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Mike Huckabee took the Mormon issue head in giving an interview to a Utah radio host:
Former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says he loves Mormons and believes they make the most effective public servants in America.
“Utah doesn’t need to think there is a problem with me,” Huckabee told the KSL Radio Doug Wright show Friday morning.
Huckabee has received some criticism in Utah for comments he has made about fellow former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and about some of the church’s religious beliefs.
Romney received 90 percent of the vote in Utah’s Republican Party presidential primary just over a year ago.
In a 12-minute interview, set up with several major radio stations across the nation, Wright asked Huckabee, a born-again Christian and former governor of Arkansas, about his comments concerning Romney.
Huckabee admitted that he saw a “different Romney” than the man he knew as a fellow GOP governor. (Romney served one term as governor of Massachusetts.)
During the presidential primary campaign Romney “was not the Mitt I knew,” Huckabee said. “You could ask all the guys” who ran in the GOP primaries, said Huckabee, and they would agree that backstage, in public debates and campaigning, Romney acted differently than when he was governor or otherwise out of an intra-party race.
Huckabee said that Romney’s “attitude and atmosphere” around him was perhaps caused because “he was surrounded by people who gave him very bad advice” during Romney’s presidential run.
“Boy, do I ever know” that he is not well-liked in Utah, said Huckabee. But, he added, “I have never said anything unkind about Mormons.”
When “11 words were completely misconstrued” when spoken about the LDS religion in a long New York Times profile of him, Huckabee said he “immediately” apologized publicly to Romney and church members in general.
Huckabee said there is no religious test in running for office. “I defend Mormons running for office.”
He said when he saw the backlash against the LDS Church following the bitter Proposition 8 race in California last November, he was one of the first to say “I was gratified and proud” to see the church stand up for what it believes in.
Huckabee went on to list Mormon politicians that he likes and admires. Current GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. “would make an outstanding president” of the United States, he said. (Huntsman backed GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the Republican primaries.)
Huckabee also talked about current economic problems, his opposition to the “bailout” by the federal government of some private businesses and his support of what he calls his Fair Tax — basically a national sales tax on consumption. He would do away with taxing income and all other elements of productivity.
Saying he may visit Utah soon, he added: “It pains me” that some people think he has said “bad things” about the LDS Church. “It simply is not true.”
Utahns’ “misinformation (about him) were part of the presidential campaign — and I wrote my book (to set the record straight) because that is totally not who I am. Utah is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I want to go there and not have eggs and rotten vegetables thrown at me.”
Listen to the interview here. Certainly, Huckabee is not going to rally all or most Mormons to his side in the primary. He sure as heck isn’t going to get the commenters on this site on their side, but I think what he’s did here was important in trying to clear the air.
The Host, Doug Wright, made the interview work. While criticized by the rabid Internet folks, Wright did a good job interviewing Huckabee, having a conversation rather than just a confrontation, questioning him on a variety of issues. Wright had made a great deal of mocking Huckabee’s book, selling a copy that was used for the mockery for $1,000 and Huckabee took it all in fun.
Wright’s comments afterwards were enlightening. He described the interview by saying “it didn’t make him like Mike Huckabee less.” While Huckabee was joking about getting him with rotten eggs and vegetables, Wright was concerned by the statement. He stated that he believed if Huckabee visited Utah he’d be treated with respect. I tend to think Wright is right.
Wright has had to work hard for this interview as Huckabee had not agreed to appear in the past (given how Huckabee has been viewed in Utah, I don’t find it surprising), but as part of the build up for his new radio series, “The Huckabee Report”, Wright got the opportunity and I think did a fantastic job. Maybe Doug Wright will never be to Mike Huckabee what Hugh Hewitt was to Mitt Romney, but Huckabee would be greatly helped if he could establish a better relationship because if he is the nominee in 2012, he’ll need the help of LDS voters in places like Nevada and Arizona. He took a good step forward and I hope he takes a few more.
January 10th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Isn’t it Doug Wright? Not Doug Wilson.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=399
January 10th, 2009 at 12:24 am
you’re right. Thanks for the correction. Don’t know why I typed Wilson.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Right, Huck.
You love Mormons, you really do! All your best friends are Mormons!
Just ask all the guys about Romney. Sure they all think the same as you, Huck! Too bad none of them have said so, or acted as petty and vindictive as you. But don’t worry about it. Sure we believe you.
Tell me, why do you apologize for something you didn’t even do? Those 11 words were not your fault at all, right?
Hehe. Go ahead and keep snarking, Huck. You dig your hole a little deeper every time. You can’t help yourself. Keep calling Romney two-faced. We all know what that is code for.
We get it.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Oh Adam, how gracious of you! You tend to think that Mormons in Utah wouldn’t egg Huck.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Adam, what planet are you on? Hell will freeze over before Huck gets the LDS vote. In Nevada, Arizona or anywhere.
It’s like asking black Americans to vote for David Duke. Or try Jews voting for Hitler.
Ain’t. Gonna. Happen.
Your commentary is a real Alice in Wonderland kind of conversation.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:15 am
http://www.article6blog.com/2009/01/09/huckabee-who-me-whatd-i-do/
That might shed a little more light on this interview.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:17 am
“If he is the nominee in 2012.”
Is there anyone out there who can help Adam G. out?
Apparently he’s been on tranquilizers for the past 13 months.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Dan, thank you. I just read that myself tonight. If anyone wants to know more about Huck’s diryt little anti-Mormon strategy just take a gander over there. It’s all pretty clear.
Adam G, you might want to check it out if you dare.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:39 am
5 comments, Martha. Wow, you’re an obsessive, negative, and very bitter person. Maybe, you could take a step back. Your attitude is incredibly disrespectful and offputting if you’re trying to pursuade anyone.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Adam G. The only time Huck took the Mormon issue head on is when he uttered those 11 words — which were specifically calculated to capitalize on anti-Mormon sentiment in the evangelical community. When he called himself “The Christian Leader” it was code for Romney is not a Christian.
Apologizing after the fact is kind of like trying to unring a bell.
Open your eyes. Oh, right, you can’t.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Adam, you’re not persuadable (your kind of allergic to facts about the Huckster), and everyone else with a brain knows what a schmuck Huck is.
