"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation."This remark came in a debate at the New York public library with none other than Christopher Hitchens, who is currently making the rounds to promote his new book, God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Given Sharpton's remark, I'd have to give that debate point to Hitchens.
I might humbly suggest that our culture of jabber is really what's wrong with the likes of Imus, Sharpton, Limbaugh and the rest. When one engages in a constant stream of words pouring from the mouth, it is inevitable that regrettable statements will flow forth. As for Romney, of course he believes in God, and Sharpton later took pains to correct himself, albeit in revisionist fashion:
"What I said was that we would defeat him, meaning as a Republican. A Mormon, by definition, believes in God. They don't believe in God the way I do, but by definition, they believe in God."Oy vey. I need a drink. Care to join me, Mr. Hitchens?
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 4)
16. I believe Mitt Romney to have the cleanest closet of all the campaigners and I challenge all morally upstanding citizens to vote for Romney and get him in office, if you don't then you're not as morally upstanding as you think.
Melody at 12:52PM on May 9th 2007
17. If Sharpton really is a man of faith he would keep his mouth shut and follow the Bible and the word of God. He puts his nose into to many other peoples business.
Gma at 1:53PM on May 9th 2007
18. Steve, big deal if LDS don't call Jesus an "angel." freddieep's point is that LDS minimize Jesus to a created being by his heavenly parents, and as such, he didn't create everything. In fact LDS don't think that God created everything since he himself had to grow up to become a god as well.
I don't think you can leave religion out of this; try as you may, but people want an individual who best reflects most of their most valued beliefs.
Rob Sivulka at 1:10PM on May 9th 2007
19. Romney brings morality and equality to this nation. Leave religion out of it. He is a governor anda presidential candidate who's religion just happens to be Mormon. We have other Mormons in office without so much as a nod. Kennedy, when he was voted in to the Presidential seat was Catholic and he was a great president. Why can't Romney be that too? This country granst freedom of religion. Give Romney his!!!! The issues he supports are what you should be concerned with, not his religion. Besides, so far, he is the only candidate witht he cleanest record. That needs to speak for something! By your fruits ye shall know them..........
Jamie Taylor at 1:12PM on May 9th 2007
20. Believe me, he is all the other things besides being sharp, more like a dim wit, you can not see but smell in the dark, sharpton's picture is next to the word stupid in the dictionary!!!!!!!!!!
jon_jd44 at 3:33PM on May 9th 2007
21. Al Sharpton is what I call a "Poverty Pimp", and he's the biggest racist of them all! Does anyone remember the riots he incited in NYC in the early '90's?
Sudesh at 3:50PM on May 9th 2007
22. Racism and bigotry exist by keeping it alive through tal and focus. To remove something, take it out of your sight. "What you're looking at, IS YOU." Sharpton is a cause ofracism and bigoty by his continued need to discuss what he can't let go of. He needs to grow up and become a Hu-man be-ing.
joel harris at 1:28PM on May 9th 2007
23. Sivulka..........WHAT?! You have no clue as to how and what the LDS church believes. I suggest you do some research, but most of all, some deep soul searching before you attack anyone's religious beliefs. Jesus is the cornerstone of the LDS beliefs and in NO WAY do they minimize Him or His mission on the earth. Mitt Romney's character speaks for itself. Perhaps you should spend more time on studying the issues and each candidates stand on those issues, instead of spewing something you absolutely have no clue about. Hmmmmm.....somewhere I read that there is a separation of church and state....where might that be?
Chrysalis at 1:34PM on May 9th 2007
24. Al Sharpton is a bigot but our liberal media will not take hime to task for anything he might do or say because they are afraid I guess of something (what, I do not know) or they agree with him completely. He can rant and rave all he wants without fear of anyone challenging him. This is a very sad situation for out country to be in.
Don Wolf at 1:47PM on May 9th 2007
25. Al Sharpton is a BIGOT and a RACIST !!! He should get the same treatment as Don Imus. Where's the outcry? Fortunately no one really cares what he has to say anyway.
Melissa at 1:54PM on May 9th 2007
26. Chrysalis, here's what the LDS Church says about this in their own "Gospel Principles": http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-6,00.html. So don't take my word for it. You are either lying (which wouldn't surprise me since LDS practice "lying for the Lord": http://mormonwiki.org/Lying_for_the_Lord), or you just don't know what you're talking about. LDS hold that Jesus is our elder brother in the pre-earth life. As such, he didn't create us. He didn't create Lucifer, since he also is a younger brother of Jesus in the pre-earth life. The LDS Jesus didn't create everything, which again was freddieep's point. This is in fact minimizing Jesus. Biblical Christians exalt Jesus above anything imaginable, since as freddieep point out from John 1, Jesus was God from the beginning who created literally everything.
If you want an example of Romney lying about his own faith, see the video "Mitt Romney and Mormonism": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcAqtPv3YcY I agree with what Jamie wrote... by their fruits you'll know them. Remember that even Satan can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 14-15).
Rob Sivulka at 1:57PM on May 9th 2007
27. As for Mr. Sharpton. This has everthing to do with his perseption of race, religion, politics, and whatever else triggers his foul mind. He has no interest in the betterment of HIS people. All he is concerned with is his next photo op. If he was truely concerned about, say for instance, the Afro American culture and their struggles then he would want educate himself on all matters pertaining to that subject. But this is not his problem I feel as much as it is the America's. We give him his platform in which to spew his diseducation and hate filled messages. Like him we thrive on the negative. Then turn right around and vomit ours on the unsuspecting, starting most likely with our own families. From this comes a whole gammet of problems such as racism, hate crimes, and many prejudices. And for the most part it is our children who are at the forefront. Because of their unnurtured sense right or wrong they act on these negativities. Thus, the vicious circle begins. Do we as humanity want to continue to live in these illusions of separation. I say yes. It is what we are comfortable with. It is a problem manifesting itself through time eternal. Can we change it? We have to make that choice. A thousand times a day if needed. Will we do it? Highly unlikely.
Jim at 2:01PM on May 9th 2007
28. First let me correct some of the Posters on this Board as relates to Al Sharpton. He is a Qualafied and Registered Religious Minister and has been to Divinity School and has his credentials. That doesn't make him a GOOD Minister,But, a loud mouthed preacher. Jackson is the dope that runs around and wants people to call him Reverend Jackson, he is NOT a certified Minister,BUT IS A PHONEY. The thing that bothers me about both of these racist jerk bones is the fact that before Martin Luther King was murdered, these two garbonzo beans were nothing but shoe shine boys for King. Then when that Hick( I don't remember the jerk bones name, shot and killed King these two jumped ahead of all the other followers of King. I personnally believe that these two Jerks were behind the killing of King and either paid that Hick to kill king or had someone else set it up. If King were still around our Race relations would be much better as King had the right idea, COMMUNICATION not VIOLENCE. Remember the first thing that Al Sharpton did when the Duke Rape situation bloomed he,Sharpton, brought the Black Panthers to the area to intimidate the people. BUT, it didn't work and Sharpton left with his devils tail dragging behind him and the Black Panthers left like agang of Pussy Cats. Didn't work did it Al???
Charles Henderson at 2:25PM on May 9th 2007
29.
Where are the other candidates, why are they not calling out Sharpton for his comments about Romney? Are they afraid of the backlash from the black comminity? Sharpton needs to apologize, not make excuses.
Tim at 4:12PM on May 9th 2007
30. If it were anybody else, there might be cause for concern, but come on, how many people really take
Al Sharpton seriously?
CEF at 4:14PM on May 9th 2007