Mitt Romney has been chomping at the bit to get someone to say anything negative about his Mormonism so he can paint himself as an oppressed/persecuted Christian.
Al Sharpton, as usual, stuck his loafer in his mouth and obliged. Al uses his religion as a prop almost as often as his race.
I don't get the sense that any of these guys are really religious. It's just a marketing tool to them. What do you think?
2007-05-12 03:51:39 · 18 answers · asked by St. Tom Cruise 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Mitt Romney and Pat Robertson together at Regent University where Mitt spoke. I find it heartwarming that these two men would join forces. Robertson is a delusional hate-mongering, twisted christian fundamentalist, and Romney is reaching out to him for that block of votes. What the hell else do I need to know to prove to me politics is a business where people seem to be more than willing to sell their own souls, religion be damned.
2007-05-12 04:03:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
When it comes to religion, you are wrong there. All Mormons are very religious and Mitt Romney is no exception. He is a true Mormon and is very serious about his religion. You can not be a Mormon and do it half way. You either are a mormon and follow all the tenents of the religion or you aren't a Mormon. It was always known that would come up as an issue. It's very much like when Kennedy ran for President. He was the first Catholic president and it became a very big issue in all the debates, the question being, was he going to run the country or was the Pope. Luckily, religion is not that important in this country and the whole issue got put on the back burner.
With Al Sharpton, he is always looking for whatever he can to throw at anyone. He likes to say that everyone is a bigot to him, when in fact he is the biggest bigot out there. But, it's a Presidential race and they are always as nasty as they can be. It's only just starting now, wait, it will only get worse.
2007-05-12 11:08:02 · answer #2 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I suspect some do use it as a prop and some actually believe the country needs to turn to God to survive. I have no way of knowing what any particular candidate actually believes.
As someone who believes gays should have equal rights, I hope the religious right doesn't gain too much more power, but I understand their fear. They think of the Bible's account of the destruction of Sodom, and don't what that happening to their country. Can't blame them; all I can do is point out that the Bible indicates that rape was also accepted in Sodom, and maybe that is why it was destroyed (once rape is acceptable in a society it doesn't even need an angry God to be destroyed; it will destroy itself.)
I don't see how we can keep the government strictly secular in a democracy. If we have freedom of speech, then candidates can express religious beliefs to get votes. The voters can vote for whomever they want in a democracy. Those who are elected can pass laws within the confines of the constitution, and the constitution can me amended or tweaked through the democratic process including referendums and appointment of judges.
Many say "you can't legislate morality." I think you can legislate anything you can get the votes for. I want to impose my morality on fundamentalists by forcing them to respect equal opportunity for gays or single mothers for example; and at the same time impose morality on those who would deny all opportunity to the unborn (I think nonlethal ways to terminated unwanted pregnancy should be developed so women will have the right to terminate pregnancies without terminating lives and opportunity for the unborn).
I guess the answer is to vote for whomever is proposing policies you can most support, and not worry too much about the hidden motives any candidate may have for her/his policies. We can't read minds.
Bernie
www.yaktivist.com
2007-05-12 11:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Yaktivistdotcom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. The majority of Republican politicians have been giving lip service to the Religious Right. They all speak about abortion and for the prior six years have had the White House and a majority in the congress. They've had the wherewithal to change the rules but haven't done so. This way they can keep abortion as an "important issue" on their platform.
2007-05-12 11:09:57 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Nightcall 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I've little doubt many of those in public life who make such a big deal of their religion do in fact see themselves that way. But we also insist they do that, partially because we act as if that is soooooooooo important and not at all a private matter.
We forget that an election is hiring someone to do a job, not selecting the "best" kind of human being.
2007-05-12 11:03:00 · answer #5 · answered by zahir13 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion has always been a prop in politics. And it's because we let it. In a good secular government it wouldn't matter but alas...that's not really what we have. To bad...it would make things go smoother i think.
2007-05-12 11:01:52 · answer #6 · answered by Franklin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look around you religion is a part of the life of the majority of the people in the world. That is not a prop it is a foundation!
2007-05-12 10:59:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Republicans have been using religion to get candidates elected since Reagan days.
2007-05-12 11:11:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
so true.they always do that.the thing is they are has raciest as everybody else,where were they ? when the VT shootings took place.did they show up? hell no.cause it was mostly white ppl.who were killed some black sure.but if it was a black college& the shooter was white.they would be all over the media.i maybe wrong .but i doubt it.
2007-05-12 10:59:05 · answer #9 · answered by joe S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What makes you feel that Romney was "chomping at the bit"? How do you know that?
As far as Sharpton goes, you're correct. He's a bigot.
2007-05-12 10:56:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