some pundits that want to see him distance himself from his religion and that he would not do it! He is not distancing himself from his faith but he can't go to a political meetings and spend the time answering doctrinal questions. He has often stated that if someone wants to know more about his church they can get on-line or talk to the missionaries. How stupid would it be for him to bible bash with the voters!!

If the media wanted to ignore his religion nobody would care. Obama has strong ties to Islam and accoring to surveys, Islam is even more damaging to a campaign than mormonism. But as long as they ignore it, nobody cares!

The real concern is that a hard-core mormon like Romney as president will bring credibility to mormonism.

Dr. Spokter | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

It seems apparant that if Mitt explained many of the details of his faith, he would lose a considerable number of potential votes. He's at a state now where he can maximize the number of people voting for him by simply proclaimimg his "universal" conservative beliefs. It's best that he not explain anything. If he does start going into details, he'll have to answer many of the uncomfortable questions that most LDS like to sidestep or ignore.

Jay | 9:09 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Listen said, "The real concern is that a hard-core mormon like Romney as president will bring credibility to mormonism."

Romney is anything BUT a hard-core Mormon!

Dr. Spokter said, "he can maximize the number of people voting for him by simply proclaimimg his 'universal' conservative beliefs."

Rromney is anything BUT a conservative!

Please, people, do your homework, examine the man's political record before making these absurd statements about him being a hard-core, conservative Mormon. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Bear Rug | 9:17 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Jimbo, Jimbo . . . I haven't heard that question come up in any of Mitt's campaign speeches, or debates. You and Dr. Spokter need to quit nursing your grudges against the LDS Church. If you'd really like answers to your questions--if you'd really listen--I think that you'd find that your questions have been answered--many, many times. I've never known a member of the LDS Church to side-step ANY question. Questions like yours need to have a fundamental understanding of LDS theology. Mitt couldn't spend enough time responding to questions like yours, Jimbo.

Another reason that Mitt doesn't get into answering theological questions, is that he realizes that he is not the official spokesman for the Church. The official spokesman for the LDS Church has been on 60 Minutes, Larry King and other programs, and regularly speaks to various groups throughout the U.S. Mitt does not want to place himself above or ahead of official Church theology and policy. I don't really think that he is afraid of your questions.

If Mormonism were really the issue, I think that Mitt would respond. It isn't though. It is no more an issue than your religion or belief system.

mostly tired | 9:18 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

I'm tired of all the na-saying about Mitt Romney. He could shout it from the hill tops about his religious beliefs but, that wouldn't satisfy those who want an "answer". Then he would be critized for saying what he believes. There's no satisfying those who won't be satisfied.

re: Ben G. | 9:33 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

So Mitt would "be the puppet of the Mormon Church leaders" etc.? Your case would be bolstered if you cited some evidence. Say, anything Mitt did as governor?

uteowl | 9:43 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Those questioning Mitt's religion and have a problem with it, consider the words of evangelical leader Bob Jones III as he endorsed Mitt yesterday.

"As a Christian I am completely opposed to the doctrines of Mormonism," he said. "But I'm not voting for a preacher. I'm voting for a president. It boils down to who can best represent conservative American beliefs, not religious beliefs." (From the Greenville News, 10/16/07)

This is from a man who's university guards have standing orders to physically remove any Mormon found on campus.

Frederick Bastiat | 10:02 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Anti-Mormonism is the only respectable bigotry left in America.

J. Smith | 10:19 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

The big quetion has never been what is Mitt's religious beliefs. Citizens accross the country have heard so much anti-mormon propoganda they have formed their own opinions. Some of those who would ask Mitt to explain his religion are simply looking for anything they can take out of context that contrasts with other quotes by leaders of the church they have also taken out of context.
The question though should be, will Mitt allow his religious beiefs and standards to dictate how he votes on important issues and how he would run the country? If the answer to that question is yes then he would make a great President. The two should not be seperate. This kind of integrity to ones self is what dictates the character of the man. To this point I don't know that we can say that about Mitt.
That being said I am of the opinion Mitt still remains the best candidate for President. Washington is already too full of those who waffle on their standards to appease special interest groups especially the Republican and Democratic parties. The biggest "hot air" special interest groups of all.

Kjirstin Youngberg | 10:19 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

When I was about seven, I knocked on my neighbor's door to see if she could play. Her Mother answered it, and peered down at me, demanding, "Who are your parents voting for? They'd better not be voting for Kennedy. He's a Catholic! If Kennedy becomes president, women will have to wear veils on their heads, and we will ALL have to eat fish on Fridays!" Naturally, I was terrified, and thankful to hear my father supported Nixon. (Though my Mother was a Democrat, at least they cancelled each other out.) After Kennedy was sworn in, I kept waiting for the order to come down to eat fish. I hated fish. Of course it never happened, and President Kennedy turned out to be a great American, no matter his religion. People need to understand the office and the man (or woman). Religion doesn't matter; values do.

