Mitt Romney-is it safe to have a Mormon as President?

[Eleutheria]

It seems that you Republicans are desperate to have that mormon as the republican presidential candidate, I mean supposing you were an american and a republican (i am neither), how could you cast your vote for mitt romney? the man is part of the most ludicrous and most obviously man made religion i can think of, its not only ludicrous but allied with racism, sexism and bigotry as well, could there be a worse candidate to run the "land of the free"? Obama is by no means perfect, but at least he doesn't believe that ridiculous book full of false religious dogma, written by the lifelong opiate smoker, and founder of the mormon church, joseph smith, who claims to have seen an angel who told him where these "golden plates" were buried so that he could dig them up and translate them from some unspeakable hebrew dialect into what would become the book of mormon. and when someone took away the translations (which he had obviously made up) and asked him to repeat them exactly so that he could prove he really was translating from golden plates, and he said that god had given him a different set of plates so he couldnt translate what he had before, these "plates" also propounded the extremely racist doctrine that black people were special but lesser creations of god, and that the colour of their skin was a sign that they were inferior, why would anyone believe in this idiocy? why would anyone vote for a man that did? I'd be interested to hear from any of you Republicans out there on NS?

[Bottle]

Here's the thing about religious people.

I've met Catholics who profess to believe that the Pope is God's voice on Earth. I've met Mormons who believe that the leadership of their church are God's prophets and speak with the literal voice of the Divine. I've met Protestants of many stripes who believe that their church leadership has routine and direct contact with God, and speaks with his authority.

And I've never met a single politician who believed in any power higher than his own ego.

I wouldn't sweat it. The kind of Mormon who runs for president isn't the kind who actually drinks the koolaid himself.

[Kaeshar]

Just because John Smith was racist =/= all mormons being racist. Mitt Romney hasn't shown any signs of being racist.

Anyways, we did ask the same question of Kennedy, the first catholic president, and honestly, I don't care for the religion of the candidates.

Also, independent voter with democratic leanings here.

[Eleutheria]

Here's the thing about religious people.

I've met Catholics who profess to believe that the Pope is God's voice on Earth. I've met Mormons who believe that the leadership of their church are God's prophets and speak with the literal voice of the Divine. I've met Protestants of many stripes who believe that their church leadership has routine and direct contact with God, and speaks with his authority.

And I've never met a single politician who believed in any power higher than his own ego.

I wouldn't sweat it. The kind of Mormon who runs for president isn't the kind who actually drinks the koolaid himself.

At first I thought this, but the Mormon issue seems to have been totally overlooked in the presidential debate, We are fully entitled to ask Mitt Romney about the forces that influenced his political formation and—since he comes from a dynasty of his church, and spent much of his boyhood and manhood first as a missionary and then as a senior lay official—it is safe to assume that the influence is not small. He should be asked to defend and explain himself and his voluntary membership in one of the most racist and insidious religious groups operating on American soil, if he wants to be elected for presidency. Anyone who was a missionary and who wears the Mormon "Temple Garment" underwear buys into it at least to some extent.

[Revolutopia]

but allied with racism, sexism and bigotry

Complaining about bigotry in a post being prejudiced against an entire religion.

No it shouldn't matter, Mormonism is no more ludicrous or false then any other religion.

[The Archregimancy]

It seems that you Republicans are desperate to have that mormon as the republican presidential candidate, I mean supposing you were an american and a republican (i am neither), how could you cast your vote for mitt romney? the man is part of the most ludicrous and most obviously man made religion i can think of

L. Ron Hubbard would like to have a word.

Alright granted these things can be subjective - and as an atheist you might reasonably object that all religions are man-made - but I'm not sure that Joseph Smith was on quite on the same level as L. Ron Hubbard when it came to deliberate manipulation for personal financial gain.

[Bottle]

but allied with racism, sexism and bigotry

Complaining about bigotry in a post being prejudiced against an entire religion.

No it shouldn't matter, Mormonism is no more ludicrous or false then any other religion.

False equivalence. The Mormon church IS racist, sexist, and homophobic. Openly so. It's fair to assume that a person who willingly identifies as Mormon is a person who is at least willing to passively condone their bigotry.

However, I don't agree that a person who plays along with religion should be assumed to believe in it. Most people I know who participate in religious rituals and practices don't actually hold literal belief in all those rituals, and that's just average people...in my experience, the more wealthy and powerful a person is, the less likely they are to actually believe in any of the "religious values" they proclaim.

[Eleutheria]

but allied with racism, sexism and bigotry

Complaining about bigotry in a post being prejudiced against an entire religion.

No it shouldn't matter, Mormonism is no more ludicrous or false then any other religion.

Given the circumstances of its founding and the nature of Joseph Smith's revelations, I'd have to say its somewhat more ludicrous than most religions, but I wouldnt mind to much if there was a president with a silly belief, i do however take issue with a president who has racist, homophobic and sexist beliefs, for instance Mormons propound the doctrine that black people are a "very special but lesser creature made by God" (could racism be anymore patronising?), they cite the darkness of black people's skin a sign of their sin, until 1979 they didnt allow black priests, having a racist homophobic and sexist president is undoubtably of relevance.

[Gothinia]

you insulted an entire religion and persecuted Mitt Romney for his faith... and YOU call THEM bigots?

[Druidville]

We had a Catholic, that worked out okay.

[Rhodmhire]

Just because John Smith was racist =/= all mormons being racist. Mitt Romney hasn't shown any signs of being racist.

It was Joseph Smith not John Smith.

I remember it by the classic tune.

"Joseph Smith was called a prophet, dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb," et al.

