Does Mormonism help or hurt Romney?

[HankSaint]

I'm a newbie, so if you have any helpful hints or criticism I will not be offended.
Being a Mormon I have heard that those who are even Republicans but of another religion will not vote for Romney. I am wondering if Religion should be a litmus test for a public office such as President of the USA? Some claim that his policies will be dictated by The General Authorities of the Church and others just feel that the Mormons are not Christians and more of a cult. What say you? :ponder:

[ECW]

Mormonism is viewed as a cult by many Christian churches for many reasons. I think it may influence a few voters but what may keep folks away from voting for a Mormon is the church's orthodoxy and control over their members. It's very different from the JFK dilemma of the 1960 campaign and his Catholicism. American Catholics have always been much more independent from Rome than Mormons have been from the powers that be in Salt Lake.

Religion should not be a litmus test for office. But, to many people, it is.

Romney's problem, if he gets the nomination, will not be his religion but the flip flops in his positions from when he was helping out the Olympics to running for governor of MA to now. He makes John Kerry and George Bush look positively amateurish.

[HankSaint]

It's very different from the JFK dilemma of the 1960 campaign and his Catholicism. American Catholics have always been much more independent from Rome than Mormons have been from the powers that be in Salt Lake.

I appreciate your thoughts, I quoted you because this has been mentioned before and it somewhat disturbs me to think others believe we are controlled by the General Authorities. There is no way to prove otherwise than to state factually that I myself would give up my membership if someone tried to control my free will.
Enough said and again thanks for your frank assessment.

[David Hume]

I'm a newbie, so if you have any helpful hints or criticism I will not be offended.
Being a Mormon I have heard that those who are even Republicans but of another religion will not vote for Romney. I am wondering if Religion should be a litmus test for a public office such as President of the USA? Some claim that his policies will be dictated by The General Authorities of the Church and others just feel that the Mormons are not Christians and more of a cult. What say you? :ponder:


Well, according to Article VI, section 3 of the Constitution, there is no religious test.

I wish the candidates and those who interview candidates would keep religion out of it in respect to our Constitution.

I'm not voting for Romney simply because he did a 180 in his personal politics simply for political gain. However, having spent a good deal of time in Utah, I know many politicians there who happen to be Mormon for whom I would vote, so long as they kept their religion out of the equation.

[HankSaint]

Well, according to Article VI, section 3 of the Constitution, there is no religious test.

Are you sure that was Article VI, section 3 ?? Could not find that, maybe I did not google correctly.

But strange that you would point out Romney's flip flops and yet we king of see that with most of the candidates. Hillary is probably the worst of them all. Wish the media would ask better questions and quit with the cherry picking of select planted moles. I feel you-tube did an extraordinarily bad job. Sorry to see so much in the news media about religious barbs.

[Buck Laser]

I think you should have had a couple of additional choices here:

Romney's religious affiliation isn't important to me, but I'm not voting for him.

I'm supporting Romney, but his faith has nothing to do with my support.

I know that conservatives don't like to have to deal with ambiguity, but this is a case where you can't get away from it.

[ravdav]

There is at least one mormon democrat in the house or senate not from utah.

That should show that mormons aren't controlled by the church, and that mormons can successfully campaign outside of utah.

that being said though... can a mormon republican grab red red states in the bible belt with what he does on sundays?

[HankSaint]

Thanks for the information, I did know that, and it bothers me we still see some who feel that religion or religious leaders dictate orders to the individual. As a member of the Mormon Church I can honestly say my free will (agency) is still in tact, and decision making is up to me. The whole Gospel is one of choice, satan is the one who wants to coerce, and force his thinking on the individual. Satan would take away our liberties and replace it with controls, that is why I am looking for a candidate who wants to protect my liberties as spelled out in the Constitution. I also believe in a secular type government and feel that is a blessing.

[bobbylien]

If he was a democrat and not looking for the conservative vote, it wouldn't hurt him. I don't care what religion he is, hes preaching to the 'values' crowd so I'll never vote for him.

[HankSaint]

If he was a democrat and not looking for the conservative vote, it wouldn't hurt him. I don't care what religion he is, hes preaching to the 'values' crowd so I'll never vote for him.


If he was a Democrat, I am sorry to say or believe his religion would be more of a hinderance. Times have changed since Kennedy, I see more of a secular progressive party with the Liberal element. Moveon.org and the far left are trying very hard to turn the party of Kennedy into something more than just a liberal philosophy. I see socialism as the party theme and it scares me. Yes, there a lot of good religious Democrats, but the party is being taken over by a much younger and hip generation. Religion is not hip for them. I apprecieate your remarks, but values are a very important part of our society. Maybe you can show me the part of values you disagree with. Don't bring up abortion, that is a choice.

[underdawg]

Well coming from the south, I think that most protestant Christians that I have met view the Morman religion as a cult.

