Real, Strange News

Yeah, Al Sharpton's excuses as he tries to weasel out of this thing are pretty airtight, huh? It seems to me he is just digging himself in deeper and deeper.

http://conservativespot.blogspot.com

I agree with everything in this article except one line, "seeming to imply that Mormons, like Romney, who don't believe in God, will get what's coming to them. "

Mormons DO believe in God in the most real sense.

Chris - When I read that sentence, I took it to mean that this is the implication of Sharpton's statement, not the author's own view. It could have been worded more clearly, though.

I appreciate your comments. Sharpton is the biggest hypocrite around, and I'm glad a few people are finally saying it. I'm so tired of the double standard in America today--any person's race or religion is considered out-of-bounds as a ground for criticism, except, of course, if you are a Mormon. Then it seems to be perfectly acceptable and politically correct for anyone (R or D, conservative or liberal) to take his or her shots. Why is this? Al Sharpton's comments are just one example of this phenomenon. Notice that the Mormons are the one group that doesn't criticize others' religious beliefs.

The only reason Al Sharpton has any relevance in a civilized culture is because the mainstream press gives it to him. What would the world lose if you ignored him?

Sharpton the ass

I disagree with your interpretation of "that's a temporary situation." Sounds to me only as if Sharpton expects Romney's Mormonism to be a political liability, and that he will drop out. In this sense, he unfortunately may be right (unfortunately, because to me no belief in magic is superior to another, and so if all candidates profess to be religious, it makes no difference to me in what way).

Gimme a break, Al Sharpton is such an easy target, but you act like this was Don Imus's first foray into hate mongering humor.

As a conservative born-again Christian, I for one would definitely vote for a Mormon over Al Sharpton anyday! At least with someone who holds to the Mormon belief system you know you would be getting a sincere, morally sound, upright American leader who fears God. With Al Sharpton -- who knows?

All these reports about Sharton being bigoted are coming from people are still angry that Imus got fired and were just waiting for any slipup by Shartpon to "get him". What he said and what Imus said are two completely different things. So Sharpton believes that Mormon's dont really believe in God, big freaking whoop.

Are all Atheists bigots because they think everyone who believes in a God is delusional? Why is it ok to be "bigoted" against Atheists?

Face this these people are just mad that Imus got fired and want to get back at Sharpton.

Sharpton is a hypocrite and gives all of his kind- be it religous, family, political party or whatever- a black eye. I would never want anything to do with an a$$ like this person. He gives all mankind a bad name.

What has he ever done for society anyway?

Um, DON'T TAKE HIS COMMENTS OUT OF CONTEXT.

He was debating an atheist at the time who was arguing that religion is a "poison" and he said that religious people would beat the religious right.

Jeese. Shoddy journalism WAPO boys.

Can we now get Al fired from his job?
It will be interesting to see if Al manages an apology. What I have seen of him, it will be too hard for him to admit that was insensitive and very Imus-esque

"What I said was that we would defeat him, meaning as a Republican," Sharpton said. "A Mormon, by definition, believes in God. They don't believe in God the way I do, but by definition, they believe in God."
-Sharpton

By definition? What a sorry excuse for and American, Religious Leader and human being. He first says Romney does not believe in God, then denies it but in the denial says it again. What an a$$.

Gimme a break, Al Sharpton is such an easy target, but you act like this was Don Imus's first foray into hate mongering humor.

Posted by: timebanded
-----------------------

Sharpton is a saint? He totally castigated those rugby players at Duke, said all sorts of horrid things about them and he has not appoligized to them. This is not the first, nor will it be the last time he jumps on his soap box without knowing what he is talking about. What has he done productive for society? Why does he get to spout off so much with no one calling for his head?

If it were Romney saying the same thing about Sharpton you think it would just melt away like this will?

All these reports about Sharton being bigoted are coming from people are still angry that Imus got fired and were just waiting for any slipup by Shartpon to "get him". What he said and what Imus said are two completely different things.

Face this these people are just mad that Imus got fired and want to get back at Sharpton.

Posted by: Eddie
---------------------

I am glad Imus got canned, less filth on the air.

Sharpton is just like him though, no matter what you want to say. He is in a position of authority and he is a biggot. If you want to deny it, whatever helps you keep your hero on a ivory tower, go for it. but Sharpton is a bigot and a hate monger.

Um, DON'T TAKE HIS COMMENTS OUT OF CONTEXT.

He was debating an atheist at the time who was arguing that religion is a "poison" and he said that religious people would beat the religious right.

Jeese. Shoddy journalism WAPO boys.

Posted by: z
-----------------------

Wrong, he said what he said and he is a hate monger, a hypocrite and an a$$!

Sharpton, get fired? Doesn't he need to have some productive job before he can get fired?

Sharpton is a hypocrite with a long history of racism. This is another example...implying that mormons don't believe in god.

So where are the crowds of people calling for Sharpton's firing from whatever stupid thing he does. I can't stand the man. He is all about race baiting. He himself is a racist who never apologizes for his misdeeds.

It is so sad that people try to hurt good peopl. I would say Al Sharpton did not have any bringing up. I feel sorry for hom when he meets his maker.

I was very saddened when I heard Sharpton's comment, and I don't believe his explanation that he was referring to atheists not believing in God.
I think that if he wants to fight against bigotry, he should first practice what he preaches.

Sharpton was simply articulating a belief that the huge majority of evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics likewise hold, and have consistently taught for decades: Mormonism is a cult. You don't like hearing that? Tough. Mormons believe that Jesus and Lucifer were brothers and that when we die we all get our very own planet. (Leave alone Mormonism's institutional racism.) What is facinating to me is watching the true colors of the religios right emerge. They would rather have a cult member in the white house than a democrat. Sad, pathetic, hypocritical. For years, Dobson et al whined about how we needed to elect and appoint Christians, and at the same time, defined Christianity in a very very narrow sense. Suddenly, there's a candidate that isn't at all orthodox, and, well, bring a Christian suddenly isn't that important. Ugh. Blecch.

My question is how to we get him off the airways and out of the media, can't we get rid of him any easier than he got rid of imus??

just when I thought this man should be given a chance, he opens his mouth and out fall what should have been his brains, after seeing him on glenn beck I thought,which just goes to show you blonds shouldn't, that maybe something was getting through to him. NOT

I am a Democrat and a Mormon; maybe one of the few. Al Sharpton's comments about Mormon's and God just shows his ignorance. Today is one of the days I'm ashamed to be a democrat; although Sharpton is a poor excuse for one. Why can't politics be about the issues?

Peet, you're demonstrating the same religious ignorance and bigotry about "Mormons" as dear old Al.

It's sad that Americans have this idea that persecuting something from a position of ignorance is an honorable thing to do. It's bigotry and prejudice, pure and simple.

Actually, it's not just an American thing. It just seems that "freedom of speech" is taken liberally to justify hate mongering and ignorance. Shame, that.

Sharpton needs to be a man and apologize. Of course, even when Imus apologized, Sharpton still demanded the shock jock be crucified. Maybe that's why he doesn't say he's sorry---someone might actually suggest that he shouldn't be allowed on the airwaves.

This falls into the who cares category.

Only an idiot would listen to Sharpton any way.

Once again the Reverend Al Sharpton is looking for a way, any way, to thrust himself into the spotlight. As long as Mr. Sharpton doesn't face any real consequences, like the loss of his job, congregation, freedom, etc., he will continue to spout off showing his ignorance one minute and backpedalling the next to put on the proper spin.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If Imus should be fired for maligning 40 members of a basketball team, what would be the proper punishment of Al Sharpton for maligning 10 million Mormons?

Wonder what Al has to say about Michael McGee Sr. calling someone a stringy haired ho. Check it out!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV8cMJfVZwg

I think it is interesting to that he is saying that those who really believe in God will defeat Romney, because he made it nowhere himself when he ran for president. What a fool!

I see nothing wrong with Sharpton's comments. Mormons like Jehovah's Witness are cults in the Christian religion.

Look at all the bigotry we have in the USA against Muslims and people in the Middle East since 9-11. Look at the recent case of Shaquanda Cotton a 13 year old African American in Paris Texas sentenced up to 7 years for accidentally shoving a high school monitor who was not seriously injured.

