Discover Yahoo! With Your Friends

Explore news, videos, and much more based on what your friends are reading and watching. Publish your own activity and retain full control.

To get started, first

YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Romney’s Mormonism more of a negative in South Carolina

    The Daily Caller – Sat, Jan 21, 2012

    COLUMBIA, S.C. �“ Does Mitt Romney’s Mormonism matter in South Carolina, a state with a large evangelical population? The consensus seems to be that it’s not a particularly big factor. Tony Perkins, President of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, said Thursday after the debate that he had not heard a lot about it since coming to South Carolina.

    But two of the first people The Daily Caller spoke to at an event at Tommy’s Hamhouse in Greenville, where both Romney and Newt Gingrich made appearances Saturday morning, brought it up, and not as a positive.

    For Chuck Hofstra, Romney’s religion is flat out a “deal killer.”

    “I like a lot about Romney, I get a lot of positives … but you know, his faith of Mormonism … I mean, they do not believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, that he is the son of God. And if you take away the deity of the son of God, who died for our sins to forgive us of our sins, all he is is just a mere historical figure then,” said Hofstra.

    “That is a huge difference between somebody who believes he’s Jesus Christ, the son of God, co-creator of the world, the Trinity, versus somebody who just thinks, ‘well he was a good man, a good prophet who walked here on earth, a historical figure, he’s a great man, but that’s the end of it.’ And see it’s just hard for me to vote for somebody who just doesn’t see the deity of Jesus Christ,” he said.

    Hofstra, who said he probably wouldn’t end up voting in the primary because there was no one for whom he could vote “and be true to my own conscience and heart and beliefs,” said it was less about what particular denomination of Christianity he was, and more about his “personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”

    Hofstra brought up Romney’s religion up without any prompting.

    Eley Vann, another attendee of the event, also brought it up unprompted.

    Vann was undecided as of this morning, but said his decision would be between Gingrich and Romney.

    He liked Romney, “even though I disagree with his — I’m not a Mormon. I’m a Christian and I think Mormonism is a cult.”

    But, Vann went on to say, Romney’s religion was not a part of his decision.

    “I like many principles of Mormonism. Mormonism is very pro-American, and you know, I would not hold his religion against him. I am looking for someone to help preserve this country, not a religious leader,” Vann said.

    Of course, this is an utterly unscientific or conclusive study, and it would be inappropriate to draw conclusions from two discussions. But the fact that it came up unbidden is interesting, at the very least.

    Follow Alexis on Twitter Join the conversation

    Read more stories from The Daily Caller

    Majority of Megaupload traffic came from France, not US

    Romney's Mormonism more of a negative in South Carolina

    Romney campaign: ‘We could lose big’ tonight

    Kausfiles averts constitutional crisis

    Larry Kudlow: 'Newt Gingrich is not a free-market capitalist' [VIDEO]

    Who made the dumbest statement this week?

    Loading...
    Poll Choice Options

    See results

     
    • neil R
      neil R  •  Raleigh, North Carolina  •  4 mths ago
      The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. -John F. Kennedy
      • Joe
        Joe 4 mths ago
        Become more educated about Mormonism, then you won't be so ignorant. But I wouldn't vote for an adulterer either.
      • Just Sayin'
        Just Sayin' 4 mths ago
        “I like a lot about Romney, I get a lot of positives … but you know, his faith of Mormonism … I mean, they do not believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, that he is the son of God, co-creator of the world."

