Mitt Romney: Mormon Candidate at Baptist Liberty University Moves Catholic Editor

5/15/2012

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or even nations. The drama is always personal, individual, unfolding in one's own life. We're not alone in sensing this. Men and women of every faith, and good people with none at all, sincerely strive to do right and lead a purpose-driven life."

This was a well delivered speech filled with excellent content which the Romney campaign should use more frequently in the campaign ahead. The signal was sent to many who, like me, who are deeply concerned that the moral issues not be separated from the economic issues. It appears that the presumptive Republican candidate has listened.

Governor Romney did not attempt to argue the compatibility of his own religious faith and that of most of the graduates. I was relieved. He told the graduates and their guests, "People of different faiths, like yours and mine, sometimes wonder where we can meet in common purpose, when there are so many differences in creed and theology. Surely the answer is that we can meet in service, in shared moral convictions about our nation stemming from a common worldview. The best case for this is always the example of Christian men and women working and witnessing to carry God's love into every life - people like the late Chuck Colson."

"Not long ago, Chuck recounted a story from his days just after leaving prison. He was assured by people of influence that, even with a prison record, a man with his connections and experience could still live very comfortably. They would make some calls, get Chuck situated, and set him up once again as an important man. His choice at that crossroads would make him, instead, a great man."

I will attend Chuck's memorial service this week. He had a great influence on my own life when I was a younger man. I was moved that the Governor included him in the commencement address. Chuck deserved the honor and, frankly, I think he would have approved. What I discovered in this speech and the venue was the importance of our exercise of faithful citizenship at this critical moment in our history as a free people - a Nation conceived in liberty.

The Governor concluded with these remarks: "The call to service is one of the fundamental elements of our national character. It has motivated every great movement of conscience that this hopeful, fair-minded country of ours has ever seen. Sometimes, as Dr. Viktor Frankl observed in a book for the ages, it is not a matter of what we are asking of life, but rather what life is asking of us. How often the answer to our own troubles is to help others with theirs.

"In all of these things - faith, family, work, and service -the choices we make as Americans are, in other places, not choices at all. For so many on this earth, life is filled with orders, not options, right down to where they live, the work they do, and how many children the state will permit them to have. All the more reason to be grateful, this and every day, that we live in America, where the talents God gave us may be used in freedom."

The Romney candidacy raises a certain irony. Here we had a Mormon candidate who went to Liberty University and addressed a crowd which has major disagreement with his religious faith. However, it was this candidate who affirmed the fundamental moral values which inform the foundations of the American experiment in ordered liberty. He did so in a way which even made this Catholic Editor look twice at his candidacy.

I contend that I have more in common theologically with Liberty's Baptists as a Catholic Christian - though I am sure some present in Lynchburg on Saturday would disagree. However, Mitt Romney hit a home run in Lynchburg, Virginia on Saturday. That commencement address was not only a great speech, it also inspired me at an important moment.

Article VI, Paragraph 3 of the US Constitution includes these words, "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

This Mormon candidate who spoke at that Baptist Liberty University is looking better and better to this Catholic citizen as the fall Presidential race approaches. The future of the American experiment in ordered liberty is at risk.We do indeed share common values which are essential for our future as a free people. Mitt Romney is correct, "we can meet in service, in shared moral convictions about our nation stemming from a common worldview."

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Mitt Romney, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, campaign 2012, Mormon, Liberty, life, marriage, family, freedom, Keith A Fournier

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1 - 10 of 22 Comments

jon.v.woods
11 months ago
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_and_abominable_church

I don't understand how I, a Catholic, could vote for someone who believes my religion is "the whore of all the earth" and that my church was founded by the devil?

The great and abominable church is the Roman Catholic church as well as ANY OTHER CHURCH besides the mormons. Please see below:

"According to the Book of Mormon, the great and abominable church was formed soon after the life of Jesus and is responsible for killing the Apostles, and for the Great Apostasy. The abominable church was said in the Book of Mormon to have been instrumental in strategically removing "plain and precious" passages and covenants from the Bible to cause confusion to readers.

