Romney Slams Huckabee's "Attack" On Faith

Huckabee Asks In Interview: "Don't Mormons Believe That Jesus And The Devil Are Brothers?"

(CBS/AP)  Republican Mitt Romney retorted to questions about his faith by surging rival Mike Huckabee on Wednesday, declaring that "attacking someone's religion is really going too far."

In an article to be published Sunday in The New York Times, Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, asks, "Don't Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?"

Romney, vying to become the first Mormon elected president, declined to answer that question during an interview Wednesday, saying church leaders in Salt Lake City had already addressed the topic.

"But I think attacking someone's religion is really going too far. It's just not the American way, and I think people will reject that," Romney told NBC's "Today" show.

Asked if he believed Huckabee was speaking in a coded language to evangelicals, Romney praised his rival as a "good man trying to do the best he can," but he added, "I don't believe that the people of this country are going to choose a person based on their faith and what church they go to."

Huckabee maintains that his question in the interview was taken out of context. A statement from his campaign said the full context of the exchange shows Huckabee illustrating his unwillingness to answer questions about Mormonism and theological issues.

"Governor Huckabee has said consistently that he believes this campaign should center on a discussion of the important issues confronting our nation and not focus on questions of religious belief," said Charmaine Yoest, a senior adviser.

"He wants to assure persons of all faith traditions of his firm commitment to religious tolerance and freedom of worship. Governor Huckabee believes that one of the great strengths of our nation lies in its diversity of thought, opinion and faith," Yoest added.

But Huckabee's campaign did not provide more information about the exchange, which the magazine reported this way in the article by Zev Chafets: "I asked Huckabee, who describes himself as the only Republican candidate with a degree in theology, if he considered Mormonism a cult or a religion. 'I think it's a religion,' he said. 'I really don't know much about it.'

"I was about to jot down this piece of boilerplate when Huckabee surprised me with a question of his own: 'Don't Mormons,' he asked in an innocent voice, 'believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?"'

Huckabee has been surging in recent opinion polls, taking the GOP lead in Iowa and pressing closer to Rudy Giuliani in polling.

The former Massachusetts governor also was asked why he used the term "Mormon" only once last week in a highly publicized speech about religion in which he said he was proud of his faith.

"Actually, we prefer the name 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,"' he said. "'Mormon' used to be a nickname and I don't use it a lot, but now and then I do because people know what faith I'm referring to, and I talked about 'my faith' a number of times, and I don't imagine anybody is confused about what faith I have."

The authoritative Encyclopedia of Mormonism, published in 1992, does not refer to Jesus and Satan as brothers. It speaks of Jesus as the son of God and of Satan as a fallen angel, which is a Biblical account.

A spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Huckabee's question is usually raised by those who wish to smear the Mormon faith rather than clarify doctrine.

"We believe, as other Christians believe and as Paul wrote, that God is the father of all," said the spokeswoman, Kim Farah. "That means that all beings were created by God and are his spirit children. Christ, on the other hand, was the only begotten in the flesh and we worship him as the son of God and the savior of mankind. Satan is the exact opposite of who Christ is and what he stands for."

Romney also defended his first negative ad of the presidential campaign in Iowa, where Huckabee has erased Romney's long-standing lead in the polls. The spot, which began airing Tuesday, highlights Huckabee's support for in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants when he was governor of Arkansas, as well as his support for their being eligible for scholarships.

"It's not negative; it's accurate," Romney said. "It's an ad that shows the differences on a very important topic, and actually, if you agree with Mike Huckabee's positions, it's a positive ad for him. If you agree with my position, it's a positive ad for me."

Romney dismissed Huckabee's rise in the polls - saying he's seen similar surges from GOP rivals John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson - but he said scrutiny will follow his rival's rise to the top tier.

"I think Mike was desperately hoping that we would get through this without people taking a close look at his positions and his record, but his record on immigration, on pardons for criminals, on reducing the penalties for meth lab dealers, on taxing and spending - he increased spending from $6 billion to $16 billion. I think those features in his record will cause those numbers to turn around," Romney said.

