Mitt mentions 'Mormon' just once

Posted: Thursday, December 06, 2007 10:55 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
Romney has said that his “Faith in America” speech would not be a JFK-like speech. In one sense, it certainly was not. Kennedy said “Catholic,” his religion, 20 times in his 1960 speech on religion during his general election campaign. By contrast, Romney said “Mormon” just once.

In fact, Romney invoked other faiths by name in the speech more than his own. He said “Catholic” three times, “Jews” and “Muslims” both twice each. Romney, instead, substituted “my church,” "my religion," and "my faith," which he used three times each. Kennedy also never said “Jesus” in his 1,500-word speech. Romney, on the other hand, said “Jesus” twice and “Christ” additionally once, including this, “What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.”

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Comments

He was so emotional, wow!! What is it about mommon that Americans are scared of?

Bee (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:00 AM)

Bee, I'm not scared of Mitt being a mormon. What scares me is the hate mongering christian fundamentalist culture war fighting religious right of which he's part of, period.

pat huntington ny (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:08 AM)

Quality speech. Now if he could only get over the flip-flopping issue...

Omar, Charlotte (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:09 AM)

Religion should not come into play for the people that are running for president. Look at Bush if he was anykind of Christian he would know you don't rule like a dictator. Look at all the people that have been killed because of lies, lies, oil, oil.

Carmen Colorado (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:11 AM)

Breaking news : new poll just released showed Hilary Clinton Losing lead in SC to Obama. What will the WashingToast, and NYT report?

airmanc5 (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:11 AM)

Study up on the Mormons; then you'll (hopefully) answer your own question. Only ignorance of the faith and its origins and practices would keep an individual from thinking twice.

Wave (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:13 AM)

Mitt came across like he's afraid to be labeled Mormon... is he planning on converting>

Chuck,San Diego (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:14 AM)

I won't vote for him for a lot of reasons but his religion is NOT one of them. It has been laughable to watch one cult call another cult a cult.

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:14 AM)

It's not that people are scared of him. They are uncomfortable with the fact that he won't tell people what his religion really believes in. All we want is for him to be HONEST about his beliefs and religion. If I were a Mormon I would be upset that he's not being more upfront about his church and his status in the church. Huckabee is gaining ground because he's direct about his beliefs in the bible and Christianity. The people want that...honesty.

Jon (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:14 AM)

He'll flip-flop on this just like he's
flip-flopped on everything else. Just give him
a few months.
Remember...Multiple choice Mitt

Skip, New Hampshire (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:14 AM)

BAsic Mormonism: As I am God once was, as God is I shall become. How's that? A president that one day will be God looking over his own planet.

Pat Alvey, Tyler, Texas (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:15 AM)

Mormons are fanatically loyal to their leader who they claim speaks directly with Christ. Dissent from the Mormon (aka LDS) church is quashed by the leadership. So this massive influence is what concerns Americans. Not to mention if Romney becomes president he will probably have a “bat phone” to Salt Lake City in his office.

Uriel, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:15 AM)

Bee - I think many Americans don't know much about Mormonism - fear of what they don't know, along with rumors...bad combination. I am not a Mormon, but I am neither afraid of or for them, I guess kind of neutral.
While I might not agree with Romney on religion/theology, he made some very good points today about the need for religious freedom for all faiths, and freedom FROM religious tests. Obviously a speech directly to the conservative evangelicals, no question. He may lose some seculartists, and those who are not of the "Big 3" faiths, though when he says religion and freedom go together.

WAK, Philadelphia (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:16 AM)

This country has manifested a culture of ignorance. Organized Religion plays on this to its benefit. Romney cannot separate himself to the extent needed for impartial decision making. He is delusional.

truthhurts, Austin, tx. (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:17 AM)

If anything, in my mind his being a Mormon makes him an even stronger candidate. All the Mormons I know are outstanding individuals.

Britt, Richmond, Virginia (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:18 AM)

Anyone who can't see Romney as a good and honest man isn't worth a hill of beans. America has a chance to to elect a truly moral and capable person as president.

TJ, New York (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:18 AM)

Why wasn't it like the JFK speech? Because it WASN'T the JFK speech. JFK was speaking to an organized and defined group of protestant ministers who were putting their names on paper saying that they believed he couldn't help being controlled by a church that openly made political policy statements.

