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Mitt dodges questions about LDS faith

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Get real ! | 3:27 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
If one really wants to learn about the Mormon or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he should ask for the missionaries to come and teach him of their doctrine. Mitt gave him a very good answer, his neighbors, I am sure they would know what kind of person he is. And if they are going to question his religion, then every candidate should be questioned about the history of their religion don't you think. He's got my vote....
Mark | 3:50 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I'm shocked that my fellow Mormons are shocked that many American conservatives think Mormons are not Christian and downright weird.

Have you all missed that last 187 years of religious and political history in America?

Evangelical and Fundamental Christians are ticked that they don't have a man in the race. Bob Jones was hardly enthusiastic with his endorsement of Romney. And remember that these folks are Trinitarians, which means that they are always going to scowl at the Latter-day Saint concept of deity.



Frank | 3:54 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I had the opportunity to see the opposite happen once. I was among others who had the chance to have lunch with a mayor and he was humoring a series of questions one of which was "What are your beliefs as a Catholic?" I'd be embarassed to share what he said, but believe me if I were of his faith I would have wished he would have kept quiet instead of sharing what he "understood".
Comments continue below
Fear Monger | 3:59 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Pleople probably fear mormons for the same reason they fear African-Americans or Jewish people,..... racism, hate, or because they think they are different or wierd.

The question was really stupid if you ask me, it should be asked of those who say they are afraid of or would not vote for someone just because of their religion.
Why | 4:03 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Why is Mitt the only one who has answer questions about his religion? Why is it a big deal?
Geogre | 4:05 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
If his religion doesn't matter to him, why would we trust him as president? Doesn't he believe in his religion? Why wouldn't he stand up for it? Is he glad to be a member of his church? Does he attend regularly? Does he uphold the teachings of his religion?

He's already claimed that a weird novel by the scientologist guy was his favorite. Could there be anything stranger for him to believe?
Communicate the word | 4:07 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Most voters already know about Catholicism, Judism and the other orthodox Protestant factions. Mormonism is a mystery outside of Utah.
Since proselytism is a huge part of Mormonism, this looks like an excellent opportunity for Mitt Romney to talk about it.
Granny T. | 4:20 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
What part of this article said he didn't care about his faith?
Jerry Williamson | 4:21 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Mitt should simply print articles of faith cards and hand them out to those who really want to know. The beliefs of the church are explained by the founder, the prophet Joseph Smith himself. These simple statements have been available to the world for over 150 years!

also,... the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has always held a neutral position on political candidates. The issue is addressed before each election.
Telling it like it is ... | 4:28 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
The problem is, those outside of Utah know too much about Mormonism. Can't you see Romney fielding questions about Baptism for the dead? Or what happened to the Golden Plates? Or magic stones used by Joseph Smith ...? Get my drift?
Jimbo the American | 4:37 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
People don't do research. They don't want to research the LDS church. They want to know in a straightforward manner what Mitt Romney believes.

Besides, when has the LDS church been straightforward about beliefs which are controversial? Believing you become a god? Issues of native americans and blacks? etc.

People are afraid of these things because they haven't heard them before. To them it's no less odd than Scientology. To many the LDS church is a cult (if you haven't heard this, do some research, it's wide-spread) due to their communal beginnings.

Anyway, the point is Mitt dodges the questions because he can't answer them all and not be thought of as odd by the American public. So he never will.
The Taxman | 4:40 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints BETTER plead mute on political candidates. It doesn't take a tax attorney to know that the exemptions on property and businesses will vanish into thin air if they're not careful.
Not Gonna Happen | 4:57 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Once Mitt has opened up his beliefs to questions, fascinated reporters on the national stage will ask the natural follow ups... 'So, Mr. Romney, your faith truly believes that Joseph Smith found the 'Golden Plates', which no one else ever saw, through the help of some magic stones in his hat? Wasn't Joseph Smith convicted of fraud about that same time for 'glass-looking' - the practice of searching for buried treasure with the help of those same magic stones?' Say, goodnight to your Oval Office ambitions, candidate Romney.
TJ | 4:57 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I think you'd be surprised "Jimbo the American" about people doing research on the LDS church. Today's politics is a contact sport and both sides will do anything today to use against the other guy.
You can thank the originator of this, The Reagan administration for hijacking the word "liberal" to demonize an entire political party. Watch how often this word is used today.
I think it may be payback time.
MFM Utah County Resident | 4:57 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Will all you liberals please get a clue?!! The LDS church is a mainstream religion. This is not 1830. Everybody knows abortion happens for legitimate reasons...i.e. health of the mother, rape or incest. Get off of Mitt's case and lets talk about the real issues....protecting American and getting us back to sanity on federal budgets, etc.
Thomas | 5:12 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I liked the scene in the movie "School Ties" where Brendan Fraser's character's roommate claims to be upset because Fraser's character never mentioned he was Jewish.

