WASHINGTON – Churchgoing Protestants generally view presidential hopeful Mitt Romney less favorably than other Republican candidates, noted a newly released analysis of recent polls.
Data from February and March Gallup polls found 37 percent of churchgoing Protestant saying they would not vote for a qualified Mormon candidate, such as Romney, for president – a value markedly higher than the 26 percent of all Protestants and the 22 percent of all Americans who gave the same response.
Notably, many Protestants do not consider Mormonism part of the Christian faith, with some even denouncing it as a cult.
In February, a Gallup poll showed that 52 percent of Protestants had a negative view of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon church is officially called, but the unfavorable response increased to 64 percent among Protestants who attended church weekly. Both Protestant values are much higher than the 22 percent of all Americans who responded negatively to Mormonism.
Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, will face an uphill battle to win the Republican nomination without the strong backing of religious Protestants – a significant GOP constituency, noted The Gallup Organization, which released its analysis Tuesday.
In another study, 32 percent of churchgoing Protestants expressed favorable views of Romney compared to 29 percent who viewed him unfavorably – producing a net favorable rating of +3.
Romney’s favorability rating is much lower than ratings of other chief presidential contenders.
Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson leads the Republican Party among religious Protestants with a favorability rating of +26, while Arizona Senator John McCain and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani had +21 and +19 ratings, respectively.
“Even worse for Romney, two Democratic presidential candidates – Illinois Senator Barack Obama (+10) and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards (+9) – have better net favorable ratings among this traditional Republican group than does Romney,” pointed out Gallup.
“Only New York Senator Hillary Clinton is viewed more negatively by churchgoing Protestants than is Romney.”
Furthermoe, Romney’s troubles do not end with religious Protestants, but also extends to Americans with no religious affiliations.
Twice as many non-religious Americans rated Romney unfavorably (37 percent) as favorable (18 percent), resulting in a net -19 rating. In comparison, Giuliani and McCain both had net positive ratings of +8 and +4, respectively, among those who expressed no religious affiliation.
Gallup also noted that a poll earlier this year that suggested a black candidate, a woman, a Catholic or a Hispanic presidential candidate had a better chance of being voted president than a Mormon.
“So far, Romney has been successful at fundraising, which has helped him to win support in key early primary states,” observed Gallup. But the organization also predicted that even if Romney wins the Iowa caucus or the New Hampshire primary, he will have a difficult time in southern state primaries where religious Protestants have a stronghold.
The latest analysis was based on Gallup polls conducted Aug. 13-Sept. 16, 2007 that interviewed with 3,037 U.S. adults. For the analysis, “Protestants” included all those who identify themselves as Protestants, those who identify a specific Protestant denomination, and those who described themselves as “Christian” but without any denomination.
Comments
Just a thought. did we not have Non-Christian presidents from the beginning? I have NOT done much research, but Thomas Jefferson wasn't one if i recall. correctly.
bumskyblue,
I would like to reiterate to you, that I do not mind if people choose to follow the Mormon faith, as I mentioned before, one of my very dearest friends is a Mormon and we have spoken in length regarding the differences. What people choose to follow is in my opinion their own prerogative, whether I agree with that decision or not.
My main point was the Romney refuses to talk about his religion and has made a point of stating that he will not talk about it. Our faith should be important enough to us that we would willingly talk about it... and for those who refuse to do so sends up red flags as if they are ashamed of their faith, or their belief in Christ.
Many a Sunday mornings I have witnesses countless individuals sing praises in the pews and then they refuse to talk about Christ during the lunch outside of church or they appear to to be embarrassed.
Most Christians want to hear what Romney has to say about his faith. It was the same with President Bush who delightfully gave his testimony without being probed. He did so in front of the whole country, that my friend, is a true showing of faith.
We may not all agree with Bush on certain things that he has done while in the White House, but I am proud to call him my brother in Christ.