Some people interpret the reference in the Book of Mormon to the formation of a "great and abominable church" (after the bible is given to the gentiles) to mean the Catholic church due to the fact that the Roman Catholic church was formed relatively soon after the killing of Jesus' original apostles. However these references in the Book of Mormon are clearly a metaphor for more than just the Catholic church, because according to the Book of Mormon: "...there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth".

The Book of Mormon also states that "The devil founded the great and abominable church,..." The great and abominable church, also known as the whore of all the earth, is, "...he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female...for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.". The men who took out "plain and precious" parts out of the Bible, belonged to the great and abominable church."
Delbert Spiegel
11 months ago
Keith, I liked your litmus test of Rommney's faith. Your reference to other spiritual path finders was also needed. Like you I also had a great experience in the 70's with Chuck Colson at a retreat on experiencing the Holy Spirit along with a signed book of his. I have been a registered Democrat my entire voting life and JFK was one of my first picks. I have also voted for 3 or 4 Republican presidential candidates. Rommney will be one more. I have bought 3 books to inform me on the Mormon faith (Mormonism A Latter Day Deception, The God Makers,and The Mormon Mirage) I started reading one and it all of sudden I realized I was falling prey to something that is wrong with society today, we have scores of voices telling us what is wrong and different with other people and their beliefs. I was raised in a small Iowa community of 800 souls served by 8 religions and churches. There were 8 different faiths to tell us how we were different than the others. Two different economic stations and two different cultural differences. Polarity is something the world does not need. Kindness, forgiveness and love along with tolerance of other beliefs was what in that community shined the brightest though. I choose to pick a man embracing God and Country rather a man with no God or country . Del
Trip
1 year ago
@ Awesomeness, the Masons have no part in the Mormon church. They may have had members in the early church that were members as I have studied about their history. But I really laugh at people like you who toss "sensationalistic" catch phrases out there that really don't know much about it at all. I would also like to clarify another historical mis-truth you portray. Mobs in Missouri and Illinois were responsible for driving the Mormons west. Not the US military. However you might be refering to Governor Boggs extermination order which if you are a true American should see as a blight on the State of Missouri....It was done, NOT because of Mormons beliefs, but because they were changing the political landscape in Missouri. It was a political move plain and simple. NOT a belief based move. Which isn't a good excuse either frankly. The US Government actually asked the Mormons to help with the war with Mexico and the Mormons sent their Militia south while their women, Children and old men were driven acrossed the midwest to Salt Lake. The Government did nothing to protect their families they left behind but were happy to have them fighting for the good ol US of A...... There.....THAT is a big more factual........
Nick
1 year ago
Michael, though I believe homosexual marriage to be morally disordered, I would never stop being friends with someone simply because they are homosexual. This borders on bigotry. The church asks us to "hate the sin and love the sinner." In addition, I wonder why so many people here refuse to support Romney for the single reason that he is a Mormon. A candidate's religious beliefs should not play a role in one's electoral decision. If there was a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, or even an atheist who shared my views on morality and politics, I would certainly vote for him over a so-called "Christian" who rejects fundamental teachings of our religion.
Eduardo
1 year ago
This is a very positive article. It is unfortunate how some people come and say bad things about this and that and try to divide us in complete opposition to the way this article was trying to lead us, to meet in the middle, to find enthusiasm to remove from power the most secularist president of all, and now a gay marriage promoter. If Christians don't unite behind a candidate, Mormon or not Mormon, facing the evil without a mask we have in Washington, what hope does America have? I came to America because it is blessed with proper Christian attitude, America gives a lot to the world. I travel all over and I see charities from all faces going to less prosperous nations to help the poor and all that. With the economy the way it is, the owner of a hotel in Honduras told me: "The Americans are not coming anymore. Obama is destroying our economy. We need missionaries (he was talking about Baptists, Catholics, etc) to come over and do what they do so our hotels are filled, the people have the help they need and so on." A nation in