[skyk-2009]

From watching the Republican Party, one would have to ask did we actually win against the King and the Church of England? Since the first Congress we have believed in and had as part of our history the Seperation of Church and State, that is UNTIL Politician''s learned to exploit those Religious Leaders who hunger for power. There is no good that can come of this and all you Religious folks should understand that. When you mix Religion and Politics the sword will cut BOTH ways, that''s why the founders wanted it out. Now they have brought Religion into the Political, we will most certainly see the swing of politics effect Religion and NOT in a good way.

[mudrose-2009]

From watching the Republican Party, one would have to ask did we actually win against the King and the Church of England? Since the first Congress we have believed in and had as part of our history the Seperation of Church and State, that is UNTIL Politician''''s learned to exploit those Religious Leaders who hunger for power. There is no good that can come of this and all you Religious folks should understand that. When you mix Religion and Politics the sword will cut BOTH ways, that''''s why the founders wanted it out. Now they have brought Religion into the Political, we will most certainly see the swing of politics effect Religion and NOT in a good way.

Posted by skyk

There is no separation of church and state. Never has been and never will be in our Constitution. The issue of religion has come up because it is a political election year and the lefties always bigoted against religion are trying to pivot people of faith against each other.

[mudrose-2009]

This is typical liberal chicanery. Our consitution prohibits a religious test for public service. It should not be discussed. It''s blatant bigotry. And for the record, the Founders wanted religion all over the place - in the public square especially. Unlike bigots, atheists, and secular progressives, our Founders were not intimidated by the practice of religion in the Public Square. It was in defiance of the Church of England that all men here could practice their religion freely and in full view of others, something they were not able to do in England. Those who assume a stance of separation of church and state have no clue what the Founders intended.

[stevex47]

"and the lefties always bigoted against religion are trying to pivot people of faith against each other."

Um, sorry mudrose, but these are two nutjobs arguing over whose religion is better. Lefties didn''t have anything to do with this exchange.

[mudrose-2009]

The liberals brought it up because they want to damage him and the evangelicals also brought it up because they don''t understand the religion. Either way it''s against the Constitution.

[gkc99]

Here''s an example of some Christians beating the love of Jesus into some unbelievers:

"Adler told the New York Post that one of his attackers rolled up his sleeve to display a tattoo of Jesus Christ.
"Happy Chanukah. That''s when the Jews killed Jesus," the attacker told Adler."

[gkc99]

"Our consitution prohibits a religious test for public service. It should not be discussed. It''''s blatant bigotry. And for the record, the Founders wanted religion all over the place - in the public square especially. "--Posted by mudrose


What? Religion is supposed to be in the public square, but we''re not allowed to discuss it? And discussion implies criticism in some cases. The only requirement is that there be no TEST for public office, ie. no required membership in the Church of England, say.

[mudrose-2009]

"Our consitution prohibits a religious test for public service. It should not be discussed. It''''''''s blatant bigotry. And for the record, the Founders wanted religion all over the place - in the public square especially. "--Posted by mudrose


What? Religion is supposed to be in the public square, but we''''re not allowed to discuss it? And discussion implies criticism in some cases. The only requirement is that there be no TEST for public office, ie. no required membership in the Church of England, say.

Posted by gkc99

Point being not discussed in the context that it should be a criterian for holding office.

[iamanamerica]

I''m proud to be an American Mormon. I''ve put up with half-baked statements like this from evangelicals and others my whole life, but after a while you kinda take it in stride.

What IS out of line is for a contender for the presidency of the United States to try to inject a religious test into our system. Huckleberry''s entire campaign is based on winning the evangelical vote. He is doing great at this strategy because of two things:

I voted for and supported the big "W" two times. I''ve voted for evangelicals time and time again...only to find out that the "religious right" is really the "religion right", meaning only their religion.

Huckabee uses his only advertising money to proclaim "Christian Leader" on the TV screens in Iowa and the evangelicals come running. He knows very well that the evangelical base he is courting thinks they own the term "Christian" and he knows that the same lemmings that are following him would Boo Romney if he used the same term.

Huckabee tells the media that Romney needs to explain whether or not he belongs to a cult...and the evangelicals come running.

Huckabee goes to Salt Lake City to give a speech this week saying we need to "Reclaim America for Christ" and the evangelicals come running to his side.

Now he starts quoting anti-Mormon talking points? Guess what the evangelicals will do. Will they distance themselves?...No...they''ll come running again.

