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 7 of 7)
91. I did not hear the debate. I am not a Sharpton fan. In the stated context which was debating an atheist, I can well imagine Pretty Al intending a sharp skewer in the direction of Mitt. I'm 85-90% sure he did. A little liberal leftist "aha Mitt take that poke in the eye", moment for Pretty Al! Yet assuming this inference we make about Al's opinion of Mormons is correct, this is the exact same position of a large plurality of Christians. Sharpton has apologized to the LDS Church, good. Personally, if I were a Mormon I would not want Pretty Al's apology. I would just get on with my business.
Khary Sudan at 11:06AM on May 13th 2007
92. Back during the late 1970s, I had occasion to visit friends in Salt Lake City…while there, a neighbor visited us and shared an intriguing manuscript he was writing. It was his compilation of the esoteric similarities between the ritualistic language and symbolic emblems of the entrance requirements and floor-work required in order to gain entrance into the Mormon Temple and also into the lodges of Freemasonry.
Being a Free and Accepted Freemason since the late 1960s, I found it shocking that the exact secret language I had sworn to reveal to no one as a Mason was the precise language which was used by Mormons to gain entrance and undergo the Temple rituals of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka: the Mormons.
Joseph Smith, the founder (inventor) of the LDS was a Mason, as were his brothers and numerous other compatriots. There is no question in my mind that Smith and his counterparts schemed to make a “religion” out of Freemasonry, which was never intended by ancient Masonic tradition. This was an easy task for them to accomplish – all of Smith’s cohorts were deeply knowledgeable about the beautiful, poetic, persuasive language of the “secret” esoteric work of the Masonic rituals, while the masses who surrounded them knew nothing of Masonry’s colorful linguistic choreography of philosophical and fraternal bonding. The masses were not only moved by the beauty of the concepts and language, they foreswore all previous religious allegiances in favor of this new-found “God-sent” spiritual revelation.
As a consequence, Smith and his inner-circle were able to undertake a faux religious construct of monumental proportions – creating a fledgling “religion” whose true roots were known only to a selected few Masonic fraternal brethren.
Thus, the Mormons. A “latter-day,” loosely “Jesus-based” concoction of fraternal, philosophical and symbolic tenets founded entirely and solely in the centuries-old esoteric and fraternal precepts of Free and Accepted Masons.
Below…the unsolicited testimony of a person reared as a devout Mormon. A person who clearly sees the “hoodwinking” of millions of Mormons and others who choose not to accept the inescapable facts of this faux-religion’s true genesis and intent.
Dan McCurdy
San Angelo, TX
Jana May from Hawaii left...
Thursday, 10 May 2007 10:26 pm
Having been raised in a devout Mormon home and seeing this religion from the inside, I feel qualified to comment on the fantasy that is commonly called 'separation of church and state' as it relates to Mitt Romney's comment that he will not be controlled by the leaders of the church if he is elected president.
Growing up in the LDS church, the first thing you learn is that obedience is not optional. Romney's future as a GOD is based completely upon his obedience to any and all dictates that the leaders of the church issue to him. Yes, I did actually say his future as a GOD!
The author of the original blog forgot one very important motivation for people to join and remain in the Mormon religion; they are promised that upon the successful and obedient completion of their probation here on Earth they will be promoted to "GOD STATUS."
Faithful LDS men are promised that they will have earned the reward of being able to create their own universe. In addition, they can look forward to populating it with offspring sexually conceived with their ever pregnant eternal wives (notice the plural).
Good and loyal Mormon men are soothed by the knowledge that even though polygamy must be temporarily put aside to prevent further persecution of the church now, it remains an honored and holy principal of the faith and they will be granted additional breeding stock after they rise to the celestial kingdom and become GODS.
Not only do Mormons believe in life on other planets, they fully intend to be creating millions of spiritual children in a never ending population explosion.
Unfortunately, the eternal prospects for LDS women are not so happy. They can look forward to an eternity of continuous pregnancy and submission to their "GOD-HUSBAND" and the expectation of sharing that privilege with as many "faithful brides" as their husband desires.