trouble is a nation of slaves. Obama does not like religion and does not like Christian values. Let's try to unite behind Romney because he is our best option now. I am a Mormon and I don't like what he said about gays adopting children. That needs to be stopped. Maybe Christian leaders and every people who will vote can talk him out of it. We need to make sure the people that promote that lifestyle is stopped. There is right and wrong. The Bible is being used by some Evangelicals to adapt to these people who cannot see right from wrong and they need to stop too. It is very unfortunate. I heard pastors defending gay marriage. It is so unfortunate. Mitt needs to make sure he does not try to attract votes that belong to Obama if the votes come from the hands of those who fight against the doctrine of Christ. Same-sex was never approved by God and will never be. Bad economy stops many people from reaching out to others. The sooner Obama is gone, the better. We can always unite and win battles against the people that work to destroy America. Let's not find reasons to divide. Great article. Bad people making comments. I hope more people that are true Christians comment in the direction we need to go. Thanks.
Tom Johnson
1 year ago
Thank you, Keith Fournier for complimentary remarks about Mitt Romney. As a "Mormon" (member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), I do not contend that Mitt Romney is perfect or even a perfect example of what a good Mormon should be, but he is a good man and sincere about his religious beliefs. He is a sincere Christian (as all good "Mormons" are). Our Church has had many cooperative ventures with Catholic Charities in many communities and cooperation on Proposition 8 in California. More often than not, the Catholic Church and the Mormon Church cooperate because of shared values and Christian ideals. Our true adversaries are not each other, but the many secularists in our society who have no faith in God and no belief in Christianity.
Jeff
1 year ago
I liked his speech, it did not seek to judge differences so much as build bridges of understanding. To be Christ like, even if one is not Christian, is to seek to do service to others, and have that service be sincere and from the heart. Paul was right, it is about Charity the most Christ like love. Romney is right, we seek to do service in the best way we know how, even for those who revile us in our beliefs. Even Santorum would approve.
Johnny
1 year ago
Republicans only talk well. As long as God keeps getting kicked out of different things as we go along through the years, then it really "doesn't" matter who's in charge of things because it will go down fast or faster dependiong on the ones in charge.
Barb
1 year ago
Our government is doomed to fail if it continues on the path of legislating morality. Once that starts then no one is safe. Everyone on this board who is throwing rocks at the Mormons is showing their intolerance.
So what that JFK wiggled through. Did that make him the perfect president?
We've had Quakers, bakers and candlestick makers. Now what were we saying about America? OH that's right how liberty prevails and what qualities seperate us from the tyrannical regimes of Iran, China etc.
Wake up people! Mitt Romney is not perfect but if you wait to get involved in your future the OWS and the gays and the radicals are more than happy to fill that void.
If you want to make difference and you dont like the candidates start on your local level. Help create the kind of environment that promotes family. If you only wait around for the 4 year battle for president and then just cry about your choices you will continue wailing right into communsm or fascism. They are doing their footwork and banking on people who will refuse to vote for a Mormon. How pathetic.
Yes wouldnt it be nice to have George Washington running?
abey
1 year ago
No effective works can come out of a person, if the truth against gay orientations & its promotions is omitted. In the Biblical understanding to the worst kind of destruction after the flood was the total annihilation of Sodom & Gomorrah to dust unto this very day & to this nothing else has been judged so severely which proves that gayness & its applications is the worst kind of sin ever & to this is the Anglicans , Episcopals & others have fallen away, as is seen also of the Evangelicals moving in the Obama delusion to "Complacency" to becoming Complacent on the said matter again to the prophecies & to what seems to a GOP where Economy is greater than gay relations to the non- seriousness of History, to complacency is setting themselves on the wrong side of God, to the action of God on the gay culture of S & G. Unfortunately this again shows that warning has not been headed & to this again is the prophecy to the total annihilation of end time Babylon in its accumulation & every sign of it shows that this Biblical Prophecy to be true & to be fulfilled & further to it is that it once was & so will be, when Grace "The Restrainer" that holds evil to covering man will be withheld or removed, thus exposing the sin of man in the nakedness before God , which is to nothing but to Judgement forthcoming.

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