Yes, I’m negative about anti-Mormon bigotry. I don’t want it in my party, or my country. I’m appalled that you or anyone could support a bigot.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Adam G. Make that 8.
If you want to know what happened in the primary regarding Huck and his dirty anti-Mormonism, read the article6blog. I challenge you.
Come back and make a case against the facts presented there.
I don’t think you can, and I don’t think you want to even try to understand what Huck did and how disgusting it was. You are so blind about the man you support. Either that, or you are of the same mindset.
Either way, I don’t like the fact that you come here and try to paint Huckabee as some sort of good guy. Charm offensive? please.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:01 am
they didnt mention the time huck was a keynote at a born at an anti-mormon convention in Utah. Don’t know why he is trying, mormons won’t ever vote for him, and this will hurt him with his base. utah is the reddest state in the country, but would go blue if huckabee was the nom.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:02 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I was a Huck supporter in 08, but i think we should pass on both mitt and huck for 12′. It’s time for a fresh face, someone that can reinvent the brand. Hopefully they will have a better lasting impression than bush. Bush hasn’t been a bad president, just a bad party leader.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Huck better get his supporters under control if he’s serious about being inclusive with the mormons. If he continues to surround himself with folks who are very vocal in their disdain towards mormons I doubt he’s going to make any headway. Anyway, all power to him if he’s going to try and run his 2012 campaign with a different tone.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:04 am
13,
I disagree. I think Utah would vote their values and their beliefs before voting for a pro-choice democrat. Maybe the mormons would stay home, but the rest of utah is evangelicals so huck would still win utah. It won’t matter, he isn’t going to get the nod.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:12 am
Yob, Huck is the ringleader. His supporters follow his lead. He has no intention of turning over a new leaf with Mormons. He allowed anti-Mormon comments on the websites, and never once even asked his supporters to stop. He knew exactly where his support was coming from.
Huck was behind all of it — the threatening letters to McCain, the anti-Mitt ad full of lies, and the pastors and religious right leaders speaking out against Romney.
Hey, here’s a thought. If Huck wants to start fresh with Mormons, why doesn’t he release his past sermons to prove he’s never uttered an anti-Mormon word as preacher? He can’t, of course.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Try to condense your comments a little, Martha…
Um…the whole ‘Jews voting for Hitler’ thing was a little extreme, I’d say. I don’t think Huckabee wants to kill you.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:49 am
I don’t want to sound vindictive, because it’s not helpful, but I think this is too little too late. I’m not of the LDS, but I really respect them for their committment to family and morals. Huckabee is absolutley the most vindictive and petty of all the guys in our contest this year. He seems more interested in talk show contracts and book sales then in really doing anything to help his party. I still say that I’m not sure I can vote republican if Huckabee is at the top of the ticket. And I voted McCain even when I really did not like him. Huckabee is a Huck a babee, and I really cannot stand him. The castigation of Romney in the primaries just made me sick…
January 10th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Huckabee is absolutley the most vindictive and petty of all the guys in our contest this year. He seems more interested in talk show contracts and book sales then in really doing anything to help his party
That was what all that money HUCKPAC sent out support Republican Candidates around the country was about as well as Huckabee campaigning for McCain until his voice was hoarse.
Yes, Huckabee’s making money now, but what, do you want him to become a Protestant monk? Give m a break.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Lol, some of you people who try to brand Huckabee so far out of the mainstream like he’ll never be the party’s nominee need to wake up. He’s one almost every early 2012 poll and I would say at this point (which really means nothing), he’s the front-runner. Myself and many other Republicans would be THRILLED to see a leader and man of principle like Mike become our party’s nominee, and I’m not even religious.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:15 am
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have to agree with Martha here, though perhaps with much less enthusiasm. Huck played dirty politics with religion, plain and simple. And he did it very well, playing to the worst in people. I’m not a Christian, so I never understood why two Christ-following denominations would treat each other as though they’re from different parts of the galaxy. But I never heard Romney say anything negative, outright or with hidden meanings, about Huck and his brand of Christianity. However I heard exactly what Huck said about Mormons and I didn’t like it – I don’t like any politics that depends on exploiting religious division for success. I never forgave Jesse Jackson for his anti-semitic statements, and I wouldn’t expect Mormons to let Huck slide for his divisive comments either, no matter how he tries to explain them. I also could not support Huck as a GOP candidate should it ever come to that, instead devoting all my campaign work and donations to state and local campaigns.
January 10th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Would Huck get Respect if he went to Utah. Yes!
Can he ever expect to get LDS Votes. No! Not even in a general election. If the Republican Party where to put up Huckabee as the Nominee, it would show to me that there is no place in the Party for me and I would be forced out.
Huck politically is toast. His continuous lies about a fellow Republican shows he still has anti-mormon sentiments. Unlike Huck, Romney has never said a cross word against Huckabee since the nomination was over.
Huckabee still has no class and is done.
January 10th, 2009 at 7:28 am
21,
One it’s “won” and two no he hasn’t “won” any 2012 poll that I have seen (which are all worthless anyway).
January 10th, 2009 at 8:53 am
#23 “Can he ever expect to get LDS Votes. No! Not even in a general election.”
Where is the Christ-like concept of forgiveness in this statement? Granted, it would require Gov Huckabee to make real acts of contrition and show real sympathy for his actions. I don’t expect those things to happen, but I think that, if they did, true LDS members (some of whom are family) would forgive.
As for Gov Huckabee ever being the nominee…Ain’t gonna happen, and I think it would be bad for the GOP if he did. He reminds me much too much of Pres Bush.
January 10th, 2009 at 9:06 am
“Former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says he loves Mormons and believes they make the most effective public servants in America.” I do not know a whole lot about Mormon theology, but there is probably a lot of truth to that.
Martha M, I realize that you get worked up about Mr. Huckabee and Mrs. Palin for different reasons, but to equate Mr. Huckabee with Mr. Hitler. C’mon! Not even close. It is one thing for people of certain religions to vote for one candidate over another, but it is another to fear that Mr. Huckabee would build Gas chambers or something. Does it not occur to you that did as some people happen to believe that Mr. Romney is the best available candidate, other believe that other candidate is? I do not believe that either you or your candidate is anti-Southern Baptist, so why do you assume the worst on the other side of the street? Do you really believe that Mormons will be second class citizens were Mr. Huckabee to come to power?