Romney is speaking to Americans who are scared of him because people have made them scared of his religion. He did make the same promise that JFK did, namely that he would not follow dictates of his church in his public policy, but that was the minor issue. The major issue is that people are scared of Mormonism.

Elbeau (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:18 AM)

All you have to do is look at the history of the Mormons to know they don't play well with the neighbors. I lived in SLC for 12 years and it was the happiest day of my life when I moved. They have no consideration for anyone but themselves. As far as I'm concerned the Mormon church is a corporation masking itself as a religion. As an example, in England, after the Tsanami they raised lots of money from their members. We now know (due to the fact that in England, churches must disclose their books) that none of it was sent, but kept. Who knows about what they raised in the US, since they won't disclose their books.

Not just NO on Romney, but HELL NO.

Steve, Boise, ID (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:19 AM)

good news- the religous right have pushed Romney out and replaced them with a southerner in Huckabee. Better news- Obama is gaining on Clinton. He'll get the nomination and any Republican can beat Obama in the electoral college. Obama can't win purple states like Ohio, Florida, Iowa, or Pennsylvania.

Republicans retain the White House!!!!Forever

summus, San Marcos, Texas (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:19 AM)

I for one don't care whether he's Mormon or Jew or Presbyterian or whatever. He seems like a good person. I just want to know that he has a stance and won't waffle, but not such a stance that he's stubborn like W.

rich, tx (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:19 AM)

This country was founded on freedom from religion. A persons moral character and behaviour matter more to me than any religion. So called christian fundamentalists or evangelicals are trying to turn this country into a theocracy. However, their hate and self righteousness toward anyone who does not believe as they do, belies their christian behavior.

Natalie, Tacoma WA (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:19 AM)

It was a good speech. I'd vote for him because he has the best qualifications and values.

Jon, Rockford, IL (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:20 AM)

"What scares me is the hate mongering christian fundamentalist culture war fighting religious right of which he's part of, period."
As a Mormon myself I take great exception to that statement. Perhaps you could explain yourself better instead of invoking hate-filled invective you accuse me (or my religion, anyway) of? Perhaps you would list some of your qualifications to speak definitively on what I do or do not believe? I'm sorry you've had some negative experience with some Christians, but please don't paint us all with the same brush.

Thom, Idaho (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:20 AM)

Mormon family values is his greatest strength, Mormon history of denying blacks, encouraging polygamy, and subversive treatment of women will be his weakness and it won't be forgotten.

Sammy Harris, Colorado Springs, Colorado (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:20 AM)

I think people just want to know about what he believes. There are a lot of crazy cults in this country and people are skeptical. In this speech, he didn't explain the religion or his beliefs at all. Furthermore, while he promoted God in the public sphere and politics of America, he decried the ideals of Allah in other governments. He justified this by saying this with one word: terrorists.

Marc Larocque, Boston, Mass. (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:20 AM)

It was an excellent speech for the uninformed, from a political standpoint. The problem is that people who take the time to study and read their scriptures are better informed than most, and this speech will do nothing to make them think differently about Willard's beliefs. This is why: http://www.whatismormonism.com/

While it is true that there should be no religious test administered officially, there is nothing wrong with voters considering the beliefs of the candidates. If this is wrong, or bigotry, I will be glad to take up this point with any mormon that is ready to back a scientologist or muslim for public office.

Mule (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:21 AM)

Romney was dead center - why is this an issue? It saddens me that, after such a strong case for religious freedom, religious bigotry still rears its ugly head within minutes. Has America learned nothing in 231 years?

Mike Staten, Riverdale, Utah (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:22 AM)

Romney had audience handpicked to clapat the right place ,unlike Kennedy who spoke to people who were hostile to him. I would like to see him in a nonscripted and set up situation.

Dave Malyn, SLC utah (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:23 AM)

Exactly what this country was founded on. Way to go, Mitt. And if people still want to remain ignorant of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then that very same ignorance provides them still no leg to stand on when questioning the Mormon church.