The right wing waits to jump on leaders like Reverend Sharpton. Too bad you guys aren't busy out there trying to make a difference for the better like Reverend Sharpton, whose scheduled appearance at Paris was enough to scare the white supremacists in that area to release Shaquanda.

Go Rev Go! And Keep it Real!

Activist and Peet along with their hero Al Sharpton are bigots by definition. I know they hate hearing that but it is the truth. Activist, Al Sharpton has not done one thing to make this world a better place. He is simply infatuated with hearing himself talk.

Point #1. A Baptist, by definition, believes in four freedoms: Soul Freedom, Church Freedom, Bible Freedom and most important, and I quote, "Religious freedom: the individual is free to choose whether to practice their religion, another religion, or no religion; Separation of church and state is often called the 'civil corollary' of religious freedom." Point #2. The 1st article of the Mormon faith is "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in his Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost." Maybe Al should figure out first of all what he believes, then what Mitt believes before going off from the mouth. Both points completely irrelavant to the real point which Romnney's actions and works have proved since he's been in office.

Who cares? Everyone should care who wants their own beliefs, whatever they may be, be protected.

I care, because I'm sick of the double standard there is about bashing Mormons. Apparently, it's open season, and someone is suggesting that I should overlook it and take the high road. That's all well and good, until they attack you, and your form of religion.

Peet, you know nothing of which you speak. It's interesting to note that Jesus, himself was never widely accepted in his day either---because of misunderstanding, hate, and lust for power.

Peet, you misunderstand Mormons and their beliefs, and just because you think what you think, does not make it so.

I do believe there is just as much bigotry coming from evangelicals as there is coming from the left. What a shame.

"This falls into the who cares category.

Only an idiot would listen to Sharpton any way.

Posted by: Papa Smurf"

the fact the idiots listen to sharpton is the reason we should be concerned. america, after all, is half idiot. and idiots vote.

I find it very interesting that Mr. Sharpton's reply to his offensive public comment was that, "I was referring to Christopher Hitchens." I find that to be an insulting excuse, from a "Reverend" who recently acted as judge, jury and executioner to Don Imus. If I recall, Don Imus stated that his offensive comment was not intended in an offensive context, and Mr. Sharpton refused to accept that response and set out to personally make sure that Don Imus suffered professional shame and lost his job. And now, Mr. Sharpton (I do not believe this man qualifies as a minister of God, and I refuse to call him "Reverend")wants us to accept his pathetic excuse for offending all Mormons with his public rant? Well, that's not good enough! I want him off the airwaves, and ANY advertiser who supports Mr. Sharpton or his endeavors, will soon find out how large the Mormon community is, if they continue to support and enable him to spew his bigotry. Because he's a black man, DOES NOT give him a free pass to offend an entire group and/or class of people, and to specifically address his comments toward Mormons. Get rid of this poisonous bigot.

It is a documented fact that the practice of the Mormon religion creates and fosters an abuse of authority. This is all backed by hundreds of ongoing lawsuits within the Mormon community by child abuse victims.

Are all Mormon's bad people? Of course not. But does the practice of Mormonism lead to the abuse of authority and the type of situation in which sexual abuse breeds...yes.

In the Mormon community, when either children or adults abused as children come forth to complain about a sexual predator, they come forth to the adult men of their Mormon congregation. The Mormons are an insular religious community, its bishops and stake presidents insist on handling all such allegations internally and strongly discourage any intervention by outside authorities. Church leaders habitually cover up allegations and evidence of child sexual abuse and attempt to deal with pedophilia exclusively as a matter of sin and not as a crime and a grave threat to children and families.

Anyone raised in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is taught great reverence for the power and authority of the Mormon priesthood. Too often, protecting the power and image of the male leaders that possess the priesthood is the driving rationalization for covering up their crimes against children.

It's a cult.

Great article! Al Sharpton represents the lowest common denominator in American society - he's a self-centered hypocritical, racist, bigot who is a poor representative of the great civil rights movement that he tries to attach himself to. His movement is really about enriching himself at the expense of others. It's a shame more people don't call him on it. Where is his apology?

I listened to the bit of audio of this encounter that is floating around on the web:

A) Out of context as far as I can tell. The guy was answering to an ATHEIST. I mean, talk about ironiy here. He WAS defending religion, which is what all of you seem to care about so much. Yet, you hang him for it. Nice.

B) Nobody was insulted: No "ho" or "peckerwood' or "cracker" or "whitie"..no "hick' , "yokel" or any anti-white terms were used.
Accroding to you folks, suggesting that you will defeat someone at the polls witg the help of God equals actually insulting somebody with racists terms. The lack of logic bemuses me.

C) So I assume if one of those Scientologists or Wicca nutjobs was to run for office, you oh-so-christian hypocrats would not take that into account. Riiiiiiiiight! Who are you kidding?

Of course, I wonder how many of this sudden Mormon-defenders that suddenly just popped out all over the radar were THIS outraged when the GOP try to spin Obama's childhood in Indonesia and claimed he attended a Madrassa school and that he had been a radical Muslim, all which were fabircated from thin air by the nice folks at Fox News.

All I see here is just another example of that wonderful character traits of the GOP: Play the victim, act as a hypocrat, confuse the ignorant masses...

Welcome to Idiocracy.

activist - You have clearly never actually known or talked to a REAL Mormon. You're comments are so out there, that I'm not even offended by them. I merely find them amusing.

Simply because Sharpton did not attack the RACE of a majority of Mormons does not mean he did not attack the RELIGION. We have been told for years and years that we were not "true" Christians, and that we did not believe in God. Finally, we are standing up for ourselves and protesting this widely-held belief. Reading the comments on here, though, I am glad to see that there are so many enlightened individuals who realize that we DO believe in God, just as much (maybe more?) than Sharpton does.

The remark he made was uninformed and childish. Something along the lines of "My God's better than your God! My God can beat your God up!" I do not think that it is EVER acceptable to put down someone's race, religion, or culture. If he made these comments about Baptists, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Catholics, Atheists, or Protestants, I would stand up for their rights as well. Sharpton needs to take ACCOUNTABILITY for his actions. He said what he said, whether he meant it that way or not. Grow up and APOLOGIZE. Don Imus did it. Why can't he? Or does he believe himself so much better than the rest of us, that he is above asking for forgiveness?

Can we really change another person? I don't think so. We can wish we could, but really we only have power to control our own actions and thoughts. I heard the other day a statement that rings true to me. "Sometimes we drink poison hoping someone else will die". Anger is a poison. All of us need to be careful with our words and actions because we do hurt others and if we have been hurt, for our own good we should forgive. If we have offended another, we can help ourselves and others by asking forgiveness.

Can we really change another person? I don't think so. We can wish we could, but really we only have power to control our own actions and thoughts. I heard the other day a statement that rings true to me. "Sometimes we drink poison hoping someone else will die". Anger is a poison. All of us need to be careful with our words and actions because we do hurt others and if we have been hurt, for our own good we should forgive. If we have offended another, we can help ourselves and others by asking forgiveness.

In answer to Peets comments..Al now has company in religious ignorance..I was raised methodist..baptized catholic and have family that are mormon..my advise to you is to read the bible don't just look at it..and then try to pretend that you know what you are talking about..THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD.....we are all GODS CHILDREN..and believe it or not there is only ONE HEAVEN.......there is only ONE MARY MOTHER OF GOD..so where is it exactly that you think that you are going that the rest of us that do believe in GOD are going?? There is NOT one of us that are going to get out of this world alive..so you had better look long and hard before you go condeming anyone for their beliefs..or making false comments..judge yet yee be judged..no matter what religion you are..we are all created in gods image..and the sooner we learn to love one another the better off we will all be..we do live in the United States Of America..its time everyone started to act like it..God Bless America..we need it by the looks of things that have been going on lately..I have been truly Blessed to be a part of different religions ..no Church closes its doors to anyone..its worth taking the time to go through them if your unsure about a religion take the time and go before you start to condem..^0^

Al Sharpton's comments are just more pathetic bigotry born of an ego that feeds on divisiveness. When will people stop providing a forum for these type of news camera chasers who spew hypocritic venom, and run for cover when uncloaked by the truth. Sharpton emodies much of what is wrong with self-serving, self appointed religionists. If God has anything to say to mankind, I doubt it will ever be delivered through the voice of Al Sharpton.