Fraser's character answers angrily that his roommate never mentioned his own religion (which happened to be Methodist.) The roommate weakly answered that "that's different."

Why is Romney's religion "different"? Why does he have to answer an inquisition about what Mormons believe (as if we could ever agree on that -- are we talking Benson/Skousen Mormons, Sunstoners, world-wife Marriott Mormons, latitudinarian Thomist-influenced Mormons like me, or what have you)?

Romney ought to declare himself proud of the faith of his fathers and leave it at that. He's not responsible for every aspect of historical Mormonism that people might find controversial, any more than we'd expect Rudy Giuliani to take ownership of Aquinas' justifications for executing heretics. He should make it clear that his personal faith is his own business, and that people should be cautious in automatically assuming too much about his personal beliefs from the mere fact of his Mormonism.

He might paraphrase Henry of Navarre, and say "Washington is not worth a mass." (Or a praise-band session, or whatever megachurches have.)
Thomas | 5:14 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
oops...that should be "world-WISE Marriott Mormons," not "world-WIFE."

Although I should point out that I do think the world of my wife. Must've been a Freudian slip.
ImHereIncognito | 5:27 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
"Mitt dodges questions about LDS faith"
Man at forum asks why voters fear Mormonism
By Suzanne Struglinski

Suzanne,

Why did you choose that headline for the story? What was your goal in doing so? I do not see how he "dodged" the question at all, as you allege, and see this as nothing but an opportunity to denigrate Mitt Romney.
I can tell you that this is a question I have pondered for several years, and have not answered in my own mind. The only partial answer I came up with is that we believe in modern day revelation, and while they say they do, that is what they do not accept; and while we believe God can do anything, they question.
A simplistic response, I suppose, but from the heart, none-the-less. I can tell you that it hurts to have a church I Know to be true, beliefs I Know to be true and my belief in My Savior, which I Know to be Jesus Christ maligned and misrepresented by others who SAY they believe the same thing, in America (founded on religious freedom) by Americans who say they believe in that same thing. It is very disillusioning.
@ Not Gonna Happen | 5:37 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
And when Romney is asked (it WILL happen) about Joseph Smith's 'martyrdom', won't reporters follow up with the historical facts... (not the ones taught in Sunday School)... specifically that JS was in jail at the time he was killed not because he was being persecuted, but because he and his followers broke into and destroyed the printing press (private property) of the Nauvoo Expositor because it dared to warn local farmers to (literally) lock up their daughters?
Reality | 5:37 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Mitt Romney positions himself as a Christian and I belive that is true to his faith. But what he fails to explain is that the Mormon Christ is a very different enity than that of the other Christian churche's Christ. The Mormon Christ is the elder brother of all men and also the brother of Satan. The other Christian churches belive in a Christ that is of a different species than man. They are two differnt Christs. It would be nice to know who is right, but I guess that is something we can not know.
why not? | 5:44 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Why not put Reid and Romney on the Larry King Show?
forgot something | 5:49 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I think what you left out "cognito-guy" was your belief that everyone else's mainstream religion is untrue.
Surely you must know how that must rankle your fellow Americans?
Rich | 5:59 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Thanks all for some good points here. However, I think Mitt should at least give a response to this question, and he should give a synopsis of Mormonism to allay fears. A suggested response. "Most people share many common values with devout Mormons, and once they get to know them and the basics of their faith, they get along fine with them. Unfortunately many well-meaning people have spread misinformation about my faith for 175 years. Even today we are accused of being non-Christians and polygamists when the facts are that Mormons accept Jesus Christ and the Bible and abandoned polygamy in 1890. We also believe all people should have the privilege of worshipping God according to their own consience. We Mormons don't believe in forcing our religion on anybody. But those who want to know more about my faith can go to mormonism.org or lds.org. As President, I will do what I think it is best for my country, not what fellow Mormons think is best.
what?? | 6:03 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Mitt did answer the question. He said ask his neighbours. You cannot possibly pinpoint the reason people fear the religion. there are thousands of reasons. He did not ask him any faith based questions.
Hard, cold fact | 6:05 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Hate to be the one to say this, but there is whole different world outside the Zion Curtain that couldn't care less about Romney or his religion.
What we really need is... | 6:07 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
What we really need is a separation of church and hate. It's sad to say that there are bigots that can't or won't admit they're what they are.
Jimbo the American needs to come clean about his beliefs so we can disect them for all the world to see...I bet we could find out he is just a small minded bigot with no lernin' but what he was taught at the local KKK.
what the...? | 6:13 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

