Romney slams Sharpton for "bigoted" comment (Reuters)

[Up2Late]

Source: Reuters

Romney slams Sharpton for "bigoted" comment

Wed May 9, 2007 8:46pm ET140

By Kay Henderson

AMES, Iowa (Reuters) - Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney on Wednesday criticized a remark about Mormons by the Rev. Al Sharpton and described it as "bigoted" and "un-American." Sharpton, a civil rights leader, said during a New York debate on faith on Monday that "those that really believe in God" would defeat Romney, a Mormon, in the 2008 race for the White House.

Sharpton, who led recent criticism of radio talk show host Don Imus for racially insensitive remarks, later said he was not questioning Romney's faith but was aiming his comments at author and atheist Christopher Hitchens, who he was debating.

During campaign stops in Iowa, which holds the first nominating contest in the presidential race, Romney was not buying Sharpton's explanation and said his comments were "bigoted and wrong."

"It was a very unfortunate and un-American thing to say," Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, said in Ames. "I think it was a bigoted statement and I have no interest in seeing bigoted statements about my faith or anyone else's faith put into the public discourse."

(more at link)


Read more: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2007-05-10T004628Z_01_N09394675_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-POLITICS-MORMON.xml

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O.K., I've never been a Sharpton fan, but PLEASE! "bigoted"??? I guess if anyone would know, it's Mitt.

[Erika]

1. Mormons believe in truly weird things

They believe that all earth's inhabitants were created by the union of the heavenly father and mother prior to birth. They believe that Men can become Gods of their own planets equal to God, and they definitely believe women are inferior. Women must be "called" up by the man to enter Heaven.

The Republicans couldn't do better than that?

[Vexatious Ape]

4. That is weird. I'd like to see someone ask Mitt

if he really believes all that and if so why, on what proof? The same question should be asked for all the others that vociferously claim some sort of religious faith.

[Stuckinthebush]

14. Mainline Christians do to...

A divine being impregnated a teenager who was a virgin to create this being's son who was actually the divine being in earthly form...

The divine being's son was able to turn water into wine, and heal sick people with a touch...

That there is a place where "souls" go when a person dies and if that person did not profess belief in doctrine then they go to the bad place where they are tortured for eternity (not all mainline Christians believe this, but a large portion still do)...

That sometime in the future this son of the divine being will come back to earth on wings of angels and bring all believers to the good place with him...

That this son was killed but came back from the dead and then was taken up into the good place 40 days later...

Strange stuff.

[Solo_in_MD]

19. Mormons are quite a bit farther out there than xtians

- The goal of every Mormon male is to become a god
- The Adam-god doctrine of Brigham Young
- Blatant discrimination againsts blacks until they got a *new(er)* revelation

[Stuckinthebush]

21. My point is that all religions have freaky crap in them

and all politicians (just about) subscribe to some religion with freaky beliefs. The question is, "Do we vote against any politician because of his or her religion?" If the answer is "Yes", then I do believe that we are in dangerous territory. John Kennedy was attacked because he was Catholic. There was serious concern that he would be beholden to his church more so than the Constitution. Well that was an unfounded fear. John Kennedy made it clear that his first duty was to the Constitution of the United States. Rather than attack a person because of his or her religion shouldn't we ask that person about his or her positions in light of the teachings of his or her religion? "Gov. Romney, do you agree with your church that women are inferior to men?" See what he says to that.

"Mr. Bush, do you agree with your church that all non-Christians are doomed to eternal damnation?"

"Sen. Edwards, do you agree with your church that salvation is only gained through the acceptance of Jesus as your savior and that non-believers should become believers?"

As a side note, I know a few Mormons who would tell you that they don't buy the old-line thinking and many in the Church don't either.

While I do believe that a President Romney would be bad for the US, I don't think we should judge him on what his church's official positions are.

[iamjoy]

49. Most JFaiths Have Bigotry In Their Roots

for many, many years mainline religious beliefs of monotheists *were* racist.

