Carcano
Valued Senior Member
Mitt Romney's speech on religion last week was rather elusive. He spoke much of religious freedom, but had little to say in response to questions about what he believes.
Here is his version of Christianity:
"There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked. What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. My church's beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths. Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance. Religious tolerance would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for faiths with which we agree."
I thought the Huffington Post came up with a revealing critique of this statement, so I'd like to learn more about what Mormons actually believe about Jesus. Can their religion seriously be considered a sect of Christianity...or is it something entirely new with some old names and labels attached to it???
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/mitt-romneys-jesus-is-ju_b_75719.html
"Because here's the thing that Mitt Romney can't say: The Mormon Jesus has about as much in common with Jesus of Nazareth as the Los Angeles Kings have with King Tut. They have the same name, kind of, and that's it.
The Gospel Jesus lived in Galilee. The Mormon Jesus lived in Albany. Where he fought the Indians. Because he wasn't just the Lamb of God, he was also the Last of the Mohicans. Mormon Jesus? Three wives, a planet full of kids. Gospel Jesus? Living alone and loving it.
It doesn't even have the theological weight to be heresy; it's a simple case of mistaken identity.
And I know that sounds like I'm being flip, but that's only because I don't care. But if it matters to you, it really, really matters.
Mitt Romney wants Christians to think that Mormonism is just another "brand." (He called it a brand earlier this week, in Manchester. Which is how most really devoted people talk about their faith.) But most Christians are pretty brand loyal. It's kind of important to them. They didn't just choose their church for the parking. They like to think they've put some thought into it.
Evelyn Waugh thought that the difference between the real church (Roman Catholicism) and some fake-o crap (Anglicanism) was so obvious that if you couldn't figure it out, it was your problem. He said that trying to explain it was like trying to teach an Australian about architecture.
Mitt Romney doesn't want to explain anything. He just wants to blur the distinctions, change the subject, and make the sale.
Mitt Romney isn't proud of his faith. If he were, he wouldn't react to questions about it like he'd just been asked to describe his parents having sex.
He could put this whole thing to rest by answering one question about his Jesus, just so we know we've got the right guy: Was he Satan's brother? If the answer is "yes" -- and the Book of Mormon says it is -- Mitt and Pat Robertson are talking about two totally different Middle Eastern drifters."
Here is his version of Christianity:
"There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked. What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. My church's beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths. Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance. Religious tolerance would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for faiths with which we agree."
I thought the Huffington Post came up with a revealing critique of this statement, so I'd like to learn more about what Mormons actually believe about Jesus. Can their religion seriously be considered a sect of Christianity...or is it something entirely new with some old names and labels attached to it???
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/mitt-romneys-jesus-is-ju_b_75719.html
"Because here's the thing that Mitt Romney can't say: The Mormon Jesus has about as much in common with Jesus of Nazareth as the Los Angeles Kings have with King Tut. They have the same name, kind of, and that's it.
The Gospel Jesus lived in Galilee. The Mormon Jesus lived in Albany. Where he fought the Indians. Because he wasn't just the Lamb of God, he was also the Last of the Mohicans. Mormon Jesus? Three wives, a planet full of kids. Gospel Jesus? Living alone and loving it.
It doesn't even have the theological weight to be heresy; it's a simple case of mistaken identity.
And I know that sounds like I'm being flip, but that's only because I don't care. But if it matters to you, it really, really matters.
Mitt Romney wants Christians to think that Mormonism is just another "brand." (He called it a brand earlier this week, in Manchester. Which is how most really devoted people talk about their faith.) But most Christians are pretty brand loyal. It's kind of important to them. They didn't just choose their church for the parking. They like to think they've put some thought into it.
Evelyn Waugh thought that the difference between the real church (Roman Catholicism) and some fake-o crap (Anglicanism) was so obvious that if you couldn't figure it out, it was your problem. He said that trying to explain it was like trying to teach an Australian about architecture.
Mitt Romney doesn't want to explain anything. He just wants to blur the distinctions, change the subject, and make the sale.
Mitt Romney isn't proud of his faith. If he were, he wouldn't react to questions about it like he'd just been asked to describe his parents having sex.
He could put this whole thing to rest by answering one question about his Jesus, just so we know we've got the right guy: Was he Satan's brother? If the answer is "yes" -- and the Book of Mormon says it is -- Mitt and Pat Robertson are talking about two totally different Middle Eastern drifters."
