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Romney: No candidate should be rejected because of his faith
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What a joke.
Mitt is the top GOP candidate, (Even though I don't mind Mike Huckabee), but as far as decision making and morals and values - He is far better than any of the Democratic candidates. That is for sure.
Would a mormon person please explain something for me?
It seems to me that mormons try very hard to set themselves apart from the rest.
If this is so, why are some so upset because they are viewed as not part of the rest?
He showed respect for all religions and mentioned many of them specifically by name including Islam. I don't think his speach was meant to promote any organized religion (as another commenter suggested). I think he was promoting faith in general. I think he was trying to unify us, not divide us like many of the commenters here. He said he or any president would need the support of all faiths (including athiests) to be a successfull president. I think he's right.
He wasn't prostlighting or promoting Mormonism, he was just trying to get people to open their minds and focus on finding the best candidate we can get, and not get bogged down trying to debate religion and apply a religion test to the candidates.
I think the bottom line was... If you don't think he's the best for the job that's fine, vote for someone else, but don't vote against him just because he believes in God.
I'm glad to have someone of faith and not afraid to say he will follow his in this race. Shows some conviction and humility in contemplating that he there is a power above that of the President of the US. And that is a bit refreshing to me.
Still, I would like to know more of his politics before casting the vote.
So 110% of the people either want more God, or less God, more or less.
I would hate to see how you figure your tithing.
American will be saved by clear-thinking, freedom-loving, live-and-let-live liberal thought.
This is the way its been since the beginning of time.
They value their tax exempt status too much to jeopardize it.
It's always economics.
He will not convince either religious bigots or anti-religious bigots like many whose comments populate these pages, but he will convince many honest people whose minds are still open and who are actually trying to take the measure of the man.
As to his alleged flip flopping: I don't hold it against someone to have changed his mind--if you haven't changed your mind about something, your mind is closed. I am interested in what he has changed his mind to, and I am glad he changed his mind about abortion.
Our country is in a fiscal mess; government is mismanaged and bloated, and our freedoms are being eroded. I don't think that anyone has come along who is more qualified to deal with the problems.
This is the man I am going to support, with my time and my money.
There you go again in typical brain-shackled dogmatically programmed fashion, spewing the spiel.
1st. I never said Mormons don't believe in Christ. I said they are not Christians in the generally accepted sense of the meaning, which leads to my 2nd point...
Mormons have defined Christ to meet their beliefs, which do not comport with greater Christianity. (I never said or implied that that was bad, only that Mormons 'Christianity' does not comport with greater Christianity.)
3rd, I've read the Bible from cover-to-cover numerous times in my lifetime. Christ teaches us, his followers to follow his example and be like him, but nowhere to supplant him as savior. Further, nowhere in the Bible does it imply or teach we can become gods (or goddesses), which not only do Mormons believe, but Christians at large definitely do not agree with.
True, a Christian is one who follows Christ. Now define what following Christ means in its general and specific sense, and that's where Mormons definition of Christianity differs with the greater Christian community's definition of Christianity.
Babble all the nonsensical out-of-context you choose, it will not change the fact that Mormon Christianity differs dramatically from greater Christianity.
We have to be religious to be Americans.
That freedom requires religion.
Egads! As an American I'm really concerned!
By religion did he mean organized religion or personal religious beliefs. They are very different and imply very different ramifications. (The Founding Fathers of America were concerned about personal religious beliefs, not organized religions (churches) which is why they put the separation of Church (organized religion (as opposed to personal religion)) from State in the Constitution.) Religions requires freedom to exist for the benefit of individual freedom of expression, however freedom has never required religion to exist (by Religion, I mean organized religion (churches)).
One does not need to be or is required to be Religious (Churchy) to be a patriotic and law abiding American. Romney implication of otherwise is wrong, wrong, wrong!
Religious freedom, as constitutionally mandated, no where defines a particular sect or belief system, even Christian, but was intended to protect all instutional AND personal religious beliefs.
