Jon Stewart Slams Critics of Mitt Romney’s Mormon Faith: ‘You Can’t Cherry Pick the Worst Aspects of a Religion’
- Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:19am by
Billy Hallowell
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Jon Stewart is known for tackling some of the day’s toughest, most controversial issues from a comedic — and leftist — perspective. On Wednesday evening, he delved into Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s Mormonism, taking aim at some of the individuals who have attempted to make it an issue during the electoral season. While he went after critics of the faith, he also threw in a few digs at the GOP frontrunner.
“There’s nothing frightening about [Romney] being a Mormon to me,” Stewart said. “Apparently some in the Republican Party’s evangelical base think otherwise.”
Stewart played a number of clips from the past six months from people like Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, the Rev. Franklin Graham and Pastor Robert Jeffrees. In each instance, these religious figures indicated that the candidate is not a Christian in the traditional sense. Then, the comedian characterized Jeffrees’ most recent endorsement of Romney as an example of: “I hate Barack Obama more than I love Jesus.”
Then, as the segment forged on, Stewart delved into some of the media attacks on Romney‘s faith from MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell and Martin Bashir. Additionally, he took aim at Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer who recently said that Romney’s polygamous roots may be problematic for the candidate (yet he failed to mention Obama’s same family history).
Mediaite has more:
Jon Stewart addressed Mitt Romney‘s Mormonism on Wednesday, and those who seem to view him as not being part of Christianity. Going through various remarks and concerns, Stewart ridiculed the whole debate, ultimately quipping that Romney’s inevitably discriminatory potential policies having nothing to do with his faith. [...]
“You can’t cherry pick the worst aspects of a religion and hold a person responsible for it,” Stewart said. “It’s not like Mitt Romney will pursue policies that are unfair to black people because he’s a Mormon. He’ll do that because he’s a Republican.”
Watch the Stewart segment, below:
(H/T: Mediaite)
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Comments (218)
HowardSternIsABigot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:14amleftist nit wits are actually embarrassed by the tactics of the kenyan moslem from rev wrights church that just bumped into ayres and farrakhan occasionally in the racist gated neighborhood while walking their dogs, Honkeyhater and *******.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:42amEven Jon Stewart can point out what I’ve been saying from the beginning of this issue –
THE LEFT WILL TRY TO USE THIS ISSUE TO DIVIDE US FROM WITHIN!!!
Jon Stewart CLEARLY shows that the left thinks ALL religions sound crazy – thus “Mormonism” is no different to them. However, the Evangelical right goes nuts whenever the word “mormon” is mentioned. DON’T LET THEM DIVIDE US OVER A NON-ISSUE!
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka – Mormons) and can tell you with confidence – Mitt Romney’s religion will NOT effect the way he governs as President – thus it is a non-issue in determining if you will vote for him or not for President.
Thanks
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:51amSteward sees the tide turning and Hollywierd drowning in it’s own ideology arrogance. He’s slowly trying to move a little more right to possible increase rating. But it‘s too lilttle too late for Steward he’s saddled with O for the 2012 election.
Report Post »guido.cavalcanti
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:33pm@ P8riot Why does the charismatic right constantly accuse Obama of being a Muslim as if that’s should disqualify the man from being president, but somehow Mitt Romney, who openly practices an apostate religion (from the perspective of Christians) should free from any scrutiny? “It’s just an attempt to divide us from within” as you phrase it. As if Mormonism is any less a false teaching than Islam.
Personally I don‘t care about Romney’s Mormon faith, he doesn’t seem to be an ardent follower anyways, just wearing his “faith” on his sleeve like most politicians do. I more worried about his progressive policies, the fact that he didn’t realize until he was in his mid-fifties that abortion is wrong, the fact he believes in massive expansion of govt, and that he has said he’ll intensify operations in the middle east, ostensibly extending “W’s”foreign policy to a minimum of a fourth term, which was re-extended in Barack Obama. Those seem to be real issues in my opinion, not whether a president is Islamic or Mormon.
P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:02pm@GUIDO.CAVALCANTI – I actually agree with you that someone should NOT be disqualified simply because they are Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, Baptist, Buddhist, or yes, even Muslim. There are many patriotic Muslims as well as Muslims who have done horrible things to this country – just like there are many patriotic Christians as well as Christians who have done horrible things to this country. Thus – we return to the original basis, that religion does not define how one will govern as President.
However, that said, if one’s religion has doctrines that are directed specifically at America rather than spiritual growth, then that would apply to how one would govern as President of the United States. Such as Obama’s attendance for 20 years at a church that taught things such as “G** D*** America“ and ”Amerikkk” etc (Rev. Wright). Now that is DIRECTLY applicable to how one would govern America. Or teaching by Muslim leaders that Americans are the infidel, etc. See the difference? Thus, if one finds teaching of “mormonism” that are directed specifically towards America, then feel free to bring them up. But it doesn’t matter if Obama thinks Jesus was black or even purple in regards to how he would govern; same to Romney.
Report Post »golfguru4u
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:45pmCriticism of a presidential candidate is NOT new. The question is … is it valid. Some seem to think a pols religious beliefs are not important. I disagree. I believe what you believe about the single most important question in life is critically important. We now have an example of how a lukewarm, at best, person of faith thinks and behaves. Nobody will argue the thinking and behavior of the President is not important. Romney‘s religious views are as subject to criticism as is the Big O’s.
Mormanism is kinda tricky. I have never met a Morman who was not a throughly decent and likeable person. That said, I must agree with Franklin Graham and Jeffress … Mormanism has some major theological problems relative to mainstream Trinitarian Christianity. My question is … if a person can’t get his religious thoughts right, then where/what else will be fuzzy in his thinking?
The second problem I have with Romeny is his wealth. No, I am not a socialist who wants to overthrow capitalism! My is related to his values relative to an ordinary working man’s values. Remember when President Bush 41 didn’t know the price of a gallon of milk (as memory serves … during a Clinton debate)? Think about how that lack of knowledge) affected this throughly decent man’s decision making (before being a factor in losing the election). Regarding someone supporting Romney over Obuma in spite of what I feel is a flawed religious, views. What’s the choice … supporting a dec
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:53pmI don’t see anyone questioning BHO faith. Oh yea, he’s off limits it seems.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:02pm@p8riot
If I were elected president my faith would completely direct my presidency. I would be worried if a so called Christian didnt rely on his faith to govern.
To those who do not believe the presidents faith matters, when/if he prays and seeks guidance I want a guy that is getting orders from the one true God from the Bible. If lets say he doesnt worship the God from the Bible then he is getting his orders from Satan.
That brings us to problem with Romney. If evangelicals are correct and Mormons are not Christians, then who would be guiding Romney? There are only two players in the game, God and Satan. There are no other gods, the other faiths are just following Satan.
The projection from the Mormon faith couldnt be more Christian. I believe a lot of Mormons have been tricked and only see this projection. I would be willing to bet most of the Mormon posters here are in this group. The problems start on the inside. The way the Mormon gospel was given to Joseph Smith, the founders and the false prophecies, the polygamy, and the almost demonic temple rituals. These are just a few of the problems.
Here is a interesting link for Mormons. I would love to get your feed back on it.
http://www.providentliving.org/welfare/pdf/WelfareFactSheet.pdf
The last 25 years the Mormon Church has given 327 million dollars to humanitarian aid plus 884 million in materials. So that comes out to 1212m/25yrs = 48.52m per year/lets say an avg of 12m= $4.04
Report Post »Machtyn
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:20pmGuido: You do not know Mitt Romney nor Mormonism very well if you think he wears his religion on his sleeve. Quite the contrary. Romney has done almost everything he can to make it a non-issue. He never talks about the services he performed while a Bishop or Stake President. Granted, these stories have come out, and recently he has talked about them, some. But he probably has thousands of stories of service that he could talk about, but doesn’t.
He doesn’t wear his faith on his sleeve, he performs his faith. An example: just the other day he went to a police station where the captain had recently been gunned down and had a quiet chat with them. He told reporters that his next stop was in Boston, so there was no media at this event. He did not say one word about the campaign, about becoming President, no requests for money or votes. How did we find out about it? Because the police at the station talked about it after the fact when the media tried to find out where he was.
No, the other candidates have blasted their faith all season long to try and pander to evangelicals. Romney has done no such thing.
Report Post »mils
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:23pmthe difference i see is…
Obama sat in a church for 20+ years and listened to a hateful, american hater spew his vomit…brought his children up in this church…cohorted with known american terrorists..america haters..AMERICAN HATERS…were his buddies, confidants, i read that rev wright, the america, especially white american, hater, is godfather to Obama’s children…
Mitt..is a Mormon…sat in a church that teaches brotherhood, love , helping your brother in a time of need, just doing it and not expecting cameras/press to be there, and helping this country. I don’t care where the religion started…all religions have a shady past…just ask Jon Stewart and his view of christianity and the beginnings..something you cannot prove/disprove..
A man is what he is, who he looks to for guidance, how he lives his life. For president..i think it’s how he loves this counry
When was the last time any of you bashers got out and annomously helped someone?.. didn’t want the praise, didn’t complain…but you knew it had to be done and you did it…any takers on that one?
I am not a mormon…I am not a christian. I am an American that loves God and country.
I would not care about this muslim thing except that i believe they are american haters and I believe obama has a very close/familial , hate America association. it is what i believe, and i think he has done great damage to this country. I have never looked at black people any differently than any other group..unti
Report Post »filiusdracul
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:14pm@GOLFGURU4U:
I would say mainstream Trinitarian Christianity has some major theological problems relative to original Christianity. Just because it is generally accepted doesn‘t necessarily mean the doctrine hasn’t been tampered with over time. Mormonism has 12 apostles, does your church?
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:19pm@Mutiny…..Mormons get orders from Satan when they pray?
riseandshine
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:40pm@Mutiny…..I’m with you on a lot of things…..but when it comes to spiritual/theological matters…whatever you want to call it……..you’re just way off.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:02pm@Mutiny –
Maybe your post was cut off prior to completion, but I’m not exactly sure what you were getting at… but if you want some updated info regarding the humanitarian efforts of my church (and this only lists the humanitarian efforts OUTSIDE of our church, it doesn’t include our own church welfare system)
“Humanitarian assistance rendered (1985–2011) $1.4 billion”
http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/welfare/2011-welfare-services-fact-sheet.pdf
As a church, we don’t normally trumpet the billions spent on humanitarian effort, but as a tax exempt church, we obviously must publish such.
As for your fear that anyone who has a different religious belief than you is guilty of “fuzzy thinking” – I’m a bit confused. Don’t you realize that ANY religion sounds crazy without faith in such religion??? You don’t think that your and my belief that certain people once talked with a burning bush, split the red sea, healed the sick through blessings, a virgin birth, turned water into wine, cast plagues, could see into the future and the past, and raised people from the dead – you don‘t see that those who don’t share our faith in such events might think we are guilty of “fuzzy thinking”? So you believe that an atheist, Buddhist, etc., should not vote for a Christian?
If your logic is correct, then each religion should have its own political party.
Report Post »marylamb72
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:16pmP8riot
Report Post »“not a Christian in the traditional sense.”
This is not a new statement by any means. It is NOT hateful either. I believe the same is said about Jehova’s Witnesses. Not hateful just not “traditional” sense. Traditional being Jeus IS God.
Montana Made
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:34pm@Mutiny-
I am going to challenge a few of your views (to do all of them would take up all the space on this page…):
When the original Church was formed during Christ’s ministry- what did it look like? Jesus Christ was the Head, had 12 Apostles and many Seventies to carry out the various ministries He needed to spread. When Jesus was Crucified- Peter became the Head of the Church. And it kept going for a time exactly as Christ had planned it. The LDS Church has the same organization as the Primitive Church.
When Christ was here on this earth- was he in fact the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost all rolled into one? There are plenty of scriptures to say that is NOT true- That Christ was in fact His own identity and the Father was a separate being, as is the Spirit. This did not change after the Crucifixion. Only after the Nicene Creed came along and MAN changed the rules did Mainstream Christianity adopt that belief and it lives today. Again- The LDS Church has the Same Church in place as the Primitive Church under Christ Himself.
Does Romney wear his religion on his sleeve? No he doesn’t- nor does any of the members of the Church. We believe that our actions are how we live our religion. Romney still goes to Church (though probably not as much as he’d like on the campaign trail). “Faith without works is dead” is a common tenant of our faith. We believe in doing good always. We will be judged accordingly.
These are just a few- if you want more, I’m happ
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:39pm@MARYLAMB72 –
I never said that such a line was hateful. I’m not sure if you thought I did – but thanks for your perspective! :)
Report Post »truthupordown
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:43pmMormons are not Catholics or any other faith. A catholic will go to a Christian church or even marry out side the church A Mormon will not. It is true that they are extremely patriotic but as a church they have goals that need to played out and for these goal to come fruition change needs to come. Someday the Mormon church will dazzle the word with it’s great works. These great works have been on the drawing bored for over a hundred years. Mitt will help facilitate the progress when he becomes president. It is not about whether he believes in God or not it is about what is he going to try to push through that we disagree with and what affect it will have on our country.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:02pm@Montana Made……I believe, if anything, Romney doesn’t live his religion enough. He would be more principled if he did….and that is his biggest weakness after all. I wish there was more of a Ezra Taft Benson candidate for President. I would think Ezra would be a Ron Paul supporter.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:08pm@TRUTHUPORDOWN
Yes, we do have goals as a Church. They are:
“First, the teaching of the restored gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; second, the building of the Saints in their faith and encouraging them in all of their activities to walk in obedience to the commandments of the Lord; and third, the great work of salvation for the dead.” Gordon B. Hinkley.
And yes, these plans have been on the drawing boards for hundreds of years, but we don’t need Romney to become President to accomplish these goals. :)
Report Post »pebbles
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:21pmpebbles
Report Post »Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:15pm
Personally, I applaud Jon Stewart for coming out in defense of Mitt Romney. He is clearly a good man, to his wife, his children, relatives, friends, and anyone in need. The public in general never hears about all of the good deeds this man has done for others, most of whom he has never heard of. He gives extremely large donations to charity and works for charity first hand and does not want to have news reporters around when he does his good deeds. This says volumns to me about the man himself and also his charater. Can anyone say that BO has a similar track record? Hell, no, and if he does do something notable (by his standards), he makes sure it’s reported by the media and repeatedly flashed across our TV screens. Oh, by the way, Harry Reid is also a died in the wool mormon, and I don’t hear the media reporting on this little tidbit, and he isn’t the only monmon in our government. This religion argument in stupid and misguided——JFK was the first catholic in the presidency, and when he was running, the media tore him apart for that saying he would make decisions for the country based on his religion and reminded us of separation of church and state. Well, looks like the opposite is happening now. Doesn’t this seem strange to you? Well it does to me.
FreedomPurveyor
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:29pm“A catholic will go to a Christian church or even marry out side the church A Mormon will not.”
Uh, what? Where on Earth do you get that?
I have heard many talks from Mormons who have visited other churches (and had nothing but positive things to say about them), and know Mormons that married people of another faith (though they often later convert the spouse or attend the spouse’s church instead).
Report Post »Montana Made
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:04pm@Riseandshine-
It would be next to impossible to go to Church on a regular basis with his time being pulled so many different ways- but I agree he needs to get back as much as he can. Many of the members have jobs that has them working on Sundays. Not ideal- but they do what they have to. When he is President- I would hope he’d go at least a little, but he has his agency to decide for himself.
Report Post »boyd9
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:36amThis really is in reply to Mutiny. I find it odd that you think it is not possible that a man can become a God. Didn’t Christ teach “Be Ye therefore Perfect, even as your Father which is in heave is perfect” in the Sermon on the mount? If we keep that commandment and do as Christ taught, what is it that you think you become when you have become perfect (which we can’t do without Christ, but with Christ all things are possible).
Report Post »I am also curious as to what the traditional Christian belief is regarding the principle of Resurrection. Mormon’s believe Christ was Resurrected, his Spirit and physical body were reunited permanently (the tomb was empty and the resurrected Christ ate with his Apostles to teach them he was once again a physical being). If Christ is now a resurrected being, meaning he is a physical and tangible God, how can he be part of the Trinity? What is the purpose of resurrection and a physical body and why is it important that we have one if Christ is a part of a God who is not a physical, tangible being? Isn‘t it more logical that we will be resurrected as a part of God’s plan to help us become more like Him and like His Son? If you are interested in reading a good book explaining the Mormon beliefs about God and Christ check out http://www.whatsthepointreligion.com.
GWBram
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:52pmI’m sory,P8Riot, but your are (inadvertantly?) buying into the liberals’
Report Post »mind set about religion which they find primitive if not distasteful. One’s
religion, just like one’s upbringing, has to play a role in how you govern.
True, Mitt will not be preaching his religion to us as our President, but I
would hope he continues to conduct himself by the same Judeo/Christian
ethic most of us abide by.
Duey2000
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:10amThere are people in Christianity that do not believe that Mormon’s are Christians because the base of their beliefs comes from the book of Mormon and not from the Bible. To be honest, I don’t know how I feel about that myself, but I will say this: I would vote for a moral man regardless of his religion over an immoral man any day, as long as his principles (family, economics, ethics) are all in line with my own. To assume that he is a slave owning polygamist is just as bad as the athiests who call out Christians because of the Spanish Inquistition or the Crusades. Muslims, however still act the same way that they did 800 years ago and are the exception to that rule.
Report Post »JGraham III
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:51amI couldn’t agree more! The final analysis between Romney and Obama for the fundamentalist Christians who “can’t bring themselves to vote for a Mormon” is to remember that the Bible says that ‘as a man thinks in his heart so is he’ and, ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks’. Now, I haven’t been an avid follower of Mitt Romney but I have heard a LOT of lies come out of the mouth of the president and that to me suggests there is something very dark in his heart. I don’t get that from Romney (at least not yet) so on that basis alone the so called fundamentalist should have little problem voting for Romney. Besides Jesus ain’t on the ballot; after all why should He give up King of kings and Lord of lords just to become president? Thanks for listening.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:54amActually most Christian believe mormons are Christians as the mormon faith has Christ as it’s foundation. To believe in Christ and his teaching is to be Christian.
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:39pmPlease stop with the stereotyping of all fundamentalist christians. I am one, and I know a whole host of others who will vote for Romney. I have a good godly pastor so I don’t need to vote one into office. As much as I vehemently disagree with much of mormon theology, they are good and moral people. I had theological problems with Bush saying Jesus was a great “philosopher” and going to the wake of John Paul and kneeling at the foot of his corpse. Jesus is more than a “philosopher” and no protestant should be kneeling to pray at the feet of a dead or living pope. There are plenty of people who don’t vote for someone for some stupid reason or another.
FYI, I know it kills the social liberals in the GOP but without us crazy fundamentalist bible thumping right wing christians, you would never win a national election!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:31pmIf you have no issues voting for a man that believes that:
1. God was once a man like any other.
2. You can become a god like God through faith and works.
Those ideals are completely against the Bible. Yes the Mormon have a few scriptures they claim to say these things but they are ignoring the tons of verses in the Bible that are against these ideas. Yes they worship a name “Jesus Christ” and say he is the savior, but Satan knows that information also. To diminish the power of God by saying he was a man or the laughable thought that you can become a god is extremely anti Christian.
Report Post »REETZBEE
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:35pmAt least Romney doesn’t want to destroy America, who cares what religion he belongs to or how nutty the Mormon faith is. At least he doesn’t believe in collective salvation.
Report Post »PoliticiansRCrooks
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:38pm@Duey2000 – Yeah but the part your missing is that Romney is not morale. He is a crook just like Obama is. And Christians don’t vote Mormons. So nice try with this lame article.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:11pmOh good! MUTINY and POLITICIANSRCROOKS are here to save us all from ‘them there mormans’
lol
Report Post »justangry
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:33pmI‘m curious how many otherwise conservative Mormons are supporting Romney only because he’s a Mormon. I mean he’s certainly not a conservative. Doesn’t care about the Constitution or American sovereignty. And is this any better than the black folks voting for Obama solely based on skin color?
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:49pm@JUSTANGRY – we don‘t support Harry Reid even though he’s mormon do we?
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:57pmIf you don’t like Romneys religion study the religion taught in the Church of Jerimiah Wright, where Sweer Old Barack was a member. It is a religion of hate for the white man. Teaching that everything “Whitey” does is racist and wrong.
The hate and revolt taught by Jerimiah Wright is treasonable. According to Sweer Old Barack and Eric Holdup Wright cannot be a racist because he is black. Wright teaches more hate than Jackson and Rev Al together. The only hater who comares to Wright in Farrakhan and it sure seems like Sweet Old Barack is on the side of thr Nation of Islam.
OMG 2012
Report Post »justangry
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:18pm@P8riot, I don’t know, man. I know you and I agree on A LOT of stuff in general. Yet, we’re very far appart on how we view Romney. I also know that West Coast is a Mormon and we practically agree on everything including our views on Romney. I’m not trying to paint every Mormon with the same brush, hoss. Just throwing it out there… hoping you’d say… “he’s right, Romney is a pretty crappy candidate and an Obama clone” then help us send the progressive menace back home.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:04pm@JUSTANGRY – LOL – yeah, I’m probably not going to say that anytime soon –
I will say that Romney is not the perfect candidate, but I believe he’s the best we have to choose from. I truly think you’ll be happy with the way he gets this country back on track – even if he doesn’t eliminate the FED :)
Report Post »justangry
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:55pmNot a chance. I like the Constitution.
Report Post »boyd9
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:13amI am a Mormon (member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The basic difference between Mormons and other Christian faiths is that Mormons actually belief in a real resurrection. We believe we will be resurrected (our spirits and our physical bodies will be reunited permanently). We believe Christ was resurrected (the tomb was empty and the resurrected Christ ate food with his Apostles). Because Christ was resurrected he is now a permanently tangible physical being which makes it impossible for him to somehow be a part of God, the Supreme Being, who is Christ’s Father. Christ is a God but not the God, how can he be the God if as he stated he has a Father who is greater than him. If a person understands and believes in the principle of resurrection which is plainly taught it the bible, which I read all the time by the way, it is virtually impossible to accept the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity (One Plus One Plus One equals ONE) which is never mentioned in the Bible, this three equals one doctrine came from the council in Nicaea, not the bible. Mormons belief that one plus one plus one equals three so now which teaching is more logical and less odd? Each of us has to decide. If you want to read a good book about the Mormon view of God go to http://www.whatsthepointreligion.com.
Report Post »cordovamx
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 2:59amSince I am a Mormon I can assure you that while we do believe the Book of Mormon to be God’s word – we also believe in the Bible just as much as the next Christian.
Report Post »bourbonlegend
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:57amHARRY REID IS MORMON! why isn’t anyone talking about that?
Report Post »Amica
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:19amOh Geez! I was feeling fine this morning and you mentioned that name and now I’m sick to my stomach. Thank you!
Report Post »Schmuckatelli1997
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:56amI find alot of this kind religion bashing tiresome. If you would like to have a conversation about faith with any Mormon we are happy to do just that, but what we will not do is argue our a faith with you.
Report Post »and please for the sake of all of us Mormon and non-mormon if you are going to comment on a religion make sure you have your facts straight. Because when you don’t you just look and sound like an idiot.
Amica
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:13amYes! Unlike another religion that I could mention, we don’t demand that anybody embrace our religion or tiptoe around it, we just ask to be left alone to practice it. We offer it to others, and it is their choice to accept it or not.
I really appreciate Jon Stewart’s approach to this, it’s funny and surprisingly sensible for a liberal!
Report Post »Truthnjustus4all
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:38amIt’s a private issue. Leave it alone.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:49am“I hate Barack Obama more than I love Jesus” a funny line from a clown. Oh Jon Stewart is also funny.
Report Post »stockpicker
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:30amCan a non-believer make worth while comments?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:17amYes
Report Post »Amica
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:17amOf course they can. It’s to their benefit, however, to base those comments on facts instead of rumors.
Report Post »FoxholeAtheist
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:30amIf all the Christians who have called other Christians “not really a Christian” were to vanish, there would be no Christians left.
Report Post »Charybdis
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:46amI don‘t believe for a minute you’ve ever been in a foxhole.
Report Post »Amica
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:20amHm…I could be wrong (and frequently am) but I don’t remember a Mormon ever saying that.
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:59pmIf all athiests who “truly didn’t believe in God” would disappear. We would be missing no one.
We can both play this game.
Report Post »Simonne
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:17pmSo true. All I care that he believes in God & lives a good Christian life. Mormons believe in Jesus Christ & just because they don‘t believe in the same doctrine doesn’t make them not Christian. Evangelicals who think he is not a Christian should realize some people wouldn’t vote for their type of Christianity either because they are too rigid & too judgmental so making them not true Christians. Each is own.
Report Post »God_Is_Not
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:39pm@ SquidVetOhio
Unlike FoxHoleAtheist, your post makes no sense. Sure, you think no one disagrees with your theology. The reality is that this simply isn’t true. Not that you care much about truth, but I thought I would mention that an estimated 40 million U.S. citizens, and growing, are non-believers. You have every right to participate in your theology, but you discredit yourself when you ignorantly claim that ‘no one out there disagrees with my delusions’.
Report Post »nosharia
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:28amRomney is a citizen of this country. His life is an open book, unlike our “America’s Folly” in the White House. Shall we compare the practices of Mormons to those of,say, muslims?
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:00pmHis life is an open book? Oh really? How about all the money he has tucked away in foreign bank accounts, many of them socialist countries? I guess he therefore believes in Socialism more than Capitalism.
Report Post »Kisses6350
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:53pm@NoSharia,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,go ahead,,,,,,,,,Don’t know of any “muslims” in the White House. But keep that false hood round, if that is what makes you sleep at night! ****Smirks****
Report Post »mjazzguitar
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:25amThe cults of Muhammadism & Jeremiah Wright are far worse.
Report Post »ChiRho4Life
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:50amNo cherry-picking the worst aspects of a religion, huh?…funny…he has no problem doing just that with reference to Catholicism and Christianity in general
Report Post »Wingnut767
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:05amAnd he avoids poking at Islam like all the leftist cowards do.
Report Post »proskopos
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:45amMartin Bashir’s quote: “and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” is not from the Book of Mormon, but from another book the LDS use – oh, and also from the book of Revelation… Revelation 21:8.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:39pmThere is something like 500 exact quotes plagiarized from the Bible in the BOM.
Report Post »Lux
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:13pm“Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.” (2 Nephi 29:8-9).
God is the author of both books. Is that plagiarizing? Nope.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:44amJust couldn’t resist slamming Christians , huh, Stewart ?? ! Stewart uses a defense of Romney’s Mormonism to ridicule those ignorant, daffy evangelicals . While I applaud Stewart’s defense of religious freedom, I also note a typical tendency of the Left to never miss an opportunity to mock religion, in general, and Christianity , in particular. Same old stuff…
Report Post »Wibbins
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:39amIt’s not like Mitt Romney will pursue policies that are unfair to black people because he’s a Mormon. He’ll do that because he’s a Republican.”
LOL, Sorry Mr. Stewart I didn’t know that giving more welfare to blacks helped them in anyway, shape or form.
This is why I don’t like Stewart or Colbert, they’re both liberals, Colbert has even admitted to being one.
Report Post »Kisses6350
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:03pmWhy make this a “black” thing? Right now, just as many other races are curreently on welfare rolls. Times are hard, and “people” need helpt to survive! Period. Don’t try and blame everything on the Black Race! That is really getting old……………. ****Smirks****
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:34amWhen the uninformed claim that Mormons are not Christian, I just have to ask, how Christian do they believe they themselves are?
I’ve compared their teachings and actions with the Bible, and found them wanting.
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:02pmIf you compare ANYONE except Jesus Himself to the Bible, you will find them wanting. Nice try.
Report Post »MistaB
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:23amThere are a lot of Mormons in my town and they are fine, upstanding people. As a matter of fact, they are some of the most hard working, prosperous and charitable people that I have ever met.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:19amRomney’s GREAT-GRANDFATHER was a polygamist. Obama’s FATHER was a polygamist and a MUSLIM.
Simple facts that speak volumes.
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:37amWhat were Abraham, and Jacob?
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:58amMost biblical figures had multiple wives. It was the standard practice for thousands of years. Not sure why anyone would want that kind of burden.
Report Post »abseas
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:53amUh . . I believe his father was a polygamist, a Muslin, AND a Communist!
Report Post »OutOfTheAether
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:31amCan you imagine having more than one set of In-laws. sheesh
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:16pm@ABRAHAM YOUNG –
So true that many forget that both Judaism and Christianity have their roots in polygamy as well :)
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:09pmAbraham had one wife. He slept with his hand-maiden at his wife’s request because of her lack of faith to produce a son. Oh btw, what did that produce? Ishmail, who I believe is the father of all Arabs who later became the Amalekites, Phillistines, Muslims. Should have just listened to God. David and Solomon had multiple wives but the Bible NEVER says God approved of it. In fact, Jesus made it clear in the Gospel of Mark that marriage is between ONE man and ONE woman.
Just because the Bible describes a historical fact does not mean God approved of it! And technically, that would also be Jewish roots, not Christian. Multiple wives was clearly discouraged by the time of Jesus in Israel.
Theology FAIL
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:08pm@p8riot
The difference in the old time polygamy of the Bible and the polygamy of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young is that the latter believed it was the way to Heaven. We are all sinners. No sin is needed to get to Heaven.
Brigham Young said you are damned if you deny polygamy.
“Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned,” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 266). Also, “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy,” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, p. 269).
Show me where Abraham, Moses, or any other person in the Bible said you need to have plural wives to not be damned.
If the prophets are false the religion is false. Remember if you are correct, I go to Heaven. If evangelicals are right, Mormons go to hell.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:47pm@SQUIDVETOHIO
Speaking of a theology FAIL – “Abraham had one wife.”??? Try reading Genesis 16:3 again…
“And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.”
Then read Genesis 25:1 – “Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.”
Further, you claim that “the Bible NEVER says God approved of it.”
Now read Exodus 21:10 where the Lord reveals his law pertaining to plural marriage:
“If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.”
(see also Deuteronomy 21 for how plural wives should be treated equally).
You also might have missed the part where the Lord states that HE gave David many of his wives (2 Samuel 12:7-8) prior to chastising him for taking the wife of Uriah for himself through murder.
Anyhow, it just come to show that the Lord has allowed plural marriage at times and then revoked it at times.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:05pm@MUTINY
First, you need to stop cutting and pasting from anti-mormon websites that use the Journal of Discourses as their source. The Journal of Discourses is NOT, I repeat NOT scripture. It is not scripture because the accuracy of the quotes and the opinions given are just that opinions… and no one in the church EVER teaches from such a source in ANY church meetings.
Secondly, even if you did assume this was scripture (which its not), then you need to read these quotes in context – Brigham Young was speaking of the people who rejected the commandment of plural marriage – he was NOT saying that EVERYONE must enter into plural marriage as your out-of-context quote implies. Quite simply, he was saying that anyone who rejects ANY of Gods commandments directly to that person would be damned.
This also helps dispel another falsity about polygamy in the early church – it was only practiced by a very small percentage of the church – and only those who were called to do it. It was NOT something that any of the men wanted to do. Joesph Smith, Brigham Young and others have been quoted as to how they didn’t ask for such a burden.
Please see my post above regarding the biblical passages where the Lord gave commandments on how to treat plural wives and how the Lord himself GAVE many of the Patriarchs their wives.
There has been such a distortion of our history.
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:10amThat might be trying to make Romney’s religion an issue among Republican voters. More divide and conquer.
If Romney had 20 wives, he would still be infinitely better than 0bama.
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:18amIn editing my comment, I wound with some of the words missing;
The first sentence should be:
Report Post »“That might be a heads up that the left is trying to…..”
barber2
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:47amExactly. The Democrats ‘ Campaign 2012 Plan A : Character assassination of Republican candidates . Plan B : Divide the “ dumb” conservatives . Pretty transparent..and consistent …
Report Post »VinnieSquawker
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:51amYup, that’s part of the play book. Divide and conquer, class warfare, race warfare, etc.. It would be funny if more people were aware of it. Then we could just laugh at them. Problem is, too many are extremely unaware and continue to drink Kool-Aid from the cup (plastic) of King Baracka the kid. I am just impatiently waiting for November.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:08pmSO TRUE QP – Thanks for your perspective!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:30pmSo it doesnt matter to you betweent he two? One who doesnt believe in God or thinks of themselves as a god(Satan handy work) vs someone who is worshiping a false god(Satan handy work). Remember there is only two sides to this issue. Either with God or with Satan. If you still have no issue with someone who is guided by Satan I guess that is your choice and you will have to deal with the results of that.
Report Post »Wingnut767
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:10amI give Stewart credit for taking on the left wing press and doing a equal oppurtunity bashfest. But did anyone else notice then when it came to bashing religion‘s and their origin’s he conveniently forgot to bash Islam. Another cowardly act Mr. Stewart.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:50amAt least he doesn’t eat dog , wear a turbin, and study the Koran …….. Like obama.
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:00ampb- mitt can have multiple wives, special magic undies and reads the Book of Mormon
Report Post »MatrixRedPill
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:04amOr, have a Father who was a Communist / Muslim / Polygamist / Drunk / multiple Hook-upper / non-parent /
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:09amSteelhead
Report Post »Yeah that multiple wife thing ended a hundred years ago with the Mormans, but Obamas religion still practices that, and for a bonus, you get to chop their heads off if they, uhhhhh drive a car, or look at another man, or show part of their wrist…yep those silly Obama Muslims…..
marhee9
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:11amThe best one yet was Martin Bashir when he started out his show asking for “fairness” when it comes to dealing with the candidates religious views. He then went on a rampage about the founder of the Mormon faith and why doesn’t Romney say soemthing against him. Classic liberal lunacy.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVXFGTUNDjE
Steelhead
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:17amdpboy- just picking cherries like you and glenn(magic undies)beck, it’s easy and dishonest
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:38amI read the Book of Mormon too, and I highly recommend that you do the same.
Report Post »stone2016
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:59am@steelhead,
“Just picking cherries”? I don’t remember Mitt having multiple wives or wearing “magic” undies. But maybe that information hasn’t been released to the general public yet. I do remember that Obama DID eat dog, DID study the Koran, and DID wear a turbin. Most reasonable people don’t care about those things, but at least paperboy stated facts. You stated two distortions and one fact. YOU did not cherry pick, you lied.
If you want to cherry pick, you have to state facts, or you just look stupid like the other Lefty‘s who are afraid to have a conversation about policies and instead have to distract by using their distorted idea of someone else’s religious beliefs.
But I do except Mitt reads the Book of Mormon regularly, and I assume he also reads the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as well, since they are part of his religious cannon.
Report Post »Athinkerinaseaoflibs
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:10am@ Steelhead.
Report Post »Do you have an underwear fetish? Do you ask people on the street about their underwear? Try it if you want to–you probably will get slapped. As my kid’s high school handbook reads–Under clothing, or the lack thereof, should not be apparent.
LibertyGoddess
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:00amFor those of you with Mormon underwear fetishes:
What is a religious garment?
Report Post »Well, it depends on the religion. Several faiths have unique bits of clothing that mostly seem to have the same purpose – to remind believers of who they are and what they have promised to God.
Thus the headwear of the Sikh, and the beads, prayer feathers, medicine pouches and shamanic robes of various Indian tribes.
As well as the yarmulke of some Jewish men and the head coverings of some Jewish women, and the aprons, trailing strings and hats of yet more followers of Judaism.
Or the phylacteries and other garments and devices described in particular detail in the Bible.
In that regard, it’s quite possible that Jesus, following the Old Testament Law of Moses and being an observant Jew, wore religiously prescribed garments.
Roman Catholic religious have worn sacred garments for 1,700 years. Similarly, religious garments – or “habits” – have been worn by Anglicans and religious of the Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and Greek Orthodox churches. Some of these garments are priestly, and just for ceremonial purposes, while others are worn constantly as a declaration of faith.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, specialized articles of religious clothing, of one type or another, have been worn for at least 4,000 years. Some of these have been visible, as a sign to the world, and some have been worn under other clothes, as a reminder to the wearer.
Amica
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:31amSteelhead: Technically, Mitt can have multiple wives (lots of men do, but I question the sanity of a man who wants more than one woman to deal with!), but if he does he’ll be excommunicated from the LDS Church and will be breaking the law of the United States. Also, and I’ll say this slowly…THE UNDIES AREN’T MAGIC and nobody has claimed them as such. Calling them magic is yet another way the world seeks to diminish their real meaning.
Libertygoddess explains them very well, read her post and consider yourself educated on the matter.
Report Post »RushEcho2
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:50amJon Stewart brings up the ‘Mormon subject’ when others have found it is not a distraction to Romney like it was in 2008. He shows on his program a picture of Senate speaker Harry Reid, (to LDS Republicans an embarrassment) and comes off letting others distract further from Mitt Romney.
Yes, I am a Mormon. Used to be that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted their members to use the term ‘LDS’ or “The Church of Jesus Christ” or the full name, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”, but then did not change the name of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. So some did and most didn’t.
Now the LDS Church has a campaign in cities, “Yes, I am a Mormon.” And yes, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most people who know Mormons have a positive opinion when it comes to Mitt Romney — the votes are proving that. November will be a return to the roots and traditions of America. Traditional Christian/Jewish American family values will return.
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:46amI’m a Mormon too, but you won’t find me voting for Romney.
Ron Paul believes in the Constitution. Romney apparently believes in forcing people to buy health care. This violates the principle of free agency. Don’t you agree?
Romney unfortunately has made too many government mistakes for me to have any confidence that he will deal justly with our Constitution.
Ron Paul will END the FED. That is one of the most important ways to remove the influence of the progressives and globalists from our culture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q3W8Z5wdAnc
And besides, Paul is gobbling up all the delegates
Report Post »Arbroath7
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:06pmBrother Abe, if you are not already a rabid Ron Paul idealogue, I suggest you do some independent research on Mitt Romney. You will find that his role in what so many derisively call “Romneycare” was NOT as it has been characterized in the press nor in the Ron Paul acolyte-generated propaganda. The effect of the “Ron Paul and no one else” crowd will only get Obama re-elected.
Report Post »TexasIndependant
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:49amIm wondering of jon reads history. who freed the slaves? who gave blacks the right to vote? Who pushed for school integration? Who said blacks didnt have to ride at the back of the bus? Yep all Republicans. Course dont mention the KKK was formed by democrats, dont mention the black panthers today are funded by democrats… Read Jon Read dang it!
Report Post »imsteph
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:56amthe willful ignorance of liberal toadies is beyond the pale…
Report Post »the media continues to propagate the LIES that republicans are racists, sexist, trolls-while that is exactly what their (liberal/dem) leadership is! and they use minorities as shields and shills-buying their votes for a mere 30 pieces of silver…so very cheap in today’s economy.
stone2016
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:45amDidn‘t you know it’s racist to say that minorities don’t need government help because they are just as capable as anyone else? Only an immoral, ignorant, backwoods, KKK member would think that blacks don’t need special treatment and government assistance to survive.
The Republicans were racist when they freed blacks from their masters, you know, the people that fed, clothed, and housed them. They were racist when they took away their assigned seating or standing on busses, free showers in the streets, and puppy playtime. And they are racist today because they are trying to get them off the government assistance and get them to stand on their own.
Report Post »FrankWhite
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:42am@TEXASINDEPENDANT
Report Post »I love when people make the argument you made because it only demonstrates they are ignorant of history. The Republicans you speak of were liberals. The Democrats you speak of creating the KKK were conservatives. It was in fact the civil rights movement that caused the switch in ideology within the parties. The Dixiecrats left the democratic party when the party would no longer back segregation, these same Dixiecrats were later welcomed into the modern Republican with open arms. Sure jon could have been more specific and said conservatives instead of Republicans but i believe he thought it was safe to assume that people would relate to modern incarnation of the Republican party. TEXASINDEPENDANT I suggest you read dang it!
SquidVetOhio
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:15pm@FRANKWHITE
Nice try. Not even close dude. It was the conservative, evangelical christians who led the abolitionist movement. If you study history, Stonewall Jackson (General ot the Confederate Army) was personally against slavery and a devout Christian. So, nice try pal. Saying someting over and over does not make it true.
You are asking people to believe that every democrat just 60 years ago are now Republicans and all the Republicans became Democrats for no good reason. smh…..
Report Post »MAProg
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:40pmSquid: no, what he’s saying is that the socially conservative Dixicrats felt alienated by their party when the Democratic Party threw its support behind the Civil Rights Act. Southern Democrats left the party in droves and became Republicans. This is why the once deelp blue south is now deep red. It‘s a complex issue and certainly didn’t happen “for no reason.”
Report Post »MAProg
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:43pm@Squid: your argument also commits the fallacy of assuming that all Christians are conservative by today’s definition of the word. There were socially liberal Christians then as there are today. In that period, both sides of the slavery/Jim Crow issue had Christians who justified their position based on scripture.
Report Post »Voice_of_One
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:31pm@FRANKWHITE
Report Post »Also don’t forget that it was Senate Majority Leader LBJ that blocked Eisenhower from passing the
Civil Rights Act of 1957. Oh yea, the the same he passed in 1963…
Bot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:48amMitt Romney’s father led a civil rights march in 1963:
Detroit Free Press: “With Gov. Romney a surprise arrival and marching in the front row, more than 500 Negroes and whites staged a peaceful anti-discrimination parade up Grosse Pointe’s Kercheval Avenue Saturday. … ‘the elimination of human inequalities and injustices is our urgent and critical domestic problem,’ the governor said. … [Detroit NAACP President Edward M.] Turner told reporters, ‘I think it is very significant that Governor Romney is here. We are very surprised.’ Romney said, ‘If they want me to lead the parade, I’ll be glad to.’” (”Romney Joins Protest March Of 500 In Grosse Pointe,” Detroit Free Press, 6/29/63)
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/x1148354759
Report Post »HKS
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:40amYep, just look at Muslims, cutting folks head off and blowing folks up, for the greater good ya know, just look past those bad parts,
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:38am“an example of: “I hate Barack Obama more than I love Jesus.” Wrong again Jon. It’s an example of supporting the only remaining candidate that has a chance of unseating the most destructive force that has ever held the office of POTUS.
Report Post »RANGER1965
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:51amWell said.
Report Post »Bot
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:52amIf there had been no Nicene Creed or Emperor Constantine, Evangelicals’ theology would be quite similar to Mitt Romney’s In fact, there would likely be no need for the Mormon Church to restore Jesus Christ’s church. Mormons’ theology is based on New Testament Christianity, not Fourth Century Creeds. For example, the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) views on Baptism, Lay Ministry, the Trinity, Theosis, Grace vs. Works, the Divinity of Jesus Christ are closer to Early Christianity than any other denomination. And Mormon teenagers have been judged to “top the charts” in Christian Characteristics by a UNC-Chapel Hill study. Read about it here:
http://MormonsAreChristian.blogspot.com/
According to a 2012 Pew Forum poll of members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) 98 percent said they believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 97 percent say their church is a Christian religion. They volunteer 7 times as many hours as does the general population, according to a 2012 University of Pennsylvania study. Mormons have a better understanding of Christianity than any other denomination, according to a 2010 Pew Forum poll:
http://www.pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx
11 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (including several presidents) were non-Trinitarian Christians. . . Mitt is also a non-Trinitarian Christian.
Report Post »Matt
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:00amI think you are mistaken. What stewart is saying is that evangelical leaders were saying before that the most destructive thing that could happen to our nation would be to have a person who didnt believe in Christ as the president.
NOW they are saying the most destructive thing that could happen to our nation would be to have a person who is a communist.
If they want to stand by their earlier assertions, they HAVE to support Obama over Mitt because Obama is a protestant Christian that happens to be part of a sect that uses Christianity to justify communism. Despite that, he is still a Christian. And dont come at me with the muslim thing. IF he was a muslim he would practice it and he doesnt. The reason that he does so much to support the muslim brotherhood in the middle east is not because hes a muslim, its because hes a communist and all communists right now are allying with them. Putin isnt a muslim either, but hes allied with the Muslim Brotherhood.
Report Post »PATRIOTMAMA
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:06amOnce again Gonzo you have HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!!
Also I seem to remember that Dems are the ones that have historically and consistantly been against policies that have hurt the black community. Civil Rights, IDK slavery. Uh they have deceived the black communities into thinking that they are “for” them while similtaniously locked them in chains of welfare and other labor policies that keep them there. UGGGHHHH!! WE ARE NOT RACISTS because we beleive that personal responsibility is the way to go and not relying on taxpayers to “take care of us” while keeping us poor!!!!!!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:08amIf you think Obama is a Christian you are delusional Matt. I WOULD prefer to vote for a taditional Christian, but there isn’t one running.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:47amBOT,
Do Mormons believe Jesus is the son of God? Do they worship Jesus. If not, then they like our President are not Christians.
That said, I do not think that not being a Christian excludes a person from the White House. Personally, I prefer any person with a genuine faith. We are living through our first atheist President, and that’s not working out too well.
Report Post »ImMormon
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:01am@ Mandors
Yes, our whole entire theology is based on Jesus Christ as being the Son of God and Savior of the World. It is He whom we worship. Not Joseph Smith, nor any other man, as is so often referenced.
@ Gonzo
We’ve had our back and forths, but I can geniunly say that I appreciate your respect and tolerance. You reflect what I consider the wonderful attributes of a good and moral Christian. I’m happy to fight this fight side by side with you and against Obama!