January 10th, 2009 at 9:10 am
“That was what all that money HUCKPAC sent out support Republican Candidates around the country was about as well as Huckabee campaigning for McCain until his voice was hoarse.
Yes, Huckabee’s making money now, but what, do you want him to become a Protestant monk? Give m a break.”
Well said, if people do not want Mr. Huckabee to make money, they don’t have to buy his book or make donations. Even I have not given anything to HACPAC this cycle, but I did give to a few other campaigns and I bought a Palin Calendar.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Oh come on, people. You all know that I don’t think Huck is Hitler. I was making the point that Mormons will not vote for a bigot. Sorry if the analogy was crude.
Adam G. We all know that Huck didn’t want to campaign for McCain. He kissed his butt in the primary (Huck considered Romney his only rival and still does), and after his embarrassing 6-week grab for attention was over, he wanted nothing to do with helping McCain and even held a pro-Huck rally a couple of days before McCain went to Arkansas to raise money — where his supporters vocalized the desire for Mac to lose. He’s a real peach. The guy who wanted to be leader of the free world couldn’t find the time to do something constructive for the party or the country. He was AWOL. But it was probably not entirely his fault. Who can blame McCain if he didn’t want to touch Mr. Shoot-Obama-Jokerman with a 10-foot pole.
Huckabee is incapable of embarrassment.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Let me say a few things about this: “I have never said anything unkind about Mormons.” If he were to release the sermons that he preached at the SB convention in SLC, I’m certain you would see this is a VERY BIG LIE, unless attacking ones religion is viewed as not being unkind to the person. Believe me, when someone says I am not a Christian, I do not take that as an act of kindness.
“I was gratified and proud” Why would Huckabee have been proud of this? It was the religion he detests that stepped up to the plate, not his own. Maybe he was proud because he now considers us Christian? If so, perhaps he might want to say so the next time he is asked. That’ll be a cold day in the hot place, won’t it?
“It pains me” that some people think he has said “bad things” about the LDS Church. “It simply is not true.”
BARF!
Utah is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I want to go there and not have eggs and rotten vegetables thrown at me.” To insinuate that the LDS community would do this shows he doesn’t know them at all.
Now, my fellow LDS members on here may not agree with me, but I do think that in the very unlikely event that Huckabee would receive the nomination, I think Utah would still go Republican. It would probably not be by a wide margin, and the voter turnout would be lower, but I think he would squeeze by. I detest the man, but before I would vote for Obama, I would have to pull the lever for HUCK.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Huck is now claiming he publicly apologized to Mitt over the comments? He didn’t. He claimed to apologize privately, and Romney never said he didn’t so I assume that he did. It certainly wasn’t public though, that might have made him look weak to his supporters at the time and cost him some votes.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I wouldn’t show a negative ad, but if I did, here’s what it would look like.
“IF I DID IT…”
January 10th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Alex, #31 – kind of like OJ.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Candidates offend Mormons at their own peril. LDS is one of the fastest growing denominations worldwide and may at some point overtake evangelical Christianity some day in the future here in the US. Candidates, especially GOP candidates need Mormon votes and they should acknowledge that Mormons are in fact Christians and part of the Christian fold.
Greater ecumenicalism and fellowship between Evangelicals and Mormons should be encouraged – its good for the two faith traditions to unite and its good for the Republican Party to succeed. Huckabee’s bigoted anti-Mormon rhetoric is dangerous and should not be tolerated. The Party needs tolerance and inclusion.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Not to worry, Illinoisguy. We’ll never be faced with such a choice. (Shudder.)
January 10th, 2009 at 11:51 am
JA Pruce, Thank you.
Personally, I always considered myself part of the religious right/conservative team. I always knew some evangelicals were anti-Mormon, but I really didn’t get that it was strong enough or large enough to derail a presidential candidacy. That’s lunacy, and a slap in the face to LDS voters. (Take our money and our votes, but by hell don’t let one of us become president or VP!)
Huck played it to the hilt. It was his only strategy — without it he would not have won Iowa, and the rest is history.
January 10th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
People didn’t dislike Romney because he was Mormon, that is what you don’t get Martha! For some reason you want to play in your little fantasy that if he hadn’t been a Mormon taht everyone would have fallen behind him and he would have won. It might just be that people didn’t like him be cause he was arrogant, two faced, completely inconsistent on the issues, and he couldn’t connect with people. It might have had nothing to do with him being a Mormon. You take one question asked of a reporter who was discussing theology and say Huckabee is a bigot. You have nothing except that question and it was not a direct attack on Mormons, but a question about thier beliefs.
January 10th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
BOULDER always hides out until there is an opportunity to lie about Mitt Romney.
January 10th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
James Boulder, if you don’t at least admit that a sizable percentage of social conservatives voted against him because he was Mormon, you either have your head in the sand, or refuse to admit the obvious.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
#29:
Let me say a few things about this: “I have never said anything unkind about Mormons.” If he were to release the sermons that he preached at the SB convention in SLC, I’m certain you would see this is a VERY BIG LIE, unless attacking ones religion is viewed as not being unkind to the person.
Hey, good news, we know exactly what he said in Salt Lake City and guess what? It had zilch to do with Mormonism:
http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/1998/jun/08/huckabee-us-gave-religion/
Yes, a book critical of Mormonism was distributed but Huckabee flew in and out of Salt Lake City and didn’t even know his own book had made it to the event, let alone about someone else’s book.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR What in the heck is that supposed to be AdamG? That’s not a sermon. Its a hand picked extraction of some of the comments from a sermon. I hope you were not attempting to pass this off as his sermon, because that makes you extremely dishonest.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
#40:
The subject of the sermon had nothing to do with Mormonism and these excerpts were chose by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The subject of Huckabee’s speech was crime, the church, and society, not Mormonism. It wasn’t a close-door conference either as the press was there. The absence of any criticism of Mormonism indicates to me that it didn’t happen.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
39. I think you’re absolutely right in saying that Huckabee was completely ignorant as to what was going on at the convention and what the purpose of it was. Heck, he probably would have turned right around and gone home if he had even the slightest suspicion that there might be anti-Mormon literature being disperse. I am so relieved to find out that he is just an ignoramus instead of conniving perpetrator anti-Mormon sentiment.