Apologize for what?..Defending religion against an Atheist?....

As far as I am concerned, Mormoms do not bother me, I do not bother them. However, to me they are basically the Scientologists of the 19th century. To DATE, and unlike all other three major religions (Christianity, Judaism and Muslim), not ONE single claim made by Mormoms in their Holy Book has been proven... No traces of some "mysterious" Israel tribes in America, no archeological records IF ANYTHING EVER. I mean, at least in the other religions, regardless whether you believe or not, there are thousands of historical records and archeological proof that at least the places and characters recorded on the bible actually existed. You want to believe in that?. Sure, no problem. Do you want me to believe or accept is a religion?.. Sure...Just anotehr wacky loopy religion to add to the pot.

You want to get alongf with the rest of us?...Quite sending your annoying missionaries to people houses, to the parks, to every other freaking public area where the rest of us are tryiing to co-exist.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am somewhat amused by all the current publicity of our religion. Some of what is said is true; some is not. There is obviously a lot of truly uninformed people out there, that's for sure.) Nevertheless, what this has done for me personally is give me the opportunity to examine where I stand with my religion and my beliefs and I am grateful to report: I stand firm. Nothing that Al Sharpton says, or a PBS special or others may say will detract me from what I believe. As a matter of fact, it strengthens me and encourages me to be a better individual.

What goes around, comes around. I wonder why people continue to follow the blessed Reverend? Perhaps he allows them to express their true hypocritical nature without exposing their natural racist/sexist/bigotry ridden selves.

It's really unfortunate that someone who supposedly fights against these types of problems, actually practices them himself. I don't claim to be perfect, but I certainly practice what I preach. It looks like the poor reverend will burn in the hell with the rest of us.

Activist: Your comments on child abuse and the Mormon community are incorrect and hurtful. Mormon leaders are repeatedly instructed -- both in church written manuals and in leadership training -- to report child abuse (physical and sexual) immediately to local authorities. Christ warned, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matt. 18:6. We Mormons take this seriously. Your slanderous statement could not be further from the truth.

Sharpton over-reacts on purpose. He knows that the negative response it will generate keeps him in the forefront as a fighter for his people. Baloney, his ego is in the way and so is his dislike for the white man. Isn't it amazing that that only the white man is racist. After what Imus said, has Sharpton discouraged the "artists" who use slang and obscenities. Nope, it's a cultural thing. Wonderful.

Sharpton is a media ho! Nothing more. Self-serving he will manipulate anyone or any unfortunate circumstance for personal gain. Oh no! I used the word "ho". I guess I will get fired tomorrow...

WHY CAN'T SHARPTON BE A TEMPORARY SITUATION?

Somebody silence this guy - please!

Or at least, bring back the I-Man (Imus).

www.supporttheiman.com

If Al was directing his comments to an atheist, like he claims --and a few here agree, he wouldn't have used the word "really."

He would have said, 'those who believe in God will defeat him anyways.'

He wasn't just stating that Mormons don't believe in God, he was implying that they claim to believe, or think they believe, but the don't REALLY believe.

Think about it. Does this statement make any sense: Atheists really don't believe in God.

As a Mormon and Christian, I commend Al Sharpton for his diligent work to bring social equality to many. He has worked tirelessly for civil rights and deserves commendation. I rarely agree with his political ideas or his approach to change, but I believe he is sincere about his work. That being said, I wish he would be honest and upfront about his mistake. On CNN he tried to "turn the table" on the Mormon church, but only dug himself a deeper hole by talking naively and mistakenly about the history and beliefs of the Mormon church.

I hope we can forget and forgive. But Mr. Sharpton, please know that I found your comments about Mormons being racist event more hurtful than you previous comment. Please do some more research before you make such unfounded statements.

Oddly, what Sharpton said is what is being discussed behind closed doors in Washington. Many have said, before Sharpton's comment, that someone needs to publically ask Romney about his religious beliefs and whether the Mormon church takes precedence over the United States. Basically, if he was called on mission by the Mormons would he go?

We need to make sure that we don't have another maniac in the White House discussing things with his father.

Beltway Greg

Hey, bring it on.

A few choice bits from the Mormon "scriptures"

"Jesus is the literal spirit-brother of Lucifer, a creation." (Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15)

"One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation." (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206.)

"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345)

OK, so defending orthodoxy makes me a bigot? Simply adhering to the principles of my faith makes me a bigot? Expecting the Religious Right, who has consistently taught me for three decades that Mormonism is a cult, to stand up for what they've preached makes me a bigot? Tell me what the difference is between a bigot and an apologist? Easy...a bigot is someone who you disagree with.

As an African American Mormon I am quite amazed at the ignorance of Al Sharpton and many of the other commenters on this subject. Most do not have a clue, or their facts straight. 1. How could the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints NOT believe in God? 2. Mormons (LDS) are not a cult, but the fastest growing mainstream religion, with more members outside of the USA than in it. 3.All Mormons are NOT Republicans.(Example: Harry Reid(D)Senate Majority Leader)

To some truth:

I am sorry you were hurt by my comments regarding Mormons and child abuse, but the facts are facts. There are many horror stories out there of children, some now adults who were abused under the oppressive hierarchy that exists in the Mormon religion.

Many Mormon children and adults who tried to speak out about their child abuse and were shunned by the Mormon community. Any group that thinks it is above the law and that they have a right to control, enslave, entrap, abuse or in anyway obstruct the rights or hurt other individuals because of their beliefs is a cult.

You may be hurt, but better hurt and informed so that you can help those within the Mormon community who are still being mistreated.

Peace to you.

Al Sharpton is a man of hate. Look at his Wikipedia bio and quotes. He has insulted the jewish people on many occasions, and found guilty (and fined) for libel against a white prosecutor Sharpton accused of raping a black girl. I think Walmart and McDonalds support Sharpton's radio show...they should be boycotted for this. There are limits to free speech, such as yelling fire in a theater, threatening the President, or handing out pamplets near a recruiting station. And free speech just limits the government...employers often limit speech in the workplace. I've really started to dislike this man of hate, Al Sharpton. He is a hateful racist and bigot. I hope he loses his show like Imus did, and don't forget Barack Obama jumped on the "Get Imus" bandwagon, too. Some Democrat!

To Peet and Activist: You might want to look the work "cult" up in the dictionary. By definition, the religion of Jesus Christ in His day would have been a called a cult.

Ativist, Pete and "You want to get alongf with the rest of us?...Quite sending your annoying missionaries to people houses, to the parks, to every other freaking public area where the rest of us are tryiing to co-exist." whoever wrote this trying to be all anonymous! ....

Basically you and al sharpton are ignorant bigots!!!

As for anonymous' statement.. Why don't you ask the seventh day and Jehovah Witness' to quite bother people by going door to door. Again you show your ignorance in only poining the finger at one religous group.

anyone can find anti-religious material and use that to prove their point. That's all it is anti material. (there's no truth to them.) You just look like a pitiful fool in trying to put others down.

You people are a very sad bunch...

All that can be said is, I guess we'll see in the next life who's right!

OK. Mr. bring it on...

We Mormon's believes:

1. we feel the Nicene Creed (your foundation for orthodoxy) is in fundamental flawed in its definition of the Godhead. In other words, there was an apostacy, a falling away) that began in the first century AD. Unless you are a Catholic, you would have to agree with me.

2. Grace and obedience are necessary for salvation - do you really want to argue against the necessity of obedience to God's commandments? It is called a false dichotomy. Which part of the Bible do you want to leave out?

3. We can become like God? You and I are children of God. We believe, literally, we are children of God. Will your children grow up to be like you? I guess if we don't have literal connection to God, your view makes sense. What do you call a child who grows up to be like his father? I think it is part of that joint-heirs with Christ thing.

Bless you brother.

Activist,
Again, you have shown that you are an ignorant individual. I pity you!
Why don't you include the abuse that goes on with other religious sects. Unfortunately you will find that there is child abuse in any religion. It's not the religion that's abusing children. It's the members of the religion. THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!
People commit such atrocities, not the religion!
Keep talking, you are only showing what an Ignoramus you truly are!

