On Jan 28, 8:04 am, Ramona <atlram...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Jan 28, 12:22 am, "Reality_Check=A9" <Real...@Check.it> wrote:
Focus: Romney 'acknowledged' Mormons not Christian
By RACHEL ZOLL AP Religion Writer
Article Last Updated: 01/25/2008 04:14:33 PM MST
An executive for one of the nation's leading evangelical groups says in =
a
video voter guide that Mitt Romney has "acknowledged Mormonism is not a
Christian faith," although the GOP presidential candidate has said he
follows Jesus Christ and his church insists it is Christian.
Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy at Fo=
cus
on the Family Action, said in an interview Friday that the comment was h=
is
interpretation of Romney's December "Faith in America" speech that was m=
eant
to reassure voters about his religion.
Minnery said that he spoke with the campaign after the video was posted =
this
week and they did not contest his view or ask him to retract the stateme=
nt.
"We've got a good relationship with them," he said.
Kevin Madden, a Romney spokesman, said in an e-mail that "campaign guide=
s by
advocacy groups consist of their viewpoints." Madden referred to Romney'=
s
faith speech when asked if the former Massachusetts governor considers
himself Christian.
Romney has long been dedicated to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-d=
ay
Saints, serving as a New England area bishop and helping build a Mormon
temple outside Boston, among other services.
Minnery made the comments in "Focus Action Candidate Commentary," a seri=
es
of short videos meant to help voters understand the positions of leading=
Democratic and Republican presidential candidates on issues important to=
social conservatives.
The Focus Action Web site, citizenlink.org, averages about 250,000 visit=
s a
month, and is the political arm of James Dobson's Focus on the Family ba=
sed
in Colorado Springs, Colo. Dobson draws a radio audience in the millions=
and
candidates compete for his support. But he has only made one endorsement=
in
a presidential race, in 2004, backing George W. Bush.
Romney is treated favorably in the videos, compared with fellow Republic=
an
contenders John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council in Washington, wh=
ich
is also linked to Dobson's ministry, calls Romney's positions "solidly
conservative across the board."
Minnery argues that the media has been unfair to Romney, then says, "Mit=
t
Romney has acknowledged that Mormonism is not a Christian faith and I
appreciate his acknowledging that. He said, 'But on the social issues, w=
e
are so similar,' and that is true.'"
Minnery based his interpretation on the section of Romney's December spe=
ech
in which the former governor professes "that Jesus Christ is the Son of =
God
and the Savior of mankind," then acknowledges that religions differ on t=
heir
beliefs about Christ and "each religion has its own unique doctrines."
Mormons feel maligned by claims that they aren't Christian. The scriptur=
es
of Latter-day Saints include the Old and New Testament, but also include=
sacred books that contain the revelations of their 19th century founder
Joseph Smith.
The church said in a statement Friday that "all of our dreams and future=
aspirations are centered in our belief in Jesus Christ."
--
Posted via a free Usenet account fromhttp://www.teranews.com
This is the type of crap that I detest reading...horrifically
misinterpreted and blatantly disingenuous writings that are
perpetuated to people likely to be ignorant and/or unwilling to find
the source documentation. Well here it is:
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Speeches/Faith_In_America
"There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked. What
do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God and the Savior of mankind.
That is the most critical, although adding that he was crucified for
our sins and was raised from the dead is extremely important.
My church's beliefs about Christ
may not all be the same as those of other faiths. Each religion has
its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for
criticism but rather a test of our tolerance. Religious tolerance
would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for
faiths with which we agree."
I hate to break this fact to you, but Christians don't all universally
agree of the concept of salvation with some believing baptism
essential while others (certain baptist congregations) believe baptism
a work and not essential. Just like the mormons, each faith has
unique doctrines. The Catholics believe in the concept of
transubstantiation. Does that unique doctrine exclude them from being
Christian? I think not, though likely there are some Christians that
find Catholics to not be Christian along with their LDS brethern.
I just one thing of those "christian". Do not bear false witness.
Claiming an organization that professes Jesus as Savior is indeed
bearing false witness and better would be to allow the ultimate judge,
if such being exists, to make that determination if even relevant.
Ramona
.