[iamanamerica]

Oops: the 1500 word limit caused me to leave out the "two things" I mentioned in my other post:

1. The fact that evangelicals see Guiliani, the only other real contender, as morally bankrupt.

2. The fact that evangelicals are scared of Mormonism.

Reason #1 represents moral values and is fair game in an election.

Reason #2 is in-my-face bigotry against my religion.

[iamanamerica]

It''s time for me to face the fact that I belong to a Republican party that will let Rosa Parks sit in the front of the buss only if she''s a Protestant.

[ttexas2]

See the chart on MormonInfo.org

[ttexas2]

IAmAnAmerica - Christians are sick of Mormons saying they are Christian. Mormons don''t believe Jesus is God overall blessed forever, but one of many gods...different god dude. Mormons keep saying it''s "bigotry" but lets face it, if it was a radical Muslim or a follower of Warren Jeffs you would want to consider their faith in electing them!

[ttexas2]

IAmAnAmerica - this is what Mormon''s believe so why are you so afraid of it coming out....that''s what I don''t get. Why are LDS afraid of the truth?

Jesus was the first one born of heavenly parents, and Lucifer was a younger sibling. Jesus is referred to as Lucifer''s, as well as our, elder brother in the pre-earth life (Ibid.; and Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel through the Ages, 15).

[billpl-2009]

"When you mix Religion and Politics the sword will cut BOTH ways, that''''s why the founders wanted it out."

Thanks Skyk, it''s good to see someone here who "gets it".

....but that sword also is double edged.

right now, the ACLU can blast religion all they want, but the one thing they can''t do is question the religion itself, because it''s protected by law.

Once the churches enter government then...government can enter the churches.

Then the ACLU WILL be able to open all those religious books...

what do you think they''re going to find?

....bible thumpers need to be careful what they wish for.

[sbb2211]

The Founders were for religion, but NOT one official religion of the United States of America.

That is what separation of church and state means.

[king77shaw]

ahahahahahahahah - are so-called leaders are arguing over whose myth is more bogus !!!! ahahahahahahah

[iamanamerica]

"this is what Mormon''s believe so why are you so afraid of it coming out....that''s what I don''t get. Why are LDS afraid of the truth?"

You still don''t get it. This isn''t about Mormon doctrine. It''s about my status as a citizen of the country.

Every website on the net today is accusing us of hiding our doctrines...how absurd. We''re pounding your doors down trying to teach it to you. I spent two years in Mississippi and Louisiana teaching our doctrine and I''m happy to do so today...in a religious setting.

The problem is that the "religion right" has is that it has decided to use religious tests to make sure only their religion can govern our country. You''re promoting a theocracy. I certainly do have a problem with radical muslims pushing religion into politics. I certainly do have a problem with Warren Jeffs using the community politics to keep young girls in submission. And I certainly do have a problem with you following in their footsteps. You see, you all have the same fundamental problem, you believe that since you''re convinced you''re right, that you need to use government posts to push your positions on others.

"We believe in worshiping almighty God according to the Dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same priveledge. Let them worship how, where or what they may" - Joseph Smith

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates; in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law" - Joseph Smith

[mudrose-2009]

It''''s time for me to face the fact that I belong to a Republican party that will let Rosa Parks sit in the front of the buss only if she''''s a Protestant.

Posted by IAmAnAmerica

Actually Rosa was a Baptist and it didn''t matter. She blatantly sat at the front of the Bus.

[mudrose-2009]

Posted by billpl

Not quite. That''s a violation of the Establishment Clause. However, the Free Exercise clause gives us the right to participate in government. After all we all believe in something now don''t we?

[downtowner97]

I think everyone who believes an invisible man is in charge of everything is stupid. I am more likely to vote for anyone who talks about his invisible man the least.

[afmca]

This is why America needs to do the right thing in 2008 and totally reject all Republican candidates. That Repubs are fighting over religious credentials in the 21st century makes their interpretation of Christianity no better than the Sunni/****** interpretation of Islam. It shows how organized religions debase themselves causing injury and damage to us all. Are we electing a President or an Ayatollah?

[ttexas2]

IAmAnAmerica - it is very much about relgious doctrine here. If you prophets were racist and you followed there teachings I think that is important.