Daniel, Orlando, Florida (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:25 AM)

If you really want to know what the Mormons believe why not try going to the source. http://www.mormon.org

Grant, New York, NY (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:25 AM)

People who say that "Mormons" are not Christians have either not studied the religion adequately from credible sources or are so blinded by their own bigotry that they refuse to accept what is plain to see. The name of his church is, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Those guys riding bikes around our country with white shirts and ties are not sharing messages about anyone other than Jesus Christ. If “Mormons” aren’t Christians then I’m not sure the Pope is Catholic.

Nathan, Cortland, Illinois (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:25 AM)

Romney has said he will not have Muslim member of his cabinet. That's absurd.

Marc Larocque, Boston, Mass. (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:26 AM)

It's ashame that people are quick to assume in this country. Look at the generalizations we make about the French, or Muslim, etc etc. If only people would make a point to not generalize the Mormons. We aren't out to get the world, and we aren't out to force the world to agree with us and convert, but we are there to serve our fellowmen and the Lord. I think any good Christian would say the same.

Meagan, Prove UT (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:27 AM)

Sheesh! If you people don't know about MORMONS, why don't you go to the MORMONS for information! Any other source and you will get a speculative perspective....which probably won't be the true one.

Bob, Pascagoula (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:27 AM)

Huckabee raises taxes too much and thinks that imprisoned rapists are 'cleansed' once they became born again Christians. If I have to choose between a weird Mormon or a idiotic Southern Baptist- I choose the Mormon- at least he won't let rapists out of prison and raise my taxes to boot!

marquis (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:28 AM)

Women need to pay close attention to Romney bieng a Mormon as women are treated as second class in his religion. If he is true to his faith we could end up not being represented in the White House.

Judy Baker (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:28 AM)

Consider what mormon leaders and prophets have said, and you will see why Willard will not win:

""It is true that many of the Christian churches worship a different Jesus Christ than is worshipped by the Mormons or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." LDS Quorum of the Seventy member Bernard P. Brockbank, The Ensign, May 1977, p. 26"

""Christ was not begotten of the Holy Ghost...He was not born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God." Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:18"

""The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this sprit-filled brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind." Milton R. Hunter, Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15"

It is easy to see why Willard doesn't want to discuss his faith in-depth.

Truth (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:30 AM)

Amen to Sammy Harris, Romney runs away from his religion. Yes, It was a racist organization less than 30 years ago. Come on. He did not say anything new. Same old bull. He's not that upstanding please. He is a flip flopper. Let's be real.

Robert Hopson, Orlando, Fl (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:30 AM)

It was a great speech. As far as Romney detailing the tenents of his religion, I don't know what he can say that isn't said on his religion's website. I am not Baptist and as I recall, I haven't heard Huckabee detail the individual tenants of his Baptist religion. Asking that of any candidate is inappropriate. They are not spokesmen from their religion. It is shown by the fact that dingy Harry Reid is a Mormon and votes entirely different than the "religious right" to which Romney supposedly belongs, that there is no prescribed religious direction mormon political leaders must follow. Otherwise I am sure the Mormon leadership would have changed Reid's liberal positions. All-in-all...Judge the candidates on morals and other positions that are relevant to their future position

Lance Erickson, Dallas, Tx (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:31 AM)

"What is it about mommon that Americans are scared of?"

I think it's the crazy.

- Garden of Eden in Missouri
- The Golden Plates buried in a hill
- American Indians as lost tribles of Israel.

Just to name a few.

One does not have to be a theology major to understand the degree to which these claims are asinine.

Jay, Warsaw Indiana (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:32 AM)

I thought it was great. The religion issue should now be off of Mitt's shoulders and onto the voters. How they react will, in the end, primarily determine the speech's importance. Here's one Ohioian who hopes Mitts stays in the race long enough to make my vote count.

Dave, Avon, Ohio (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:32 AM)

Oustanding speech. Very sincere and genuine. Mitt even got a bit emotional when discussing the principle of freedom. He's a good man, a qualified man, a polished man. He generates credibility when he speaks. He's proven in the past that he can get results and work well with others. That's the kind of leader the Republican party needs to reform itself. Mitt, you have my vote!

John Allen, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:33 AM)

Bee - If you want to know about the LDS Church (the PC name for Mormons is LDS) you should watch the South Park episode about Joseph Smith and the LDS church. It's actually a very accurate depiction. (The creators of South Park used to be Mormon)

There's alot of beliefs/doctrines of the church that are really hard to wrap your head around. Bear in mind it's a fairly new religion, founded in the 1800s... are magical seer stones placed in a hat to translate the newest book of gospel any different than a booming voice from a burning bush? Probably not, but this is the 1800s, not before recorded history.