Is it fair to single out Mormons?

[Solo_in_MD]

52. Its was quite a bit more that "in its roots" Just like with polygamy, the mormons had

a convienent revalation

[marshall]

55. It's all strange from the POV of a non believer

Any of the major world religions and the main Christian splinter groups are weird to those who are outsiders. That's part of the rainbow tapestry of world religion.

[skipos]

17. All religions have beliefs that are "weird" to outsiders.

I think his Mormonism will cost him some votes, but there are plenty of good Mormons out there.

[Felix Mala]

32. But some Mormon rituals really upset Christians on the Right, Left and Middle...

Retroactively baptizing people who are dead into the Mormon faith doesn't sit well in many churches.

They were baptizing Jewish Holocaust victims into Mormonism before Jewish organizations forced them to stop.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. The underwear thing blows my mind

Has anyone asked Mitt if he wears 'sacred' underwear?

[Socal31]

54. Scary....

So scary. I think most organized religion is just as scary though.....

My favorite is the South Park that explains the Mormon Religion....and the one that completely calls out Christian Rock

www.allsp.com Season 7. Good stuff.

[lligrd]

2. Once, I Would Have Defended Sharpton

but I am not going to say another word.

[psychopomp]

3. I hope Rev. Sharpton ups the ante

I am likely to get what I wish! The Mormon Church, as the poster above mentioned, believe some very unorthodox, unchristian things. Get 'em Rev!

[Raine]

5. Karma seems to be biting Sharpton

in the ass.

Edit: spelling

[Kagemusha]

6. I was floored when I read Juan Cole giving the context for Sharpton's remark.

I'm no fan of Sharpton's but he got a bum rap over this one if what Juan Cole wrote is at all correct. Namely:

"But first of all the remark came in the context of Sharpton's debate with Christopher Hitchens concerning belief in God, and Sharpton maintains that he was just saying that it wasn't the Hitchens types who would defeat Romney, but the believers. So it isn't clear that Sharpton intended to say that Mormons don't really believe in God."

Huge, huge difference.

[Mass]

11. Yes, Romney is posing as a victim, and the media follow him, and.

sadly, some DUers too, even if they do not know what Sharpton said.

[gratuitous]

15. Yes, context is crucial here

And this is the first I've heard of the context. I knew that Sharpton and Hitchens were in a staged "debate." Hitchens is hawking his latest piece of crap called "God is Not Great." Anyone with a lick of sense would know better than to trust the report of one statement completely denuded of any context of what had gone on before or after. But when Sharpton's name is in the mix, sense gets doled out in units much smaller than licks, and folks will confidently declaim on the subject as if they know what they're talking about.

[Up2Late]

37. Thank You for the clarification of the context. I'm quickly learning not to believe...

...anything that Mitt says, and this is just one more brick in the house of lies he's building.

[Kagemusha]

41. True, that's a good lesson to take from it too

If this is the true Romney, he lied really, really well to get elected in New England. (Edit: Not saying he didn't. Just saying he's a good liar either way you slice it.)

[kevinmc]

7. Romney Should Be Jumping on Pat Robertson...

Wonder why he didn't jump on Radical Cleric Pat Robertson when he was at Regents University last week. On Robertsons CBN website he calls Mormons a Cult.

On His Website......

How to Recognize a Cult

When you know the truth, that which is authentic, you will easily recognize the "less than authentic." Take the Bible at face value in all its simplicity. These matters include: the doctrine of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); heaven; hell; Satan; salvation; baptism; baptism with the Holy Spirit; matters of righteousness and holiness in the Lord; the Second Coming of Christ; the resurrection of the dead and recognition of the Bible as the guide and truth for faith and practice.