Yeah you guys not on doors and decieve people with half truths....milk before meat ever heard that? Here is one of your own advocating it - Robert Millet
http://newnewsnet.byu.edu/flv/overcomingobjections.html

[ttexas2]

IAmAnAmerican - I find it funny that you want to say this is about you being a citizen of this country, not relgion. Then you turn around and use Mormon Doctrine for how you see the government. Proving my point that you do mix politics and relgion. Also you don''t know me or what faith I belive so to compare me with radical muslims and Warren Jeffs is a a personal attack. This is a common tactic for LDS who can answer my arguments.

[oneillwfx]

These people are a joke. I can''t stand it anymore.

[nordeck52]

Just saying, to all those people that are just plain anti-Republican, which is very idiotic, I think, as are the people who are plain anti-Democrat, that the Republicans freed the slaves. Any history book will tell you that.

Sorry about that post not flowing very well.

[neoconnie]

It is the liberal Democrats and their ACLU friends who keep church and state separate in our great country. I for one am thrilled that the conservative Republican revolution are bringing religion back into government and schools where it belongs. Maybe we will have less violence in our schools and malls when we finally convert everyone.

[iamanamerica]

"This is why America needs to do the right thing in 2008 and totally reject all Republican candidates"

We''ll see. To me this "litmus test" here is whether or not they will cast their votes based on religion. Guiliana, McCain, and Thompson have not run significantly on their religions. Romney only has because Huckabillies out there are going crazy attacking our religion. If the "religion right" chooses anybody but Huckabee I will believe that they are voting on values and issues and I''ll stay with the party. Otherwise, I bid the republicans faretheewell.

[rushlimpdrug]

Keep religion and politics SEPERATE.

Church, religion, faith, should be seperated.

The krap repubs have feed the American voter about religion and government needing to be sleeping together was and is totally anti-democratic.

Otherwise, we will continue to see more headlines like the above.

Shame on all of us for letting these demagogues get this far.

[ttexas2]

IAmAnAmerican - let me get this straight you can attack my faith, but if I say anything negative against your faith I''m the bigot? Sounds like a double standard.

[zykracosmos]

LOL downtowner... I couldn''t have said it better.

[jerr11]

Pity Huckabee is using swifboat tactics to derail Romney.

The more I hear about Huckabee from Romney''s ads, the more I like this guy!

Sounds like he''s a decent man, except for his warmongering stance.

[ditapo]

Romney shouldn''t have to answer any doctinal questions about his faith. Does Huckaby want to answer for everything a Babtist preachers has ever done or said?

Why do baptists think is ok to look at pornography? That''s what one Baptist preacher said to me face to face. " It doesn''t matter if I look at pornography because I''m saved and it doesn''t matter what I do" Who was it Fallwell? Wanted to nuke the middle east? Why doesn''t Huckabee have to answer to that?

[radiob-2009]

In an article to be published Sunday in The New York Times, Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, asks, "Don''t Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?"


Huckabee continues to demonstrate why he should not be president, absolutely no critical thinking and no judgment of character.

[rushlimpdrug]

So, who would jesus vote for? WWJVF?

Who would mohammed vote for? WWMVF?

Who would buddah vote for? WWBVF?

Who wold fido vote for? WWFVF?

[iamanamerica]

TTexas2: "you can attack my faith, but if I say anything negative against your faith I''m the bigot? Sounds like a double standard."

No, you''re a bigot because you would use religious tests to filter out candidates who you don''t agree with religously. You can like or dislike my religion all day long and I won''t call you a bigot. When you decide to push the debate of religious tenets into a presidential race in order to ensure that an evangelical presides over our nation, then you''re a bigot.

[oscarez]

Watching Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee is more fun than watching "The Three Stooges". A Mormon and a Southern Baptist preacher, a match made in heaven. Mitt, Huckabee is going to ask if you will be his running mate.

[realpatriot1]

neoconnie,

Did you escape the fire in Waco? It was Thomas Jefferson and the framers of the Constitution who separated Church from state. If you think a President or you or anyone else is going to change that, I can assure you that you are delusional.

If you think violence in the schools is bad now, try forcing your religion on people who don''t choose the same as you and see what happens.