I feel so much better now. I can really support an ignoramus, just as long as he says he’s a true conservative and spouts the right Christian rhetoric. Huckabee 2012!!
January 10th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I think that liberals tend to be more anti-Mormon. Most Evangelicals I talked to during the primaries didn’t really have a problem with it and embraced and were excited by the prospect of a Mormon President as an historic first and reconciliation appealing to America’s better “angels.”
January 10th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Wouldn’t be ironic if Huckabee’s Mormon PR campaign ends up paving the way for a Romney nomination in 2012?
January 10th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I think that James Boulder was a little harsh on one hand, on the other hand, I think it is extreme to think that Mr. Romney lost because of his religion. There were for example several Catholics in the race at one point or another, none of them did very well. Was this religious bigotry? I doubt it, I myself did not support any of them. Some of them did not share my values and others, I had policy differences with. So it is not I for one refuse to vote for somebody of another religion. Of course some people are uncomfortable with voting for somebody of a different religion, but I think now a days, they are in the minority.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
“I think that liberals tend to be more anti-Mormon.” Yes, Liberals are actually a lot of anti-everything. They claim to be tolerant, but they are difficult to please.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
#45 The same people that insisted that their opposition to Romney had nothing to do with his religion also loved to cite polls
suggesting 30% of voters would never vote for a Mormon.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Ohio Joe, you’ll have to count me as extreme then, because I absolutely think Mitt would have won if it were not for his religion. However, I will say, that because of the way he conducted himself after he pulled out, I believe much of that bias is gone now. The Prop 8 think in Ca also will help I believe. If you remember, McCain has a 53% VERY FAVORABLE rating and a 79% favorable rating amongst Republicans in the Rasmussen poll on August 29th. If you further recall, Palin and Pawlenty, the other two front runners at that time for the VP had less than half of that.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I’m sorry, McCain was supposed to be ROMNEY in the preceding #48.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
During the early primary debates Huckabee was only asked the religious questions. He found overwhelming support for his great answers. People were craving a politican who was proud to be Christian and stood up against secular society. Thus Huckabee used the words Christian Leader in his tv ads. However, after Iowa Huckabee found that those words boxed him in and he needed to appeal to more voters in NH and MI.
As to the apology that LDS church members are still seeking, Huckabee apologized right away to Romney regarding the NYT article. He also, despite southern baptist doctrinal differences, never said that LDS were not Christian. He gave outward support to the LDS church for their great effort in passing Prop 8. Huckabee has publicly endorsed other LDS politicians.
In reading Huckabee’s book, I can see why there was a rift between Huckabee and Romney. Huckabee did not find Romney to be a true social conservative, thought Mitt was disengenuous. Romney also went out of his way to treat Huckabee like a tier two candidate based on financial and working class status. Similarly how Palin was treated by Washington elites.
LDS members need to forgive and forget.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
“Romney also went out of his way to treat Huckabee like a tier two candidate based on financial and working class status”
You have no basis for that statement. Romney always treats everyone with great respect.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Romney told the media that he was the only republican who was still married to his first wife. Huckabee responded by saying that he is still married to his first wife of 33 years. Romney said “Well of the major candidates.”
As to Huckabee’s apology to Mitt Romney-yes that was a private apology. But Huckabee also went on air with either CNN or Fox and said that he apologized and he had no intention of offending Mitt or his religion. It was sincerely said.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Sounds to me as if he apologized, then lied about it. Because nobody can say that without intending to be offensive, unless they are just plain stupid, and I don’t think Huckabee is that stupid.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1938734/posts
from the article:
Huckabee said he apologized to Romney for the comment after Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate in Iowa. “I said, ‘I would never try, ever to try to somehow pick out some point of your faith and make it an issue,’ and I wouldn’t,” Huckabee said to CNN.
The former Arkansas governor also said he told Romney that he didn’t “think your being a Mormon ought to make you more or less qualified for being a president” and that Romney was “gracious.”
Romney’s campaign said the apology was accepted.
Huckabee told the cable news channel his question about Jesus and the devil wasn’t intended “to create something — I never thought it would make the story.” He said it came up because the New York Times interviewer “was telling me things about the Mormon faith.” “
January 10th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2007/12/13/mike-huckabee-says-hes-apologied-mitt-romney-mormon-comments/
from the article:
Huckabee spoke with the former Massachusetts governor after a Republican presidential debate in Iowa.
“I went to him. I just wanted to make sure that he heard directly from me, face to face, eyeball to eyeball, that I truly was sorry that that had come out that it looked like I had taken some shot at his faith,” Huckabee said. “I absolutely did not, and I would not do that and so I apologized because I felt like I owed him that.”
Huckabee told CNN that he did not originally want to talk about Romney’s religion for the article, to be published Sunday.
“I said ‘I don’t want to go there.’ I don’t know much about it,” Huckabee said.
In the article, Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, asks, “Don’t Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?”
Romney told FOX News Wednesday that Huckabee’s comments were not accurate but that he has accepted the apology.
“Following the debate Mike Huckabee apologized for that, if you will, traditional smear on our faith …and I of course accepted his apology,” he said.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Here is Huckabee with his interview with Wolf Blitzer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFRK4tNm0Nw
January 10th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I think it’s really funny that Huck supporters don’t believe 2 + 2 = 4.
It’s undeniable that Huck had NO TRACTION until he played his dirty little anti-Mormon trick. Then WHAMO! Suddenly he’s all over the place and the media are having a gas. Romney would have won Iowa if not for Huck’s obviously calculated, well-timed, well-placed and commonly known (among evangelicals) criticism of Mormons. With an Iowa win, things would have most likely gone Romney’s way after that.
You guys who love Huck don’t even appreciate how sly your man is! Why do you think they call him the “What, who me?” guy? He does this sort of thing all the time. (Hey! Let’s make an ad and then refuse to release it!) (What floating cross?) Huck supporters are the most gullible I’ve ever seen. And the joke about assassinating Obama wasn’t planned or anything, right?
