"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 3 of 4)
31. Al Sharpton hates white people
Brennen at 5:40PM on May 9th 2007
32. There are as many gods as believers. It doesn't make sense to compare mine with yours unless I am trying to learn something.
Steve Bonomo at 6:58PM on May 9th 2007
33. I happen to be 3rd generation of Latter Day Saint, that's Mormon to all you laymans,and if Mr Sharpton believes in God, but not the way Mormons do well, I pity his soul. I was taught,to love and do have a strong belief and testimony of God, our Heavenly Father. I can not believe that anyone who professes to be a man of that same God, could say those things about any religion. One of our beliefs is that we allow all men to believe and worship who, where, when and what they may. We only ask those same rights for ourselves. I know for a fact, that God, the one I claim to be my Heavenly Father, is the same one that Mr Romney loves and worships. This is the same God that I hope and pray Mr Sharpen belives in.
brenda at 7:24PM on May 9th 2007
34. He's a DEMOCRAT. What else is new.
joe m at 8:05PM on May 9th 2007
35. WOW -- and Al Sharpton is supposed to be a man of God. His statement clearly shows it doesn't matter what your skin color is, you can still be a BIGOT. And Al Sharpton is obviously a BIGOT. No matter how he tries to spin what he said, he is clearly bigotted against ANYONE who doesn't believe the same things he does. What a sad human being.......
ubuckman at 8:22PM on May 9th 2007
36. Please, Sharpton and Jackson are bigger racists than Imus will ever be. In fact, they are 2 of the biggest racists in this country. They are predjudiced toward all things black and against all things not.
Jack in South Florida at 8:41PM on May 9th 2007
37. Al Sharpton is a racist and a paid political puppet. Period.
He has done nothing to viably elevate his own, but instead relentlessly chains them to the past in order to sustain a vocation for himself under a civil rights banner. He is a false prophet.
How can Al Sharpton even insinuate the unworthiness of a candidate's religion which carries every ethical value and reverence for life that all honorable religions hold? He has unabashedly done this and in doing so he opens the door to extending this ugly bigotry from religion to race, once again.
He has overstepped the very fine line, and it is about time that loud voices speak up against this buffoon of a traveling show of his which exists at the expense of the humanity he claims to defend. Wise Up! ~ Al Sharpton is your worst enemy!
Mitt Romney is IT! He has the whole package ~ unmatched experience as Governor of MA, keen intellect and communicator, undeniable presence, disciplined fortitude and grace, threaded by an unadulterated sense of integrity. It is a rarity that has not come our way since the Reagan years and may the GOP commit themselves to supporting and meriting his effort with a Presidential nod. May our citizens from every race and religion have the wisdom to elect him.
Maria Rose at 9:09PM on May 9th 2007
38.
Mr. Sharpton's comment clearly shows that he is uneducated about the religion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or as most want to call it, Mormonism.
Cher at 9:39PM on May 9th 2007
39. My 'relevant' comments concerning al sharpton:
Generally, I question the legitamacy of sharpton's having ever been licensed and ordained at the age of 10. Having gone to college for about two years, does not establish any meaningful credentials as a minister or anything else. Though a college education is not required to be a minister, most mainstream Christian churches, including eangelicals, would agree a follower of Christ tries to live a life reflecting God's love towards his fellow man through humbly and compassionately serving those in need. As Christ's followers, we should strive (with God's help), to emulate Christ.
sharpton's main interest, I suspect, is to draw national attention to himself while diligently working to promote devisiveness amount the races. The title 'reverend' being used by the man himself or the media is most inappropriate. The main issue here is not his having been licensed and ordained at the age of 10. There aer numerous issues with sharpton's conduct. Primarily, the extreme prejudice exhibited in the inflamatory speach and allegations he is known for when the media is near.
Chose your color. Whatever your color, there are so many commonalities we share as being human. There aer many, many good people among all races. There are many of us who have been taught to distrust, hate and fight against those who happen to bear little resemblance to our skin tone, life philosophy, believes concerning creation and God.
As a man, sharpton has little influence on persons assulted by his diatribe of discord, prideful resentment and hate among the children of God.
The near disappearance of racial harmony in recent yeare has not deminished. Actually, race-relations seem to be headed south. It is sad.
D at 9:01AM on May 10th 2007
40. I aggree with Angie in that Sharpton is a racist, I can't stand the fact that he feels he has a right to attack any one and everyone he wants. Whether it be religiously or racially. He is a hypocrit, I want him to do a PUBLIC apology to everyone he's ever insulted at least in the past 6 months, he's got no right to insult anyone's religion, seeing how we live in the Land of the Free, and this country was started by the mere fact that people were trying to gain religious freedom, only to be oppressed by people like him. I feel if it's okay for him to ask for an apology it should be more than okay for the everyone to ask one from him. Seeing how he insults people more often than not.
Selene at 9:35PM on May 10th 2007
41. Sharpton should be boycotted by the Democrats at the convention, he should NEVER be called upon as an "expert" on race relations and we should insist the the media not print anything he says or give him any air time because of his insulting BIGOTED comments. What was good for Imus is good for him. He can explain away and talk in riddles but he still said what he said. JB.
johanna at 1:24PM on May 10th 2007
42. This so called Reverend is nothing more than a wolf in a sheepskin clothes.He's out there in the public inciting controversies instead of keeping the peace.Oh,I understand Jesus didn't select a reverend he chooses prophets and apostles as his deciples and messengers to visit the poor and the sick and bless them and give them comforts Physically and spiritually.Read the Holy Bible with your spiritual eyes not with your worldly eyes than you will come to grib with the real TRUTH.
Realistic at 2:13AM on May 11th 2007
43. The man is a blight. He is coured by the media because he defies reason or rational. Not a very good black man (note straightened hair). It is time that the ultra conservative groups that exisit in our nation put a stop to this clown and to his side kick the other revrunt.
robert at 5:37PM on May 10th 2007
44. Sharpton is obvioulsy confused about what Mormons believe. Hopefully, if someone wants to know what Mormons' real beliefs about God are, they will do their own research at www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.
GrlyT at 9:14PM on May 10th 2007
45. Mr Sharpton's comment about the Mormon faith does not surprise me. Obviously, Mr Sharpton was not speaking as an inspired man of God, but as an ordinary man. My hope is that whom ever is chosen to lead this country is not...just an ordinary man.
Jose at 2:17PM on May 14th 2007