Poll: Romney may see an evangelical ‘enthusiasm gap’

[JustaServant]

Most Americans who know that Mitt Romney is Mormon say the presumptive GOP nominee’s faith doesn’t concern them. But a new poll indicates there may be an “enthusiasm gap” for Romney among white evangelicals, a crucial GOP constituency.

Sixty percent of Americans know that Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to a survey released Thursday (July 26) by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. That number has barely budged since March, despite intense media focus on Romney’s faith.

More....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...5BX_story.html

[JonNC]

Originally Posted by JustaServant

More....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...5BX_story.html

While I wouldn't categorize myself as an "evangelical" in the American protestant mode, and I honestly wanted to be able to vote for one of the two Catholics who ran, I think any enthusiasm gap about Mitt is probably more than neutralized by an enthusiasm flood against the other guy.

Jon

[cajunhillbilly]

A lot of people will vote for Romney just to get Obama out of office. I know I will.

[Swiss Guy]

Originally Posted by JonNC

While I wouldn't categorize myself as an "evangelical" in the American protestant mode, and I honestly wanted to be able to vote for one of the two Catholics who ran, I think any enthusiasm gap about Mitt is probably more than neutralized by an enthusiasm flood against the other guy.

Jon

This.

[revert_jen]

I dream of the day when I will be able to vote for someone who is not the lesser of two evils...

Not strictly relevent, but I wanted to get it off my chest.

--Jen

[robertericleech]

Originally Posted by revert_jen

I dream of the day when I will be able to vote for someone who is not the lesser of two evils...

Not strictly relevent, but I wanted to get it off my chest.

--Jen

Don't hold your breath...it's either the lesser of two evils, or evil of two lessers, lol.

[JHow]

Originally Posted by JonNC

While I wouldn't categorize myself as an "evangelical" in the American protestant mode, and I honestly wanted to be able to vote for one of the two Catholics who ran, I think any enthusiasm gap about Mitt is probably more than neutralized by an enthusiasm flood against the other guy.

Jon

Yep. Enthusiasm can exist on continuum, but voting is binary.

[4Squarebaby]

Originally Posted by cajunhillbilly

A lot of people will vote for Romney just to get Obama out of office. I know I will.

However among Evangelics an interesting thing seems to be happenning. In one case they suspect a man is faking being a Christian for political advantage. In the other case there would be no controversy or lack of enthusiam if the candidate identified himself as Mormon and not as Christian. Sort of like the same sex marriage versus civil union feelings I get.

[mtolympus]

Originally Posted by 4Squarebaby

However among Evangelics an interesting thing seems to be happenning. In one case they suspect a man is faking being a Christian for political advantage. In the other case there would be no controversy or lack of enthusiam if the candidate identified himself as Mormon and not as Christian. Sort of like the same sex marriage versus civil union feelings I get.

Everyone should realize that there is more than one definition of a Christian. The original definition was a follower or disciple of Christ. (Acts 11:26) Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in Jesus Christ and try to adhere to His teachings. They certainly believe they are Christians.

Most Mormons do not realize that the official definition of "Christian" by the Catholic Church and most protestants is that a Christian is one who adheres to the belief of the Triune God as defined in the Nicene Creed, (Trinitarian). All agree that Mormons do not believe this.

Latter-day Saints are Christians but they are not Trinitarians.

[Nabooru]

If Romney becomes president, the American people will be funding the Mormon church with $40,000 a year (last I heard the president made $400,000 but it might have changed). He is required by his religion, if he wants the right to enter their holy spaces and thus participate in their rites, to give at least 10% of his income to the church, or else face harassment. That mall in Utah isn't going to build itself, you know.

[10gr8kids]

Originally Posted by Nabooru

If Romney becomes president, the American people will be funding the Mormon church with $40,000 a year (last I heard the president made $400,000 but it might have changed). He is required by his religion, if he wants the right to enter their holy spaces and thus participate in their rites, to give at least 10% of his income to the church, or else face harassment. That mall in Utah isn't going to build itself, you know.

I suppose I'd rather fund the Morman Church than planned parenthood. Maybe Romney wil defund pp if he's elected. Let's hope and pray.

