Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney seems to be gaining ground with the much sought-after evangelical community as he adds more Christian leaders to his growing list of supporters.
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(Photo: AP Images / Patrick Collard)Bob Jones University Dean, Dr. Robert Taylor, shares his views on the 2008 presidential elections during an interview with The Associated Press at his office in Greenville, S.C., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2007. Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's campaign was embraced in an unlikely place last week, when he was endorsed by both Taylor and Bob Jones III, the top dean and the founder's grandson of the influential Christian university that teaches that Romney's Mormon church is a cult.
The former governor of Massachusetts picked up support among evangelicals and social conservatives while campaigning in South Carolina.
Among his new supporters are the heads of Bob Jones University, an influential conservative Christian college that teaches the Mormon Church as a cult. Romney gained the endorsements of Bob Jones III and Robert Taylor, the grandson of the university’s founder and a top dean at the school, respectively, according to The Associated Press.
Megachurch pastor Don Wilton, former president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and Dr. John Willke, a founder and past president of the National Right to Life Committee, had also signed onto the Romney bandwagon.
Wilton, however, retracted his endorsement Tuesday, saying it was a "mistake" and a "personal error," noting he has never endorsed a candidate for any elected office.
“It’s hard to see, but I think that they just realized that he (Romney)’s the best of a bad lot. I hate to say it that way,” said Dave Woodard, a GOP activist and political science professor at Clemson University, according to AP.
Oddly enough, many of these evangelical pro-Romney leaders believe the Mormon Church – which the presidential hopeful is a proud member of – is a cult or at least not part of historic orthodox Christianity. Yet a growing number of evangelicals are putting aside their theological conflict with the Mormon faith and focusing on Romney’s conservative and ultra pro-family stance.
The Rev. Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, however, disagrees with his fellow evangelicals, saying he did not think it was possible for the “same individuals” who for “years and years” said religious beliefs and convictions matter to all of a sudden say they don’t matter because of a candidate like Mitt Romney.
“You can’t simply say it doesn’t matter or the only thing that matters is his stand on the issue,” he told The Christian Post last week.
“Values are shaped by religious beliefs, or lack thereof; and one’s Mormon beliefs would surely in one sense or another shape one’s values, priorities, conviction, etc.,” said Cizik, who pointed out that Romney has thus far been unwilling to address the connection between his religious faith and public duty.
The evangelical leader advised Christians to first make sure Romney clarifies his Mormon religion before they “jump on the Romney bandwagon.”
“That’s just good sense,” added Cizik, who is arguably one of the most powerful leaders in the 30-million-member NAE.
Nonetheless, Romney’s South Carolina gains bolster his evangelical voting base which includes faith-based PR firm founder Mark DeMoss, who sent a letter earlier this month to some 150 top-level conservative Christian leaders urging them to galvanize support around the Republican candidate.
Romney also narrowly won a socially conservative Values Voter straw poll in Washington last week. There were some controversies, however, over the percentage of his votes that came from online compared to those at the Values Voter Summit in Washington. While Romney garnered 0.47 percent more overall votes than runner-up Mike Huckabee, Romney won only about 10 percent of the on-site votes. Former Arkansas governor Huckabee won over 50 percent.
According to data from recent AP-Ipsos polls, 22 percent of born-again Christians said they would vote for former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, 17 percent for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and 13 percent for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Huckabee and Romney trailed behind with 9 and 8 percent of the votes, respectively.
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I am a Mormon, a Latter Day Saint of the church of Jesus Christ, and I am Christian. I believe in Christ, and know that he is our Savior, Redeemer, and the only name under heaven by which we may be saved in the kingdom of God. We believe that anyone who worships Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind is a Christian too, and would hope that all Christians would afford us the same respect.
I invite all who may question whether we are Christian to read the testimony and witness of the living prophet and apostles of Jesus Christ:
http://tinyurl.com/252sxk
IF Jesus is the brother of Satan [*Mormon Doctrine] then a Christian should definately vote for Mitt. IF Christians are Polytheists - believe in an entire pantheon of "gods", each ruling their own universe or planet [*Mormon Doctrine] - then definately vote for Mitt!
IF you've read "the Doctrine and the Covenants", "The Pearl of Great Price",and "The Lost Book of Abraham" and "The Book of Mormon" ... you'll KNOW what you're voting for, and why.
As a new Christian I find it unsettling that Bible believers will be willing to throw their vote for someone whom goes against the Lords teachings. I find it appauling! If you vote for Romney then you're voting in a cult "pegans" to run this country. I think he is the anti-Christ. We are getting closer and closer to our demise.
MITT ROMNEY AS CHRISTIAN:
http://blog.electromneyin2008.com/2007/10/30/mitt-romney-as-christian/
If the choice were between Hillary and Mitt Romney, then I would cote for Romney. However, Romney is not yet the candidate. I wish the evangelicals and all Christians would endorse, gather behind Mike Huckabee instead of Romney. Huckabee is gaining momentum, can also defeat Hillary, and is a good guy and a Christian. As John Jay, the 1st US Chief Justice said, It is our duty and privilege in this Christian nation to prefer and elect Christians for our leaders. Also, let us continue to pray that the American people would turn back to the true God and want Christians for their leaders.