Oh by the way, all of those surplus women are the poor unfortunately Mormon women whose earthly husbands left the church, were excommunicated or otherwise failed to keep the faith while alive. These women are promised that if they will not remarry and remain faithful, tithe paying members for the rest of their lives they will be handed over to become additional breeding stock, to a "GOD MAN" after they die. (Doesn't that sound fun?) The only good comment I can make about Mormonism is that it is much more interesting and creative than traditional Christianity when it comes to incentivising converts.
There is no way that Romney would jeopardize his "Godhood" if the church told him it was in jeopardy because of a decision he was getting ready to make as president.
This religion is not a mainstream Christian church. There is no worship of Jesus Christ in any of their services or ceremonies. They use the name of Jesus Christ as a marketing tool to get their representatives in the door of potential converts and then it is never mentioned again. I recommend that any person who disbelieves me attend any Mormon church meeting on the first Sunday of any month. They will witness "fast and testimony meeting" which is a group brain washing event involving the reiteration of individual "testimony" that Joseph Smith relsted as a prophet by every man, woman and child in the congregation. The name Jesus Christ will not be mentioned.
If we are ever going to actually separate church and state (what a fantasy) we probably ought to start now.
Dan McCurdy at 1:18AM on May 12th 2007
93. I don't think Al Sharpton should apologize, only because I don't think anyone should apologize if they don't really mean it. I think he was just saying what he really thought. Now what he said might be bad, but I'm tired of people apologizing for speaking their minds. Now, that said, I think Al Sharpton is a bigot and a poor representative for the civil rights of black people. I've never heard of him "defending" anyone else so I can't just say civil rights. Someone once said in a speach that their dream was for people to be judged, not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Al Sharpton's comments (and actions) make me wonder if he has ever heard that speach before.
David at 5:07AM on May 13th 2007
94. For someone having been raised in a "devote Mormon home" the writer of Dan McCurdy's "unsolicited testimony" has surprising little understanding of LDS Church doctrine. The characterization of LDS women as "ever pregnant eternal wives" is erroneous and absurd. While the post was full of inaccuracies, I would agree that if you want to find out for yourself, attend a testimony meeting held on the first Sunday of each month. See for yourself if “The name Jesus Christ will not be mentioned,” as the writer promises.” If Christ’s name is mentioned in testimonies, then you should doubt the rest of the absurdities of that post. Incidentally, if you are wondering when the testimony portion of the meeting will take place, it will be right after the sacrament where the congregation remembers the atonement of Christ and recommits to take upon them His name.
Alex at 2:27AM on May 14th 2007
95. As a member of the LDS church, I would have to say that Sharpton doesn't need to apologize to me. I couldn't care less what he says or thinks about anything. Also, I don't know that it is necessary to apologize for saying stupid things. It is certainly good manners, but I think we are all getting a little too sensitive.
Stephen at 10:57AM on May 14th 2007
96. Al Sharpton is a nappy headed ho.
James at 4:12PM on May 14th 2007
97. Can somebody please tell me what churches exactly are Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson affiliated with?
April at 6:46PM on May 14th 2007
98. Sharpton is nothing but a street hustling maggot. Rascist to the bone marrow. Sharpton... basically a nothing. That's all, a nothing.
John at 11:42PM on May 15th 2007
99. Sharpton is a Racist plain and simple. He get others fired but its ok that he abuses other peoples rights.
Terry at 1:50PM on May 17th 2007
100. Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Paris Hiltong, Britney Spears a a whole lot of others are getting what they want and satisfying their egos via the media. If you guys would just ignore them I think our society would be a hell of a lot better off. You are created the monsters that they are by constantly overwhelming us with their presence on TV, our computers, news programs, etc. ENOUGH ALREADY... Oh.. and I forgot Anna Nicole, Larry Birkhead, etc. GIVE US A BREAK!!!
Sylvia at 3:31PM on May 17th 2007
101. I don't care if he apologizes. I'd be happier if he would just go away.
PattyAnn at 5:23PM on May 26th 2007
102. Sharpton, shut up and just go away.
PattyAnn at 8:41AM on May 27th 2007