Mitt Romney Silent On Mormon 'Cult' Controversy

Mitt Romney doesn't want to talk about religion.

In New Hampshire on Monday, the Republican candidate studiously avoided reporters' questions about his Mormon faith, CNN reports. As reporters shouted questions, Romney remained silent as his aides responded with, "No questions."

Romney's silence comes on the heels of controversial comments about Mormonism made by a pastor linked to Rick Perry, Romney's central rival for the GOP nomination.

After introducing Perry at Friday's Values Voter Summit, Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, warned against voting for Romney and claimed that “Mormonism is not Christianity. The decision for evangelical Christians right now is going to be do we prefer someone who is truly a believer in Jesus Christ or someone…who is a part of a cult.”

On Monday's 'Hardball with Chris Matthews', Jeffress defended his comments, clarifying that he views Mormonism as a "theological cult." (See video below.)

While Romney's Mormon faith was a big issue during his 2008 presidential campaign, it had taken a backseat during the election cycle until this week's brouhaha.

According to CNN, Romney began to lose patience with the persistent questioning by the end of Monday:

"I do press avails and then I answer questions that are important questions in the length that I want to do but what I don't do is in a group like this is stop and rattle off questions to people just as we walk along," Romney said.

"So that way you don't get the chance to hear the full answer that I'd like to give," he continued. "So those are important questions. I'll be happy to address them in a press avail or the town meeting. But in events like this I don't take press questions because it doesn't give you or me the chance to have a full discussion of the topic."

Watch Jeffress' controversial remarks:

Comments

[SBunton]

03:14 AM on 11/09/2011

It bugs me when ignorant people talk about "Mormons". Get your facts straight. There is not a religion called the Mormon Church. Mitt Romney belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or the LDS church for short. The title says it all, they believe in Jesus Christ. They study the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Anyone who says the church is a cult, has not read the Book of Mormon because if they had they would see that the book is just another testiment of Jesus Christ. LDS members do not practice polygamy, in fact if any member did they would be excommunicated from the church. True facts about what LDS members believe: they don't use alcohol, drugs or tobacco. They don't use profanity. They don't believe in sexual relations outside of marriage, they believe in family values, they believe in serving others, they believe in dressing modestly (hence one of the main reasons for wearing undergarments that are modest), They believe in being honest in all of their dealings. They believe in Jesus Christ. I can think of a lot worse things than being LDS. I think we need a President who has some character and values.

[SBunton]

02:45 AM on 11/09/2011

We get it DanMuhlig. Stick a sock in it already.

[SBunton]

02:41 AM on 11/09/2011

It bugs me to hear uneducated people talk about Mormons. Mitt is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. LDS members read the Bible and Book of Mormon. The book they read has Mormon in the title, it isn't the title of the church. This church is not a cult. The LDS church believes in agency. Anyone who thinks it is a cult has not read the Book of Mormon because if they had, they would see that the book is just a second witness of Jesus Christ. There is nothing bad about this book, it only backs up and compliments the Bible. Members of the LDS religion do not practice polygamy, in fact if someone who was a member practiced polygamy they would be excumunicated. There is so much ignorant bigotry and bias toward this very Christian Religion. True facts about LDS members: They try to avoid using profane language, they don't drink alcohol or smoke tobacco, they don't believe in having pre-marital sex, they believe in being honest in their dealings, they believe in serving others, they believe in Jesus Christ, they believe in family values. Why would any of these things make Mitt Romney a bad Presidential Candidate. I wish more of our Presidents had some of these qualities.

[DaneMuhlig]

09:55 PM on 10/12/2011

~Mormonism Not Christian http://www.worldquest.org/?p=2454

[DaneMuhlig]

09:55 PM on 10/12/2011

Brigham Young 55 Wives and 57 Children
Brigham Young, the 2nd Prophet of Mormonism had 55 wives and 57 children!!
Must Commit Polygamy to Become Gods
Brigham Young said, "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are
those who enter into polygamy." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 11,269) "If you want to
become a god one day you must violate the already given law of God now.
"[Doctrine and Covenants132 Verses 62-63]
Must Commit Polygamy or You Will Be Damned and Not Enter God's Glory
"He that abideth not this law (polygamy) can in no wise enter into my glory, but
shall be damned, saith the Lord." (D&C,132:27). "Now if any of you deny the
plurality of wives, I promise that you will be damned." Brigham Young
Mormonism is Not Christian
"Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people."[Jesus Christ,Mt.24:11]

[DaneMuhlig]

09:55 PM on 10/12/2011

Joseph Smith A Polygamist...An Adulterer...and A Pedophile
Joseph Smith had 33 wives! He married several who were married to other men." Nancy
Marinda Johnson married Joseph Smith while her husband, Orson Hyde, was on a
mission to Jerusalem." Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, the wife of Adam Lightner,
said that Joseph claimed an "angel" came with a "drawn sword" and told him that if
he did not enter into polygamy "he would slay him."
Joseph Smith's youngest wife, Helen Mar Kimball, was 14 years old!!!!
Joseph Smith Wife Damned If She Doesn't Accept Polygamy
Joseph Smith prophesied his first and only legal wife Emma would be damned
or destroyed if she did not accept polygamy (Doctrine & Covenants 132).

