Romney asked if Salt Lake will influence him.

[_The Nehor]

I think he'd fit right in with American culture. He's religious, so war wouldn't be a problem, as it never seems to be for America. The ultimate hypocrisy of most religious people in power, is their sanctification of war and killing. I always wondered how they can reconcile the killing of thousands of innocent people with "thou shalt not kill" and their so called Christian beliefs. Justify it all you like, it's still killing. I haven't read anywhere in any religious text where the "thou shalt not kill" directive has come with a disclaimer saying "except in this or that instance"...

Try reading the Bible. The circumstances in which you can kill someone are laid out in the same book as the "Thou shalt not kill" directive. Additional ones exist in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.

[_Jason Bourne]

Try coming up with a situation that is truly analogous. In this case, two faithful Mormon politicians simultaneously sold out their heritage for the political advantage of their Church (I.e. to oppose the gay lobby's use of polygamy).

So a Mormon living today must support and sanction polygamy? Two Mormons cannot conclude the same thing without Church GAs orchestrating it?

I do not see a compelling reason to believe it. Big deal I guess.

Did you articulate your reason, or do you think the statement alone is compelling to any of us?

I was as articulate as you were in your commitment to believe the story.

The man wants to be pres and would be stupid to do this. If it ever got out his chances of success are kapoot!

Yes, it would truly be harmful to his campaign if people believed he would do this, but once he is in he very well may. The image he prudently projects now may say very little about what he will actually do later. I think he has already crossed the line, and I am not prepared to trust him again simply because he wants us to believe that somehow it will all be different this time and never happened in the first place.

You believe he crossed the line based on one witness and one only. You clearly want to believe the worst so you did. Guess Mitt does not have your vote.

Do you have the same worried the Reed gets his directions from SLC?

Do you have any evidence to suggest that I should be?

For most here the fact that he is Mormon seems to be enough. Perhaps because he is liberal Mormon nobody seems to worry about this for him

[_barrelomonkeys]

I think he'd fit right in with American culture. He's religious, so war wouldn't be a problem, as it never seems to be for America.

Many Americans feel differently.

[_Gazelam]

I think he'd fit right in with American culture. He's religious, so war wouldn't be a problem, as it never seems to be for America. The ultimate hypocrisy of most religious people in power, is their sanctification of war and killing. I always wondered how they can reconcile the killing of thousands of innocent people with "thou shalt not kill" and their so called Christian beliefs. Justify it all you like, it's still killing. I haven't read anywhere in any religious text where the "thou shalt not kill" directive has come with a disclaimer saying "except in this or that instance"...

MM, would you please lead the charge over to Iraq of sliding daisys down the gun barrels of the Iranians we all need to love? If you could sing the song from the old Coke commercial while doing it, that would be great.

[_mormonmistress]

I think he'd fit right in with American culture. He's religious, so war wouldn't be a problem, as it never seems to be for America.

Many Americans feel differently.

Oh I know there are many Americans who are against the war. It wasn't directed at those individuals, but at the country which drops bombs at the drop of a hat. The world is watching and the world is not happy. I really do feel sorry for those of you who have to live in the nightmare Bush administration.

[_moksha]

In denying that the LDS Church would influence his policies if elected President, Romney's political consultants probably fed him that line as a talking point. They perhaps sense that over identification with the Mormon Church will hurt Romney's chances in the election. Kennedy stressed a similar point in 1960.

If the Church did funnel special requests to Romney (if elected) it would probably be indirectly through Romney's staff - they same way any other special interest group would funnel requests and donations.

[_Inconceivable]

Jason buddy,

You belong to a church where the leadership teaches the strict doctrine of following the prophet. You do not believe these teachings. Good for you. Neither do I.

No problem here.

[_Trevor]

So a Mormon living today must support and sanction polygamy? Two Mormons cannot conclude the same thing without Church GAs orchestrating it?

Don't be fatuous. Their actions were cynical and politically motivated. Neither one of them actually believe that the federal government should interfere in religion. They were, in accordance with the LDS Church's strategy, trying to outmaneuvre the gay lobby, which was trying to use polygamy in its favor. If you choose to be blind to the elephant in the room, fine. Don't expect the rest of us to take you seriously in that.

I was as articulate as you were in your commitment to believe the story.

So I am to believe that your memory is so faulty that you do not remember the whole conversation that took place on this?

You believe he crossed the line based on one witness and one only. You clearly want to believe the worst so you did. Guess Mitt does not have your vote.

Hardy-har. I have mentioned two pieces of evidence, not one. You may choose to accept neither, but to bring up Reid as a comparable must be disingenuous, since we have nothing even approaching evidence of him taking directions from SLC. If you have evidence to suggest something to the contrary, share it.

For most here the fact that he is Mormon seems to be enough. Perhaps because he is liberal Mormon nobody seems to worry about this for him

Don't sit here and try to paint me with that brush. Whether you accept the evidence I presented on Mitt or not, it is evidence. And I am willing to consider Reid as being similarly cooperative with the LDS Church if you provide evidence, as I said.

[_Jason Bourne]

Jason buddy,

You belong to a church where the leadership teaches the strict doctrine of following the prophet. You do not believe these teachings. Good for you. Neither do I.

No problem here.

Hey I was kind of tough on you in my last post. But my point is really this. The Church may teach follow the prophet. At the same time they teach that you need to get your own answers that what he says it right. Now that can be confusing until one understands that the only correct answer one is supposed to get is that what the prophet ways is right.

Yes I know the mantra-Follow the Brethren- and then you will not go wrong.

[_Jason Bourne]

Don't be fatuous. Their actions were cynical and politically motivated. Neither one of them actually believe that the federal government should interfere in religion.

They were cynical? How do you know this? Or could it be this is just your own judgment call that could not at all be well, cynical.

They were, in accordance with the LDS Church's strategy, trying to outmaneuvre the gay lobby, which was trying to use polygamy in its favor. If you choose to be blind to the elephant in the room, fine. Don't expect the rest of us to take you seriously in that.

I am blind because I conclude differently then you. I see.

So I am to believe that your memory is so faulty that you do not remember the whole conversation that took place on this?

I recall it.

You believe he crossed the line based on one witness and one only. You clearly want to believe the worst so you did. Guess Mitt does not have your vote.

Hardy-har. I have mentioned two pieces of evidence, not one. You may choose to accept neither,

I am sorry. I recall one. Can you enlighten me on the other?

but to bring up Reid as a comparable must be disingenuous, since we have nothing even approaching evidence of him taking directions from SLC. If you have evidence to suggest something to the contrary, share it.

As noted, and perhaps you are the exception, most here seem to think Romney will march to the orders of SLC but never think Reid will. Most here do not need evidence to implicate Romney.

By the way, as an aside, every President for many years have had Billy Graham in to Chat and consult with them, Do you think if Romney were President and he invited Gordon Hinckley to the white house for a fireside chat that would be acceptable?