One test of a cult is that it often does not strictly teach that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who Himself is God manifested in the flesh. Another test is whether the person who is the teacher or leader of the group or movement promotes himself as being equal to or greater than Jesus, or promotes allegiance to himself in such a way as to take away from obedience to and worship of Christ (II Corinthians 10:10, 18; 11:3,4).

Christian-oriented cults include: The Church of the Latter Day Saints or Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints (also known as Mormons); Christian Science; Unity; Unitarianism (various groups); The Way International (not all groups using the term "The Way"); Rosicrucian Society of America; Bahai; Hare Krishna; Scientology; The Unification Church ("Moonies"); the so-called "Children of God" headed by "Moses" Berg; Jehovah's Witnesses and other fringe groups whose teachings should be suspect. ......

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/CBNTeachingSheets/Understanding_Cults.aspx

[Jesterstear]

8. Two words: Tawana Brawley

Why does ANYONE take Sharpton seriously?

And given his history of lies, race baiting and inflammatory remarks, I think the odds are pretty good he meant precisely what the article says - that Romney doesn't really believe in God.

But hey, I don't believe in God either. Not Sharpton's, not Bush's, not Romney's, not the Great Monkey of the Cosmos who shat in his hand and flung it across the universe to create the galaxy.

[wellst0nev0ter]

12. Three Words: Central Park Jogger

Does anyone take those who lock up young black males for something they didn't do seriously? Yes, it's unrelated to this topic, but it is interesting how people bring up Brawley no matter how unrelated that case was to the subject at hand and ignore all the other injustices Sharpton (and often only Sharpton) have worked against. :eyes:

[Solo_in_MD]

20. Sharpton is a media whore who gets lucky occasionally

Until he owns up to role in the Twana Brawley and other fiascos, I can not support him in any way. Facts or even logic don't intrude on his psyche if a camera is nearby

[wellst0nev0ter]

47. It's Interesting How Sharpton Has To Apologize For Believing A Black Woman

while no one else has to apologize for the many racial injustices committed against blacks (at least in New York) on a yearly basis that Sharpton (and often only Sharpton) brings to attention. But I guess the fact that some white men avoided being indicted for something they didn't do is way more important than any other message, or any other activism, on the behalf of Sharpton, right?

[Jesterstear]

33. Your point being?

Yadda yadda yadda.

Brawley isn't the only crime that Sharpton is guilty of. He and Jesse Jackson don't give a shit about fighting injustice. All they care about are situations that they can exploit to increase their fame and bank accounts. If you believe that they're any better than that, I have a bridge to sell you.

[wellst0nev0ter]

48. Yadda Yadda Indeed

You bring up unrelated events while not addressing the point of the OP. And in terms of fighting injustice, both those men do not have to prove anything on their account.

[me b zola]

56. You people show up in the darnedest places

[Up2Late]

38. You need to consider the context of Sharpton's statement, as someone above pointed out...

...above in post #6.

"...the remark came in the context of Sharpton's debate with Christopher Hitchens concerning belief in God..."

Christopher Hitchens' new book is called "God is Not Great," so Mitt has taken this quote completely out of context and is trying to manufacture a controversy, and apparently he's is succeeding, with help of the MSM "echo chamber."

[bluerum]

51. You will be screaming her name till the day that you die won't you? eom

[MissMillie]

9. statements like Sharpton's bother me

It sounds decidedly freeperish, like "if you don't believe like I believe then you're not going to heaven."

Anyone that sure about anything worries me... I would never vote for anyone who made a statement like that.

[Honeycombe8]

10. Karma for Sharpton. Good.

Finally, others are calling his bigoted, big mouth out for what it is.

He has made bigoted and racial statements in the past.

He is a blight on the Dem. Party. I, for one, am waiting to see who he endorses...because that's who I will not vote for. The thought of Sharpton sitting in the Oval Office cozily helping form the agenda doesn't sit well me.

