Mitt Romney is an excellent candidate; what does his religion believe and why does it seem to be such an issue

Question

With Mitt Romney running for president there seems to be a continual discussion about his Mormon religion. From what I have heard and seen, Romney appears to be very intelligent and fits the presidential role perfectly. Why is there a hang-up about his religion? Someone said that Mormons don’t believe in Christ, is that true? What exactly do Mormon’s believe and why should that be a deciding factor in the presidential election?

Answer 1

Mormons believe in Christ. Many "mainstream christians" say that they don't, because they don't like them. (It is afterall, called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints")

Mormons believe that Christ died on the cross in Jerusalem, and suffered in Gethsemane, and only through him can we be saved. Sound like Christians???

Mormons are bold about saying "we are right, no one else is". That doesn't make em popular in the chrisian world. There are lots of people that hate the Mormon faith.

I think it's funny that he's the "cleanest" candidate and people are talking as if his religion is a bad thing.

Answer 2

There seems to be a stigma about the Mormons and their belief structure. The Mormons if you research were founded in the mid-19th century by Joseph Smith. However the waters get a bit murky in the way he aquired the text of the book of the Mormon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Mormon

It also calls into play the idea of Polygamy which was an insitution in the church until the turn of the century when it was banned. Some of the more fundamental sects of the church still practice it as they say it is what their prophet told them to do.

Many people do not understand the religion because it is a different sect of Christianity that is relatively (by religions standards) new.

Answer 3

Okay, I guess the Mormons are going to come out and give you the fictional party line.

Do Mormons believe in Christ? Yes, but more along the lines that Jews and Muslims believe in Christ. The standard definition of the Trinity is deviated in Mormonism, as the standard Trinity is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all facets of the same being. Mormonism holds that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three individual people, completely separate, only unified in purpose.

Jesus, according to Mormons, is the Son of God ONLY and not God manifested in the flesh.

Mormonism also rejects the notion of "Original Sin" -holding that men will be judged for their own actions, and not for sins of Adam.

Mormons do believe that faith in Jesus' action (the atonement on the Cross for all the sins of Mankind) is the gateway to forgiveness. But this can only be achieved by professing a faith in Christ.

Here's the BIG difference in Mormonism and the other Jesus-based religions: Mormons believe that Jesus Christ visited the Native Peoples of the Americas after His Resurrection.

Outside of that it's pretty much standard fare Christian stuff.

Here is a link to the Mormon Articles of Faith.

Answer 4

I know his religion matters to a lot of people. Maybe it shouldn't, but it does. For instance most Southern Baptists think of Mormonism as a cult. Not a good thing for a Republican candidate.

But I don't think that's even his worst problem. His worst problem is being an unbelievable opportunist and flip flopper. The man changed his core social beliefs in the space of a few months to try and fit the GOP mold. People are NOT that stupid, too many see the obviousness of what he did. Also, stupid little lies like saying he's a lifelong hunter when the man's never even had a hunting license aren't helping his case either.

Answer 5

What really does it matter, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has a website, examine it for yourself.
No ones religion or lack of one if it comes to that is a subject for exclusion from the office of the presidency. We have an avowed Christian in office now and that's obviously not a guarantee of competency. This is a smear and fear technique that is used to make you think poorly of a person, they do the same thing to Obama. Don't pay attention to anything other than the fact that they do it.

Answer 6

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons) believe in Christ.

It is a Christian based religion. They believe in the trinity, the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.

A lot of people don't understand the Mormon religion so they fear it. Mormons do not practice polygamy yet Mr. Romney is accused of such.

You will find a lot of accusations on here about it but my best advice to you would be to contact the church and speak to someone. They will be glad to answer all of your questions and no, you don't have to take the lessons or convert. As with most religions, they are willing to help you understand their beliefs and values.

Answer 7

I don't think it's so much about what we believe, but that they believe that he won't make a move about anything without first consulting Salt Lake City, thereby, pretty much having te church run the country. Sort of like when JFK ran and people were afraid that the Vatican would be running the country.

edit: hey hermann, you need to update yourself. First, the salamander stuff was proven to be a hoax, perpetrated by someone who wanted to destroy the LDS church. The plates were not in a cave, but buried in the ground in a stone box. And Jesus didn't appear in the america's BEFORE His crucifixion but after. And "white" is a matter of discussion.

Answer 8

The Mormons believe we all lived in Heaven with Heavenly Father, several Heavenly Mothers, and 20 Billion Heavenly Siblings before we were born here on Earth. Then there was a war. The good guys won and were born White. The bad guys lost and became demons. Those who were neutral or did not fight bravely were born with non-white skin. The bravest of the brave were born to Mormon families.

We all know that Romney must have been a "Valliant Warrior" in the "War in Heaven" during the "Pre-Existence". How else could he have been born "White and Delightsome" to an LDS family here on Earth? Heck, he was probably one of the Commanding Generals . Now , America needs a President with valuable military experience like that to get us through our war in Iraq. Could you please ask "The One and Only True Prophet", Gordon Hinkley, to please release those valuable records to the public? We need to know what battles he fought in. How many medals he won. How many of the "Less Valliant Soldiers" he recommended being born with black skin when they got their chance to be born on Earth. Was Al Sharpton one of THEM ? How about Jesse Jackson? Mormons, this is your chance to show the world the light of the everlasting gospel. Dont miss out. We have General Romney running for president of the USA and we need you badly right now!

Answer 9

LDS has some pretty interesting/weird ideas going on, talking white salamanders, gold tablets and shields and breast plates hidden in a cave, the belief that Jesus came to the Americas before he was crucified and that he preached to white people here before there was supposed to be any white people here...
South Park does a pretty good take on LDS if you haven't got the time or the patience to really research it. Look up South Park + Mormons, (something like that and you should get yourself a little two minute clip...hold it... here is a link...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WbB9FgazJk )
I know a lot of Mormon people and they are pretty decent hard working folks who educate themselves and take care of each other. I like that aspect of the faith, but some of those beliefs are a little too hard for me to swallow.
I think a lot of people do see the Mormon Church as kind of strange and that very well could hurt his chances. Only time will tell

Answer 10

easily, concern no longer buddy.... length would not count, whether you're gay... lol. it is not any longer in ordinary terms bible thumpers that have homophobia.... yet whilst it became the type of super element for Moses ... it would have made it on the excellent 10 hit record some time past (and Jews may well be hung like donkeys).