[HankSaint]

Well coming from the south, I think that most protestant Christians that I have met view the Morman religion as a cult.


And what do you think? Cult or Christian. Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, ---- don't they all have different tenets or articles of faith. Can one denomination claim to be the Christian Church Christ set up.

[Scorpion]

Personally, I think that Romney's religious affiliation isn't germaine to his bid for President. The Church of Latter Day Saints is a well respected religion.

I do agree that the less educated segment of the electorate may view Mormonism as a cult which allows multiple wives who are treated like endentured servants.

Romney needs to take the initiative and dispell concerns about his religion by educating the electorate about his Mormon beliefs.

[bobbylien]

If he was a Democrat, I am sorry to say or believe his religion would be more of a hinderance. Times have changed since Kennedy, I see more of a secular progressive party with the Liberal element. Moveon.org and the far left are trying very hard to turn the party of Kennedy into something more than just a liberal philosophy. I see socialism as the party theme and it scares me. Yes, there a lot of good religious Democrats, but the party is being taken over by a much younger and hip generation. Religion is not hip for them. I apprecieate your remarks, but values are a very important part of our society. Maybe you can show me the part of values you disagree with. Don't bring up abortion, that is a choice.
Well, what you think doesn't matter and it goes against the facts. I don't doubt that there are many anti-religion liberals out there but they don't run the party. True liberals don't care what religion a person follows. For me its all about separation of church and state, which is absolute. Religion is fine by me and I respect the mormon way of life. Just keep your religious beliefs out of our schools, courts and laws.

[Pookie]

I was wrong about Romney. I thought his Mormonism would hurt him. But lately I've seen him stand up under fire and speak his mind.
The man has faith! The great thing about him is just this: He has faith in a higher power, he has faith in this terrific country, he has faith in all of us -- remember us, the Americans? And he has faith in himself! He's ballsy enough to wade into the fray, Mormonism and all, and say, "I love my country and I want to fix it." So, more power to him. He's going to need all the faith and prayers he can get his paws on if he's going to take over the job as President and fix this stuff.
I don't think it will hurt him.
Purrs,
Pookie

[HankSaint]

Just keep your religious beliefs out of our schools, courts and laws.

I sort of agree with you on religious beliefs being kept out of our schools. Courts and laws would be kind of different since we based our laws on the Ten Commandments. But if your talking about abortion and the rights of gays, than that would make for a different debate. I wish our schools could be kept out of the public domain and more control brought to bear by local communities. I like the idea of Home Schooling and Charter schools, but we would still have the problem with families that are poor and cannot afford private schools. What to do? Since you and I might differ on what our children should be taught it makes for contentious debate. There is no evidence that would show a natural or by design --- creative evolution or just creation and how it truly unfolded, hence it should not be taught as being only one way. Both sides need to be able to articulate their beliefs or evidence. Otherwise not teach it at all until our kids reach a higher degree of education.

Just some thoughts.[hr]
I was wrong about Romney. I thought his Mormonism would hurt him. But lately I've seen him stand up under fire and speak his mind.
The man has faith! The great thing about him is just this: He has faith in a higher power, he has faith in this terrific country, he has faith in all of us -- remember us, the Americans? And he has faith in himself! He's ballsy enough to wade into the fray, Mormonism and all, and say, "I love my country and I want to fix it." So, more power to him. He's going to need all the faith and prayers he can get his paws on if he's going to take over the job as President and fix this stuff.
I don't think it will hurt him.
Purrs,
Pookie


What I see in this statement is someone with a open mind, good for you. :clapper:

[David Hume]

Well, according to Article VI, section 3 of the Constitution, there is no religious test.

Are you sure that was Article VI, section 3 ?? Could not find that, maybe I did not google correctly.

But strange that you would point out Romney's flip flops and yet we king of see that with most of the candidates. Hillary is probably the worst of them all. Wish the media would ask better questions and quit with the cherry picking of select planted moles. I feel you-tube did an extraordinarily bad job. Sorry to see so much in the news media about religious barbs.


Article VI, Section 3
The "No Religious Test" Clause

http://candst.tripod.com/testban1.htm

[HankSaint]

Romney needs to take the initiative and dispel concerns about his religion by educating the electorate about his Mormon beliefs.

Thanks for the, reputation plus remark, and now to comment on your statement above.

It's a shame someone would have to educate others about their personal beliefs, especially since so much negativity has already been posted about the Mormon Religion. A good man once said, those who seek answers or want to be informed should always go to the source for correct information. Point being that I get so much anti- mormon thrown at my religion it infuriates and frustrates me that most of the cherry picked issues are either taken out of context or outright false. Romney only needs to convince the voters that he is sincere in his stand for the liberties afforded us in the Constitution and will do all he can to protect it and us.
Kennedy never had to explain his religion, only that we were voting for him the man, and not the Pope or the Catholic Church.

Liked your comment. :thumbsup: