Star Spangled Staggers

US politics from outside the beltway

Row over Romney’s Mormonism

A conservative evangelical pastor allied to Rick Perry has called Romney’s religion "a cult".

By James Maxwell Published 10 October 2011 13:19

It was only a matter of time before Mitt Romney's Mormon faith became an issue in the race to find a Republican challenger to take on Barack Obama for the White House next year.

At an event promoting Romney's principal rival, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Rev. Pastor Robert Jeffress described the religion -- which has around 5.5m American followers -- as "a cult...outside the basic teachings of Christianity".

Jeffress, a highly influential evangelical preacher based in Dallas, went on to accuse Romney of lacking "consistency on social issues"; a reference to the Massachusetts Governor's perceived liberalism with regards to gay rights, abortion and stem-cell research.

Although Perry himself was quick to dismiss the comments, there is no question that many conservative GOP voters are uneasy with Romney's religious affiliation. In a recent poll conducted by CBS News, 42 per cent of white evangelicals said that "most people they knew would not consider voting for a Mormon". This could present a real danger to Romney's chances of winning the nomination, not least because this constituency accounted for nearly half of all voters in the 2008 Republican primaries.

But even if he successfully persuades registered Republicans to back him over Perry, Romney may come up against a further obstacle in a national campaign against President Obama. Another poll carried out by Lawrence Research in California suggested that one fifth of all voters in the US would not cast their ballots in favour of a Mormon candidate.

Tags: Mormon Mitt Romney Republicans US Election 2012

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7 comments

Tue, 2011-10-11 01:54 — Wayne McSheehy (not verified)

Al Dente is so far off the truth about Mormons as to be ludicrous! Mormons believe Jesus was born of Mary in Bethlehem and is the son of God. See Mormon.org before you spout off about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SAints, please.

Tue, 2011-10-11 02:51 — Jundos01 (not verified)

Latter-day Saints or Mormons, as commonly referred to, believes in Jesus Christ. They believe in continuous revelation and the Book of Mormon teachings supports the teachings found in the Bible.

Mon, 2011-10-10 13:28 — Al Dente (not verified)

Romney and other Mormons believe that Jesus came to earth from a distant planet and smoked weed. SHOCKING: http://www.spnheadlines.com/2011/07/republican-religions-raise-ruckus.html

Mon, 2011-10-10 14:01 — John Dale (not verified)

I haven't bothered following your link Al Dente, because I'm sure its drivel.

Why is this Jesus bloke coming from a distant planet any more ridiculous that him being the son of (but really one in the same as) a magic all knowing pixie who still seemingly didn't know that he'd have to send his son (or himself) to earth to be killed to make amends for the cock-up he'd made when creating everything?

Thu, 2011-12-01 17:38 — C.Meng (not verified)

The Mormon Church teaches that God was once a man on a distant planet and that through obedience to Mormon laws and ordinances (and tithing), he was exalted to godhood, and rules planet earth. There are millions of these gods (and goddesses) out there, each with their own planets and universes. Each Mormon male and femals, married in the Temple, can also hope to one day be exalted to deity, rule over their own planets and sexually reproduce spirit babies which are sent to their planet to experience mortality. Mormonism is as far out there as it gets. For proof of these doctrines, go to CARM or Utah Lighthouse Ministry, or just Google "strange doctrines of Mormonism. Romney is a Temple Mormon, and has therefore made a vow to promote the "kingdom of god," (which means Mormonism) with all he has or will have (Law of Consecration). This type of vow, putting a cult before anything, makes Mormons who have gone through the secret temple rites (where one learns handshakes and passwords necessary to enter the highest heaven)questionable candidates. It is a fair thing to question any Mormon candidate about vows he's made in secret rites.

Mon, 2011-10-10 16:45 — John Cheese (not verified)

Believe whatever you want- what I don't respect is the Mormon step by step delayed revelation of their true theology by their young missionary "elders". If you believe it, put it out there honestly & completely & let the buyer decide. The theology is closer to hinduism.