[The Rich Port]

98% of Catholic women don't wholly follow the Catholic Church's views on contraception.

The poor and the disabled are seen as drains on society.

The rich and powerful continue to be rich and powerful, despite the fact they may have acquired their wealth illegally.

Religion doesn't seem to factor a lot into Americans' decisions these days.

[Olthar]

Is it "safe" to have Mitt Romney as president? No less "safe" than any of the other Republican candidates. So, not very safe at all, in fact, quite dangerous, but that has nothing to do with the fact that he's not Christian and everything to do with the fact that he's stupid, crazy, evil, or all three, just like every other Republican candidate out there right now.

[Kaeshar]

98% of Catholic women don't wholly follow the Catholic Church's views.

Religion doesn't seem to factor a lot into American's decisions these days.

Except for those that seem to vote for Santorum.

Still, religion as a topic still pops up from time to time but isn't a major decider.

[You-Gi-Owe]

It seems that you Republicans are desperate to have that mormon as the republican presidential candidate, I mean supposing you were an american and a republican (i am neither), how could you cast your vote for mitt romney? the man is part of the most ludicrous and most obviously man made religion i can think of, its not only ludicrous but allied with racism, sexism and bigotry as well, could there be a worse candidate to run the "land of the free"? Obama is by no means perfect, but at least he doesn't believe that ridiculous book full of false religious dogma, written by the lifelong opiate smoker, and founder of the mormon church, joseph smith, who claims to have seen an angel who told him where these "golden plates" were buried so that he could dig them up and translate them from some unspeakable hebrew dialect into what would become the book of mormon. and when someone took away the translations (which he had obviously made up) and asked him to repeat them exactly so that he could prove he really was translating from golden plates, and he said that god had given him a different set of plates so he couldnt translate what he had before, these "plates" also propounded the extremely racist doctrine that black people were special but lesser creations of god, and that the colour of their skin was a sign that they were inferior, why would anyone believe in this idiocy? why would anyone vote for a man that did? I'd be interested to hear from any of you Republicans out there on NS?

Given the current occupant in the White House, is it safe to have a black man as President?
How about a muslim? Or a Catholic? Oh, we had that already.
Don 't be a dick.

[Kilobugya]

Simple : religion is private. The religion of the candidate just doesn't matter. Everyone can believe in any fairy tale he likes, it's his own choice. Where it starts being a problem is when someone wants to impose religious laws to the country, to mix religion with politics. That is, always, very sick. But that's not more or less sick depending of the religion. I don't think Rommey will be worse than Bush on that issue. He'll be pretty bad, as any republican, but not nearly as bad as a Santorum would be.

[Eleutheria]

you insulted an entire religion and persecuted Mitt Romney for his faith... and YOU call THEM bigots?

I think I'm within my rights to insult a religion that has such racist, sexist and homophobic views, views which will to some extent influence a Romney presidency. I'm gay, am I not to be worried about a potentially homophobic presidency? heres an example of Homophobia from Gordon B. Hinckley, previous president and supreme leader of the Mormons, "People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians.They may have certain unnatural inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. If they the moral standards of the Church by acting on these evil inclinations, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are"

[West Failure]

Just because John Smith was racist =/= all mormons being racist. Mitt Romney hasn't shown any signs of being racist.

It was Joseph Smith not John Smith.

I remember it by the classic tune.

"Joseph Smith was called a prophet, dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb," et al.

John Smith was more the A Team. Though I can imagine Romney saying "I love it when a plan comes together".

[Mike the Progressive]

We had a Catholic, that worked out okay.

Exactly. I have no intent of voting for Mitt Romney, but I don't think his religion would be of concern if he was elected president.

[The Rich Port]

you insulted an entire religion and persecuted Mitt Romney for his faith... and YOU call THEM bigots?

I think I'm within my rights to insult a religion that has such racist, sexist and homophobic views, views which will to some extent influence a Romney presidency. I'm gay, am I not to be worried about a potentially homophobic presidency? heres an example of Homophobia from Gordon B. Hinckley, previous president and supreme leader of the Mormons, "People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians.They may have certain unnatural inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. If they the moral standards of the Church by acting on these evil inclinations, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are"

You're about as within your rights to insult them as they are to insult you, which is to say, fully, but you shouldn't be doing it either way since it lowers your standing and The People's view of you.

[Kaeshar]

The disabled are seen as drains on society.

F*** you

Don't tell me YOU believe that.....

[The Rich Port]

The disabled are seen as drains on society.

F*** you

Don't tell me YOU believe that.....

Of course not.

The Reps. say that.

Well, maybe they haven't said THE DISABLED are a drain on society, but that THE POOR are a drain on society.

Seeing as how a lot of poor people have some sort of severe disability keeping them from having a livable condition in the U.S. or anywhere else, I'd say they'd be saying the same thing.

[Kryozerkia]

Religion doesn't seem to factor a lot into Americans' decisions these days.

In some instances, yes, in others no. See: gay marriage, contraception, abortion...

[Azakhia]

If we are to have a government that has a separation of church and state, does it really matter what the religious beliefs of the President are? After all, he cannot make us all worship in a Mormon temple, can he?

After all, the extremist US political machine has more important things to worry about, such as gay rights and abortion.

[Kaeshar]

F*** you

Don't tell me YOU believe that.....

Of course not.

The Reps. say that.

Well, maybe they haven't said THE DISABLED are a drain on society, but that THE POOR are a drain on society.

Seeing as how a lot of poor people have some sort of severe disability keeping them from having a livable condition in the U.S. or anywhere else, I'd say they'd be saying the same thing.

You're probably thinking of people with mental disorders.