I’m an independent. I vote based upon a person and principles I hold. I love America and that is why I’m writing. All Republican party members listen carefully. There is only one candidate I would vote for on your side right now. Mitt Romney. If you put up anyone else you’re done. He is your only real candidate. I know Mormonism is weird but get over it. Bigotry never wins. It wrong and no Democrat would ever dare to look like one. I want someone that can fix America’s bureaucracy and the only one with proven ability on both sides is Gov. Romney. You have the best Champion I ever seen. His record, education, wisdom, foresight, experience, abilities, personality are all amazing. I’ve heard him speak and he lights a fire in my belly and a desire in my heart for America. But, if you choose someone else that is okay I’ll vote for Hilary or Barrack. Hope the information is helpful.
PART 2: EXPOSING THE MASONIC CULT POLITICAL DECEPTION
I am also here to unfortunately announce that masons for years have invaded every sort of church, influencing what pastors preach in their congregations and even joining leadership positions within particular churches. It really doesn’t matter what the individuals particular religion or denomination, eventually their higher orders come from the leadership of the Masonic lodge. Unless pastors or individual Christians (like this man in the article) are told to compromise their convictions they are threaten with economic persecution by with-holding from the offering plate, COLLEGE TRUST DONATIONS or causing them to lose their jobs or their businesses by waging secret targeted boycotts against them by strategically empowering there competition or deflecting their customer somewhere else. (It is not an accident that even their leaders who control ALL global banks are called dragons.) Others who come up against them have been threatened with death if they use their power against to demands of their wing of the masons. The one world government is already here and many Christians have not realized it before. They identify themselves by the mark on their hand … their unorthodox handshake. Some leaders have not taken the mark. His name is Huckabee.
VOTE AGAINST the MASONS … VOTE HUCKABEE!!!
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com/
PART 1: EXPOSING THE MASONIC CULT POLITICAL DECEPTION
RUDY (a mason) is the republican parties bait and trap. Hillary Clinton is from New York, and she will have more popularity than Rudy. Both Rudy, Romney, and Thompson (all masons) will lose against a Hillary- Obamanation (abomination) ticket. Every time the republican compromises their pro-life principles they will ultimately lose elections. ie. DOLE. I believe many conservatives have taken for granted this period of time where the majority of our courts have been voted along side the constitution and are beginning to lean pro-life. I am convinced that many people are unaware of the fact that a president not only oversees a countries protection, they also pick the federal judges. Much of the younger Christian voters may not remember the heavy religious persecution that Christians experienced during the 70's and 80's. In those days, socialist progressives controlled the Democratic Party even as they are today. It is NOT an accident that Mikhail Gorbachev has a non-profit political foundation in CA and New York. Also it is not an accident that it is difficult for a person to be elected as president unless they belong to the Masonic Lodge. Masons are a secret society that resembles a cross between a secret mafia, a political machine, a cult, and the BORG from star trek - which gains power and influence over three areas of a society by recruiting members from the following three areas: 1) Business/ Banking 2) Print and Electronic media 3) Local-State-Federal Government.
It really doesn't matter what party is in power both republicans and democrat when both groups belong to the Masonic lodge. Once a member gets pass their 30Th degree in the Masonic lodge they must renounce their previous held beliefs. The Masonic leadership keeps their organization together by making its members secretly wealthy by sharing their wealth and power amongst themselves. Their agendas objective will always position them closer to a one-world governmental system. If a mason’s party in power is republican we move toward the one world government slower, but if the masons political party is democrat we will move toward the one world government with lighting pace.
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-869614609770971945
"Open-mindedness" can be a two-edged sword. It may also be indicative of the absence of deeper convictions and the vulnerability to be easily swayed by the short-term picture, opinion polls and political pressure.
Huckabee seems to be the only real chose for any truly conservative, bible believing Christian.
Read more here: http://blog.shanetrammel.com/category/mike-huckabee/
http://www.wtsbooks.com/index-exec//?utm_source=trammel&utm_medium=trammel
There's no way I'm voting for Romney. He's so mediocre. The only one I'm voting for is Huckabee who is awesome and everything that I personally want in a president. He is truly a good man and in my opinion, the best man running for office.
I have done my homework on Romney. I have met him personally. My inlaws, who have know the Romneys for over forty years knows him probably a great deal better than most people in Massachusetts. I understand his record perfectly well. Quite frankly, I don't see any problem with it. I find him far better of a politician than Reagan ever dreamed of being. But, the thing I like most about him is his "open-mindedness" when it comes to the issues. Any candidate who is not willing to change their minds because they found a better perspective is the best candidate for America. What we don't need is a president who is so closed-minded about something that they will push so hard to make it work when it never will. You know like President Bush is pushing right now on the war with Iraq, which is for all the wrong reasons. There just comes a point when one perspective on an issue no longer works!
"Evangelical Endorsements???" What's this??!!?? Sounds more like Evanjellycal Desperatopm!!
Has NO ONE done their homework on Romney??? He IS NOT the "True Conservative" he claims to be, nor is he the standard bearer for Ronald Reagan!! He IS NOT Reagan!!! Get it!!!
He is not REAGAN, but an opportunist!!! Check out his credentials in Massachusetts!!! He is a pretender to the throne and most of us in Massachusetts WILL NOT support him. If your name is Jay Severn, the talk show host of FM 96.9 in Boston, you think that Romney walks on water, but he doesn't walk, and he will SINK!!!
Vote Ron Paul, the TRUE CONSERVATIVE!! Romney doesn't even know his basic Civics!!!