One thing does disturb me, though. If you know your guy is a bigot, how can you in good conscience support him? You’re either in denial, not dealing with a full deck, or you feel the same way. Obviously, many of his supporters do feel the same way about Mormons because the trick worked.
What a hero! He kept a Mormon out of the White House. To a lot of people, it was a very good deed, indeed.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Texax – have you ever tried to unring a bell?
January 10th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Sorry about messing your name up, Texas. But have you?
January 10th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Here is a different youtube clip of Huckabee explaining and his apology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzzWFbHfbg4&feature=related
January 10th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Texas,
So Huck really, really wanted to know whether Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers, huh? The curiosity must have been killing him. As a SBC preacher, I’m SURE he had no idea, even though it’s in every anti-Mormon primer. But I digress.
So, he just happens to be talking to a NYT reporter — no less, and wants to brush up on his Mormon doctrine — because everyone knows those guys are famous for knowing everything Mormons believe. Oh sure, makes perfect sense. Good timing, too. I’m sure he didn’t realize that they were actually even going to publish the interview. Honest mistake.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Texas, Huck can talk till the cows come home and nobody’s buying it.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
The reason I gave so many references, is because I am tired of people calling Huckabee a bigot. If after this whole NYT fiasco happened, Huckabee continued making other LDS comments or references, then sure people could say he was a bigot. But he did not. So lets let it be the end of the story.
And to the whole argument that Huckabee had rude comments by his supporters about LDS members on his website: If any of those against Huckabee realized that he had very few paid staff working for him, they would know that there was no one available to constantly read and edit his website. His small staff was too busy trying to set up speaking venues, rallies, and campaigning from town to town. Huckabee supporters were lucky to be notified on the website, the day before a campaign event. They did not even have the staff to get all of the Huckabee supporters enough notice for events, and supporters were disappointed that they had missed an opportunity to go to one of his rallies. Which goes to the point: Huckabee did not have the big, highly paid organization that Romney and Giuliani had.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
MarthaM,
I know that you are a strong person of faith. So please say a prayer that you can forgive Huckabee.
I was not a Romney supporter during the primaries. But I am looking forward to seeing how he can help our country over the next 4 years. And if he is authentic, and true to his moral convictions the next time around, I will give him another look for Republican nominee in 2012.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I have only one thing to say to all Nutscabee supporters:
HUCKABEE MUST DIE¡
January 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Texas, Thanks for your kind words.
I’ll forgive Huck when I know he’s sincere, and not a moment before. There are real actions he can take if he’s serious. So far, we’re just getting all my friends are Mormons baloney.
Huck knew the anti-Mormon comments were there the whole time, and he never once asked his supporters to refrain. It says a lot.
Another thing. Huck won’t release his past sermons. Why not? If he’s really sorry and has nothing against the LDS faith, then he should show LDS voters that he has nothing to hide and release them. I’ve read that he did indeed give numerous anti-Mormon sermons because a member of his congregation converted to Mormonism. I don’t know it it’s true, but he could put it to rest if he released the sermons, including the one at the anti-Mormon convention in SLC.
He can stop snarking about Romney being 2 faced and untrustworthy. He knows those things aren’t true. They are code for you can’t trust Mormons.
January 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I hate Jesus Juice wars.
January 10th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Hmmm…guess this “feud” would be settled with a say huckabee/huntsman or romney/huckabee ticket in 2012…both tickets by the way sure work great politically…the bigger issue is huckabee seems to be angling for a sure 2012 run but I don’t know what romney will do at this point. Personally, i would rec both run for the US senate in 2010 and from that spot think about another white house run. Huckabee has an open shot in 2010 ark senate race while romney would need their to be an opening in utah + the utah gop bless him running, both things could easily happen.
January 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
“#45 The same people that insisted that their opposition to Romney had nothing to do with his religion also loved to cite polls
suggesting 30% of voters would never vote for a Mormon.” I do not remember citing those particular polls myself, but yes I did have concerns about Mr. Romney’s electability which I believe is due to mainly non-religious factors. I do find it funny that those on the other side of the street sometimes blame Mr. Romney’s problems on religion and then turn around and say that he is the most electable. I am tempted to say which is it?
Yes it is true that Mr. Romney is more popular in states with higher Mormon populations and less popular in states were there are few Mormons, but I believe that there are non-religious factors at play. In a few years we will have an idea if Mr. Romney is the most electable or not. I believe (at least hope) that religion will have little to do with it. Values yes, but not religion per se.
January 10th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Interesting article in today’s paper (Deseret News). I read it there before seeing it here.
A few thoughts:
1) Mike Huckabee apparently continues to feel betrayed by Romney because Romney behaved differently as Governor when he was chummy with Huckabee (fellow GOP governor) than when they were competitors in a race with only one winner. Huckabee pushes the “Romney isn’t trustworthy” meme. The crack about Romney’s advisors giving Romney bad advice is a rather nice way of slapping Romney upside the head.
2) Mike Huckabee would be treated with respect were he to visit Utah. We don’t generally do mean stuff to people who come and visit.
3) I’m gratified and proud to see Mike Huckabee stand up for what he believes in… Mormons should certainly be allowed to run for political office, but should never, ever beat Huckabee himself.
4) Mike Huckabee is definitely running for President, if there’s any opening at all in 2012.
January 10th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
As a staunch Mormon who has not wavered in his contempt for Huckabee in the past, let me say that it’s entirely possible that Huckabee is softening in his attitudes toward us. If that is indeed the case, it behooves us to cut him some slack. Look, there isn’t ANY possibility that I will support him for a presidential run, but unlike in 2008, had he gotten the nomination somehow, in 2012 I might hold my nose and vote for him in the general. Thus, I agree with Illinois Guy that he would probably carry Utah…..just not by anything like the better than 2-to-1 margin that Republicans usually carry the state by. Fortunately, it’s academic, because Martha’s dead right that there isn’t any realistic possibility that he will be the nominee.
January 10th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Huckabee can try and sell me all day and night that he’s ‘never said a bad thing about Mormons.’ Huckabee not only puled out the Satan and Jesus card … my favorite moment came a month or so earlier:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/28/us/politics/28repubs.html
“I’m concerned a lot of Christians are thinking about the values issues and forgetting about the creator behind the values issues,” Ms. Gherkey said. “I guess I feel like this country and this world needs a president who would be able to pray to the God of the Bible and he would be able to hear his prayers.”
