Can definately see how Mormons are decieved. IMHO, all groups of people not trusting in Christ as He expressed of himself are decieved...but there are levels of deception. There are, of course, MANY people who'd grow up in Mormonism not fully aware of what it teaches--but when presented it and refusing to turn away from it (as Romney has), that's a different issue altogether.
I do believe it's possible for one to be involved in Mormonism and be a believer due to the issue of revelation being limited at times---
and other WOFers like Brother ABM have shared the same .
Speaking personally for myself, people such as Philip Jenkins have been the people I learn from at times and they've been of great benefit when it comes to the issue of Mormonism and how to see it...seeing how much they've spread/advanced over the years. He at one point of his book "The Next Christendom" allowed for the inclusion of Mormons in the advancement of Global Christianity...
but he made clear that he did so specifically in considering them as "semi-Christian" (p. 66).... something many Mormons take issue with. When reading the book fully, it seemed clear that Jenkins was never saying he personally felt that Mormonism was in any way representative of what Biblical Christianity is at any level. It had many Christian themes and aspects---but the Christ of Mornomism and that of what the early Jewish church felt are 2 radically different things.
There's a need to categorize what specific groups are apart of Christendom--including those groups which are in Abberational Christianity, where they may "major on minors and minor on majors"...leading them to no longer really be reflective of historical Christianity even as it may still hold aspects of it in tack. Single doctrines are never held in isolation from other doctrines, but rather is always part of a system or network of beliefs held by a person or group. And sometimes that system of beliefs includes many doctrines which are orthodox/biblical as well as some which are heretical in a damaging sense. For example, a religious group might hold that the Bible is the Word of God, that there is only one God, that Jesus was born of a virgin and rose from the dead, and yet deny the deity of Jesus Christ. Such a group's belief system is heretical, even though it contains many true beliefs. Moreover, a group's heretical beliefs generally lead them to misunderstand or misapply even those true beliefs they do confess, since the beliefs tend to be interdependent and thus mutually affect one another. Additionally, people often hold conflicting beliefs. Because people are often inconsistent, in some cases they may hold to orthodox beliefs but also hold to beliefs that undermine or contradict their orthodox beliefs. IMHO, this is definately the case with Mormonism
There are many stories of Ex-Mormons who noted they believed Jesus was the Savior/Messiah and needed to trust in Him, even though they weren't fully aware of all the errors within Mormonism...and they got basic components of the faith where they were at.
That said, I don't see where the scriptures EVER allowed for others to be given revelation of who Christ is and to still be good when they blantantly turn away from what the Lord said in favor of a lie. The first commandment alongside the second are key issues for those trusting in Messiah, as believing that God alone is GOD and there is no other like him is something that was never taken lightly---and anyone claiming that God was once a man just like us and we can become God sets the stage for an WORLD of apostasy/blasphemy.
And for Republican friends who see Romney as the hope of our country's future, and belittle the importance of his Mormon faith, anyone knowing the summary of Mormonism would be wise. At the WOF church I grew up at, it was never treated as a light issue.
Can't say I'm very excited about the prospect of having a man who holds to this theology in office. Beyond that, there's also the issue of polygamists and many
wishing to have that lifestyle pushed when someone gets into office supporting their views..awaiting if he'll speak against the legality of polygamous marriages in Utah and other places... I don't
think it's right how so many are focusing on Romney's polygamous ancestry---but it'll be interesting to see if he'll shut it down for good in the U.S where it occurs.
Other issues with his beliefs/how he feels toward blacks are significant enough. Where the Mormon church stands on blacks is never acceptable (more
here,
here,
here /
here/
here ), regardless of Romney trying to get past that as if it's a non-issue. He has already been called out multiple times on commentary/policies he has supported that do not really favor black communities---and I'm not surprised as to why in light of his faith.
Black Republicans, regardless of what Romney says, are right (IMHO) to note that Romney's lack of interest in the black community is shameful....just as much as with President Obama's actions.
His stances toward Hispanics also don't seem favorale, IMHO, as it concerns immigration---ironic, IMHO, in light of his background
Who would you rather have in office?
Neither Obama or Romney....and one of the reasons why I agreed with the author of the OP in advocating for voting 3rd party/independent if truly voting on who supports righteous principles, as the Lord makes clear he judges on ABSOLUTE righteousness and does not like compromise on things he said were central. And IMHO, we do the Lord a disservice by seeking to do the same without first seeing what it is that he says on it.