Mostly Americans have problems with Mormons because they're ignorant about it all. Do they have some strange beliefs? Yes, but other religions do as well.

Religion shouldn't matter, but it does. I don't care that Romney is a Mormon, I wouldn't vote for him anyway. The problem is the other Americans who do care that he's a Mormon. I hate to say it but it will make a difference and he will get "swift-boated" because of it. The bottomline is, it's going to be very hard to over look his being a member of the LDS church as a whole.

Joe Albrict, New York, NY (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:33 AM)

He claims his oath of office would become his highest committment to God. He can just relegate his temple oaths to the side while he is president?

He made an oath in the mormon temple, on pain of death (symbolize by a fake slashing of his throat) that he would give all his time and talents to the "morg" church, and to do whatever his church leaders tell him to do. I know because in 1974 I went through the same temple and made the same oaths. Thankfully, I learn the truth and left.

He either lied then, or is lying now. I know which one I believe.

Steve, Boise, ID (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:33 AM)

Why is it Mitt Romney's job to educate the entire United States about Mormonism? He is a man running for president that happens to be a Mormon. If you'd like to know more about Mormonism, research the pros and cons. We're not electing a pastor, we're electing a president.

Ashley (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:34 AM)

I was married to a Mormon and I looked into the church for three years. I attended several different congregations and can tell you two things about the Mormon church; it is built on massive lies and if you are not a Mormon, then Mormons look down on you. They protect their own and will do anything to undermine someone outside the church. I have a friend that married a Mormon gal and after they married, she stopped going out and didnt allow him to go out. She also got him to convert so they could be together 'always'.

Yes the Mormon church has good family values but part of those values is to consider non-Mormons inferior to them. My son is Mormon and I am fine with that. I am trying to mold him into an upstanding individual that wont look down on others due to race, religion, or anything other than what that person is as an individual. The Mormon church is a crock but that doesnt mean that Mormon people are.

I guess what I am saying is give him a chance. If he is influenced by the church, dont elect him again. The church may be built on lies but Mitt may not be.

JSM (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:35 AM)

He was damned if he did, damned if he didn't. I am a Mormon, but also a Democrat, so I won't be voting for Romney, but I think he did as best as he could in this speech. The evangelicals he is trying to reach simply cannot stand Mormons, whether it is theological differences, or the fact that we compete for converts. The problem for Romney is that his basic message is that there shouldn't be a religious test for the Presidency, however that is EXACTLY what many evangelicals seem to want.

The funny thing in my mind is that one of the highest ranked Democrats in the country is a Mormon (Harry Reid, Democratic leader in the Senate) and no-one gives him a hard time about his religion. I think it specifically because there appears to be a religious litmus test in the GOP, whereas one doesn't exist in the Democratic party.

Scott, Lynnwood WA (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:36 AM)

"People who say that "Mormons" are not Christians have either not studied the religion adequately from credible sources or are so blinded by their own bigotry that they refuse to accept what is plain to see."

Actually, the people that say this are the same ones that actually read and study their Bibles...this is how they come to the conclusion; for instance, the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God, yet mormons believe in many gods. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was a created being, like satan, while the Bible clearly states that Jesus Christ IS God. I could go on all day, but it is clearly not Christianity. It would be the first and only brand of Christianity to be polytheistic. It doesn't really matter what they call themselves, as the Bible is the final authority on what is what. This is how Evangelicals (and many others) feel, and this is why Mr. Romney's speech will do nothing to help his polling numbers.

In Polls Mitt Trusts (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:36 AM)

Romney did not say he would not have a Muslim member in his cabinet, what he said was that his faith should not be a qualification for his cabinet. You need to get the facts correct.

Phil (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:36 AM)

As a minority wen in it cames to religion in this country, I think Mitt has the right to address the bigotry of Huck et al. I will not vote him because first e has o stand in any issue I can think of, second his pandering the right wing crazies that think me and others should go to hell. He will with us.
I think Americans are losing sight of the article 6 of the constitution (no religious test for public office), which scary bu itself.

abraham SF, CA (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:36 AM)

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