Al Sharpton has a strong and positive record of helping people in need and working from his position as a man of God to bring grace to this earth.
I find it outrageous that anyone could call him a bigot. He is a Rev. with a very sound repuation. That is shameful and insulting. He has helped millions of disinfranchise find hope and I thank God for all he has brought to the forgotten communities.

Verg,
He may have done all you say... but does that make it right for him to be hypocritically when he put down another sect of people.
OH.... I guess you and Big AL are saying it's alright to poke at others just not HIS people...

Verg
Looks like you need to look up the definition of Bigot...
"One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ. "
Synonyms: persecutor, extremist, racist, hypocrit, chauvinist, fanatic, fiend, freak, nut
Hmmmm.. Yep he's a bigot!

I laugh at Sharpton's attempt to rebuttle Romney's return.
"maybe he does need to explain... lesser man...."
WOW, what a gas! The man needs to realize that all religions have had change in their policies. The man just can't admit he was wrong to begin with and loves to stir up controversy. He's just digging himself in a bigger hole.
What a DORK!

That's outrageous, what a hypocrite Al Sharpton is!! I really respected him before but I can't believe he would say that, out of context? tell me how that could be said in context and still be ok!!! I want a public apology, for starters!

Please join me in emailing info@sharptontalk.net and demanding that Al Sharpton resign.

His inbox is full now, but you should be able to send some emails over the next few days.

And for the apologist above... A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own. NOT someone who disagrees with another person as you sarcastically say to "try" and prove your point. Defending your faith or adhering to your faith doesn't make you a bigot. But when Al makes prejudice comments about Mormons...that makes him a bigot by definition. Why would you defend his actions?

to activist: i am afraid you are thinking of the polygamists that consider themselves a branch of the mormon faith, but in reality are far from it. in those situations, led by the disgusting warren jeffs, much abuse and cover up takes place. it is a sad and shameful situation, and the women and children in those situations are so controlled by their unrighteous leaders, that they fear-- and correctly so-- that they have very few options to ever escape. it is heartbreaking.
the mormons are completely different, and are a loving, law abiding, god fearing people. in fact i have a mormon neighbor who had a sexual addiction that led to abuse of others, and it was his bishop who spent hours talking with him, and finally was able to encourage him to turn himself in to the authorities. i believe THIS to be the typical situation involving true mormons.
whatever has happened to you in your life, i hope that you can move on in a more productive way than in taking out your hurt and anger on a truly christ-like people.

Just want to say something about all the negative views to the Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Perfect. The members are not.

As a Canadian who studied constitutional law in the United States many years ago I am disheartened by the Al Sharpton attack on a Presidential candidates religion. Suggesting that Mormon's may not believe in God in a public political debate feels totally foreign to the fundamental and inspiring principles of the US constitution. Are not these consitutional principles a source of strength of your great Republic? I thought your forefathers gave their lives to create a society where freedom of religion is the rule not religion by the state as in Europe? Is history repeating itself with Romney forced to battle like President Kennedy against religious discrimination?

I agree that Imus should have been fired for what he said. How do you fire Al Sharpton

I'm not going to say anything mean because as far as I'm concerned you are all children of God as I am. But since we are displaying quotes, lets just take the topic of Salvation through Christ. It might be enlightening for you. Guess which book the following statements came from:

(A)1 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

(A)2 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

(A)3 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father

(A)4 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

(A)5 what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? ...Thou knowest the commandments..(keep the commandments)

(B)1 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

(B)2 there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

(B)3 the word of Christ ...relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save ...there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God

(B)4 There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

(B)5 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord.

It might surprise you to learn that The (A)comments are from the Bible and the (B) comments are from the Book of Mormon. Rather than passing along the hateful or half worded comments you've heard, I invite you to read the book of Mormon and see for yourself what it really teaches. It's easy to find on Line.

The truth is Grace and Goodness are both necessary for our salvation it is only through his grace that his goodness can grow in us.

Thanks for your comments.

I am glad that there are people leading the fight against persecution in this country (e.g., as Rev. Sharpton did for the Rutgers ladies). However, you cannot effectively lead this fight while supporting and engaging in the persecution of others. No community can claim sole ownership of being persecuted, nor is any community inculpable of offence. Progress can only be made with forgiveness. I am a Latter-day Saint (i.e, a Mormon) and while Rev. Sharpton's comment is hurtful and false, for my part I forgive him.

i'm glad al sharpton is getting called out on his hypocrisy.

ps. will someone fix the numerous typos in this article? please?!

ie...

'said the following to about Republican'
'hypocritical speech may be protected'

I'm afraid those comments that portray Mormonism as a insular, clannish (and by implication, nefarious) are woefullyl MISINFORMED. Especially those who say we promote sexual abuse--to say this is abominably false is a terrible understatment.

I know--I am a Mormon, one who will be pursuing a graduate degree in the liberal arts far away from Utah--hardly one who fits the ignorant, hayseed delusionals that some media outlets like to perpetuate. I've learned more about "critical theory" from Mormon doctrine than from all the literary theorists combined. Furthermore, My father has served as one of these supposedly evil "male administrators" and his blood runs chill when he hears of adultery cases, let alone sexual abuse cases.

Those who spurn Mormons do so at the peril of their own intellectual integrity.

Well, at least someone had the honesty to admit that the LDS church rejects the Nicean Creed. My church, and the church of Dobson/Robertson/Falwell/Graham, does not. I have read enough of the Book of Mormon to tell that it was written by a single author, although the chapter headings seem to indicate otherwise. There is no archeological support, as was pointed out earlier, for the historicity of the book. As far as obedience to God's word being necessary for salvation, I pray for the opportunity to ask the thief on the cross that question. And if the Mormons simply taught we could be "like" God, it would be a different story. They don't. They teach, cf. above, that God the Father was once like us. "Flesh and bone." And that we will become Gods, not become like God: the difference between, say, being like my father and becoming him. If we're all children of God, a sentiment I agree with, then I expect you all to be praying diligently for our enemies. Like, from your perspective, Rev. Sharpton, who articulated something that a vast majority of America believes and is being attacked by an America too craven to stand by their own doctrines, scared of being called names. I am aware that majority doesn't equal correctness. In this case, however, I believe they coincide, and am very interested in how far the religious right will bend its definition of orthodoxy in its support of a clean-cut republican who happens to believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers, that the trinity is nonsense, that there is no salvation outside the Mormon church, and that one day he will, with his numerous goddess wives, populate his own planet.

The ignorance of the pro-anti-Mormon community never ceases to amaze me. Dozens of the myths that the ignorant perpetuate have long since been answered by Mormon scholars as well as The Book of Mormon itself.

Please take the time to research what the LDS church has said about a topic before you copy and paste drivel from anti-Mormon websites. Otherwise you fail in your attempt to appear scholarly and well-grounded in your conclusions.

BTW, if Sharpton was contrasting himself with the atheist, why would he use the word "'...really' believe in God." If he were speaking about the atheist, he would have simply said "Those of us who believe in God [unlike you my atheist friend]."

Rather, he appears to be challenging the belief of someone who claims to believe in God, namely Romney as a faithful LDS member. Thus, by emphasizing the word "really" he makes a comparison between his faith and Mitt's.

Nice try reverend.

The Nicene Creed was rejected from the beginning of the Church's restoration - can you argue in any way, with any historical basis that it was inspired? Were there prophets or apostles there? Was divine revelation in any way involved? We believe in the Trinity - but not the Nicene Creed version.

Did the thief on the cross go to Heaven - read again and know that paradise and heaven are not the same. Christ said after the resurrection (days later) - "touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my father which is in Heaven."

The Nicene Creed taught that Christ lost his resurected body and became a spirit again. This, in part because the Greek philosophers considered matter to be evil and God could not associate with anything evil. Christ asked his disciples to "Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have" - pretty plain English translation. Did he die again (separation of the spirit and body)? I still haven't heard your arguments against obedience.

I think the idea of becoming gods means that we share in his power and purpose - would not make us equal - but fundamentally, we believe that we are literally God's children (not just created from nothing) and have the potential to become like him.