Glad to see most of the commenters are happy today! :-) For a thoughtful commentary every day on the media's fascination with Mitt's religion, see:
http://www.article6blog.com/
The blog is hosted by an Evangical and a Mormon. I also encourage you all to visit:
http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/
It proves that there are many Evanglical Christians who are able to look past their religious differences with Mormons and discover they can all be political allies.
bumskyblue,
To be a bigot I would have to be intolerable to any other religion. I am not intolerable to Mormons, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or any other. Before slamming me maybe you should scurvy over to dictionary.com first.
I never said Romney was not a good man either, in fact he could be one of the leading candidates. My issue is that he refuses to talk about his religion. Also your view of the trinity is incorrect.
Trinity means that there is 1 God in 3 persons, not 3 separate Gods. I noticed you flippantly disregarded the Mormon view of Jesus and Satan being brothers. Please do not try to 'inform' me of what Mormon's believe... I have studied that religion intensely in the past. Now if one of the 'prophets' has changed the churches course and main viewpoints, then we may have something to talk about.
All, Mitt Romney’s religion is important – if it is important to him. All people make decisions based on the values they hold dearest; this is their worldview. Hillary Clinton claims to be a Baptist but clearly doesn’t have a Christian worldview – her decisions are based on secular values. The do not correspond to or are supported by scripture. If Romney is like minded, then his religion really doesn’t matter; however, if his worldview is Mormon based, then it matters a great deal because he will make decisions based on those values.
Secondly, I believe that Mormons should be allowed to practice their religion but I am offended when they try to high-jack Christianity by claiming to be Christian. The Mormon doctrine is not the same as orthodox Christianity as handed down by Jesus and the Apostles. Isn’t that why they claim to be “another Gospel” (see 2 Corinthians 11:4) and didn’t Joseph Smith create Mormonism after he supposedly prayed to God about which denomination to join and God told him none, that they were all apostate? Finally, didn’t the fifth LDS President Lorenzo Snow, in June of 1840, declare, "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become"? Wasn’t he a Mormon Prophet and, according to their doctrines, he spoke for God and his word carried the weight of scriptures? A careful study of the Mormon doctrines will quickly show that they do not comport with Biblical scripture any closer than do other occults.
zenodaddy,
I have to say you are showing very poor form. You sound like one of the biggest bigots I have met on the blog.
To know who Mitt Romney is, look at his biggest reflection of all - his family. If he was a big hoax, don't you think he was have less than an ideal family to show for it.
Also, hate to break it to you, mormons DO believe in the trinity. They just believe the Father, Son and Holy Ghost have seperate identities. Why would Christ have been baptized and then speak to himself from heaven afterwards....and then fly to HIMSELF with a dove. We believe the trinity is ONE - in PURPOSE. Get your facts straight.
I would just encourage LDS readers to courageously, honestly and openly investigate their faith:
http://www.bookofabraham.info
http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/testingthebookofmormon.htm
http://www.exmormon.org/tract2.htm
http://www.i4m.com/think/
http://www.lhvm.org/dna.htm
http://www.irr.org/mit/Books/BHOH/bhoh1.html
John McCain, an unbaptized Baptist, had this to say on September 30th: “People are raising … concerns about Mitt Romney’s Mormonism, which some consider to be outside the Judeo-Christian tradition. I believe that the Mormon religion is a religion that I don't share, but I respect. More importantly, I've known so many people of the Mormon faith who have been so magnificent. I think that Governor Romney's religion should not, absolutely not, be a disqualifying factor when people consider his candidacy for President of the United States, absolutely not."
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often accused by Evangelical pastors of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This article http://mormonsarechristian.blogspot.com/ helps to clarify such misconceptions by examining early Christianity's comprehension of baptism, the Godhead, the deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.”
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) adheres more closely to First Century Christianity than any other denomination. Perhaps the reason the pastors denigrate the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is to protect their flock (and their livelihood).
Well, zenodaddy, hate to burst your neat little world view, but I am not a liberal. Been Republican since birth, would likely be considered quite conservative by most people. But I can also think outside of the nice tidy box that conservative "Christians" have put themselves into.
Bush didn't free anyone, except freed them to become 'martyrs' and death squads, collateral damage, and smears on the pavement. What kind of freedom is that?
