I'm not surprised Mittens handled himself with aplomb, even though he had to be burning on the inside. Say whatever else you want about Romney, but he is a rather slick politico--too slick by half, if you ask me. His answer was indeed smooth.

I wonder if the Christianist gentleman who harangued him believes Rudy Giuliani is also a "pretender" rather than protector of the faith.

This religious BullShit gets scarier by the day! These people are delusional and sick! And they have a pathetically scarey amount of political power. They are fascists dressed in "christian clothing," and they are completely amoral. They have no idea about morality.

Jan Knaus

This is the sort of slick response that impresses the journalists who trail these people around. If Romney can, by his twisting and slickness, convince them that he is as cynical and soulless as they are, they'll start giving him the John McCain treatment, and then it won't matter if he's a Mormon, a Christian, or a Satanist. He'll just be golden.

In times of peace, a wise man prepares for war. -- Horace

The blade itself incites to violence. -- Homer

It was a nice answer, IMO, and obviously its an answer Romney had planned ahead. Yesterday on McLaughlin Group, Eleanor Clift said that being a Mormon would help Romney because it gives him an opening to talk about himself as a "person of faith." Thats the lingo, "people of faith," and politicians of both parties use it.

But when Dems use it, it's a sign of their core "inauthenticity." Romney now, he really means it.

In times of peace, the wise man prepares for war. -- Horace

The blade itself incites to violence. -- Homer

It must have something to do with secret signs, winks, how the knees are positioned, or something. You are right that the press, at least, never believes a Democrat is a "person of faith" even if he is a priest, but a Republican, living with his girlfriend, as his wife lays dying in the hospital, and his children are begging on the street, is accepted as being "a person of faith" because they say so.

Hoppy in Sacramento

If by then he is making great points in other ways, only the fringe will hold that against him, if he can't hold up, he'll be out anyway.

I suppose we'll see how polarizing this issue is.

Of all the religions, Mormanism is my least favorite. That's because my friend told me that he couldn't see his daughter married because he smoked and others told me they were barred from going to certian things because "they weren't in good standing."

In a democratic country, I have a hard time appreciating mormans because they exclude people for various reasons.

I recently went to an episcopal church and I was floored that "everyone was welcome to take communion." Of course, the nytimes today noted that "the conservatives" are putting pressure on the episcopal church to go backwards and start excluding more people again...

SeeDee

Oh, God!...Obama tainted by fanatical Muslim teachers in some madrassa, Romney (on the other side) with the albatross called Mormonism 'round his neck...

Will anyone pay any attention to the SOLUTIONS AND POLICIES they espouse to address the REAL problems which confront this nation?

How about giving us the views on important issues which ALL the would-be candidates propound?

Didn't Chris Matthew et al think it was a brilliant answer Bush gave in the 2000 primaries that Jesus was his favorite philosopher? It shows how meaningless religion has become that Jesus is a philosopher. How many questions would Jesus be the best answer for? After that one, how many politicians must be thinking, where can I say "Jesus" for the answer?

But it is one hopeful sign this year and its on the Republican side: all three of the top candidates are probably going to tone it down with the religion. Romney won't avoid saying he's a person of faith but he won't prolong the discussion, just as he handled it the other day. If the Republicans really want to hold onto the presidency, they are going to have to take a candidate who doesn't talk about his "personal relationship with Jesus" every chance he gets.

SeeDee
Sorta the old axiom "what's good for the ganders is good for the goose", huh?

You're probably correct, but I'd really rather they asked none of them.

And just who are "these people?" Is Jimmy Carter one of them? Was Martin Luther King? I'm sure that you don't mean to paint all people of faith with the same brush. After all, it was a group of Baptists in the Roger Williams mold that pushed for the seperation of church and state.

Oh no! Being tainted by fanatical Muslims or being a Mormon who believes they can pray other people into heaven could NEVER be as bad as being seen as a policy wonk! Remember how the media (not to mention Saturday Night Live) treated Al Gore?

Let's get back to the issues of real interest, such as how much money they've raised, how black they are, and what the polls say 2 years out...
[wink!]

I do not understand why folks are 'up in arms' about Romney being a Mormon. Can anyone enlighten me?  Why are the implausible beliefs of Mormons anymore 'absurd' than those of any other religion. Yes, I know about the polygamy but he is not practicing bigamy so what is the big deal?

SeeDee
Yes!, whiterosebuddy, it WAS intended as a bit of sarcasm...

I associate my views on this matter with those expressed by Jan...she says it pretty clearly...and interestingly.

