Sharpton Denies Questioning Romney's Faith

(AP)  The Rev. Al Sharpton, who recently urged that radio host Don Imus be fired for making a racially insensitive remark, said in a debate that "those of us who believe in God" will defeat Republican Mitt Romney for the White House. But Sharpton denied he was questioning the Mormon's own belief in God.

Rather, Sharpton said he was contrasting himself with Christopher Hitchens, the atheist author he was debating at the time.

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation," Sharpton said Monday during a debate with Hitchens at the New York Public Library's beaux-arts headquarters.

The comment was first reported Tuesday in a blog on The New York Times' Web site.

The Romney campaign, which has been wary of campaign trail criticism of Romney's faith, jumped on the Sharpton comment. If elected, Romney would be the first Mormon to serve as president.

"It is terribly disheartening and disappointing to hear Rev. Sharpton offer such appalling comments about a fellow American's faith," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden. "America is a nation of many faiths and common values, and bigotry toward anyone because of their beliefs is unacceptable."

Romney himself said Monday during an appearance on Fox News program "Hannity and Colmes": "I think there are differences between different faiths in this country. And there will be battles between different religions. ... That's a great thing about this country. We don't decide who's going to be in office based on what church they go to."

In a tape of the debate, Sharpton can be heard defending the role of religion in the civil rights movement and shunning any suggestion that there wasn't a religious underpinning to the efforts of its leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Then Sharpton spoke of Romney, although a tape reviewed by The Associated Press does not reveal why.

In a later interview with the AP, Sharpton denied questioning Romney's belief in God and suggested the Romney camp was trying to stir up a controversy because of their political differences.

"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."

He said he was contrasting himself and other believers with Hitchens, who is the author of a new book, "God Is Not Great."

Sharpton led the calls for Imus' ouster last month after the talk show host referred to members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos."

[xotie]

You have to consider the past statements made by either Joseph Smith or Brigham Young aren%u2019t limited to just those two, nor were they passing comments that were misquoted. They were part of sermons and teachings, and therefore part of mormon doctrine.

20th Century church leader have also added to the list: Ezra T Benson, Spencer Kimball, Mark E Peterson, Alvin R. Dyer, Bruce R. McConkie have all issued many tirades against %u201Cthe Negro%u201D that is recorded in speeches, talks, addresses, etc. Mormons teach anything the prophets and apostles uttered as the Word of God, thus Doctrine. This has been the culture for 150 years, and many LDS are uncomfortable with their past. If Mitt does not believer the present and past church leaders are incorrect, he cannot hold a temple recommend. He currently holds one.

The Church has yet to apologize for these racist and bigoted remarks, even if they try to characterize them as %u2018opinion%u2019. They weren%u2019t, and aren%u2019t, and Mitt%u2019s presence and belief in them are a sore point to many.

[rushman71]

"He who has not sinned may cast the first stone." Hey, Al and Jesse, who said that? Oh, I'm sure you know the answer. Come on, now. Who is it? If y'all preach the bible so many times toward desegregation, I know you can figure out that one.

[rushman71]

"He who has not sinned may cast the first stone." Hey, Al and Jesse, who said that? Oh, I'm sure you know the answer. Come on, now. Who is it? If y'all preach the bible so many times toward desegregation, I know you can figure out that one.

[mikealford3]

Regardless of whether you agree with the Mormon faith or not, Al Sharpton insulted the entire faith of people, and yet he justifies it. Since when does he get to decide who is offended? Since when are blacks and other minorities the only people who are allowed to be offended? Regardless of Sharpton's intent, he insulted an entire faith of people, why shouldn't he be held accountable for that? Michael Richards called 1 man in a "private" club a ni&&er and was forced to apologize to the entire race of people. Al Sharpton insulted an entire faith of people, yet when confronted by Glenn Beck he did not even over the 1 apology.

THE B.S. OF AL SHARPTON CONTINUES.

[rational_1]

It's too bad Imus doesn't have a radio show on at the moment. It would have been oh so appropriate for Rev. Al to go on Imus' show to apologize, grovel and whimper and generally behave like a dog who peed the rug. But knowing Al's pattern of racist behaviour it's quite likely that Imus will have another radio show the next time Al opens his big mouth. I look forward to seeing him on it. Maybe he and Jesse the adulterer can both go on together to point out everyone else's sins.

[jestith]

Since when is -- gee a why es -- a word that gets automatically bleeped by CBS?

[jestith]

Sharpton is generally wrong and biased, but he has one point right. Any religion that discriminates based on aspects of one's birth certainly doesn't follow the example of Jesus Christ. The very notion that Blacks or women or *** are second-class citizens and unable to participate fully or to hold church offices is markedly un-Christian.

[mrjuly4th]

It only shows how bad our media is .. shame on you ABC News, CBS news, NBS News, MSNBC, SF Chronical, New York Times, CNN, LA Times, ETC ETC. The hypocrisy is blatant and exposes each of these corporations bullshXX they pass on to the American People.


"What gets me about this whole thing is that when Sharpton criticized Imus it was ALL OVER the news ALL the time, why isn't Sharpton getting the same thing he dished out?
Imus lost his job for offending a minority group, and Sharpton is getting .......?"

quote - bbspangler

[mrjuly4th]

Funny how CBS made a big deal of Imus but barely highlighted Sharpton's remarks. Imus made a one huge mistake that Sharpton did not make .. he was white.

[mikealford3]

gunnerv1, you were correct. I don't watch Glenn Beck very offend but I did tonight. Al Sharpton blamed everybody but himself. He did everything he could to get the spotlight off his racist, bigotted head. Glenn Beck said to his face he was offended, did Al apologize, NO!

Al Sharpton was the first to jump all over Michael Richards for calling somebody a ni&&er, he was the first to scream racism in the Duke LaCrosse rap case, Al was at the front of the line screaming for Don Imus to be fired. Yet, when the table turns Al Sharpton does not even give an apology to a man standing in his face saying "I was Offended by your comment".

It is amazing that Al Sharpton seems to lead the band wagon dictate who is allowed to be offended.