From where I stand, it does seem that much of the switching of stances (and the basis of it being fear for what may come) is a revelation in how circumstances---and not faith---often determine the choices of others. This election isn't the first time Romney brought issues of compromise to the service. I'm reminded of what occurred with Dr.James Dobson of "Focus on the Family" (one of the largest religious right/pro-life groups around) and many others way back in 2008 (before President Obama was elected) and how many were speaking out against Romney just as they were against Obama and other cannidates who didn't walk in righteousness.
Dobson/others raised fuss about President Obama being with Reverend Jeremiah Wright in his church, concerning Black Liberation Theology. Many blasted the church on the theology, not even knowing fully what it was about or seeing what Liberation Theology is pratically and how there are differing variations of it---and Dobson, in his view, said it was wrong to elect a president who (in his mind) went to a racist chuch. Dobsob, being Religious Right, was vehemently against anything concerning support of the President during the era he was running. And yet with Rommney, he switched. For with President Obama, he said that Christians should never vote for a president who has religious standards not lining up with the Bible since it could influence their presidency....and
he said the same thing of Rommney at one point due to his Mormon background. But when Rommney became the most PROMINENT Republican cannidate at one point, all talk on religious background went OUT the window and he started saying how religious right people need to vote to Rommney since he is "qualified" to lead (more
here/
here ).
Thankfully, he has tried to come back to seeing the reality of corruption on all sides and encouraging believers to make a radical stand in not approving of any side that is not sold out for the Lord (more shared here/ here )...similar to others in history such as Deitrick Bonheffer and others in Germany when seeing the ways elections were set up and how they refused to endorse any party that was sold out to things the Lord said he hated..
I remember back when President Obama was running for president in 2007-08 and feeling at that point that neither he nor Romeny and many others were truly righteous cannidates----and not wishing to celebrate any of them in regards to where ungodliness occurs. Seeing how things have evolved now, I'm still seeing the same.
Someone actively support gays and Islam
Although President Obama has advocated for gay marriage, Romney actively supported gays (and still does) with civil unions and gay adoption. I can see why many have noted Romney and Obama are virtually identifical on most of their stances for any examining them fully. With the claim of President O being for Islam, I'm not really certain why that's often claimed. With everyone assuming the president must be behind Muslim expansion, I wonder how that works when President Obama works with Rabbis as well
If his workings with Rabbis does not make the President "Jewish", I don't see the logic in saying he's somehow "Muslim" because of areas/ways he may support them. And the President has shared multiple times where he claims to be a "Christian" rather than for Islam---even seen recently at the National Prayer Breakfast (seen
here,
here,
here ,
here ,
here and
here /
here). For others, it seems to be the case that man is a highly decieved Christian--or one in name only when examining the actions he has taken---but I'm not seeing anywhere how the man is remotely related to Islam. I agree with others who note the President is not a Muslim (#
130 )
or someone who advocates prayer, the defense of Israel, etc.
All of those things President Obama did--and STILL does, as evidenced by the consistent funding of Israel throughout his presidency and what other Israelis have noted in support of him...alongside Presidential prayer meetings.
Even if Romney has changed his position over time, or is aloof to some important issues, he's a huge improvement over Obama.
Where he still is known to support abortion and falsehood, alongside idolatry, there is no improvement. The man will bring ruin just as the current one has...and no one can escape that when seeing what the Word says on where he takes things seriously.
IMHO, it's not about who is or isn't an "improvement"---but who is instead righteous. Abortion being one of the biggest issues that cannot be compromised on or tip-toed around as if it's something one can afford to be aloof to. That's one of the main things people said President Obama harmed the U.S and others in---and Romney's no different since he has done the same.
I'd love to have a black or Hispanic president on the Republican side of things. It's not race The Democrats have distanced themselves so far from things relating to God that it's not even a choice anymore.
So have the Republicans....evidenced by the many leaving the camp after seeing plainly where much was done counter to the Lord/what He said, be it on issues pertaining to the poor or with abortion (as it concerns not really being concerned with ending it) or with the ways gay civil unions are allowed/other Republicans have been pro-abortion and pro-same sex marriage and many other inconsistencies.
No party is truly righteous...and trying to make it out as such can be idolatry.
You really can't in good conscience vote for those who continue to steer us into a curse.
One of the reasons why I'll neither vote for OBAMA or Romney...as both have brought issues that are curses, abortion uniting both of them since that's a SEVERE Curse and both support it.