[DaneMuhlig]

09:54 PM on 10/12/2011

Joseph Smith Greater Than Jesus
Smith said, "I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has
ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam...Neither Paul,
John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I"
Joseph Smith:"I Am Impregnable...God is My Right Hand Man"
Smith said, "The whole Earth shall bear me witness that I, like the towering rock in the
midst of the ocean, am impregnable...I combat the errors of ages... I solve mathematical
problems of universities, with truth, diamond truth; and God is my right hand man...
you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves,"
Brigham Young, Mormon's 2nd Prophet, Creates New Scriptures
Young said, "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out that they may not call
Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good a scripture"
Mormon Polygamy
After 1852, when the Mormon Church was openly practicing polygamy, the leaders of the
church were declaring that it was absolutely essential for exaltation. A revelation given by
Joseph Smith, "Ten virgins given unto him [Solomon] by this law, he cannot commit
adultery...therefore is he justified."

[DaneMuhlig]

09:53 PM on 10/12/2011

Polygamy Marriages in Heaven
Mormon’s believe that you can be married to many wives in Heaven.
Baptism for the Dead
Mormon's baptize people in water on behalf of dead people for the forgiveness of their sins.
Mormon's Holy Underwear
Mormons have a Temple Ceremony where the person is given "Mormon
Underwear" that is to protect them against the Evil One.
Joseph Smith, Mormon Founder, Met Jesus
In 1820 Mormon founder Joseph Smith was 14 years old and he said God the Father and
Jesus met him outside of New York. Three years later he said an Angel named Moroni
inspired him to write the Book of Mormon, which is "another Bible" and "new revelation" of
Jesus Christ and it is about an ancient people who came from the middle east to the
Americas. The Mormons follow 2 other books, Doctrine & Covenants & Pearl of Great Price.
Joseph Smith Met John the Baptist
In 1829 Joseph Smith said John the Baptist appeared to him and ordained him.
Christians Are All Wrong...Their Creeds Are An Abomination
Joseph Smith said, Christians were "all wrong... all their creeds were an admonition."

[DaneMuhlig]

09:53 PM on 10/12/2011

Jesus Was A Polygamist
The reason people "persecuted Jesus Christ, was because he had so many wives; there were
Elizabeth and Mary, and a host of others." [Journal of Discourses, Vol 1. ppl 345-346] "The
Scripture says the Lord, came walking in the Temple, with HIS TRAIN; I do not know who they
were, unless his wives and children." Brigham Young [Journal of Discourses,Vol.13.pg309]
Jesus and Satan Are Spirit Brothers
Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers. [Journal of Discourses, 93:21]
Salvation through Joseph Smith
"No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God
without the consent of Joseph Smith...every man and woman must have the
certificate of Joseph Smith." [Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p.289-91]
The Bible Is Not Infallible and Is Not Reliable
Mormons teach that the Bible has many errors and is unreliable and was corrupted in
translation and it is not infallible.They believe their Book of Mormon is God's Word. It is
“the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of our religion." Joseph Smith

[DaneMuhlig]

09:52 PM on 10/12/2011

.
~Mormonism Not Christian
Mormonism [Church of Latter Day Saints] is not Christian is because it denies the doctrines
of Christianity. Mormonism denies that there is only one God, Jesus is God in flesh,
forgiveness of sins is by grace, Jesus rose from the dead physically.
God, One of Many Gods, is An Exalted Man, Who is Married with Many Wives
Mormonism teaches that God is a an exalted man, that he used to be a man on another
planet and he is only one of countless gods and that God is married and he brought one
of his wives to this world and produces spirit children who then inhabit human bodies at birth.
God Had Sex with Mary
Mormons say God had sex with Mary and produced Jesus! According to Mormonism there
was no virgin birth. "The Father came down from heaven...and begat the Savior of the World;
for He is the Only Begotten of the Father which could not have been if the Father did not
actually beget him in person...The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of
our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood." (Brigham
Young, Journal Of Discourses, Vol. 1 page 238 and8:115)
Man Can Become God
Mormons believe that man can become God! "The Lord created you and me for the purpose
of becoming Gods like Himself." Brigham Young (Journal Of Discourses 3:93).

[BlackRabbit]

11:03 AM on 10/12/2011

Mitt shows class. The reporters not so much.

[relentless63]

08:08 PM on 10/11/2011

Men of grace would treat their faiths with the respect, dignity and privacy a man's relationship with his God requires. Religion as political football shouldn't be played on the White House lawn.

[Dale Birmingham]

07:27 PM on 10/11/2011

Mitt you're a good man. It's always better to ignore the uneducated in the audience than give them a microsecond of your time. You have my vote. I see you and Cain as the top leaders. Good luck tonight, I know you wont need it though.

[pottedferne]

07:14 PM on 10/11/2011

oh he has a short fuse with questions he doesn't like huh?

[Sanders McGrillin]

06:47 PM on 10/11/2011

Joseph Smith was called a prophet, dumb de dumb dumb dumb