"We Mormons don't believe in forcing our religion on anybody..." (Rich, 5:59 pm
Care to tell to two Mormon missionaries who were just at my door?
duke it out on tv | 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Why not put Giuliani and Romney in a religious debate? (They all say they are religious)
Romney can start off by saying infant baptism is an abomination (as it says in D&C and Moroni) so vote for me.
Giuliani can speak his peace and in the end both can shake hands and smile at each other.
Dear Ms. Struglinski | 6:36 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Every person has a different relationship with God, regardless of religion, be they Mormon, Jewish, Born-again, Muslim, agnostic or athiest. My relationship is shaped by my religion, but I'm sure that it differs from many mormons. Some drink Coke, some are tee-totalers, others listen to conference talks while driving to and from work and don't watch TV on Sunday.

Many Christians believe in creationism, and that it took 7 earth days to create the earth. Others believe in intelligent design.

When my non-LDS friends (several are Jewish)ask me about my beliefs, I am very general with them, and they respect that (The Jewish religion is very "peculiar" also, and there was no one drilling Lieberman about circumcision with stones or animal sacrifice). I probably share my deepest beliefs about my father in heaven only with my wife.

I do not trust people who wear their religion on their sleeves. I respect Mr. Romney's right not to share his most personal beliefs.

It's too bad we can't look at the person and know him by his works.
Ernie | 6:45 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
to: ben G
Ben g. have no fears, when mitt wins the election for president he will have to much to do as president, to open up nations of the earth to the mormons.

As a president over cival affairs, he will not have time worry about sending out Mormon Missionaries.

Sending out missionaries is the full responsibity of the Church leaders. who hold completly differant resposibilities.

The constitution states there shall be NO Church run by the government. Which means government has no authority to regulate religion.

If the constitution did not make that clear, the Church Of Jesus Of Latter-Day Saints would. The leaders of the church will allow no political meetings in thier buildings, so never fear the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints will never team up with the united states Government.

The President Of The United has the right to meet with whomsoever he pleases to meet with, as all presidents has in the past. He may recieve council from leaders of the church, but he and he alone will have to make the decisions.

BE HAPPY.
re: Ben G | 7:07 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
What is "dangerous and scary" is that your are old enought to type complete thoughts, which probably means you think, and you are worried about "opening up new countries to missionaries".

I am LDS and I know that at my job, my secret motive is to get the people that I work with hypnotized into my satanistic plan of getting more missionaries into different countries through humanitarian services, helping them lead heathier lives and working on their relationship with their father in heaven. You, sir have found out the mormon secret. They will hunt you down and find you. Don't try to hide, you can't. The Mormons are gonna get you.

How can you be so paranoid at 7:56 AM? I don't usually start hearing vioces until early afternoon.



Insider | 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Mitt's LDS religious values are one thing; his business values are another. The Winter 2002 Olympic Games had a good public face; but there is some scandal even after Mitt took over. Some good investigative reporting would reveal some ugly business maneuvers. And his connections with Aggregate Industries are not simply resolved by his returning a few campaign contributions. The Mass. Big Dig is stinking with fraud! Somebody will definitely look deeper and we all might be surprised at what this modern revelation shows.
Dave | 7:58 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
How come my comment asking someone to substantiate their claims was removed? I don't understand how the D-News moderators determine what is offensive/off-topic/misrepresentative...