Report Post »ScoobyCheese
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:57amBOT & IMMORMON, I am certainly not here to bash Mormons, but I do take issue with BOT’s assertion that Mormons are closer to New Testament Christianity than anyone else. IMMORMON, I do agree that you guys worship Jesus as “the son of God and Savior of the world,” but I do not believe you are talking about the same Jesus as most people who read the Bible.
Report Post »My main disagreement with the Mormon faith is the “As man now is, God once was; as God is now man may be,” belief. I think the Bible is pretty clear that there is only one God, there has never been another, nor will there ever be another (Isaiah 44:6, etc.) I do not believe Jesus and Lucifer were spirit brothers. I do not believe Jesus is a created being. I do not believe works are involved AT ALL to reach any level of heaven. I do not believe in spirit prison or that you can baptize someone out of it after they are dead. I do not believe that the One True God was ever like me (and then achieved the level he is at now). And I certainly believe that none of us will ever become all powerful gods that populate other worlds.
You can believe all of that if you want to, and I will still love you.
But I believe you are wrong and I should tell you that, just as much as you believe I am wrong and you need to tell me.
And, all that being said, I still have NO PROBLEM voting for Romney over Obama. It is not even the “lesser of two evils” for me. I just think Romney is way more qualified and will do a MUCH better job
Gonzo
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:35pmMandors, one of the differences in theology is the Holy Trinity. Mormons don’t believe that Christ was God incarnate. There are many others and I’m not bashing Mormons, believe what you want, no skin off my nose.
Report Post »Lux
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:40amYou raise some very good points ScoobyCheese. Since you are not the only one with these concerns I’d like to take some time to address each of them.
You stated that “Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers” sounds blasphemous, doesn’t it. ScoobyCheese, the fact is we believe God is the Father of all of us, the Father of our Spirits, and that we are all spirit siblings to one another as well as to Jesus, God’s Firstborn Spirit, and a spirit named Lucifer, who became Satan.
To explain this, let’s start with our belief that life is like a three-act play:
Act One: Our pre-earthly existence. We lived with God, the Father of our spirits. We grew, we learned, we progressed. Our lives did not begin at our earthly birth.
Act Two: Our earthly existence. Here we gained a body subject to pain and death, which fits in with the belief of 87% of all Americans that the human being consists of two parts, a body and a spirit or soul, the body being the house of the spirit. We are given agency to make decisions for ourselves. We experience trials and temptations in a world where things go wrong. From such we learn to recognize the good from the evil and are tested to see if we will obey God’s commandments. To make it a valid test, our memory of Act One is erased.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:41amCont…
Act Three: Life after death. When at death our spirit leaves our body, we will live in a spirit world until the day of resurrection when our spirits will be reunited with our bodies, glorified and incapable of sickness, pain, or death. We will then be judged and rewarded according to our actions on earth.
For centuries people have wrestled with a seeming conundrum. If God is the Creator of everything in the universe, does this mean He created evil?
We (Mormons or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) tend to approach this question with a seemingly simple proposition: there must be opposition in all things. A few examples:
Could anything be identified as sweet if its opposite, bitterness, did not exist?
Would we understand hot if we did not know cold?
Would we recognize energy if we didn’t know fatigue?
Would there be love if there were no hate?
If something does not have an opposite, it cannot exist. All things are defined not only by what they are, but what they are not. So it is with good and evil. Good cannot exist without evil as its defining opposite. And evil exist because good as always existed. (The Star Wars trilogy got it closer than most people may realize—there must be a good side and a dark side of existence.)
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:42amCont…
Therefore, when people ask whether God created evil, we say that He did not. He will not be involved in anything that is evil. But He recognized that just as He is the embodiment of good, one of His spirit children might one day choose to become the embodiment of the opposite. And that is exactly what happened.
Now let’s address your concerns about faith and works. Many people who do not understand our faith constantly state that “Mormons believe they can work their way into heaven”. Let me clear that up here and now. No, we do not believe we can work our way into heaven. Nor, at the other end of the scale, do we believe in E-Z Pass grace.
For centuries, Christians have fiercely debated what it means to be saved. The only commonly accepted result is that there is no commonly accepted definition. No surprise that denominations talk past each other.
Maximizing gain while minimizing effort has driven mankind since fig trees were clothing stores, and no one likes his business model challenged. It is no different when the goal is to be saved and go to heaven. It’s all about return on investment.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:50amCont…
The best analysis I have read of what it means to be saved comes from Dallin H. Oaks, former Utah Supreme Court justice, former president of Brigham Young University, and now an apostle in our church. Elder Oaks suggests these definitions, which I quote or paraphrase as follows: (Also see http://www.lds.org/ensign/1998/05/have-you-been-saved?lang=eng for his full address).
1) Meaning: Saved from the permanence of death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Comment: A free gift to everyone who has been or will be born.
2) Meaning: Saved from our sin and the consequences of sin.
Comment: Through the atonement of Christ, we can be saved by obeying His commandments.
3) Meaning: Saved in the sense of being “born again.”
Comment: We are born again when we are baptized and take upon ourselves the name of Christ.
4) Meaning: Saved in the sense of being delivered from a final spiritual death.
Comment: All but a very few are assured of a kingdom of glory in the world to come.
5) Meaning: Saved in the sense of exaltation or eternal life.
Comment: God desires us to become perfect that we may become as He and Christ are.
The atonement of Christ makes all of these aspects of salvation possible. The most confusion arises when one person refers to the second meaning—being saved from our sins—which the listener visualizes the first or the third.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:54amCont…
We believe that it is not enough alone to confess that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior, and go merrily on our way. To believe in a once-and-for-all declaration and a that’s-that attitude is like taking a bath once and never touching soap again. It takes constant effort to resist the temptations of the world.
Does that sound unreasonable? Yet it is from this simple notion—that we are required to keep the Lord’s commandments—that our critics manufacture the misconception that we believe we can work our way into heaven.
They say Mormons place too much emphasis on works. We say their interpretation of grace minimizes the responsibility we all have to repent and keep God’s commandments, and we ask, “If confessing Christ is sufficient, why bother to go to church?”
They respond that a sincere confessor will do good works out of love for Christ, not fear of punishment. We agree, but for those who don’t, is it possible for a person to fall from grace, to not be saved even though he has confessed Christ? And the interesting debate will continue.
I will grant part of their argument. We are an achievement-oriented religion. We encourage our members to serve others, pay an honest tithing, refrain from harmful substances, keep sexual relations within the bounds of marriage, and obey the other commandments. We are not passive; our religion is a 24/7 way of life.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:56amCont…
Being saved by any definition requires the grace of Jesus Christ. A professor friend of mine told me of dining experience he and his wife had with a minister of another religion and his wife. When the conversation focused on the fate of those who were born before Christ, the minister’s wife said, in the essence, they were out of luck. We hope that attitude is not prevalent among those not of our faith, but it serves as a contrast to what we believe—that Christ’s sacrifice is not solely for those fortunate to be born after His resurrection. I found a deeper appreciation for Christ’s atoning grace when Tad R. Callister pointed out its four dimensions in his book “The infinite Atonement”. (A book I highly recommend everyone read).
“Backward. Just as Christianity did not begin in 30 AD, the blessing of the atonement did not wait for Christ’s death on the cross. They came into effect the moment Christ accepted the assignment from the Father in our pre-earthly existence. Just as a person can enjoy a meal at a restaurant before paying for it, so too could those who were born before Christ’s ministry enjoy the power of His atonement before He paid the actual price—His promise was good.
Forward. The efficacy of the atonement extends forward into eternity for all who will ever enter mortality, our life on earth….”
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:58amCont…
We Mormons would place ourselves at the mid-point of the scale noted earlier in my post. We cannot work our way into heaven, but we are expected to put in the effort to keep the Lord’s commandments. The sum of our belief is this thought from the Book of Mormon: “It is by the grace of Christ that we are saved AFTER ALL WE CAN DO.” (Emphasis added.)