[mormoninfo]

With this making news and all the reaction and interest, it''s obvious to me that doctrine does matter. The fact is, despite what others may want to think, that many do care if their leaders are being led by the same God/Jesus as they are. What LDS don''t understand is that Christians hold to Jesus being the unique Son of God. That means for them, they think that He''s God the Son. He''s the second person of the *only* God there is. Every other son of God is not a son with the nature of God. They are creatures with different natures (e.g., angels and humans). Jesus, for Christians, is exalted above anything imaginable, since He is literally the Creator of everything outside Himself--including us and Lucifer (Jn. 1:1-3, 14; Rom. 9:5; and Col. 1:13-18). LDS devalue Jesus since He didn''t create everything. LDS don''t even believe that there is a God for any world who is God by nature. Each God (since Mormons are polytheists) had to become a god, and is worshipped exclusively for that world. "Worthy" LDS hope to become gods of their own worlds to receive exclusive worship from their own spirit kids. But Jesus taught there is only one true God (Jn. 17:3), and He warned us of false prophets and false Christs that would come in the last days (Mt. 24:24). MormonInfo[dot]org

[radiob-2009]

I am not a Mormom nor a Christian but Huckabee crossed the line. This should be offensive to any one who believes in Jesus Christ.

[mormoninfo]

With this making news and all the reaction and interest, it''s obvious to me that doctrine does matter. The fact is, despite what others may want to think, that many do care if their leaders are being led by the same God/Jesus as they are. What LDS don''t understand is that Christians hold to Jesus being the unique Son of God. That means for them, they think that He''s God the Son. He''s the second person of the *only* God there is. Every other son of God is not a son with the nature of God. They are creatures with different natures (e.g., angels and humans). Jesus, for Christians, is exalted above anything imaginable, since He is literally the Creator of everything outside Himself--including us and Lucifer (Jn. 1:1-3, 14; Rom. 9:5; and Col. 1:13-18). LDS devalue Jesus since He didn''t create everything. LDS don''t even believe that there is a God for any world who is God by nature. Each God (since Mormons are polytheists) had to become a god, and is worshipped exclusively for that world. "Worthy" LDS hope to become gods of their own worlds to receive exclusive worship from their own spirit kids. But Jesus taught there is only one true God (Jn. 17:3), and He warned us of false prophets and false Christs that would come in the last days (Mt. 24:24). MormonInfo[dot]org

[frankson2]

JUST A COUPLE OF BIBLE THUMPIN'' KNUCKLEHEADS. THESE MORANS THINK THE EARTH IS 5,000 YEARS OLD; YET, THEY WANT TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY. ARE THEY RUNNING FOR BISHOP-IN-CHIEF OR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. EVEN BARRY GOLDWATER WOULD SHAKE HIS HEAD IN DISBELIEF.

[oscarez]

"I don''t believe that the people of this country are going to choose a person based on their faith and what church they go to."

Mitt, me think you give us to much credit.

[ttexas2]

IAmAnAmerica - You agreed that you would consider a person''s faith if they were a radical Muslim or a follower of Warren Jeffs, right? Don''t tell me you would ignore that and decide only on their political views. If that''s true you are very ignorant. I never said that I am trying to ensure that an evengelical presides over our nation. I just don''t want someone who follows a relgion that has a history of racism and devalues my God. I think I have every right to decide that without being called a bigot. HELLO - religious beliefs play a part in a persons values and I hope would lead them in how they live their lives, including how they govern the country.

[harp1963]

The Republicans are as neurotic as ever. I''m just waiting for one of them to tell us all when the world will end and Jesus is coming back.

"Convulse, Praise the Lord, shaft the least of your brother, and get all the money and power you can possibly claw for." The skewed twisted Republican version of Christianity.

[iamanamerica]

radiob: Thank you. We don''t have to agree religiously to agree that we can still respect each other.

[rushlimpdrug]

Posted by MormonInfo at 12:29 PM

Kooool.

How did God make himself?

[rushlimpdrug]

Posted by TTexas2 at 12:35 PM

You''re stupid.
Are you from Texas?

[fibonacci_]

Premise: Everything complex needs a designer.
Conclusion: God must have created everything.
Problem: The premise says everything complex needs a designer.
Solution: Throw out the premise.

[ttexas2]

rushlimpdrug - do you enjoy calling people names? This is just your way of not dealing with the facts!