Anyhow, back to the first comment in this whole thread. Please help enlighten me on why it is that he refused to answer, not dodged?

I have always thought refusing to answer was explicitly stating that you wouldn't answer, along with that dodging is pretending to answer, but not.
Klimber510 | 8:01 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
There has been considerable assault on religious freedoms over the past few years. Of all the candidates, none would defend these freedoms as effectively and vigorously as Mitt would. Just part of the many good reasons for people of any faith to vote for him.
Robert Cordner | 8:36 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Re: John Shaw's comment about the LDS in Las Vegas. FYI, the mayor is Jewish.We, in Las Vegas, are not scared of them either
Thomas | 8:50 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Hey, Reality -- Jesus is a "different species"??

Sir, you need to go back to Sunday School. Traditional Christian doctrine, as stated in the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds, is that Christ is fully God and fully man. (That's "man" as in genus homo, species sapiens, same as us.) Mormon doctrine is in accord. (Mormons reject the Nicene Creed for other reasons having to do with the precise nature of the unity of God.)

Jesus is emphatically *not* a "different species" than man, under either Mormon or traditional Christian theology.
Get a life! | 8:53 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
@ Not Gonna Happen - Wrote "And when Romney is asked (it WILL happen) about Joseph Smith's 'martyrdom', won't reporters follow up with the historical facts... (not the ones taught in Sunday School)... specifically that JS was in jail at the time he was killed not because he was being persecuted, but because he and his followers broke into and destroyed the printing press (private property) of the Nauvoo Expositor because it dared to warn local farmers to (literally) lock up their daughters?"
You seriously need to get out more...You'll go blind reading so much Anti...Oh wait it's too late!
Not the white cane kind of blind, but the bigoted can't see the forest for the trees kind of blind.

Cirrus | 9:00 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
The mutual mistrust between Mormons and other religious groups has been around a long time and is not going to change. Mitt Romney, regardless of his other attributes, is going to be affected by that.

Contrary to what some posters believe, most people find Mormon missionaries (or for that matter JW's or Billy Graham Ministries reps.) to be irritating and invasive. Mormons are still a fairly insular ethnic group that many Americans do not relate to. To make a point, typical LDS "ethnic" names would be Allred, Barlow, Bennion, Cannon, Hatch, etc, etc. Also, Romney is perceived to be very close to the LDS power structure, while Harry Reid is not.


Eddie | 9:40 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
What makes people fear the former mayor of NYC because he has had multiple marriages? Why doesn't someone ask him why they fear that that kind of person would make a good president? I wonder: Is he violent? Is he a womanizer? Is he a controller? Is he unstable? Is it really that difficult to choose a woman with whom he can live?

Cirrus: Where are your statistics to back up your wild assumptions, ie: "most people," "Romney is preceived to be very close," "fairly insular ethnic group that many Americans," "and is not going to change," and "is going to be affected."
Robert McLean | 10:36 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I hope this continual questioning of Romney's Religion will stop and questions about his values will continue. Romney is the best qualified candidate out of a field of very capable men who are running for President of the US under the Republican banner. On the other side are a group of Senators who have no executive experience. Even if Mitt does not win the Primary I will support the Republican candidate. The key to winning for Republicans is to keep talking about the positive things in America. The key to the Democrat Candidate winning is negative and includes raising taxes, losing wars, and restricting our freedoms.

I spent a year in Southeast Asia and when I came home many of our freedoms had been taken away. When the government gives away money it has to take it from someone. If the Democrats win we will face gigantic losses to our freedom. Political correctness, rights for perverts, rights for criminals, murdering unborn babies are just a few of the bad things that are happening now. Put Hillary and office and say GOOD BYE, AMERICA and welcome tolatarianism. Romney is our best hope to stop this from happening. May God Bless Mitt.
ms | 10:42 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I have always been suspicious of Romney. I don't believe he is strong in his faith and I wouldn't vote him dogcatcher. He reminds me of Kennedy and Clinton who will say anything to get a vote. I for one am an lDS member who will not be dupped by this guy. Go Rudy!
Harry Reid is an embarrassment to the church!
Gene | 11:03 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
All that I have seen so far is that Romney is just like Reid. Mormon in name only. Romney goes against what the church teaches. Those that fear that he will spread this religion if he becomes president do not have to worry. Kennedy had to state that he would not follow the orders of the Vatican. Well guess what, Romney so far is indicating that he will not follow and sustain the dictates of the First Presidency.