Grace, as we understand it, is the love, mercy, and enabling power of the atonement that allows our sins to be forgiven and provides the opportunity to live in God’s presence forever. I remember reading a poll back in 2008 that asked Christians which definition of grace they believed. It stated that up-to 57% of Christians believed that people are saved by the grace of Christ if they will only recognize Him as their Savior. About 37% of the Christians polled believed that people are saved by grace of Christ only after they do their best to live His commandments.
In other words, a majority of Americans believe that recognizing Jesus Christ as their Savior is sufficient for one to be saved, nothing further needed. Three out of eight, on the other hand, lean toward the LDS concept of grace—not a bad showing for the doctrine considering that Mormons constitute barley 2% of the U.S. population.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:59amCont…
Mormons believe that unconditional grace applies only to the first type of salvation—that all of us will be resurrected as a free gift. The grace of Christ is necessary for all others as well, but each is conditioned upon effort, faith, and obedience on our part. Another look at the six types of being saved may clarify what we believe is expected of us.
Number 1: Saved from death. Every person who occupies an earthly body will be resurrected and thus, in that sense, saved. Such a saving, however, does not necessarily place one in heaven.
Number 2: Saved from sins. This salvation comes from working with the Savior to repent of our sins and follow His counsel. We will be judged according to our works and deeds, or lack thereof, and where our heart was as we did them. Actions must have consequences.
Mormons do not believe in just a haven for good and a hell for the bad, an either-or, saved-or-not-saved, two-part hereafter. Rather, we believe there are three kingdoms of glory in the hereafter—celestial (where God dwells), terrestrial, and telestial (see D&C 76)—even the lowest of which surpasses this world in joy and happiness. (This concept is also found in Paul’s writings, see 1 Cor. 15:40-41).
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:00amCont…
Number 3: Saved by being born again. When we are born again through baptism, we promise Christ that we will take His name upon us—be called a Christian—and keep His commandments. We are to have faith in Him and repent of our sins—real hope and change. As we do our best to change our ways, we receive help through the Savior’s grace, and resisting evil becomes easier.
Then we are born again of the Spirit when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This third Member of the Godhead can influence whomever He chooses, but the right to have His constant companionship comes only through formal confirmation after baptism.
Baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost do not by themselves punch our ticket and guarantee entry into the celestial kingdom. They but open the gate to that eventual goal; getting there depends upon our faithfulness.
Number 4: Saved from ignorance. Christ’s teachings bring us out of darkness and ignorance. Devout Mormons constantly study His life and teachings because such knowledge builds faith and protects us from evil.
Number 5: Saved from spiritual death. That is, every person who has not committed an unpardonable sin (intentional, premeditated murder, or has perfect knowledge of the Savior and then denies it) will receive one of the three kingdoms of glory. Everyone is saved to a different level of joy based on obedience to the laws and ordinances Christ established.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:01amCont…
Number 6: Saved by being exalted. Exaltation means being in God’s presence and living the life that God lives. It is the highest level within the celestial kingdom.
Therefore, who is saved depends upon which of the above six definitions one wants to discuss. All religions play certain roles, but only authorized Christianity can open the doors to the celestial kingdom.
For those who have read thus far I commend you for your effort, and thank you for taking the time to learn more about our beliefs. In conclusion I would like to address your main disagreement.
Was God once man like us? Did God once have a heavenly father like we have him now?
Let me answer this with a few other questions: Was Christ once man like us? Did Christ have a Heavenly Father whom He could call His God just as we can call Heavenly Father our God? Is Christ God? And can the glorified, resurrected Christ properly be called “perfect man,” as he was called by the early Christian father Ignatius (”To the Smyrnaeans,” 4, The Apostolic Fathers, 2nd ed., translated by J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer, ed. and rev. by M.W. Holmes, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1989, p. 111)?
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:02amCont…
We know some intriguing details about Christ – that He once was man (or like man, though Only Begotten Son of God), that He was divine, that He died and resurrected and sits on His throne with the Father, with whom He is one. One can speculate on analogies between Christ and the Father, but we know essentially nothing about the “history” of God the Father except that He is eternal. Lorenzo Snow, a President of the Church, once said as you quoted earlier “As man now is, God once was: as God now is, man may be.” This controversial passage is clearly applicable to Christ, a God who became mortal for a time and yet was still and is still God. His work made it possible for us to become as He is, in a limited sense, for we can receive glorious resurrected bodies (Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:40-45), we can become “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:14-18), we can “put on the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4-10), and we can become “like him” (1 John 3:2). Indeed, Christ even went so far as to say, “Ye are gods” (John 10:34), in reference to the divine potential of human beings.
While He and the Father are the one true God, whom we will always worship, He does want us to become more like the Father (Matt. 5:48) and that possibility is there because of Christ. Thus, thinking of Christ and our relationship to Him, what Lorenzo Snow said is accurate.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:03amCont…
However, it appears that Lorenzo Snow’s quote also applies to the Father, indicating that He also experienced a period of mortality, but we know nothing specific. But before you let the idea of “God once being like man” offend you, remember that it is explicitly true about Christ Himself. If Christ were the same being as God the Father, then it would also be true of the Father as well, so non-LDS critics who accept the doctrine of the Trinity shouldn’t get so upset. Of course, we believe that God and Christ are separate individuals, one in purpose, heart, and mind. But, in the spirit of pure speculation, let me ask if it is possible that Christ, during His mission on the earth, was doing that which He had seen the Father do? In John 5:19, Christ said “The Son can do nothing, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
Some people have speculated on what is meant by John 5:19 and on what Lorenzo Snow meant, but we do not know and I get very nervous when people pretend they know. Certainly there are many difficult and foolish questions which can be asked in this arena. The important point is that God, Christ, and man are of the same “species,” and that man has divine potential to become more like Christ and the Father (e.g., see Romans 8:14-18; 2 Peter 1:4-10; 1 John 3:2). This concept was understood by the early Christians.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:05amCont…
Knowing who Christ is makes me very suspicious of anyone who says that we will become EXACTLY like Him. The Bible teaches that we can become “joint heirs” (Rom. 8:14-18) and can become “like him” (I John 3:2) and indeed, need to become like him (Matt. 5:48) and be one with him (John 17:21-23). Stronger still, Paul in Philippians 2: 5-7 seems to urge us to pursue that goal, not through puffery, but through humble service:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant….”
However, I sense a world of difference between the “small g” gods that Christ mentioned (John 10:34) in speaking of the potential of humans (my view) and God the Eternal Father, who is the one and only everlasting God (see also I Cor. 8:5,6). The reference to humans as potential “gods” is clearly meant in a limited sense, but the word God uses nevertheless is “gods.” Obviously, we know too little to explain anything in depth about the next life and about “the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). We are like microbes looking up through the microscope and speculating about the Scientist who observes us. We are children, following after our very wise and mature Father, knowing little more than a young child does of the things of God. This we know: the glory is to the Father (and Christ) fo
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:09amCont…
I hope you have found this conversation to be enlightening. And again, I thank you for taking the time to better understand our beliefs. If you have any further questions, or need further explanations on our doctrine feel free to ask. You can also find answers to any questions you may have about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at http://www.lds.org or http://www.mormon.org.
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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:45amEdit:
Where it says “This we know: the glory is to the Father (and Christ) fo…” it cuts off. It should read: “This we know: the glory is to the Father (and Christ) forever.”
I love how it says you get 1500 characters to post, when in reality you only get about 1486 characters.
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Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:35amI can‘t wait to see Stewart’s own words come back to haunt him…. Hasn’t Stewart bashed Christians for the extreme actions of a few OR at least Biblical aspects he turns his nose up at?
Condemned by your words, Jon-athan Liebowitz.
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