NPR: Romney to Directly Address Mormon Faith

Romney to Directly Address Mormon Faith

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks to potential caucus-goers in Iowa last month.

David Lienemann/Getty Images

With former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee pulling into a dead heat with Mitt Romney in Iowa polls, the former Massachusetts governor has decided to address his Mormon religion head-on. His faith seems to be a sticking point for many evangelical voters, who make up about 40 percent of Republican caucus-goers in Iowa.

On Thursday, Romney will give a speech about his Mormon faith and how it might affect his presidency at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

"This speech is an opportunity for Governor Romney to share his views on religious liberty, the grand tradition religious tolerance has played in the progress of our nation and how the governor's own faith would inform his presidency if he were elected," campaign spokesman Kevin Madden said in a written statement.

The Romney camp has been debating whether he should give an address of this kind for some time. NPR's Cokie Roberts notes that some of his advisers felt Romney should give a speech like the one John F. Kennedy gave in 1960 explaining his religious views. However, others feared an address would draw too much attention to a religion many Americans don't understand.

4:04 PM ET | 12- 3-2007 | permalink

Comments

His religion doesn't really concern me, but romney comes off as a such a sleazy guy. He gives one the impression of that particular style of republican who is secretly homosexual.

I hope republicans do the responsible thing and nominate, McCain or Ron Paul for their candidate.

Sent by Jody Sol | 4:35 PM ET | 12-03-2007

Did I just hear right?

In a report by Michele Norris in Iowa, a local conservative Christian minister was quoted as saying* that "We've been telling our congregants that Mormonism is a cult. Now, do we tell them to vote for a cult member who adheres to our values?" (*no, not the exact quote, but this seemed to be the gist of the statement.)

*Why on earth* is any minister telling his congregation how they should vote? And why didn't the reporter ask this question of the minister?

Sent by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams | 6:35 PM ET | 12-03-2007

In the sound bite NPR played today (12/3) about Romney's upcoming address, he talked about family, community and faith in "a god". This is one of many sticking points I have with the LDS, they believe if they are "worthy" when they die, they will ascend to godhood on par with God. LDS proclaims to be "christian", but this belief flies in the face of the words of God who states he alone is God and knows of no others. I find LDS patently false and cannot support anyone who professes its tenents as fact.

Sent by Larry McCollum | 9:36 PM ET | 12-03-2007

I wonder if Mitt is going to talk about how Joseph Smith Jr. was arrested, tried, and convicted of fraud in New York for the religion he was trying to start, because it was merely a scheme for him to make money, before moving out to and successfully starting it in Utah. I'm going to guess no.

Sent by Bryan, Baton Rouge, LA | 9:43 AM ET | 12-04-2007

Bryan,
Just so you know, Joseph Smith Jr. never made it to UT. He was killed long before the trip for practicing his right of freedom of religion, which I think is in the constitution. Also, he never actually made any money during his lifetime, and he died very poor.

Sent by Grant | 1:57 PM ET | 12-04-2007

My main point is Mormonism is a fraud. Just a brief look at it's history shows it. Sorry I didn't get all the facts right.

And I think I'll finally use my freedom of religion, I'll write a book in sixteenth-century English, claiming to have translated the text from plates of gold ??? which conveniently ascended into heaven before anyone else could see them. And who i read them to must sit behind a curtain lest they should catch a glimpse and be struck dead.

But then again I'm sure no one would be gullible enough to take my text as the word of God.

Oh wait, that's actually how Mormonism was presented.

Sent by Bryan | 9:35 AM ET | 12-06-2007

Grant

Actually Smith was killed after riots started because he destroyed a newspaper office including a printing press. He had started practicing polygamy and didn't want the paper reporting on it. He burned down the newspaper office, and was arrested and killed because of his own actions.

Freedom of speach is right up there with freedom of religion, right?

Sent by heather | 1:59 PM ET | 12-09-2007

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