But I can't deny that I'm happy to see the Romney camp call out Al Sharpton on what certainly sounds like an anti-Mormon comment. Here it is:
"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," Sharpton said during a debate with [Christopher] Hitchens at the New York Public Library.Not everyone in America signed on to Sharpton's elevation to National Moral Arbiter during last month's Imus imbroglio. (The news networks, on the other hand, were happy to acquiesce. That Tawana Brawley messiness was wiped from the record in an instant.)
"In no way did I attack Mormons or the Mormon Church when I responded that other believers, not atheists, would vote against Mr. Romney for purely political reasons," Sharpton said.Last month Sharpton insisted, when asked if Imus was bigot, that he couldn't know what was in Don Imus' heart - i.e., perception matters as much intent. Fair enough.
Well then, all we have to go on are Sharpton's words and how they sound. And they certainly sound, um, bigoted.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 7)
46. Yes, Virginia, Mormons are Christians. Not only in name but in the way they conduct their lives. They are more likely first responders for anytime their is a need for food, clothing, money. Never hear about this? Know why? They don't go blabbing about the good they do, they just do it, quietly, like the Savior, whom them revere, would do. Want to know who some Mormon's are? They are your neighbors, your co-workers, they teach your children, they lead in your communities, they are amoung most of the Eagle Scouts in Scouting. They are everywhere, and yes, they are Christians.
n at 10:19PM on May 10th 2007
47. AL Sharpton is a bigot. I believe any one running for president of the Untied States should not except his endorsement for president of the Untied States or seek his endorsement. I would hope they would condemn his comments as being from a begot. Good old Al belongs in the same category as all of the good old boys and Imus. Look at his track on the issues. He tried and condemned the duke player in the news just because they where white. There is no defenses for Imuse and there should not be for Al. Imuse and Al just live in a pass that is no longer our Untied States and he should not have a voice any more in it like Imuse. Its time for him to go and go right now. For people who lesson to him they are in the same league as him. Like he said to IMUS, either you are or not. You are Al. And you know what you can say that you are not until your blue in the face. But you are sir.
Chris at 10:26PM on May 10th 2007
48. sharpton never had girl appolgise to duke players even when imus asked why
t wargo at 12:25PM on May 13th 2007
49. This is not the first time that Sharpton has made comments about people from other another race. His "white interloper" comment started riots against Jewish community, and a couple of his protests have led to the murders of Jewish people. He has done nothing to help the black community. He uses the black community in order to put money in his own pocket, while telling them that he is there to help them. Sharpton does nothing but promote the race card and violence. Without promoting these issues, he would no longer have a job. He and Jackson both need to go.
JC at 11:20PM on May 10th 2007
50. stopandchatHojo said "that Christianity was created in part to control in keep slaves in line (which is also true)". Setting aside his 2nd grade grammer, where in GODS creation did he get that ignorant and biggoted idea? Steve Gamble
Steve Gamble at 12:00AM on May 11th 2007
51. I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO STATE THAT AL SHARPTON WOULD NEVER MAKE A SIMULAR REMARK AGAINST A MUSLIM, EVEN IF THEIR RELIGION IS DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO CHRISTIANITY. THE POINT HERE IS NOT THE VALIDITY OF THE LDS RELIGION AS MUCH AS IT IS THE DUPLICITY AND BIGOTRY OF AL SHARPTON, WHICH HAS REMAINED STEADY AND CONSISTENT OVER THE YEARS.
Cdalealden at 12:23AM on May 11th 2007
52. AL Sharpton ? I always question the press relationship with (so called) leaders like Mr Sharpton. I put Mr Sharpton in the catageory of negative leaders. If I or one of my friends made comments such as his, we sould be run out of town.
Tom Murphy at 1:11AM on May 11th 2007
53. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson are the epitomy of gangsters and rackerteers that the Rico Act was enacted for. They shake down individuals and companies using race when the situation is to their advantage yet feel they are above everyone. Citizens and companies should ignor them. The media only gives them attention because they get a reaction. Ignor these two racist men who devalue all races.
Tony at 1:20AM on May 11th 2007
54. Yanks don't believe in anything really. Nothin' but their own goddam self-righteousness. What's the prob? Al as good or better than most of you and that's a fact.
Don't even pretend to be upset... yanks don't believe in anything, really, 'cept their own goddam self-righteousness...
Well, it's just a matter of fact, isn't it?
pboyfloyd at 1:47AM on May 11th 2007
55. AL SHARPTON SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO THE MORMON CHURCH AND TO MR. ROMNEY. HIS BIG FOOT IS ALWAYS IN HIS MOUTH. YOU WOULD THINK HE WOULD GROW TIRED OF THE TASTE OF SHOE LEATHER.
LIZBETH ANDREWS at 2:20AM on May 11th 2007
56. pboy -
I can see that you are troubled about the idea of righteousness, or as you've stated, self righteousness. What is your idea, definition, interpretation of self righteousness?
Cdalealden at 2:47AM on May 11th 2007
57. If The Republicans Are Stupid Enough To Make Mitt Romney Their Candidate For President, Then The Democrats Will Take Back The White House In 2008. In 2004, they called John Kerry A "Flip-Flopper." Romney Is Just As Bad If Not Worse! Seems That The Republicans Didn't Learn Their Lesson In 2006. So I expect the Democrats To Win Big In 2008! As George W. Says, "BRING IT ON!!!"
D. BARNES at 3:42AM on May 11th 2007
58.
If Pres. Bush said he was a Democrat would you believe him? If Osama bin Laden said he was Catholic would you believe him? If Britney Spears said she was a jazz musician, would you believe her?
I'll assume that all three answers are No.
Why then, do most Americans seem to take issue when Christians declare that Mormon teaching is NOT Christian?
The answer has to be that most Americans hold a definition of "Christian" which has nothing to do with any of the doctrines which, historically, have defined Christianity.
It is not possible in this short space to reproduce the reams honest scholarship documenting the many unique doctrines of Mormonism, so I'll constrain my remarks to one:
Christianity teaches there is One God, in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that God was not born, was not created, but has always existed.
Mormonism teaches that there is a multiplicity of gods, that our God was once a man and is now exalted, that we may become like God.
To the Christian who takes this doctrine seriously, the Mormon belief represents breathtaking blasphemy.
If Mitt Romney declares his belief in God, one may honestly ask: Which God??
-- Chris Curzon
Chris Curzon at 3:35AM on May 11th 2007
59. For what? MORMANS DON'T BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY (FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT) HENCE, THEY CANNOT BE CHRISTIAN. SOME DUDE NAMED JOE SMITH IS THE "PROPHET" OF THEIR CULT? JOE SMITH? AL IS RIGHT...BUT SHOULD HAVE LEFT THE MITT BASHING TO THE RIGHT WING FUNAMENTALISTS...THEY'RE THE ONES WHO REALLY HATE HIM!
Tony at 6:27AM on May 11th 2007
60. Even nappy-headed hos need nappy-headed pimps...hello Al
ron duby at 7:21AM on May 11th 2007