        From Mormon scripture: "And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary." (The Book of Mormon, Mosiah 3:8)
      • joseph
        joseph 4 mths ago
        What Do Mormons Believe: How do we Achieve Salvation
        The Mormon church holds that Jesus Christ overcame physical death and guaranteed physical resurrection to all mankind. However, spiritual death can only be avoided through personal obedience of God's commandments. Forgiveness of sins requires faith, repentance and baptism by an approved Mormon priest. (IE RELIGION OR HUMAN GOOD) The practice of baptism for the dead is an extension of this belief, in which Mormons are baptized in proxy for those who have died without proper baptism. The Christian church teaches that we are UNABLE TO LIVE A LIFE RIGHTEOUS ENOUGH to meet God's perfectly holy standard. Therefore, we establish a relationship with God by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, not by our own works.(GRACE) Baptism and good deeds are acts of obedience to God, but not the means for gaining eternal salvation
    • edwards
      edwards  •  4 mths ago
      You can find good or bad people in any religion.
      • SD
        SD 4 mths ago
        This is so true. The church is perfect...people are not. But when a Catholic misbehaves, they don't hold the entire religious community accountable, just the individual. Has anyone bothered to mention what religion Newt affiliates with when they talk about his affairs?
      • R
        R 4 mths ago
        Yea Church of the Grinning Adulterers!
      • Southern Belle
        Southern Belle 4 mths ago
        What does religion have to do with Romney's run for the presidency? Contrary to popular beliefs, this Country is not a Christian nation. I was taught that people so they could worship as they want to. Because I live in a glass house, I am not inclined to judge anyone's faith or how they worship. Not my job. I leave that to a Higher Power to make the call. As Americans, we should be about bringing the Country together and not engaging in religious wars!
    • Turk E.
      Turk E.  •  4 mths ago
      There are so many jackasses from both parties voting for candidates based upon religion, skin color, jealousy of income status, ancient personal problems, and physical appearance that it will be an accident if the man with the best ideas actually wins any election.
      • Joe
        Joe 4 mths ago
        You aren't a jackass to vote based on religion -- especially if it's Mormonism. Religion gives you a real idea of what these people truly believe. Religion, by the way, is not like color or income. It's a belief system. Don't act like a jackass.
      • Hermione Sparrow
        Hermione Sparrow 4 mths ago
        So vote for Ron Paul, seems like he is the only ethical choice.
      • Higgs Singlet
        Higgs Singlet 4 mths ago
        @Joe, I do not see any difference between you and the Talibs
    • E747hgmu
      E747hgmu  •  4 mths ago
      So the Christians in SC hate Mormonism more than the one who threw the family values thing out the window.
      • rrtrack
        rrtrack 4 mths ago
        Bingo! They are a bunch of backward religious bigots. But it's a good thing to know. Stay out of SC!
      • Spinner42
        Spinner42 4 mths ago
        If those "Christians" believe what they hear or read without personal verification, I think it would be better not say anything at all.
      • shrillyspoon
        shrillyspoon 4 mths ago
        Newt's Catholic, so they'll hate him, too. But, they'll vote for him anyway. Looks like Newt's Catholic adultery trumps Mitt's Mormonism. I'd have bet on that.
    • Me
      Me  •  4 mths ago
      In case you all have forgotten - The United States of America was founded on religious freedom.. First Amendment, and the Article VI prohibition on religious tests as a condition for holding public office.
      • R
        R 4 mths ago
        Totally agree... but we all know if you are anything but Christian you'll NEVER be elected President as Religious people are HYPOCRITES!!!
      • Greg
        Greg 4 mths ago
        But the fruit of all religions is not the same. Ideas, and doctrines have consequences
        especially if someone grew up under them and is now President of The US to affect national policy. So yes, it DOES matter. It matters a lot what someone's religion is.
        He/She brings all of who the person is to elected office.
    • john t
      john t  •  Dayton, Ohio  •  4 mths ago
      Help me understand this. They don't like Romney because he's a Mormon and yet Newt is the one with three wives and, God nows, how many mistresses.
    • Neil
      Neil  •  Hillsborough, New Jersey  •  4 mths ago
      Incredible! Gingrich abandoned his first wife after she was diagnosed with cancer, then he cheated with his current wife when married to his second wife. Now Evangelical Christians are supporting this guy. So much for family values. If this is the new Christian standard, then anybody that commits a lifetime of sins can apologize and be the new Christian Saint. How hypocritical is this. Outrageous....
    • half full
      half full  •  4 mths ago
      It makes me so sad to see the ignorance that is displayed every election year....who is holier than thou, who is not, who is of color, who has a bigger hand in the pocket of the Corporations, etc. Whatever happened to voting for the most qualified, honest, hard-working person? America doesn't exist anymore it seems....just a bunch of nasty, back-biting, blow hards who actually degrade our justice system and make things worse. So much for freedom!
    • joann
      joann  •  4 mths ago