While I have no doubt that was not his intent, it was his end result, and it was foreordained due to his messianic vision of himself and unwillingness to face reality.
And yes, according to me, Romney is the finest R. to run in decades. He indeed has somewhat changed some public positions to appeal to the hard right wacknuts. But so has Thompson, and Huckabee, and Paul, and GWB. The real reason this article is even posted has nothing to do with political positions, it has to do with Romney's religion. Which, again, makes me sick that that happens in this country.
"The Finest Republican in Decades?" Says WHO????? We voted for this guy in Massachusetts because we thought he was the "man." Unfortunately he turned out to be one of the WORST governors in the history of the Commonwealth. He's an opportunist, and his religion is just another piece of baggage he has to carry around. The FACT is, he did NOTHING to oppose homosexual marriage in Massachusetts. He FORCED the taxpayers of the Commonwealth to get healthcare insurance or face penalities if they didn't. He passed legislation, "For the common convenience," which would allow the youngest of children to be taken away from their parents and put in government daycare centers. He threatened parents of children in "under-achieving schools," by plotting to "re-educate them" after hours in schools of his own making. He didn't raise taxes, but he did raise "FEES" (the same thing as taxes). He was a staunch opponent bargaining in good faith with the unions of Massachusetts and stated he was an enemy of state workers. All in all, I wouldn't call him anything but what he is - a liberal, socialist Republican, who is trying to convince the country that he is a "true conservative." That's PHOOEY, believers!!!! He is a Trojan Horse, who's flipped and flopped all along the way, and if you take a real look out there, you'll see the one true conservative worth his salt Constitutionally and every other way - RON PAUL. He's the candidate worth voting for!! Forget Romney. If it sickens you that we don't want a Mormon, oh well!!! So much for politics. He's a Mormon, and he answers to them. If he says he doesn't he's only fooling you!!! And he's not a real Mormon. I'll never vote for this guy again!!!
A person religion will not get him/her to heaven it is his faith in Jesus Christ that will get him/her to where they want to go.
I voting for the person and what he/she can do for this country and it people not the religion they belong to. That is what is wrong with this country in a lot of ways they put to much faith into what religion a person is. As I said about religion is not going to get you to the place in the sky, so let get off this religion kick and get down the part about where it come to “fish or cut bait” if you don’t know what this means ask some one.
We don’t elect the person who runs for president in the first place the electoral collage does. So if you vote the Baptist person by popular vote the electoral collage may put a Jewish person.now what do you do?
Just for the record, I do not mind the thumbs down that some of you are given me. That is totally fine with me. I refuse to sit around the camp fire, hold hands and sing kumbaya. Just not my style :-)
LavenderLundy,
'feel that the news media needs to become educated about the Mormons and the best way to do that is ask the Mormon Church and/or Missionaries.'
Romney is running for President and in doing so, has become the official mouthpiece for the Mormon religion, if he likes it or not. The same thing happened to Kennedy being as though he was the first Catholic President. If he does not want to talk about it, that raises flags.
'Just stick with the issues when you talk about Romney.'
I'll be sure to remember that when the anti-Christ runs for power... 'Sir, we understand that you speak well and promise good things, we will ignore your evil intentions and your religion. Thank You AC'
'The Mormons believe in God and Jesus Christ.'
So do Satan and the other fallen angels. Islam believes in Jesus too, they even believe he was born from a virgin, performed miracles and then used a proxy on the cross...
Mormons do not worship or believe in the same Jesus as Christianity does. You all believe in multiple gods... you all even believe that satan is Jesus' brother and they all live happily on some planet.
My best friend is a Mormon and she even admits that our gods are different. They do not believe in the Trinity, but in polytheism.
I feel that the news media needs to become educated about the Mormons and the best way to do that is ask the Mormon Church and/or Missionaries. Romney is running for US Presidential Candidate not a religious position. Just stick with the issues when you talk about Romney. You don't ask the others to explain their religions (those that are religious). Go to www.lds.org and click on Newsroom and get your answers so you can more intelligently report on the Mormons and "Romney's religion". The Mormons believe in God and Jesus Christ.