From my perspective the only 2 questions that Romney should answer is does he believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith; and whether or not the Book of Mormon is true. All indications so far is that he refuses to answer or does not believe it.
Mike | 11:10 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
There are some very legitimate questions regarding LDS doctrine and history that have been whitewashed and dodged by the Church for decades. But those questions go to whether or not the Church is what it claims to be - not whether a member is or is not qualified to be President. Concern over those questions for someone investigating the Church or struggling with their testimony is legitimate - but those questions should not create fear of Mitt Romney specifically nor of Mormons in general.
Cirrus | 11:28 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
Eddie: A number of polls have come out in the past few months showing high negatives about a Mormon as President. Frankly, I was surprised the negatives were as high as they were. You can "Google" the subject yourself if you do not believe me.

As far as being insular, Mormons state themselves that they are a "peculiar people". They call non-Mormons "Gentiles", and that is not exactly a compliment.

This is not to say that Mormons are awful people as every group has its quirks. FYI, I will be voting for a Mormon in an upcoming local election.

However, political analysts are saying that in some fundamentalist areas such as the South, Mormons are not very popular. And they are crucial areas in the upcoming election. Again, feel free to research this subject further yourself.
Yep | 11:31 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
I get Romney. What is your problem?
Jake Lloyd | 11:53 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007
It continues to dumbfound me that Mitt's religion is such an issue. I look all around and see how accepting society has become to different walks of life, i.e. religions, sexual orientation, cohabitation, etc. Yet, the country wants to talk about his religion and how it will affect his presidency?! Did I miss the memo that society can be accepting of all other cultures but mormonism? What else can he do or say than what he has already done? No other candidate is having to field questions about their religion. However, having said that, I'm impressed that he has made it this far because I had my doubts.
Reality | 12:10 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Thomas, Christ was before Jesus, Christ supposable came to earth born of woman and God (man/God)and is know as Jesus for his time here on earth when he took the form of man. Christ is now returned to his natural state in heaven as a God. God is different than man. I know Mormons believe they are; or they will one day become Gods, but that is not a universal christian belief. Others believe man was made in the image of God in spirit, not in body. But if others are wrong and you are right and one day you are a God I hope you will be a kind God.
Jane | 12:33 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I've enjoyed reading everyone's opinions...it's what makes us a great nation. However, all one has to do is look at Mitt for his long and loving marriage, the respect he has for his wife, children and grandchildren, the success in his business career, his leadership abilities, his gracious ability to interact with others, his ability to get things done, his tenacity. Mitt doesn't have to prove anything to anyone about his religious beliefs...he needs to keep living his values. Talk is cheap...results are proof. There is not another candidate that has the integrity, brains, dignity, family values and character as has Mitt Romney. I believe as this campaign continues, the cream will rise to the top. I am hoping Mitt will be president and will recreate the trust and dignity we once had. We need to continue to reach out to others both in this country and in the world and share the abundance we have in so many ways and instead of polarizing each other, learn to love and accept others. I feel grateful that someone of his calaber would run for this job.
Answers were loud and clear | 12:54 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
He answered those questions great! He went right to the point and his message was loud and clear. "I am an American running for President"

Hilter killed 11 million people because of differences. Learn from the past and find the common ground- that is were tolerance is born. Only then can you appreciate the differences- because without it we would all be pretty boring.

Romney simply stated the common ground he has with Americans and Christians and running for President of the United States is no forum for explaining the LDS beliefs or contemplating on why others are "scared" of having a Mormon president.







Anonymous | 8:42 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
It's the conservative non-LDS who are afraid of Romney's religion. The liberal faction is open as always and will vote accordingly no matter the religious affiliation. That is why they are called liberals.

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