Mormon's afraid of being called names? Just would like to set the record straight. It is annoying to be misrepresented by people like you, but I think you will find LDS people quite ready to engage in discussions of faith. This is what we won't do - name call, dwell on the persecution of our ancestors at the hands of your church fathers, and use half-truth statements taken out of context for shallow arguments. My grandfather was a smart, Methodist. He knew Joseph Smith and believed him to be a prophet of God. He was driven from his home 5 times by protestants and the United States and gave up everything for the cause of Christ. Sir, you really don't know what you are talking about.

In Sharpton's attempt to clarify (and I agree it is possible he was referring to Hitchen's anti-mormon provocation) Sharpton called for Romney to explain why his church excluded Blacks from the Priesthood until 1970. Sharpton wants to engage Romney in religious debate as a distraction. Romney won't answer because this is so far afield from politics, but I will endeavor to try. If anyone has Sharpton's email address, please forward this to "The Rev."

One must know that the reverred Old Testament prophet Moses only allowed men from ONE of the twelve tribes of Israel to hold the Priesthood--the tribe of Levi. What would Sharpton have to say about being left out of that one? For some inexplicable reason, it was all about blood lineage, and in a very limited way at that. So unless you believe the tribe of Levi was not caucasion, Moses was a racist by Sharpton's current myopic definition.

After Moses, other Old Testament prophets, frustrated by wayward priests, were directed by Jehovah to share what appears to be higher office in the Priesthood with ONE levitical family--the Zadock line--See 2nd Samuel chapter 8, 17, and 19. Later prophets called this priestly line, "The Sons of Zadock." Once again, so incredibly exclusive. Critics could say worse than bigoted--totally nepotistic. But it wasn't--because it was God directed. I don't know why it continued to be about blood lineage, but it did.

So was Moses, other old testament Prophets, Brigham Young and (dare I say, Jehovah) bigoted. Of course not. But God has historically limited dissemination of his Priesthood both in Old Testament times and until 1970.

The world underwent incredible changes in the 1960's that prepared the LDS church and the world for the extension of the Priesthood to all. God meets the need of his people and realizes those needs change as the larger society around them changes. It is my belief that the blacks were ready for the priesthood, but the LDS church AND the larger US society wasn't until God said it was time to move forward in 1970. Praise be to God for that change. It is an event to rejoice in, as Romney declares. Instead, so many turn it into a cynical and divisive question.

But God's current extension of the Priesthood to all worthy males does not change the history of the Priesthood. Jehovah and his prophets inexplicably limited it to not not just Isreal, but to limited Tribes and Families. So Mr. Sharpton, your argument is not with Romney or even former LDS church President Kimball who received the revelation to give blacks the Priesthood in 1970.

I suggest you read the Old Testament and only then will you realize we don't really have a satisfactory answer for why Moses et al were so stingy with the Priesthood. Clearly, your argument is with Jehovah and it dates to well before the civil rights movement.

Wait I thought Mormons were the ones who could have lots of wives. Why would you need to believe in God when you have 3some waiting for you at home... I mean what's left to pray for?

It's so nice to see Al Sharpton on the hot seat!! I knew it would happen - I said it as he was gloating over having poor Don Imus fired.

Also, I'm so tired of uninformed people who did not watch Don Imus' show - who keep saying "that was not the first racial slur from Don Imus" Please! Imus' show was brilliant, funny, informative, entertaining...not mean spiritied. Since when can't Americans (and Don Imus and co just poked fun at us all and it was SO refreshing....and missed now)...have a little humor? The comment about Rutger's was a bit much and he apologized as he RECOGNIZED that....unlike the high and mighty Al Sharpton.

I saw Al Shaprton spinning his "rebuttal" on CNN last night....what a joke! He who had no forgiveness for Don Imus' bad joke....actually was indignant about his really BAD SERIOUS COMMENTARY about our Morman Sisters and Brothers? He spun it around the fact that prior to 1965 or 1970 they didn't recognize black people as equal..that is long gone and should be...but come on, Al...you were criticizing the CURRENT Mormans and a Presidential Candidate.

HOw does Humble Pie taste, Al??? Enjoy!

Let's boycott Al Sharpton's radio station and all of the Advertiser's that support him NOW!!! Mr. Sharpton was so eager to ignore Don Imus' sincere apology....and we haven't even heard one from Al himself yet??? Hypocrite.

EVeryone should call Talknet and the National ACtion Committee and give Al Sharpton a bit of his OWN medicine!!!! I wonder who advertises on Sharpton's show?? They really couldn't tolerate IMus's comments and he is a comedian, entertainer....how can they tolerate this from a Reverand - spouting intolerance?

Arrogance and anger are not the qualities of a good Reverand, Al. Learn humility and forgiveness and, yes, ye will be forgiven!

I would love to see Sharpton fired for his insensitivity but I think people will be afraid to take on the issue.
Black biggots are given more leeway on this issue than white biggots.

Have we all noticed how the MSM is unusually silent in all of this?

"It's quiet out there . . . too quiet."

Nicean Creed. I wonder how those who claim not to add or take away from the Bible justify that one. I don't think Paul of Tarsus believed in it (it was concocted 325 years AD), especially after being visited by the very real living Christ who spoke directly with him one on one. But wait, there were many of Paul's day that wanted to put him to death for such heretical religious views and obvious fanatical teachings. They beheaded him in 67 AD. Not much has changed.

What in the world does Romney's religion have to do with him being the CEO of our country?
He's had the midas touch wherever he's been; building a billion dollar company, saving a debt ridden, scandalous olympics, and reversing the outrageous debt problems of the state of massachusetts and their health care system (as a republican governor no less in the most liberal state in the US).
The guy is all about integrity and doing things the right way.
For anyone to disparage him, simply because of ignorance and jealousy is so off point it's sick.

The nicean creed? Voted on by politicians with political motives

The bible? again voted on what would get in and what wouldn't, it's not a perfect book

Catholicism? A political move by Constantine to avoid losing Rome to the rising christian clan

The Anglican church? Formed by Henry the 8th so that he could have a divorce (sound like something God would give authority to do)?

The Baptist church? A history of intolerance, antisemitism, Bob Jones, Waaco, the KKK, and slave ownership

At least those are factual arguments --- but the point is, there are great people of all religions.

Martin Luther King said "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Do you really think that if he were alive today that he would judge Mitt Romney on his religion? I tend to think that character is about what kind of person you are to others and if the world is a better place with you in it.

check and check for Romney, the world is a better place with him in it and he has the chops and resumee to lead this country

If religion was a prolem with Democrats, why elect him Governor in the most liberal state in this country? Answer: Because he's a great politician and problem solver

To be very sure, there are more ignorant conservatives squawking about Romney's religon than there are democrats.

Hillary Clintons worst fear is a 1 on 1 debate with the best politician in this country.

We elected George Bush Jr. based on his supposed christian beliefs and his white house was as if not more scandalous than Clintons. Maybe we need to stop looking at religion and start looking at politics and track records.
More people on earth have been murdered in the name of religion than anything else.

Romney has said over and over again that he's not running for the title of "Chief Pastor" and his track record in Massachusetts shows he's a master leader and hardly a deluded cult member.

Does the liberal Sharpton share the same contempt for Harry Reid? Reid happens to be Mormon and the democratic majority leader of the senate.

Sharpton's motives were strictly political and worse......and it backfired on him. He breeds racism when a hypocrite like him gets his nose stuck where it doesn't belong.

I don't see Romney stooping to his level.

Sometimes arguing with an idiot just proves he's doing the same thing.

can we ask the democrats to say what they think about this? Ask Obama and he will say nothing, but when Imus said it he had to be fired. Not only is Sharpton a racist and a bigot, he smears christianity with his antics and is bringing the black race down with everything that he does. How anybody has any interest in hearing what he has to say is beyond me.

Can anyone tell me the religions/denominations of all the other major candidates without using a search engine?