Matthew | 10:34 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Amen Frederick!

Mitt Romney didn't dodge a question about his faith. He said he couldn't answer a question about what people not of his faith were afraid of. The questioner was asking the wrong person. I, and probably Mr. Romney, sincerely believe that their is absolutely nothing to fear about our religion.

Having said that, if Mitt Romeny would simple bear his testimony in a speech (after explaining why he was doing it). I think that would be the end of that.

I think he has a bunch of people giving him bad advise on this and a number of other issue related to the conduct of his campaign.

Why is it ---- | 10:41 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

that anytime a "Mormon" commits a crime, his religion is part of the headline, but you never see the tagline "Methodist", or "Baptist", or "Jewish" or any other religion tied to a news/crime headline -- certainly not because it's only Mormons commiting crimes. Romney being a "Mormon" running for president is last year's news - move on to the issues at hand!

RobbyRob | 10:46 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

People need to get over the Mormon issue. What is so wrong with being Mormon? Are the other candidate's religious beliefs a concern? This shouldn't even be an issue. Look at the things he stands for and the things he supports; those are the things you should look at when deciding whether or not to vote for him. What I find interesting is when you ask someone about mormons in general, they get this funny look on their face and they usually say that mormons are strange people. But if you ask someone if they know a mormon personally, most of them will say yes and then they will proceed to say what a great and nice person he/she is. Most people know a mormon and most people think they are nice people. But people fear what they don't know and because they don't know much about Mitt's religious beliefs, they are scared and don't want to support him.

dennis | 10:53 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

When it comes to the Mormon faith it always comes down to this:
Either Joseph Smith was telling the truth -- or was a liar. And this is the sort of thing Romney will be confronting again and again.

mormon belief | 10:59 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

The center of Mormon beliefs is to do unto others as you would have done unto you. That's a good principle that would suit any president well.

James | 11:06 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

There are plenty of things about Mormons that scare the non-Mormons. If you want the list, I'll get it for you. Mormons usually don't realize the skepticism that exists today and that has been around since the days of Joseph Smith. Geez, even Oliver Cowdery had deep concerns about Mormonism.
As far as those beliefs disqualifying Mitt Romney as a good presidential candidate, again, look to Joseph Smith's platform when he ran for the presidency. Does he really want to be everybody's president, or just want the world to run his way and only his way?
It's all about power and control...any maybe chalking up points with God. Mitt Romney will be no better or worse than any other hopeful as long as his religion doesn't get in the way.

Mormon Republican | 11:17 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Mitt Romney is exercising his free agency as he campaigns for the Presidency. I support his responses to the press and other adversarial persons or groups. Brother Romney chooses to focus on the important issues, choosing what is right. The L.A. doctor (who cares if he is Jewish??)reminds me of those in earlier times who cajoled the Savior, asking questions with the intent to arrest Him for blasphemy. Perhaps Mitt Romney has learned a lesson or two from the Savior's example.

To the Deseret News: May I suggest that you reject comments which contain errors in spelling common words or confusion of nouns and verbs (e.g. advice (n) with advise (v).Thank you.

Raymond Takashi Swenson | 11:25 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Since the venue was a Jewish association, Romney could have said "Why have so many people feared and hated Jews over the centuries? Neither fear is justified. Neither Jews nor Mormons pose any actual threat to the health or welfare of their neighbors. The influence of both of those religions is to produce people who are exemplary in their integrity and charity, a love of learning, and social responsibility and public service. Perhaps it is that very record of achievement that is felt as a rebuke by some people who feel their own lives have fallen short, and who want to blame their own failures on others."

JimB | 11:26 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

The issue isn't Mormonism. The issue is bigotry. Those who want to make Romney's religion a central issue have forgotten what the founders expected of our country. As a Mormon Romney is no more of a "threat" to the electorate than any other devout candidate (within reason). My concern is not for Romney but for the condition of our country that allows this bigotry to dominate who he really is.

sb | 11:29 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Mr. Romney did state what we believe. He said, "We believe in God, we believe that all children on Earth are the children of the same maker, we believe that liberty is a gift of God."

Why folks choose not to vote for someone just because they are Mormon or part of any other church or organization, don't really know. Maybe should ask them.