She wondered, Would Mr. Romney’s prayers “even get through”?
In response, Mr. Huckabee said he did not want to “speak for any other candidate or denigrate them at all.”
But he added: “My views are what they are. I don’t think I’ve ever hidden where they come from.”
He then tried to make a joke: “I’m glad you’ve made your choice for me. I don’t care why. I’m just glad you did.”
It’s too late Huck. The way to earn the forgiveness of Mormons isn’t to keep saying that you never did anything wrong …
January 10th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
In case any of you want to continue contending that Mitt didn’t lose a sizable number of votes because he was LDS, please read the link offered in 72.
January 10th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
To quote Charles Krauthammer, what Huckabee did to win the Iowa caucus in heavily evangelical Iowa was simply “Un-American.” Anyone who thinks Huckabee didn’t intentionally contrast Romney’s LDS faith with his own is either naive, disingenuous, or stupid.
Huckabee should never be elected to any public office.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I wonder if Huckabee was thinking about how great mormons were when he spoke at an anti-mormon conference in SLC as governor?
This guy is snake.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
“Or try Jews voting for Hitler.” What?! You have every right to not like Huckabee, but its positively shameful to compare what Huck did to what happened to the Jews. How many Mormons ended up in a gas chamber, or were starved in concentration camps in 2008? Go grab some sanity Martha.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
And aren’t Mormons taught to forgive?
January 10th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
77. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean letting pull the same crap again.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
78, How do you have any control over what crap he pulls? I am not sugesting anybody vote for Huck, it just seems like there’s a lot of anger and bitterness, that should have been let go of along time ago. And to make any comparisons of Huckabee to the holocaust, I find very offensive, not so much because of what it says about Huck, but because it cheapens one of the most tragic episodes in earth history.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Huckabee, of course, will never actually apologise for what he did. How could he? How can you admit that you attempted (successfully) to highlight a fellow political candidate’s faith for the sake of political opportunism?? What sort of a candidate would that make you?? (”Un-American” as Krauthammer said.) Thus, the Huckster could never actually sincerely (even if he wanted to and, upon reflection, admitted that he went too far in the heat of battle) apologise.
So, we get the usual disingenuous tripe from Adam and other Hucksters. Thankfully, Huckster’s tactics in Iowa (true christian leader stuff) has branded him as a religious nut-job and forever (absent the aforementioned sincere apology)earned the ire of LDS and others.
Forgive Huckabee. As a christian–sure. Vote for him? When hell freezes over.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
“Let me say a few things about this: “I have never said anything unkind about Mormons.” If he were to release the sermons that he preached at the SB convention in SLC, I’m certain you would see this is a VERY BIG LIE, unless attacking ones religion is viewed as not being unkind to the person. Believe me, when someone says I am not a Christian, I do not take that as an act of kindness.”
I disagree with you there, and I would think Mormons would too. Attacking a religion is not attacking the person. And Mormons are active in trying to convert people to their religion, which means they think the other religions are inferior, that’s an attack on the other religions. And while Mormons might consider all Christian religion good to an extent, which I would agree with them; certainly they believe some other religions are bad – satan worship for example.
I also don’t think offense should be taken at not being called a Christian. I think that for too many the word “Christian” has become an adjective meaning good kind… rather than a definition of someone’s beliefs. What I think it comes down to for some, is that some people consider one of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity to be the trinity, so if you don’t believe in it, you’re not a Christian, or they believe that you must consider Jesus equal to God to be a Christian. Now, I don’t know what the most useful definition for Christianity is, but I don’t see anything meanspirited about people who have the above definitions of it that might exclude Mormons or JW’s. We’ve got to draw the line somewhere, and its going to exclude people wherever we draw it. The people who don’t consider Mormons Christian may have different definition of the word than some, but that’s a matter of them having differnt beliefs about the meaning of a word, not a matter of them being mean.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
77
In order to forgive Huckabee, he would first need to admit that he did something wrong.
For now he seems to think he was just misinderstood or something.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
82, Forgiving is done for the good of the forgiver, and it should be done regardess of the actions of the forgiven.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
81:
Always amazed at how some Hucksters don’t have a CLUE as to what this is all about. IT IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER LDS ARE OFFENDED BECAUSE HUCKABEE OR YOU DON’T CONSIDER MORMONS TO BE CHRISTIAN!! This is not about Hucksters saying “sorry, and we don’t mean to offend, but Huckabee just couldn’t say he considers mormons christian because we have such fundamental theological differences”, etc., etc.
NEWS FOR YOU: We know we are Christian (in fact, we belive we are the restored true church of Jesus Christ, etc. etc.) Couldn’t care less about whether Huckabee or you consider us to be Christian or not. If asked, wouldn’t expect Huckabee to answer any question asked except with his honest opinion.
BUT WHAT HUCKABEE DID WAS TO ATTEMPT TO HIGHLIGHT ANOTHER’S FAITH FOR THE SAKE OF POLITICAL OPPORTUNISM!! ARE YOU, LIKE MOST HUCKSTERS, SIMPLY TOO STUPID TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE??
Many, like Krauthammer, didn’t call what Huckabee did “Un-American” because Huckabee doesn’t think Mormons are Christians!! What he did was un-american because he tried to belittle (”hey, don’t mormons believe Jesus and the devil are brothers” smirk, smirk) another candidate’s faith for the sake of political opportunism. Think about highlighting a candidate’s jewish faith for the same purpose. Most people think that is wrong (and shouldn’t matter). Get it?
January 11th, 2009 at 12:01 am
81
regarding your thought that “I also don’t think offense should be taken at not being called a Christian.”
This is not a religious forum, but I think for the most part in the political arena, it is left up to the groups themselves what they preferred to be called. I don’t think your idea would fly as well to say “I also don’t think black people should be offended at being called Negroes.”
Obviously there are other doctrinal and religious arguments, but I’d just as soon not re-hash those here.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:24 am
#81: Try to make it even simpler for you. Many people think this is what happend:
Romney seems to be doing very well–good candidate takling about the issues, etc. Huckabee comes along and says ” Hey, for those of you who don’t know, and for those that do remember, that candidate is MORMON!! They think Jesus and the devil are brothers–and all that stuff! Me, I’m a true christian like you. Vote for me.”
Many people believe that a person’s faith (absent some sort of reason to believe it would disqualify him/her from office) is really irrelevant and trying to belittle or highlight another’s faith for political opportunism is wrong and unseemly.
Honestly, if i hear one more Huckster try and frame what happened as “poor hucksbaee just couldn’t say mormons were Christian”, i ‘m going to hit someone (no, no actionable threat intended). It has NOTHING to do with that.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:35 am
83
“Forgiving is done for the good of the forgiver”
I think it’s more correct to say to that forgiving is ALSO done for the good of the forgiver.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:41 am
84, I’m not a Huckabee supporter.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:47 am
John Mark – I’ll have to agree with one of your statements. Its true that we are taught to forgive, even if the offender has never said they were sorry. So, you’re right about that. However, Jason is right in saying that it doesn’t mean we have to give them another chance to do so.
January 11th, 2009 at 1:16 am
I will say though John Mark that by the Trinity definition of a Christian, all of the Apostles and disciples, and early church Saints would not have been Christian either. They very well understood that Jesus was not praying to himself in the Lord’s prayer, nor on the cross, nor in the Garden of Gethsemane. After his resurrection, he said he must go to his father. Stephen saw him sitting on the right hand of God after the ascension into heaven. Numerous other times too countless to mention did Jesus or his Prophets and Apostles differentiate between Jesus, and God the Father, and the Holy Ghost. We believe they were all members of the Godhead, but they were separate and distinct beings, one in purpose in carrying out the plan of salvation.
Read Hebrews 1:1,2 for further confirmation regarding by whom the worlds were made.
January 11th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Illinoisguy, right right right. The whole reason I’m so tough on the Huckster is that I don’t want a repeat in 2012. I’m also frustrated when people don’t see him for what he is when it’s so clear.
Bags, good job explaining the obvious.
Even if Huck had never pulled the anti-Mormon stunt, I would still oppose him just as strongly. He has about 102 dealbreakers as far as I can tell. The religion stuff is actually not even the worst.
He’s not the least bit beneficial to the GOP.
January 11th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Huckabee is finished. Sarah Palin saw to that. His old supporters like her better. I think Huckabee is getting exposure on FOX and earning money while he can but I do not see any staying power whatsoever. His ratings are no O’reilly Factor and long before the next election rolls around he will surely be canceled and widely considered a has-been and old news.
January 11th, 2009 at 2:15 am
90, “We believe they were all members of the Godhead, but they were separate and distinct beings, one in purpose in carrying out the plan of salvation.”
Well, I don’t really see how that differs with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. We believe in three persons also ( otherwise it wouldn’t be called a trinity) I don’t know any Christian who believe that Jesus was simply praying to himself rather than to His father in heaven – and I think its kind of a mischaracterazation on your part to suggest that Christians believe that. We do, however, believe that three persons of the Trinity are one God, and they are all God.
In case I’ve may have not done a capable job of explaining the doctrine. Here’s the way my church, the SDA church explains, its not a creed as we don’t believe in creeds, but serves an explanation of the belief. Please show me how this differs from how you describe the Mormon’s belief.
Trinity
“Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.)
3. Father
See also: God the Father
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.)
4. Son
See also: Jesus, Incarnation (Christianity), and Christian views of Jesus
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
5. Holy Spirit
See also: Holy Spirit
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)”
January 11th, 2009 at 2:19 am
79. My point is, I can forgive him, but it doesn’t mean I believe him or take him at his word.
When I say “let,” it was a figure of speech, obviously I can’t glue his mouth shut.
January 11th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Also all of this really has nothing to do with whether it’s unkind to not call Mormons Christians. It may have something to do with whether its wrong, but the person is still simply basing their opinion on their understanding of Christian doctrine, the definition of Christians, and their understanding of Mormons. Now one of those factors may be wrong, but just because someone’s wrong doesn’t mean there’s any ill-intent on their part, or any unkindness to the person.
For example many believe my church to be a legalistic cult. I certainly believe they’re are wrong about this ( though I’m not sure the word Cult has any useful meaning.) however, just because they’re wrong doesn’t mean they are unkind, they simply have misguided beliefs.
January 11th, 2009 at 2:35 am
#90, I don’t think you understand Trinitarianism if you think, Protestant or Catholics believe Christ was “praying to himself’. That is obviously not what trinitarian Christians believes.
January 11th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Gentlemen, you see above what we believe about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And its YOUR folks telling the world that WE are not Christian because of it, not the other way around. So, tell that to your religious leaders. You gentlemen that responded have a clear cut understanding of the real situation, but, believe me, its not nearly that clear cut with many memmber of Protestant and Catholic faiths. I’ve discussed it with literally hundreds of people and they squirm all over the place attempting to explain how they are three, yet they are LITERALLY one. Ultimately, nearly all of them admit they PERSONALLY believe it to be as you and I are describing it, but because of what they have been taught, they first try hard to explain it otherwise. Thank you though for confirming in your mind that we are Christian, at least pertaining to the Trinity situation.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Huckabee reminds me of a slimy televangelist. He will say anything to get you to open your wallet; or in this instance forget what EVERY action he took during the Primary said.
He is a big tax, big government; “Use religion as a weapon” that the GOP needs to purge. He and his far right religious supremists are the folks forcing the middle ground voters to the Democratic party.
January 11th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
95
The problem is that Protestants know that Mormons claim to believe in Jesus, but for some reason that thought is so uncomfortable for them they have to tell Mormons, “well, you must believe in a different Jesus and are therefore not Christian.”. I promise you it is insulting for Mormons to be told they don’t believe in Jesus.
That is what is so insulting about Huck claiming he was just asking an honest question.
Does he really expect me to believe that a trained Baptist preacher expected to learn something about Mormon doctrine from some East-coast Ivy-leauge-educated New York times reporter?
Stop denying the obvious, huck.
January 11th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
To Adam Graham,
I would like to know (after these 100 comments) — did you learn anything about your guy and what people think of his character and actions?