      How can I be a Republican when they show such lack of judgement or have any concept of the issues. They want change-- so they find a smooth talker with a quick comeback? I guess they want a morally bankrupt politician to run against a morally bankrupt politition. Guess what that leaves us with post election.
    • Jennifer
      Jennifer  •  Charlotte, North Carolina  •  4 mths ago
      People will rarely confess their real rationale if they think it will appear bigoted. Hence the surveys of people who may say that his 'mormonism' played no part. Make no mistake....there are few people more judgmental and full of hate than southern evangelicals. They are modern day pharisees!
    • Goforbaroque
      Goforbaroque  •  Tampa, Florida  •  4 mths ago
      Here's your choice, America - a Mormon who has been married to his one and only wife for over 40 years versus a man who is on wife #3 (and perhaps more in the future??). Okay, okay, the economy is of paramount importance as it should be, but come on, folks - do you want someone so lacking in personal morals to be the leader of this country?? The rest of the world would be falling down laughing.....if they aren't already!!
    • Fern
      Fern  •  Louisa, Virginia  •  4 mths ago
      About the idea that Mormons (or for that matter anyone else that is Christian) aren't Christian. I was told by a devout "Born Again" that anyone that doesn't believe the way they believe isn't a Christian. Hmmmm. That sure sounds like a bigot to me. Learn... educate yourself... and realize your little corner of the universe isn't the ONLY place on earth.
    • J B
      J B  •  4 mths ago
      Contrary to Mr. Tony Perkins, President of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, words that he had not heard a lot about it since coming to South Carolina. It is in a lot of the comments. People don't want to be labeled as a religious bigot so they say it does not matter. It matters.
    • Trollbro
      Trollbro  •  4 mths ago
      Mind you, Southern evangelicals also tend to hate catholics.
    • Cowboy Nelson
      Cowboy Nelson  •  Ocala, Florida  •  4 mths ago
      It is so amaizing to see that in a country where most people have the opportunity to get an education, and with so many people well educated individuals; There is so much ignorance , stupidity and ignorance.....Come on people !...get united " United States Of Americe "...and " In GOD we trust ".....Vote for the one, that can keep this country from continueing falling apart....
      " Is not what your country can do for you; but what you (WE) can do for our country ".....
    • Robert Highbeat
      Robert Highbeat  •  4 mths ago
      Hey guys, I am having a little bit of trouble here. Last week we went to church, and my wife was yaking it up with her friend. So I pulled out 1 Cor: 14:34-35 and told her she needed to shut her trap like is says in the Bible and I would tell her what she needed to know when we got home. Then, when we went home she started praying. She wasn't wearing a head cover like it says in 1 Cor 11:5, so I got the clippers and shaved her hair off so she would be in compliance with verse 6. She totally called the cops on me and now I am being charged with assault. I can't believe the govmt would infringe on my religious freedom like this.
    • Michael
      Michael  •  New York, New York  •  4 mths ago
      the problem with mormonism is the origins and motives for its foundation and the belief that they can baptise the dead , become gods when they die ( thus not being monotheistic.. ) and so much more. I think a lot of people would look at it a little differently if we found archeological remains of king banjamin,moroni, jerrod or nephytes (spelling) . and how they coexisted with cultures who were here already and do have a strong arechelogical history ( the maya are an example). The bible has many unproven parts but the themes are generally historically accurate and in line with the context of history. The same can not be said of the book of mormon. in fact there is zilch to support it.. if there were nephtes and whatevers wouldnt there be traces of them. we find clovis points but no nephtes pottery etc..
      and "reformed egyptian" .. come on

      to most people joe smith is the L ron hubbard of the 1800s
    • Glenatwork
      Glenatwork  •  Ogden, Utah  •  4 mths ago
      It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People who don't want to acknowledge that call us "Mormons." We worship and adore Jesus Christ. So do South Carolina Christians. Neither men nor devils can drive a wedge between followers of the true and living God, try as they may.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  Wallingford, Connecticut  •  4 mths ago
      Ever heard of separation of church and state? None of this is relevant unless some of these idiots are elected. Then it's too late.
    • emory&blessie
      emory&blessie  •  Dothan, Alabama  •  4 mths ago
      SC hate everybody unless you lie about where you are and end up in Brazil with another woman or have two men come out and say they had an affair with you.Then you have old Newt,the nasty boy of the south.SC is the place to be.
     Post a comment
    [ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
    [ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

    News For You

    One money saving tip you probably haven't tried
    Add your ideas and help make it happen. Join the conversation.
    Episode 11: Hard times for Hometown Hardware
    Should Bill and Donna take on more risk to boost their business?
    One small business owner surprises Bill and Donna
    How Josh's comment on a Remake America video laid the groundwork for something bigger.
    Learn more about Remake America »