Is anyone surprised that Al Sharpton would refuse to apologize for making a blatantly bigoted statement about the LDS Church on the air? It's hardly the first time. From Tawana Brawley, to his famous statement "If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house," to seven dead from the Freddy's Fashion Mart massacre and his "white interloper" statement that incited it, to his absolute refusal to apologize for publicly demonizing the Duke lacrosse players who have since been exonerated due to overwhelming evidence that the alledged victim was lying...the list goes on and on. 'Reverend' Sharpton claims to be a Christian...funny, I remember something about, "if you would remove a mote from your neighbor's eye, you should first remove the beam from your own." Guess we just don't believe in same god, huh Al?

Though his comments may have been overboard, I do not see anything wrong with Sharpton calling out Romney on the Mormon faith's discriminatory practices. Now Romney's comment that his father marched with King demands some PROOF.

OsiSpeaks.com or OsiSpeaks.org

If we think that Al Sharpton's comments were offensive and wrong, and I think we all agree to that; then, it is about time that every religion in America (especially mainstream) quits calling the Mormon Church a cult or a non-Christian sect (By the way I'm a CATHOLIC)

Al Sharpton's ignorance is a reflexion of our own ignorance as a society.

KYJurisDoctor,

You do not see anything wrong in his comments because if doesn't offend you. Who cares if Romney's father marched with king; that's not big deal. Feeling offended now?

I totally agree with Oliver. My neighbors of 11 years are Mormons and they are the most Christian people I have ever met; yet my Baptist Church does not recognize them as a Church (which makes me sick) It is about time that changes.

Sharpton's turning out to be an empty headed ho

So far, I have yet to see an intelligent post delineating the LDS church's supposedly "discriminatory practices" and/or Romney's alleged vileness. And as a fully orthodox member of the Latter Day Saint faith, I would be highly interested--nothing like teaching the yokel hayseed of a Mormon a thing or two about his religion, right?

Alas, though, most of these are drive-by posts, you throw out some bait and hope people will bite when it comes time for the ballot box.

Sharpton was right in one sense.
There is no way America elects a Mormon and it has got nothing to do with God it has to do with the polygamy thing. We'll see a Gay president out of the closet before we see one out of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

the official name of our church is the church of jesus christ of latter day saints
(mormons).for anyone who would like to know more go to www.lds.org and see what we believe in, then make your own decision.
after all we are christians.

It's only ok in this country to be bigoted against Muslims, Atheists and Immigrants. Sharpton should know those rules and follow them.

Since there is no God, arent all these arguments about what religion believes in God irrelevant?

Everybody has known that Sharpton was not just a bigot but a racist.

What is interesting is all of his bigot/racist friends defending him here with their posts.

The Villifying of Reverend Al Sharpton

We've all seen this attempt to character assasinate leaders. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend Jesse Jackson, Robert F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, the list goes on and on.

Don Imus had a public image of degrading minorities, women, just about everyone. He got rich off of it. Reverend Al Sharpton has spent his life since he was just a child, in trying to reach out and help others. No, Rev. Sharpton is not infallible, but it's plain to see the difference in that he was trying to make a difference for the better through his efforts always trying to help others. To compare Rev. Sharpton to Don Imus is like comparing the KKK to UNICEF.

I applaud the continuing efforts and past achievements of people like Rev. Sharpton and anyone that dares to put themself on the line in an effort to help the masses who are being oppressed and forgotted by this Hitlerian regime under President Bush and his Gestapo administration.

IMPEACH! IMPEACH! IMPEACH!

Peace to all!

Activist,

Be more specific. Tell me one good thing that the so-called Reverend has done beside owning tons of $5,000 suits? and going to the same barber shop that Edwards uses?

As a 34-year old life-long Mormon, I feel inclined to defend my religion and beliefs when they are so erroneously portrayed on a national level. First, I (We) believe in God, an in His son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. We offer all prayers and ordinances in the name of Christ. The Church name bears the name of Christ. We preach from the Bible and Book of Mormon, which are both "Testaments of Jesus Christ". Every private and personal prayer I've ever offered has been in the name of Christ. I am grateful for and believe in the Atonement of Christ. He is the great one who was chastised, tortured and crucified, and rose again. I have personal experience giving me a witness that the Book of Mormon is true and preaches of Christ. The LDS Church absolutely DOES NOT CONDONE OR HIDE SEXUAL ABUSE. The family unit is the #1 priority of the Church and we are taught that "no success can compensate for failure in the home" (Pres. David O. McKay). I am constantly amazed at the growth and the infrastructure of the Mormon Church and how so many people continue to view us as a "cult". I am convinced that those who speak negatively have not researched our religion. If you want to know more, visit www.lds.org. Read the Articles of Faith to understand our religion...from us, not from those opposed to us. Mitt Romney is a terrific individual and will make a fantastic president. He will not "be called on a mission" during his presidency because that is not how the Church operates. He will make sound, logical and healthy decisions for this country. He is grounded in faith and humility. There is no better candidate out there. Please do yourselves a favor and actually learn about our Church from those who practice it. There are many disgruntled invididuals who were not strong enough to agree with and live up to the moral standards of the Church and they are now vindictive, seeking to damage the reputation and image of the Church as a form of revenge. They are nothing but fools.

The LDS Church has a zero tolerance level for sexual abusers. The Church provides a confidential 24 hour hotline for victims. The official leadership handbook clearly states that if abuse is discovered it is to be turned over to the civil authorities without delay. Any deviation from that policy results in severe Church discipline, for both offenders and accomplices. Even suspected sex offenders are not allowed callings with children or adolescents. Activist's post is a bigoted, myopic, and generalized tirade that needs to be refuted. Activist, get an education on the facts before you write something so irresponsible.

Mormons want to be called Christians. They want to believe they are Christians. But the Christ they worship is an entirely different person than the Christ worshipped in Catholic or Protestant churches. I think everyone can agree on that. Different in substance, in character, in act. The two Christs of the Catholic and Mormon church are no closer than Ken Starr and Ringo Starr. According to Mormons, the teachings of the orthodox church (since the Nicean Creed) are "abominations." Right? And God sent Joseph Smith to correct the church's "errors." So we're all wrong except the LDS church which is desperately trying to throw a theological blanket over its institutional racism, and rationalize its polygamous practices, and do scriptual backflips ("Today you will be with me in paradise. It's not heaven, but I think you'll like it anyway...") in order to make its anti-orthodoxy somehow consistent. Here's a question: do I want my country run by someone who believes the majority of people he'd lead are misguided and spiritually ignorant? More to the point, where are the suddenly silent Religious Right, the evangelical republicans who are holding their noses because they'd rather see a cult member in the White House than a democrat?

I'm not upset about Imus, I didn't like him anyway and what he said was repulsive. Sharpton is a bigot, plain and simple - look up the definition if you can't quite grasp that notion. With his comments about Romney, he is not only a bigot, but an ignorant bigot too.

I bet you a black Eddie. Why do you stand up for someone who makes blacks like bad? I certainly wouldn't want him, or his pal Jesse, representing me.

Oooops, didn't change the name...I am definitely NOT Eddie. Thank goodness.

Good try, but you missed the mark about Mormons. If you are trying to find out information about a Ford, would you go to a Chevy dealership? You have learned about Mormon theology from "a Chevy dealership", and not actual Mormons. Try talking to one, and not being a religious bigot like Sharpton.

I did not post the above.

Just pointing out what I see to be doctrinal errors. And the political implications of those errors. People who disagree with Mormon theology and point it out in public are bigots? Fine. If this were a math class, and I said 2+2=4 and someone said I was wrong, I guess I'd be bigoted for insisting I was right? That I'm being discriminatory against the numbers 3 and 5?

I wish some news organization would finally put the issues about Mormons and whether they are Christians to rest. Please someone intelligent print the facts. Mormons are accused of not believing in God because they don't believe in the traditional Trinity where the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are "One being that is so big it fills the universe, yet so small can fit on the end of a needle" They instead believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three distinct beings who WORK as ONE. If anyone cared to check where the traditional definition of the Trinity came from it was good old Constantine. He wanted to unite the pagans with his new Christian Kingdom so he got a council together to come up with the definition of God. The Nicene Creed is what came out of that council from 325 AD. Mormons don't believe that was as inspired definition and choose to believe what the original founders of Christ's church knew - Christ ressurected and still has his ressurected body. Now... doesn't that clear things up a tad?

Clarke:

I did not know you had to be black to be on Al Sharpton's "side".