[PaulDupre]

Originally Posted by Nabooru

If Romney becomes president, the American people will be funding the Mormon church with $40,000 a year (last I heard the president made $400,000 but it might have changed). He is required by his religion, if he wants the right to enter their holy spaces and thus participate in their rites, to give at least 10% of his income to the church, or else face harassment. That mall in Utah isn't going to build itself, you know.

Unlikely. Romney has never accepted payment for public service. Both as President and CEO of the SLC olympics and as Governor of MA, Romney never took a salary. I doubt he would break that pattern as POTUS.

Paul (formerly LDS, now happily Catholic)

[mtolympus]

Originally Posted by Nabooru

If Romney becomes president, the American people will be funding the Mormon church with $40,000 a year (last I heard the president made $400,000 but it might have changed). He is required by his religion, if he wants the right to enter their holy spaces and thus participate in their rites, to give at least 10% of his income to the church, or else face harassment. That mall in Utah isn't going to build itself, you know.

If Romney becomes president he will have the right use his money as he wants and believes. He will protect the constitution so that we will all continue to have this right. By the way, I love paying tithing. I recommend everyone pay tithing to the church of their choice.

[Porknpie]

Originally Posted by mtolympus

Everyone should realize that there is more than one definition of a Christian. The original definition was a follower or disciple of Christ. (Acts 11:26) Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in Jesus Christ and try to adhere to His teachings. They certainly believe they are Christians.

Most Mormons do not realize that the official definition of "Christian" by the Catholic Church and most protestants is that a Christian is one who adheres to the belief of the Triune God as defined in the Nicene Creed, (Trinitarian). All agree that Mormons do not believe this.

Latter-day Saints are Christians but they are not Trinitarians.

The problem in voting for Romney has several layers of problems, but the ELEPHANT in the room is the Mormon church itself. It is not only that Mormons do not believe in a Triune God, it's that the Jesus of the Mormons was at one point human, brother of Satan and that they lived on another planet together. That we as humans can become Gods, that we stay married and can have billions of children in heavenly sex. That whether one will enter heaven is judged not only by Jesus but by Joseph Smith. The same "prophet of God", Joseph Smith who had 34 wives including marrying 14 year olds. His current successor is "Prophet and Seer" Thomas Monson. I could go on and add that the belief in ancient north American civilizations including a hillside in NY state where millions were killed (along with Chariots and swords before the europeans settled in north america ) but the Mormon church can not find any remains is simply make believe and that comes from the Book of Mormon, itself considered the Word of God. . I could go on....and on.

It's easy to see why many of Christian faith can not be excited about anyone who believes what is really non sense, especially one who would become President of the United States of America, with the Words "In God We Trust" on our currency. Romey's view of the world is "In Gods We Trust".

[mtolympus]

Originally Posted by Porknpie

The problem in voting for Romney has several layers of problems, but the ELEPHANT in the room is the Mormon church itself. It is not only that Mormons do not believe in a Triune God, it's that the Jesus of the Mormons was at one point human, brother of Satan and that they lived on another planet together. That we as humans can become Gods, that we stay married and can have billions of children in heavenly sex. That whether one will enter heaven is judged not only by Jesus but by Joseph Smith. The same "prophet of God", Joseph Smith who had 34 wives including marrying 14 year olds. His current successor is "Prophet and Seer" Thomas Monson. I could go on and add that the belief in ancient north American civilizations including a hillside in NY state where millions were killed (along with Chariots and swords before the europeans settled in north america ) but the Mormon church can not find any remains is simply make believe and that comes from the Book of Mormon, itself considered the Word of God. . I could go on....and on.

It's easy to see why many of Christian faith can not be excited about anyone who believes what is really non sense, especially one who would become President of the United States of America, with the Words "In God We Trust" on our currency. Romey's view of the world is "In Gods We Trust".

Actually, Latter-day Saints believe in God the Eternal Father as the "only true God." (John 17:3) And, that Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are divine and are one in perfect unity and authority with the Father. Jesus received His authority from the Father. (John 5:26-27) Jesus is the only begotten son of God the Father. (1 John 4:9) All of us are children of the Father including Jesus and therefore Jesus is our brother. After His resurrection Jesus said to Mary:

"Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. (John 20: 16-17)

It is easy to mock someone else's religion, but not always as easy to know the difference between faith and foolishness:

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14)