For those that are curious to know what we believe there is the official church website, BYU TV which you can watch via satellite or the internet, and plenty of missionaries eager to answer questions. Even Elder/President Eyring refered folks to these resources when questions were asked him.

Mr. Romney will take to the white house all that he has learned through the experiences he has had from the service he has given whether it is from his business pursuits, public service, or church service. I believe he will do a great job.

To Ben G and Scared in Las Vegas | 11:30 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Ben G has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. What is it about Mormon's that makes you a hater? What have they ever done to you? Wouldn't it be just as easily said that Obama would open up the US to Muslims? Why aren't you going after him? Is it no that are of the world that hit the trade centers? So what is yoru problem?

Scared in Las Vegas... Your concern is at least a valid one. However, you might want to consider worrying less about what others will (or do) think of you and more about what you can do to become a better person. That is what the Church teaches. Too often we think that Mormons are supposed to be perfect, forgetting that they are just the same as most around the world. If it was me, I would make a choice to either continue to be annoyed or let them know how you feel. I think sometimes we let things fester too much, then it irritates our skin and then we become paranoid about what could happen.
Fear keeps us from being who we are and we who need to be.

M. Young | 11:32 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

I agree with what I understand Frederick's point to be. I'm not sure anti-mormonism is the ONLY accepted bigotry left, but certainly one of the more prominent ones. Of course that statement does not advance any of the positions taken in this forum, it is just an interesting point.

Many points exist to attack Mormon doctrine and practice, though not any moreso than any other person's beliefs and tendancies. Yet one is acceptable to publicly debate and ridicule while others are not as acceptable. The things being said in here can be equally applied to every other candidate, religion, belief system, etc.

M. Young | 11:45 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

If the Deseret News is to accept Mormon Republican's suggestion to reject comments containing errors in spelling or confusion of nouns and verbs, would it also consider rejecting comments by arrogant contributors who do not know the difference between Los Angeles and Las Vegas? Thank you.

missing the point | 12:00 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

I think the real problem here is that the reporter Ms. Struglinki didn't write a good article. To declare that Mr. Romney "dodged" a question about his faith before we even read the article is an absurd conclusion. Mr. Romney did answer as best as anyone could. But it wasn't an honest question to begin with. One - it was a statement, two - open ended and three - negative point of view. You can't prove a negative and he is correct to not engage in an unwinnable argument. It would have made as much sense to ask "why can't "someone else" stop hating you"... to answer that requires an attack on another person or for Mr. Romney to criticize his own faith. I would like to see greater responsiblity and objectivity from the press and the media on these ridiculous questions of Romney's Faith.

JULES | 12:31 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

HOW CAN MITT ANSWER A QUESTION THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN
ANSWER? HE DID ANSWER BY SAYING "CHECK WITH HIS NEIGHBORS-OUR FELLOW MAN ARE THE ONES WHO CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AND THEN ONLY WHEN THEY HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW US. I am scared of what george bush
might do next-what religion is he??/ religion should
not be an issue in running for pres as long as the candidate believes in God and can pull america together to make us a stronger God-fearing nation. everyone talks about mitt being a flip flopper/but it tends to be forgotten that Guilani totally changed parties- Democrat to Republican. hopefully our values are a learning process and i will fight for your personal liberty to choose- but to every action there is a consequence and that is where we are not free to choose.

TJM | 12:38 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

No matter how manner questions he answers in as much detail as possible, those who are not in favor of President who is also a Mormon will not be satisfied with his answers.

Buck Beaver | 12:40 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Has it occured to anybody that the reason Romney is feared is not because of his religion but his politics. Not every lds person is throwing their hat into Mitts ring. I still remember his campaign fo governor. Unfortunately most lds people are sheep.

let him run! | 12:43 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

He can't do any worse than what's been there for the last eight years. Some of his members posts here aren't doing him a bit of good as there are non-members reading them who are curious also!I hope they realize that there are good members outside of this state who aren't apart of no good ol' boy system or "get er done" rawhide camp, but good luck to him and I like his family!

JT | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

It's the lazy media that has pumped up the "Mormon issue." That's all they want to write about, so yeah, people will continue to be curious. JFK's Catholic issue, Nixon's Quaker issue, Lieberman's Jewish issue, none of them got as much press as this issue. Religious bigotry abounds in the US, and Mitt's getting tired of people defining him as only Mormon. At the same time, having read what he stands for, I'll vote for him if John McCain and Ron Paul are out.

PhD | 1:03 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Now we know what it must have been like when President Kennedy had to field questions such as:
"Isn't infant baptism an abomination?"
Romney would have to answer questions on polygamy all day long.