In essence, can you be taught? I hope so.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Does this bozo ever stop lying ? He truly believes he is bright and we are ALL dumb. Time to fold the tent, hitch up the mules, take your snake oil BS and move on, Huck.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:42 am
John Mark.#81: And Mormons are active in trying to convert people to their religion, which means they think the other religions are inferior, that’s an attack on the other religions.
You know, it is a funny thing. The whole, basic foundation of the Mormon church is that all the other churches are wrong. Yet if you go into any Mormon bookstore, you will never find a book attacking other religions. In bookstores run by Evangelicals, Catholic, 7DA, JW, and others; you will nearly always find that section sometimes labeled “Cults”, or “Other Religions”. They will contain books with such enlightened titles as “You need Christ, not ………”, or “How to witness to ……”, or “The Truth about ……….”.
I did step into an Evangelical bookstore in Lander, WY a few years back. I could not find the section. I asked the owner about it. He said he didn’t like the spirit that came with those books, and he refused to stock them. Of the scores of “Christian” bookstores I’ve been in over the years, his was the sole exception. Good for him!
There are never any such books in a Mormon bookstore. You seldom if ever hear Mormon leaders speak against other faiths from the pulpit. You will absolutely never find a Mormon church holding classes attacking other beliefs. Yet the whole rationale of there being a Mormon chruch is that all the rest are wrong.
Is that not interesting?
January 12th, 2009 at 11:57 am
MarK, I have never been to a Mormon bookstore, but I have on occation been to both Catholic and Protestant bookstores. I for one do not fault any religion (or denomination if you prefer) for trying to promote their religion and explain how it is the best as long as it is done in a respectful way. I have yet to meet a Mormon face to face in America (to my knowledge, though my wife and a friend of mine have met a few local Mormons,) but I once met a Mormon in the old country and he seemed like a very nice a respectful young man. I do not a theological expect, so I’ll try to stay clear of such debates, but I wish that many of my own co-religionist would live their lives like many Mormons in America. To be sure, I do have differences with the Mormon faith and by definition, every faith, but my own, but I do admire the way most America Mormons live their lives, at least from what little I read about them.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
OHIO – You don’t say! I can’t believe you’ve never met a Mormon here. It is the 4th largest denomination in America, so you’re bound to at some point.
Thank you for your kind words.
MarK is right, the LDS church doesn’t preach against other faiths. We simply believe that we have the complete restored gospel as given by Jesus Christ himself, and we want to share it with others. We believe that Christian religions everywhere are good, and possess the truth. Basically, we just believe we have a little more information and clarity. That’s all. The missionaries who come to your door will not tear down your faith, but offer the opportunity to learn more about our church.
A lot of people say that the mere act of saying the Mormon church is true, is an attack on another faith. But that’s sort of silly. We are respectful of every religion and work together with all faiths in common goals and humanitarian help here around the world. Believing you have the truth is not an attack on anyone else.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Martha M:
Well, there are not a whole lot in my corner, there are not all whole lot of Hispanics around here either, but I have met a few. Yes, I imagine I will meet some eventually.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Ohio Joe,
If the subject of religion didn’t come up, how would you know if someone was a Mormon or not? Only our missionaries wear name tags. You’ve undoubtedly met dozens of Mormons without realizing it. However, it’s true that two thirds of the 6 million Mormons in the U.S. are congregated in the 13 Western states. Ohio isn’t exactly one of our strongholds.
January 12th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
True, I probably have run into a few Mormons in the Grocer store without knowing it. Yes Ohio is far from Utah and other such states.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:09 am
I know this comment comes after the fact, but I read the article and many of the comments, and I must admit, as one who has developed great respect for Romney and voted for him in the primary, I genuinely like Huck. I understand why some like and really admire Gov. Huckabee and at the same time why given the way the campaign went, many LDS have a suspicious or negative impression of him.
I also personally know that many LDS would vote for Huckabee in a general, and given the conciliatory tone he has expressed (and this is not the only interview where he has expressed these thoughts), the concerns and hurt that many Mormon voters have would be overcome by shared values, and he would carry Utah and the conservative Mormon vote in other western states. Okay, I will admit it, I am a faithful Mormon who can and will vote for Huckabee in the general if he is the republican nominee. I am also disturbed by a few of the negative comments which do not refelct the feelings and thoughts of many, many Mormons. Such comments are simply the product of an extremely ardent supporter who is expressing bitterness over a real or perceived injustice, but that is life especially in politics.
Romney is an extraordinary, competent leader, but whether people like it or not, there were a significant portion of voters who either through a lack of knowledge or misinformation had reservations about voting for him because of his religion. That combined with not enough people who knew him as well as McCain (who had a good national following), and unrelenting bad press from bloggers, websites etc, most of which was exagerated, or not completely accurate or even just plain untrue, and he didn’t get enough votes to get the nomination.
Had Giuliani or Huck had his credentials, platform and backing, I think they most likely would have gotten the nomination. When Huckabee gained visibility, that gave a good portion of voters the alternative they prefered and they voted their preference. He courted their vote, and that is absolutely fair enough. I personally take him at his word, and appreciate what he has said. I think Mike Huckabee is a good man.
Now, saying all this, I hope Romney runs again in ‘12. While many here expressed doubt Huckabee could get the nomination, I personally think it is possible but that he is too controversial to win the general if he did. If Romney runs, I expect he will have much better odds than last year and will probably be the next President of the U.S.
As a side note, this Monday we commemorate the martydom of a great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrate the civil rights legacy he has left us. He was a great man who gave all, and his efforts have changed the nation forever for the best. While politically I do not agree with Pres-elect Obama, the fact he got elected marks a great milestone in overcoming the country’s diminishing and unfortunate prejudiced past. It might be of interest to people to read how Mitt Romney’s father fought tirelessly for civil rights and was a strong supporter of Dr. King and the principles he espoused. I commend the following two pages: http://www.aboutmittromney.com/georgeromney.htm
http://www.aboutmittromney.com/romney_and_king.htm
January 16th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I guess neglecting to remove any anti-Mormon comments from his website, despite being asked several times, and being provided links and quotes of the offending material, and having emails sent to every email address he posts on his website, was an oversight?!?! or something?!?!? Maybe they never checked any of their email accounts?!?!?