Can Mitt romney really be an American if he can't drink Coca Cola?

Question

Plus there is that whole thing about his religion believing that blacks were an subhuman species a short 30 years ago.

At least I don't belong to a religion that had institutionalized bigotry until 1978. To this day, the only black Mormons I have seen are in publicity pamphlets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w9fdVJY-4k

Answer 1

You are a bigot.

Answer 2

Why can't he drink Coke? Certainly, not because he's Mormon, because Mormon's aren't disallowed from drinking Coke. That is more of a personal choice, not a doctrine of the church. The church merely encourages it's members to overcome the self, and as caffeine can be addictive some choose not to drink it. I'm a practicing Mormon and I have a red bull almost everyday...and it's not a sin.

As to blacks, Mormon doctrine actually never taught that blacks were subhuman. They were always welcome in the church and were friends of the church. In fact, some of the reasons they were persecuted was because they were more liberal and accepting of other in the beginning and actually were strong in their push to end slavery. The only issue is that they didn't give the priesthood to black men until 1978 (which meant they also couldn't go through the temple). There were many organizations that went through difficult times in the big civil rights eras and they Mormons certainly weren't quick to change. However, that doesn't necessarily mean they are racist or believe blacks are subhuman. The reason for their denial of the Priesthood hasn't really be discussed much, and there is no doctrine concerning it, other than that they were acting under God's direction.

You can call them racist, but if you know them, and you witness what they do, then you certainly couldn't think so today. They do have many black and other nationality members in their church, and their not just for token media moments. The church is bigger outside of the U.S. and includes large numbers of black people. To say they are racist, or that someone's choice not to drink coke is un-American, is no less un-American...however, I guess now days it is pretty American to not respect others and their differences and to attack them, and to only think of one's self.

Answer 3

Romney is allowed to drink Coca Cola. Caffeinated sodas are not forbidden in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Only tea and coffee. Some Mormons do drink Coca-cola and other caffeinated sodas and others do not. Besides, that whole ordeal where blacks weren't allowed to hold the priesthood, like you said, was 30 years ago! If Mormons consider blacks equal today, what does it matter how they perceived blacks in the past? That's what really annoys me. Too many people focus excessively on the history of Mormonism and not enough on the present. To answer your question, you can't use someone's religion to define an American.

Answer 4

Last time I checked , we were at war with the Taliban. Why should we let one of their cousins inti the White House?

This one happened 150 years ago but I think its still relevant because Mitt Romneys church pardoned a terrorist mass murderer of Americans and protected the 100 or so other Mormons involved from federal prosecution!

It was September 11, 1857. A wagon train of 160 settlers on their way to California was massacred by a bunch of Mormons dressed in Indian clothes. 17 children under the age of 8 were spared and lived to tell their story.
1st. They dressed as Indians but after five days they changed tactics.
2nd. Then they went a bit away ,dressed back into normal clothes and acted like the Rescue Party who had negotiated a deal with the"Indians".
3rd, Then confiscated all the guns as part of the deal for "saving" the travellers and Mormon dissidents( who were the reason for the attack in the first place).
4th. Took everybody off a mile or so and shot them all. 2 men got away but were eventually tracked down and killed a day or so later.
5th. Took the 17 children they had not killed back with them to Salt Lake City.
6th. Got away with it. After a publicized trial, with the childrens own testimony admitted into the court, only 1 man was convicted and shot, John D. Lee. ( pardoned by Church 1960)

It ended up being called the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The first time in U.S. history that U.S. citizens were massacred on U.S. soil by religious wackos. This event is even more significant because the total U.S. population at the time was much smaller.(I dont know the exact numbers, maybe only 30 million or so) In todays numbers it would be around 1400 dead

Answer 5

Since Coke sucks - not a problem.

Don't judge the man by his religion - ask him his opinion of blacks.

As for what the church thought 30+ years ago - there was a lot of organizations and governments that thoughts same - the Civil Rights movement was still fighting for Black Rights despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Answer 6

Part of Mormon belief is to honor the body. Adding anything that may be detrimental like the huge amounts of caffeine in Coke is not warranted. Frankly, I admire his commitment to the body, soul and mind for his lifestyle choices. I certainly do not admire Paris for her choices or Bill Clinton for continuous betrayal to his marriage.
Blacks are sub human? That came outta left field. I do not believe Mormon culture promotes those views. I would need to see some source. Thank you.
* I like Mitt he has good communication skills and is charming, not disarming.

Answer 7

That statement is actuallu true and part of the Mormon culture. As far as Coke, since the mormons purchased a large part of coke they had a revelation and said it is ok now to drink coke

Answer 8

If the worst that anyone can say about Romney is that he's a Mormon who doesn't consume cola, he may be worth a shot!

Answer 9

Lots of people can't, or don't want to drink coke, alcohol, of coffee, and they are still great and true Americans. And Romney's church changed its policy in regard to race decades ago.

Answer 10

Why can't he drink Coke? Get your facts straight, I'm a Mormon and I drink Coke. That's a ridiculous rumor.

Answer 11

If you can really be an American if you can't get your facts straight, then surely Governor Romney can be American.