It would have been better if Romney had said or implied that religion requires freedom, and that religions are beholding to freedom, not the other way around. Without freedom, religion tends to being an inquisition.
The speech will not change many minds as Mitt's supporters will love it, while his detractors will not care. As I predicted, those who were hoping for a "missionary momoment" were sadly disappointed.
As a news item, it is already winding down in importance, and will be largely forgotten by next week. The political campaign will go on, and it will be brutal.
To Mormons who complain about religious intolerance in America, would you vote for a Muslim or an atheist? Hopefully Mitt's candidacy will push Americans towards greater tolerance for individual liberty, but I doubt it.
And do you hold the same standard for other churches with the same status who decide en mass (see southern Baptist convention) who to vote for?
I hope his speech has encouraged people to look at the issues not religion.
I wasn't a fan of Romney. I felt he was always hiding something, afraid to let who he is out.
The rest of the Republicans might be passable, but not exciting.
The Democrats for the third straight time are putting forth uninspiring candidates trying to recapture the Clinton Mystique.
I watched his speech. 5 out of 10 from "Hey mitt", I'm thinking he went in to watch Mitt bomb.
He may not win, but I am excited for a presidential candidate again for the first time in 16 years.
Maybe I'll leave the "D" Street Band to go on the road and help Gov. Romney win himself an election.
missed the point, 2 out of a possible 10.
Any who feel that the Leadership of the LDS will dictate to an "LDS president" does not listen closely to what that leadership says. They will not endorse a candidate nor will they take a stand on a issue, unless it is a moral issue. Anyone who feels otherwise has never read the Bible. Someone's opinion does not change what is considered as truth. You can claim that the earth is flat as long as you want or that a watch didn't have a maker, but God is just, rules in the heavens and will judge all by their works - good or bad. Stop pointing the finger!
No he hasn't. Faith still matters. It shouldn't but it does, because we can't leave it as an individual issue.
if freedom of religion lived up to its' billing, we could elect anyone and not worry about their religion. Their foreign policy plans, or economic plans, or energy plans, that would be enough to get them elected or not.
I guess I could vote religion. Nah...votin' party. Democrat.
Nevertheless I am disappointed that Romney's religion is such a big issue. I would have liked to believe that our nation has moved beyond a religious litmus test.
While I do not support Romney as my number one choice, I believe that he is a capable, good individual and I wish him the best of luck.
Truth is about the LDS church, is they rarely get involved in politics. Rarely, I mean almost never, and they never endorse a candidate. They will not endorse Mitt Romney. So why is everyone worried so much about the Church's influence on Mitt's opinion?
I thought he answered the questions directly and boldly. If anyone says "I won't vote for a Mormon", then they missed the whole speech. That is not religous tollerance.
And as far as the LDS church and their stance towards other churches, they never hate or belittle other churches, but they do take a strong stance that they are the only true church. That is there stance. They won't apologize.
This is very dangerous territory and immoral as well.
Now that it's "one of our own" - it's okay.
What utter nonsense!
It's scary to me. Mr Romney may not personally believe that, but he should at least know that there are people that know this has been (and still is, for some) the case.
And that can change moment to moment.
And to anonymous-yes we do believe what our prophets tell us. They receive revelation from God. They were call by God to be his spokeman. If a prophet of God ever said anything or did anything that was not in harmony with Gods wishes he would be removed from his calling.
If that is so, how can Mormons also claim that everyone else is WRONG?!
This two-faced characteristic of Mormonism is what makes people distrust you and your presidential candidate. You smile to our faces and tell us you love us, but then gather together in your meetings and condemn us. In my moral book that is called lying.
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Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, �Let them come to Me.�
Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven�s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Thanks to the rest of your "Christians in General" for straightening me out.
Otherwise, loved Mitt's speech.
He was talking to everyone, even the atheist and agnostic.
We all can have a seat at America's table.