My first thought as well...what better way to win some sympathy from the audience (and those watching at home on YouTube) than to plant someone to say something intolerant about your religion.

Let me walk you through it. Most Americans are Christians, and conservative Republicans are more likely to be conservative Christians as well. Some Christians think Mormonism is a cult, and others think it is blasphemous and an affront to Christianity (since Mormons believe in Christ but also follow the tenets of the Book of Mormon). As such, they may not vote for someone who is a Mormon to be President.

(I am not endorsing these views, just explaining them.)

Most Americans are Christians, and conservative Republicans are more likely to be conservative Christians as well. Some Christians think Mormonism is a cult, and others think it is blasphemous and an affront to Christianity (since Mormons believe in Christ but also follow the tenets of the Book of Mormon). As such, they may not vote for someone who is a Mormon to be President.

OK, thanks.  

What I do not get is how the Mormon beliefs are anymore 'cult-like' than anyother religion. I mean Catholics have their patron saints, not to mention venal and mortal sins, all types of holy periods/lent, confirmations/blessings etc. So how is someone of this Christian faith any more 'crazy for their beliefs' than any other religion? I mean religious tenets are religious tenets. Isn't this America?

A big source of my problem is that I know several Mormon families and frankly, they are more like Catholics, than anything. They have those missions, and belief in big families and rear everyone in their faith. Very patriarchal. I just do not get it. I can how the polygamy thing is nuts but Mitt is  not a bigamist.  He has been married for over 25 years to the same woman and he did not try to annul it like Giuliani, after 14 years.

The other thing is that the Catholic faith is the one which has impacted social policies moreso than Mormons.

I struggle with this religious criticism of Romney since it just seems invalid.  I especially find it difficult as I am not  adherent to any religious denomination. In other words, Mitt doesn't seem any more fanatical than other folks who claim faith in other Christian denominations.

I see the polls on Mormonism so I know the anti-mormonism is prevalent, I just don't get it.

Re: Even if I had wanted to marry her, I would have had to have converted to the faith prior to any blessing being granted.

There must be different rules in different churches. Maybe the Utah Mormons are stricter since they dominate their region? My step-sister (in Michigan) maried not one but two non-Mormon men (in succession-- no jokes about polygamy please!), who never converted and apart from an understanding that their children would be raised in the church, there was no trouble about it. They did not of course have a "Temple" wedding; that's for Mormons only, but that's no more restrictive than rules that Catholics and others have about their sacraments. And my step-sister remained a member in good standing of her congregation. She also has many non-Mormon friends; the LDS is NOT exclusive; indeed, they like the idea of their members socializing with non-members in the hopes that "Gentiles" will thereby be attracted to the church.

Re: Non-Mormons are also not allowed inside most areas of Mormon temples

In an Orthodox Church only clergy, and those who are especially invited, may enter the sanctuary. Among the ancient Jews only the priests could enter the Holy of Holies. Similar rules can and could be found among other religions. There is nothing strange about a religious building having a special holy place with limited access.

*sigh* I guess I have to put that little winking smiley face on my posts when I'm being sarcastic. And glissade that was sarcasm.

magic underpants?

I remember some vague reference to underwear and Orrin Hatch years ago, but what are the Mormon "magic underpants?"

C'mon... really?

"These people" are those who even consider the religion of the person that they want to be President. I don't include as delusional nut-cases anyone who is personally religious, nor do I include those who are not.

The idea that someone has to believe in god to be a good leader is ludicrous, and I believe it is harmful. It is precisely because of George Bush's claim of being in contact with god for all his major decisions that there remains an unenlightenable 30% who swear his allegiance.

Religion has no place on the sleeves of our leaders, and should have no place in deciding who those leaders should be. "Those people" who make that decision based on religion would not have the same standard if they had to elect the president of their bank, or their surgeon. Why entrust the leadership of our country to people because they say they are christian? Unless I'm mistaken there've been a few of those gentlemen who also said they were heterosexual, but they got caught with their pants down, and a guy right behind them! You really can lie about anything!

Jan Knaus

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we'll see if Romney raises himself to the level of the folks you mentioned.

based on the video segments that I've seen, I wasn't particularly moved by Romney...

In general, I see myself moving away from organized religions and that includes the democratic, republican, and/or nationalistic faiths, etc...

in particular, I'm very fond of MLK and love reading him. in my opinion, he transcended religion and politics and that made him exciting.

Why is this important AT ALL?

More importantly he is CHRISTIAN.

Jan Knaus