Atheist | 1:05 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

I've voted in elections going back well over 30 years. Nearly every one of the candidates I've voted for has expressed a religious conviction of one sort or another. As a happy atheist of long standing, it's obvious that I haven't held their religious convictions against them. The same would be true of Mitt Romney, if only I could figure out what he stands for.

TKO | 1:17 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

By the way Romney handles himself and answers the hard questions, he must have learned something from the Catholic majority back there in Massachusetts.
(wink)

NorCal | 1:40 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

As a non-LDS that lives in California, I donï¿½t understand why religion should be a presidential campaign topic open for debate. Please, there are more challenging issues facing the United States today, then a presidential candidateï¿½s religious faith. What about the crisis in Iraq? Or the war in Afghanistan? Capturing Osama Bin Laden? Deficit spending? Immigration? Racism/bigotry? Outsourcing American jobs to China? The Trade deficit? Crime and gang violence? Drug abuse? Tax reform? Education reform? et al.

Listen | 2:03 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Jay - I have done a lot of research on Mitt and his back ground. I said that he is a hard-core mormon, I didn't say he is conservative. He has been a bishop and a stake president, he lives abides by the teachings of the mormon/LDS faith as well or better than the average active card-carrying member. I think it is pretty safe to say he is a very devout mormon. Not many stake presidents that are not devout.

As far as being conservative, that is a whole different subject that we could agrue over. But I do think he is conservative.

TKO | 2:08 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

You must admit, how would you begin to anwer questions such as "tell me more about the golden plates?"

think about it | 2:21 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Let's say someone asks Obama:
"What is it about [Blacks] that scares people so badly, and is there some way to overcome that fear?"

Insert anything you want in those brackets and you can see how absurd the question is to anyone, as well as the intolerant undertones.

annaDe | 2:25 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

No, Mitt shouldnï¿½t answer their questions. How is he suppose to explain why someone else is scared of the Mormons?? The people that are scared need to answer. Itï¿½s so illogical to think Mitt should answer any question about what other people say or think. Also, itï¿½s a trap. If he answers their setup question, theyï¿½ll start another discussion over how he answered. Trying to make Romneyï¿½s answer into an avoidance story shows their true intent. This reminds me of the story of Jesus found in the New Testament, in Mark (Mark 12: 14, 16-17). It reminds me of this story because of the attempt to set Romney up, and also in the way Jesus answered them -- since he didnï¿½t fall into their trap ï¿½ just as Romney didnï¿½t fall into this question trap.

Hilarious... | 2:35 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

I am pretty confident that more than half the people blogging on this topic aren't even registered to vote - but are sharing their anti-Mitt opinions with the world regardless!

I am voting for Mitt. He is an excellent candidate for the presidency. I have read comments on here that are sceptical of him because The Mormon Church will move in to the White House and make it the new church Headquarters... blah, blah, blah. If that's your worry - then you'd better be voting for an Atheist candidate because the same ignorant comment could be made for any candidate of any faith.

Mitt isn't dodging questions - he's simply trying to answer questions that are valid to his presidential run! Why doesn't anyone continually ask every other candidate about the history of their religion? Ridiculous.

If you really wanna know about religions of the world.. library cards are free.

Reader | 2:35 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

As a member of the LDS church, I also do not understand why Romney's membership in the church is such a big issue in this campaign. I don't hear other candidates being asked about their religious beliefs. I really don't care about Romney's denomination, LDS or otherwise. That fact that he is LDS is not going to determine whether I vote for him. I want to hear his stands on the issues. Even with that, I wouldn't regard him as a great presidential candidate. None of the current Republican or Democratic candidates excites me at all. Other than adhering to certain moral and ethical standards-- I would prefer that all candidates and officeholders keep religion out of their official public duties, regardless of their religious affiliation, and just work for the common good of society. I realize that the common good is not the motivation of many politicians these days. It is self-interest.

OutinVT | 2:45 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

"Wouldn't it be just as easily said that Obama would open up the US to Muslims? Why aren't you going after him? Is it no that are of the world that hit the trade centers? So what is yoru problem?" C'mon folks ... Obama's not a muslim .... and never has been one.

Gotta admit it | 3:05 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Let's face it, what mainstream America knows about Mormonism per se. , is what President Hinckley once said: "We are a peculiar people."
Then you have books like "The God-makers" who portray Mormons as purely a political group bent on world domination.
Is anybody really surprised at the questions presented to Romney?

Rachel | 3:05 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

He wasn't dodging. Who better to ask than his neighbors? I thought it was the perfect answer to a very old and annoying question.

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Mitt dodges questions about LDS faith

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Mitt dodges questions about LDS faith