I dont necessarily like or dislike Al Sharpton, I think he has done good some good things in the past with civil rights, but I dont like how he sometimes does not look at situations from a netural perspective and is unwilling to admit when he is wrong.

Dont kid yourself, Imus only got fired because the sponsors left him, not because CBS thought what he said was really bad.

My point is, that in this country there are acceptable things you can be "bigoted" about, like muslims, immigrants, atheists but when it comes to things like religion and race, those things are off-limits.

If you dont believe me, do you seriously think we could elect a muslim or atheist president? We dont even have 1 openly atheist senator.

And Clarke, im sorry to not have lived up to your stereotypes, but im not black.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I find it offensive, yet humorous, that so much confusion surrounds our faith and religion. It is a shame that Mr. Sharpton refuses to research any topic before providing his personal opinion on public radio and television. However, considering the source, I can't expect much else. Sadly, the remarks made have allowed many people to jump at the chance to simply criticize our faith. I will not say "these are the facts", but I will give my personal view as a Mormon myself: in order to learn the truth about our faith, simply ask a member of our faith. It really is not hard. Yes, I believe in God, my Heavenly Father. Furthermore, I am so grateful to have served Him as a missionary for two years in a third-world country, preaching the equality and love of all races and cultures to any person who would listen.

Peet. C'mon.

Mormons don't want to be called Christians, they are Christians.

They worship Christ, and quite frankly, they live committed to His words in both their private and public lives. Why do you think your protestant faith should own the title Christian?

As a PROTESTANT, your religion was born as direct protest against the established teaching of the church of Rome. Does that make you a true Christian? If so, then which protestant faith is can truly claim that title?

You the flaunt the term cult because it's a quick (and dishonest) attempt to create fear and mistrust. But honest people of all faiths have found that the Latter Day Saint beliefs to provide wonderfully meaningful religious worship, something that was missing in their own.

I know, because I chose to join this faith from outside of it, and couldn't feel better about my decision. My personal, family and spiritual life is amazingly fullfilling and peaceful because of that choice made many years ago. Please don't denegrade it because you don't choose it.

Mormons think everyone else is wrong, so go ahead and be honest about it. I challenge any Mormon reading this post to make that simple statement: "Catholics and mainstream Protestant denominations are all wrong, and we're right." You believe it, so have the guts to say it. At least I have doubts. Have the courage to tell people what you believe instead of hiding behind a live-and-let-live, why can't we all get along, rhetoric. I list what I think are fairly established LDS beliefs and no one tells me that I'm wrong, only that I'm a bigot, or that I misrepresent them. Again, What you believe is that there has been a global and total falling away from the "true" faith since the first century. I believe that the Mormon Christ is a false one, in fact, a non-existent one. I don't trust Mormons because I think their theology is piecemeal, and no more credible than Scientology, nice and well-mannered and polite as LDS members may be. As for the Protestant Reformation, all of the issues I have with Mormonism I will freely admit to being vulnerable on as well. To an athiest, we must look like we're arguing about whether Zeus is more credible than Apollo. But I believe what I do for plenty of reasons, and I share that belief with people who are suddenly being quiet about these beliefs out of a desire for political power, and it disgusts me.

I choose the word "cult" because it is less offensive than the other words I considered using. So how about I use the term "schismatic." Any better?

Peet.....you're mean.

How many black mormons are there in the world? Exactly.

That's all Al was saying, its a racist, Godless religion and it ain't going win for President.

End of story

To Baptist Proud http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/blackmormon/000H14.html

To GBHavasu:

How dare you post actual proof to refute the outrageous claims of the uneducated!?!?! Don't you know that certain people are always right, no matter how much truth is presented to them?

Based on the link provided, I don't think BP will be responding very soon. After all, it takes a few minutes to think of a good back-pedaling comment.

Peet and Activist - It looks like you have been well educated on several points of the more prevalent anti-mormon doctrines of the day. Too bad it is patently false. I am sorry you have been deceived by those who profess to know the truth and have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. You both talk of facts about the Latter Day Saints, yet none of this is substantiated. Mormons are Christians and we believe in God. Any argument to this effect is religious semantics and wresting of the scriptures. For crying out loud the name of the Church is "THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS". I invite you to come to one of our meetings. I guarantee you that every prayer you will hear will begin with an address to our Heavenly Father and end in the name of Jesus Christ. We believe in the same Bible you do - we just ask that it be translated correctly and interpreted by the Holy Spirit. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon and find a page that does not have a reference to Christ on it. I invite you to read it, ponder it and pray and ask God if it is not true. If you do so, then you may have a right to judge us. Until then, please refrain from committing the same bigotry as Revrend Sharpton. Let's face it, if any other religion were accused of not believing in God the same way the LDS people were by Rev. Sharpton, the whole world would be up in arms.

Other than that, like Papa Smurf said, Consider the source.

I must admit, I was one of those who relished the fact that Al Sharpton had indeed put his foot in his mouth and it would be noticed. Although I did not agree with Imus's choice of words, at all, I was shocked that a man calling himself a minister would fail to exhibit any form of forgiveness for the man who offered an apology. I practice Messianic Judaism and do not know a great deal about the Mormon religion. If Mormons believe in forgiveness, then Al Sharpton's god or the way he "believes in G~d," does appear to be quite different from the way many of us believe in G~d.
http://write-wing.blogspot.com

This discourse still has not elevated beyond the last time I posted. No one, except the Mormons (surprise), seems to know anything about what the Mormons actually believe. No quotes, no sources.

A sad commentary on the ability of the masses to understand something outside their immediate experience.

Don Imus should be rehired. Al Sharpton should appologize and then be fired the way Don Imus was. And Mitt Romney should become president since he belives in God.

Where am I false?
What doctrine have I misrepresented?
What have I said Mormons believe that they actually don't?
Despite statements to the contrary, I have given PLENTY of sources and quotes. I have cited YOUR books and YOUR speakers, chapter and verse.
I don't care what is emblazoned on the front of someone's church. The Koran talks a lot about Christ too.
I have read enough of the book of Mormon to have totally rejected it as no more inspired than Dianetics.

Mean? Yeah, I have some anger management issues. No question, and if any of you want to pray for improvement of my bad attitude, I welcome it. Part of it comes from being unable to keep my mouth shut when I see the leaders of my own church laying low on their complete and profound disagreements with the Mormons because they want the GOP in power in 2008.

Peet, I would like to start by saying that by your background and teaching you make what you would believe are good points. You have made the comment that no one has the courage to tell people what we believe, well, by your definition of what we believe, you're right, but you're definition isn't correct.

SO, I am going to go through the comments that you have made and give you an honest open answer. No hiding, no half truths, just the straight facts.

1st "Mormonism is a cult": Webster's dictionary defines a cult as "1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion"

Congratulations Peet, you've just described every religious group in the world.
I'm sure you meant it to be derogatory, but the word cult is so improperly used that it really has no meaning. If you're trying to group Mormon's in the same group as 'Heaven's Gate,' http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_highe.htm
'Branch Davidians,' http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_branc.htm
Or 'The People's Temple,' http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_jones.htm
Then you've obviously used the wrong term here.

On the other side of the coin, we have groups that the Christian Coalition has by definition determined to be Christians, but... well let's look for ourselves. Let's take a look at the Concerned Christians. http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_conc.htm

Hmm... perhaps you'd like to change your terminology a little bit.

2nd You've stated that "Mormons believe that Jesus and Lucifer were brothers."
Well, I don't think anyone has tried to deny that. You yourself has said that we are all children of God, and thus brothers and sisters. I'm not sure where your question is here, you've stated yourself that you believe Jesus and Lucifer were brothers.

3rd You repeatedly try to state that Mormon's are racist. This comment doesn't make any sense to me what so ever. How many times have people heard the statement "Blacks couldn't have priesthood until the 1970's" UM hello! Were blacks able to do anything in any church during the history of America? I don't want to talk to much on this one because it has already been answered very well by DLounsbury. I would like to point out though, that LDS churches had black members speaking from pulpits in front of white congregations far earlier than dominant protestant religions. Let's not forget that early "Mormon's" condemned slavery long before the south, which is populated in large majority by which major religious sect? Can anyone say Protestants?