[Raine]

42. Yup

and I hope he goes down for this one. Al "Charlatan" is nothing but a hypocrite liar whose only concern is promoting himself. x(

[zbdent]

13. Actually, I agree that Sharpton should be held to the same standards he

held Imus to ...

as long as Republicans and Bush are also held to the impossible standards that they set for Dems and Clinton ...

So they'll probably shut up when they have to face Rush Limbaugh's drug trafficking sentence ... and Ann Coulter's felony conviction on voter fraud charges ... and if they want to bring up Teddy, Laura killed her ex-boyfriend on a bright, moonlit night ... stone sober ... and Mark Foley should suffer the exact punishment he demanded homosexuals to face ...

I think it would be funny to know that Rudy Giuliani would face the same kind of treatment from a police officer's baton as a homosexual received under his rule ...

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

16. Excellent. I'd take Sharpton, flaws and all, on our side, than any of those you mentioned.

Perhaps we should mention Newt Gingrich's family values, as in having that affair while going after Clinton for same thing, or perhaps O'Liely's loofah/phone harrassment adventure.

I could go on and on. MKJ

[Malidictus Maximus]

18. Great post.

[ChazII]

46. I agree that Al should be held to the same standards as

he held Imus to, but it won't happen.

[NastyDiaper]

22. Sharpton certainly has his share of "Most Offended" awards.

But Mr. "Outraged by the Outrage" Inhofe simply can't be outdone.

The Republicans should just draw a picture of 'true god' and hold it up at the next debate.

Freepers can say "THAT, looks just like MY god". I'm voting for HIM.

:donut: broken segways, need more coffee

[zbdent]

35. Here's a pic of the Republicans' true God

[LeftishBrit]

53. 'The Republicans should just draw a picture of 'true god' and hold it up at the next debate.'

Judging from their last debate, that would just mean holding up a photograph of Ronnie.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[NastyDiaper]

24. Omg most ignorant post ever.

douknow carol lamm we'll start there.
douread? most people are not defending sharpton.

hey my star is gone.. renew time. care to saddle up with me?

[XtraProudDem]

25. Really?

I'm not sure why I'm bothering to reply to this post since it's about to disappear, but...

"Republican voters reject their scum once exposed."

Seriously?

What about the AWOL cocaine user in the White House? What about Republicans treating Gingrich like an actual contender for the nomination?

Should I go on?

[silvermachine]

26. I'll be glad to...

...not only Gingrich, but Ollie North, Elliot Abrahms, Dick Cheney...

[Catherine Vincent]

27. Welcome to DU!

NOT! :eyes:

[Bridget Burke]

28. Republicans defended DeLay until he left them hanging....

He quit after winning the nomination, thus keeping the contributions--for his legal expenses.

Since very few could be bothered to write in "Shelly Sekula Gibbs"--the Democrat won DeLay's old seat. (& Sekula-Rodriguez-Gibbs left Houston City Council early--good for us.)

[WeRQ4U]

30. It'll probably take me until next week to wrap my head around that post...

Wow. Just wow.

[WeRQ4U]

29. I can't stand Sharpton, but he's getting the shaft here...

Context is crucial.

[Raine]

43. He may be getting shafted but

he's getting a taste of his own medicine.

[Laughing Mirror]

31. The atheist that Sharpton was talking about was not Romney but Hitchens

This is quite clear if you listen to the debate. Of course, Romney's supporters, and apparently some misguided souls on DU, would rather spread the untruthful version of the story that fits their beliefs. And who's going to go back and correct them. Spreading untruths like this one is a classic tactic. The lie gets told and repeated so often people will start to believe it. That's how liars operate.

http://richarddawkins.net/article,1003,Christopher-Hitchens-and-Al-Sharpton-A-Debate-God-Is-Not-Great,The-New-York-Public-Library

[Idioteque]

36. Of course Romney isn't bigoted when he says "America needs a person of faith...

...as president." I'm not saying what Sharpton said is right. It most certainly isn't, but it seems like Mitt can dish it out but he can't take it.

