The New York Times Gets It Right
As Mitt Romney continues to campaign for a presidential nomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is featured in the media with increasing frequency. While not all articles about the Church are accurate or well-researched, it is important to note that the overall quality of many of those articles is improving. One example of good journalism is a recent article in the New York Times that surveyed what members of the church though of the recent attention on the Mormon Church. Entitled “Romney’s Run has Mormons Wary of Scrutiny,” the article interviews several Latter-day...
Read MoreKudos to Indystar readers
It won’t win any awards for scholarship, length, or style, but an Indianapolis Star article is worth mentioning solely because of how its readers responded to it. The article opens, “Using the dictionary definition…one can only surmise that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is delusional.” It goes on to belittle Mitt Romney for his religious views, calling his candidacy less legitimate because of his extraordinary beliefs. He must have missed that all religions have a bit of the extraordinary. The award goes to the readers, whose comments you can read by clicking “Read...
Read MoreTIME Magazine on “The Religion Test”
A recent article in TIME Magazine by Nancy Gibbs (entitled “The Religion Test” in the print magazine and “Romney’s Mormon Question” on the Web site) examines whether a political candidate’s religious beliefs are appropriate criteria to consider in a political contest. While the article focuses mostly on Mitt Romney’s bid for the presidency, it discusses the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and cites a few authorities that warrant some response. Ms. Gibbs’ article was generally accurate with respect to the beliefs of the LDS Church. One small comment that was...
Read MoreBigotry abounds as Mitt Romney takes limelight
First there was the bigoted comment from Al Sharpton. Now convicted-criminal-turned-minister Bill Keller spews bigotry about Mitt Romney and the LDS Church: Those who follow the false teachings of this cult, believe in the false jesus of the Mormon cult and reject faith in the one true Jesus of the Bible, will die and spend eternity in hell,” he charges. “Romney getting elected president will ultimately lead millions of souls to the eternal flames of hell! And: Romney is an unashamed and proud member of the Mormon cult founded by a murdering polygamist pedophile named Joseph Smith nearly...
Read MoreNY Times Op-Ed Piece Describes the LDS Church
An op-ed piece in the New York Times today discussed Mitt Romney’s religion in the context of his bid for presidential nomination. While the article focused mainly on political strategy, it did highlight some of the differences between Mormonism and the rest of Christianity. The article, by op-ed contributor Kenneth Woodward, was respectful and accurate. Some of the points Woodward made about the Church include: . . . Mormons speak of God, but they refer to a being who was once a man of “flesh and bone,” like us. They speak of salvation, but to them that means admittance to a...
Read MoreBoston Globe: A Mormon president? I don’t think so
The Boston Globe, which is probably one of the most anti-Mitt Romney, anti-Mormon papers in the United States has published this ridiculous article hit piece in their continued campaign against the LDS Church and Mitt Romney. Here are a couple of gems: “I have been watching the first two hours of a forthcoming WGBH-produced, four-hour special ‘The Mormons,’ slated to air nationwide on PBS April 30 and May 1. (The second half is still being edited.) It’s vintage public broadcasting, plodding at times — if I see another covered wagon heading for Zion, I’ll get motion...
Read MoreRomney not likely to wear religion on his sleeve
Here’s a good letter to the editor in my hometown newspaper stating that Romney wouldn’t be likely to wear his religion (Mormonism) on his sleeve. The letter points out several theological, cultural, and personal reasons why Romney would successfully “separate the public sphere of his work from the personal sphere of his church.” The Mormon church’s Articles of Faith profess a belief in “obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” The Church regularly affirms its political neutrality. Chapels and member lists cannot be used for political purposes. The Church has “acquiesced...
Read MoreActually, This is What You Believe
This past weekend, Kate Snow of Good Morning America posted a question to George Stephanopoulos about whether or not Mitt Romney’s LDS faith would be a big hurdle for him (politically speaking). George’s demonstrated response and investigative journalism is shoddy to say the least. Romney stated the following in a previous interview: Our belief is just like it says in the Bible, that the Messiah will come to Jerusalem, stand on the Mount of Olives, and the Mount of Olives will be a place where there’s a great gathering, and so forth. It’s the same as the other Christian...
Read MoreWhat Is Mormonism?
It’s going to be a long two years. Here’s a story from the Washington Post that is very typical of what is being printed about the LDS Church in light of Mitt Romney’s presidential run. It’s the same old stuff – polygamy, blacks and the priesthood, Joseph Smith and on and on. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post...
Read MoreMedia get it wrong regarding Romney and religion
Good article today from the Pepperdine Graphic on the media’s misperception of Romney. Despite rock star credentials, some media outlets seem bent on highlighting the differences between Mormonism and other Christian churches as a way of discrediting Romney. Romney is top in academics, top in business, top in non-profit work, and top in politics. Not bad. Oh, and by the way— he’s a Mormon. What’s the big deal about Romney’s religion? What some media outlets call a cult is the same Christian religion to which many business leaders and politicians belong. Funny how these same media...
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