4th In Regards to you comment "What is facinating to me is watching the true colors of the religios right emerge. They would rather have a cult member in the white house than a democrat."
What is sad to me, is that this has to turn into a debate about religion. Apparently, as long as the president is protestant, no one cares.

5th You stated "the Christ they worship is an entirely different person than the Christ worshipped in Catholic or Protestant churches."
I believe in, and worship the Christ of the New Testament, which one do you worship?
According to your statement, you worship someone else. Maybe we'll restate that to say that perhaps Mormon's and Protestants have a different understanding of what the current state of Christ is?

Let me explain that statement. I know you're not going to take credit that you don't worship the Christ of the New Testament, so we both agree there. Let's move on. The place that our differences lie is in the current state. This element of doctrine was elegantly stated by Charles earlier in the posts.

6th "According to Mormons, the teachings of the orthodox church (since the Nicean Creed) are "abominations." Right?" Let me Quote President Gordon B. Hinckley from an interview with Larry King for this one, I don't think it can be stated in any better way

"I say this to other people: you develop all the good you can. We have no animosity toward any other church. We do not oppose other churches. We never speak negatively of other churches. We say to people: you bring all the good that you have, and let us see if we can add to it."

In my own... less righteous way, let me say this. The Creeds were written by men trying to come to a compromise on what they felt doctrine should be. The doctrine of the LDS church is delivered by direct revelation from God. The ideas of man, while well intentioned, are flawed.

As for the rest of this question, "God sent Joseph Smith to correct the church's "errors." Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the church of Christ to the earth as it was when Christ originally formed it.

In this case Peet, you're kind of in a bit of a pickle. Here are the facts that you have to face.

We believe in the apostasy, meaning that through persecution the apostles of the Lord were one by one martyred, and removed from the earth. Along with the loss of the leaders of the church the authority went with it.

The alternative belief to that is that of the Catholics. Which believe that the authority was passed to Constantine.

SO, either the authority of God was gone from the earth, or it was passed to Constantine, and thus retained in the Catholic Church.

That leaves a little bit of a hole for Protestants, because they believe that Catholics and Mormon's are both wrong. So, by your own beliefs, there can't be a true church on the earth, it obviously can't be yours, because you're a break off of what you believe is a false religion... my, that is too bad.

7th "throw a theological blanket over its institutional racism, and rationalize its polygamous practices"
We've already discussed the racism, so let's move on to the polygamy. Once again I will leave you in the hands of President Hinckley.

"Gordon B. Hinckley: When our people came west they permitted it on a restricted scale.
Larry King: You could have a certain amount of...
Gordon B. Hinckley: The figures I have are from -- between two percent and five percent of our people were involved in it. It was a very limited practice; carefully safeguarded. In 1890, that practice was discontinued. The president of the church, the man who occupied the position which I occupy today, went before the people, said he had, oh, prayed about it, worked on it, and had received from the Lord a revelation that it was time to stop, to discontinue it then. That's 118 years ago. It's behind us.
Larry King: But when the word is mentioned, when you hear the word, you think Mormon, right?
Gordon B. Hinckley: You do it mistakenly. They have no connection with us whatever. They don't belong to the church. There are actually no Mormon fundamentalists.
Larry King: Are you surprised that there's, apparently, a lot of polygamy in Utah?
Gordon B. Hinckley: I have seen the thing grow somewhat. I don't know how much it is. I don't know how pervasive it is.
Larry King: Should there be arrests?
Gordon B. Hinckley: It's matter of civil procedure. The church can't do anything. We have no authority in this matter, none whatever.
Larry King: Would you like to see the state to clamp down on it?
Gordon B. Hinckley: I think I leave that entirely in the hands of the civil officers. It's a civil offense. It's in violation of the law. We have nothing to do with it. We're totally distanced from it. And if the state chooses to move on it, that's a responsibility of civil officers.
Larry King: President Hinckley, when the press pays attention to it, it does affect you, certainly, in a public relations sense?
Gordon B. Hinckley: It does, because people mistakenly assume that this church has something to do with it. It has nothing whatever to do with it. It has had nothing to do with it for a very long time. It's outside the realm of our responsibility. These people are not members. Any man or woman who becomes involved in it is excommunicated from the church.
8th "Do I want my country run by someone who believes the majority of people he'd lead are misguided and spiritually ignorant?" I've already covered this on a small level, but I would like to add that the President has a duty to lead this nation in a manor that is best fitter for the people. Sometimes that duty involves protecting the people from themselves. If you truly are a devout protestant, than you will agree that the moral levels of this nation are becoming more and more degraded. Christianity in doctrine teaches great moral values, but lets not fool ourselves. If we were to leave the governing of this country to the "spiritually brilliant" public that you try to present them as, this nation would be in a world of hurt. I prefer to think that our President will approach it from the stand point that yes, this nation is great, there are outstanding people, but occasionally they need some help. "you bring all the good that you have, and let us see if we can add to it."

9th "Just pointing out what I see to be doctrinal errors. And the political implications of those errors. People who disagree with Mormon theology and point it out in public are bigots? Fine. If this were a math class, and I said 2+2=4 and someone said I was wrong, I guess I'd be bigoted for insisting I was right? That I'm being discriminatory against the numbers 3 and 5?"
There's a HUGE difference here Peet, one is a fact, the other is your belief.

In Short, I'm not really sure how or why this turned from a discussion about Sharpton, and whether the beliefs of the LDS faith is correct, but you called me out, so I responded. I appreciate your comments Peet, as I feel that you honestly believe the things that you say. I would just ask that you try to look to the source for an answer than the antagonist. Using your analogy, I'm not going to ask an English teacher for help with my calculus. When I look for information about what a Baptist teaches, believes, or practices, I go to an ACTIVE Baptist. If you have any more questions, let me know, and I would be glad to give you my personal email.
To read the entire document of the conversation I have quoted here please visit this site:
http://www.lds-mormon.com/lkl_00.shtml
also, for a follow up interview
http://www.cesnur.org/2004/lds.htm

Peet, I would like to start by saying that by your background and teaching you make what you would believe are good points. You have made the comment that no one has the courage to tell people what we believe, well, by your definition of what we believe, you're right, but you're definition isn't correct.

SO, I am going to go through the comments that you have made and give you an honest open answer. No hiding, no half truths, just the straight facts.

1st "Mormonism is a cult": Webster's dictionary defines a cult as "1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion"

Congratulations Peet, you've just described every religious group in the world.
I'm sure you meant it to be derogatory, but the word cult is so improperly used that it really has no meaning. If you're trying to group Mormon's in the same group as 'Heaven's Gate,' http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_highe.htm
'Branch Davidians,' http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_branc.htm
Or 'The People's Temple,' http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_jones.htm
Then you've obviously used the wrong term here.

On the other side of the coin, we have groups that the Christian Coalition has by definition determined to be Christians, but... well let's look for ourselves. Let's take a look at the Concerned Christians. http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_conc.htm

Hmm... perhaps you'd like to change your terminology a little bit.

Fregramis...

I find your defense of child molestors within the Mormon Church tragically sad. There are so many cases in which the Mormon Church has been found guilty of fostering and harboring child abusers.

Here's just one story:
http://www.kosnoff.com/CM/Articles/Mormon%20church%20loses%20sex%20abuse%20case%20-%20Nov%2022,%202005.pdf

and another:
http://www.kosnoff.com/CM/Articles/Articles103.asp

and for those of you seeking to escape the cult of Mormonism please visit:
http://www.kosnoff.com/CM/Articles/Articles103.asp

America is about freedom - freedom to practice a religion is one of them. But when that religion is really a fascade for repressiion and oppression, then any true American should oppose and expose it.

Peace

All I can say is "by their fruits, ye shall know them." How can so many people recognize Mormons as moral, high quality, outstanding citizens and think that their theology has nothing to do with it? You may not agree with everything that Mormons believe but why try to paint them as this malicious, counter culture society? Let it go. They do good wherever they go and that alone should be enough to just respect them. All the Mormons I have ever known have just been great people. And their teachings are practical and build good relationships in homes and communities. It's exactly what the writers of the constitution would have hoped for in this country. What more do people expect fr