[booksenkatz]

39. Absolutely right

Will Romney agree that it's time to stop the bigotry in this country against people of *no* faith? Atheists and agnostics are called "evil" and "immoral." Even Bush the Smarter once said as much publicly, I believe he was actually President when he said it.

So Romney, is it un-American to marginalize doubters and unbelievers? Or are only people of faith harmed by marginalization?

[emad]

40. Mitt Romney counters bigotry jibe

Aldrich Ames, IOU - (Ass Mess): The US bigotry-slamming war intensified today as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney defended his religious belief in being able to secure the Republican as well as the national vote for the 2008 White House following some nifty footwork from the Reverend Al Sharpton earlier this week.

Sharpton had targeted his knock-out punch by challenging Romney to come out in public and say whether he believed in the past teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when blacks were not considered equals:

"So do they or do they not go to heaven when they die, Mr Romney? Because it wasn't so long ago that official doctrine said no. Or is there now a 'special place' reserved upstairs for people of color so things don't get too crowded in whites' only heaven.

http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s2i18586

[ChazII]

44. Please, Al, how dumb do you think

we are???
"Sharpton, who led recent criticism of radio talk show host Don Imus for racially insensitive remarks, later said he was not questioning Romney's faith but was aiming his comments at author and atheist Christopher Hitchens, who he was debating."

Sure, Al. Isn't there a commandment about lying?

[Renew Deal]

45. That was a bigoted comment.

It was a Pat Robertson level of stupidity.

[bluerum]

50. I'm sorry. Imus calls college women,,, well we all know what he said.

The Rev calls Romney,,, "a mormon" and he is a bigot?!

Oh puuulllleeeese.


Pull my finger Mitt.

[Honeycombe8]

59. Now, that's not what Sharpton said about Romney, and you know it.

He said something like (speaking about Romney)..."those that REALLY believe in God" will win. Or something like that.

Meaning that Romney, a Mormon, doesn't really believe in God like Christians, namely Sharpton, do. Sharpton is a minister in the Christian faith.

Furthermore, what a politician says is MUCH more important than what a shock jock says. We hold elected officials to a slightly higher standard than shock jocks. As we should.

Besides, I watched the Imus show for years and was never offended by his use of the word "ho." I'm female. I think it was the other word that got people's ire up. In the entertainment world, people banter back and forth using words that are inappropriate on the air. I can see where a shock jock might go to far with a slip of the tongue (he's in the business of pushing the envelope).

Finally...Imus apologized profusely, and offered to change his show's format and make an Af. American a major player on the air. Sharpton, OTOH, has not apologized ever, for anything. And he has made racist and slanderous statements in the past (and even lost a civil lawsuit over calling a white man a white rapist...he was white, but he wasn't a rapist, even if an Af. American girl had said he was. She admitted lying.)

[JerseygirlCT]

57. Pot, meet kettle. nt

[Cass]

58. Remember this little gem from Katherine Harris?

"If you are not electing Christians, tried and true, under public scrutiny and pressure, if you’re not electing Christians then in essence you are going to legislate sin."

A pretty obnoxious comment but somehow republicans didn't seem to get too worked up over THAT comment. Just saying.

[fujiyama]

60. Romney plays the victim

Boo fuckin hoo.

A Mormon accusing anyone of bigotry is striking irony considering how homophobic the church is. Romney is a fucking twist. A smarmy ass hole at that. Typical republican behavior. For years they accused groups of playing the victim, and all I hear is Rw Christians constantly whining about being the victim...I see that RW Mormons are getting in on the act too.

[ryanmuegge]

61. Give me a break. Your religion is a belief system..

It's not like someone's criticizing you for being black or Hispanic, which tells us nothing about your character.

From someone's religion, we can make inferences about their character. It is an ideology, after all. Belief systems should be open for scrutiny and there's nothing unfair or bigoted (which is an implicitly baseless attack) about it.