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Romney plays God card in swing state struggle

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After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Romney told the crowd: “I will not take God out of… our platform. I will not take God out of my heart. We are a nation that’s bestowed by God.”

a perfectly reasonable statement for a nation founded by religious extremists....

7 ( +15 / -8 )

God (or more precisely the Gawhd touting rednecks from the Bible Belt) is Romney's last chance for winning.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Mormons believe God lives on a planet named Kolob. Strange he didn't mention it in his speech.

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At the Daytona 500, the multimillionaire former private equity boss infamously said that he considers several NASCAR team owners to be friends-a comment that helped solidify his image as a man out of touch.

HOW so? Any NASCAR driver KNOWS he would be sitting with car on blocks, without sponsorship.

That's business, and NASCAR is a successful business. No money, no team-fact. How is being a friend to a sponsor "out of touch"?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Is that like.......ummmmmm.......Obama playing the 'No-God card' at the DNC (and being forced to backtrack ?) ...........

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

"There were new signs meanwhile of a polling bounce for Obama out of his convention last week"........................ It would help if JT journalists would update the data they publish........................................... According to Saturday's CNN report the FACTS of a declining economy with figures coming in late last week actually crushed any bounce obama may have had. . . . Romney and Obama are in a dead heat . .

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

Believe it or not, early voting begins in VA two weeks and this is most likely nearing his high water mark. If any "bounce" was in blue states to get his true believers rallying before the job numbers hit, we’re in really good shape.

The $100 million ad buy with the Romney campaign should change the race in the swing states for sure, and I expect Romney to get the best of the debates-remember, off the teleprompter, Obama is a stumbling bumbling fool.

-11 ( +4 / -16 )

For did not Jesus say, "Render unto secret Cayman Island accounts that which you'd prefer not to render unto Caesar"?

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supermonk:

Mormons believe God lives on a planet named Kolob

Kolob, Xenu, Thetan, Vulcan... I'm getting confused.

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Nice one Ivan!

"The Obama campaign swiftly responded to Romney’s rhetoric, describing it as a “Hail Mary” pass"

More like a "Hail Joseph pass". Now if it would have been Paul Ryan, it would have been a "Hail Mary" pass.

Seriously, people in America seem to have to use God a lot. The Democrat leadership brought God back into their platform regardless of the Nays during the three time vote at the DNC. How's that for extremism.

At least most of the Republican faithful are for the God stuff, whereas the leaders of the Democratics undemocratically force the issue on their faithful.

But what I want to know is.....what does God really think of it all? Maybe He's not even following the political debate?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"... I expect Romney to get the best of the debates-remember, off the teleprompter, Obama is a stumbling bumbling fool."

Really Lizz? As opposed to Romney, the great public speaker? I wish there was some way I could wager with you about who will win those debates.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

" "The Obama campaign swiftly responded to Romney’s rhetoric, describing it as a “Hail Mary” pass"

More like a "Hail Joseph pass". Now if it would have been Paul Ryan, it would have been a "Hail Mary" pass."

Touché!

I was taught not to take God's name in vain, but politicians habitually make such vain invocations to suit their own devices.

Both parties use religion as a currency to pander votes. Cardinal Sin I reckon it's considered.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I expect Romney to get the best of the debates-remember, off the teleprompter, Obama is a stumbling bumbling fool.

As opposed to Romney, the great public speaker? I wish there was some way I could wager with you about who will win those debates.

Obama is an orator; he speaks from a well-written script.

Romney speaks from years of experience, which may not qualify him as a better speaker, but a more qualified man for the job.

The debate will show this.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

Seriously, people in America seem to have to use God a lot. The Democrat leadership brought God back into their >platform regardless of the Nays during the three time vote at the DNC. How's that for extremism.

Worship god on Sunday, start a war on Monday. Seems strange to me, but then I'm not religious.....

9 ( +11 / -2 )

According to theologians the Third Commandment ( not to take God's name in vain) refers to sealing an oath by affirming and then breaking the sworn oath.

The President and other public SERVANTS swear an oath to support and defend The CONSTITUTION from all enemies, foreign and domestic. It seems the biggest enemy currently is from within.

Before deciding which( or any) candidate to support, read the Constitution for yourself to determine which person can and will actuall KEEP the Oath of Office. That's the voter's civic duty.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

"Republican Mitt Romney thrust God to the center of the White House race Saturday,..."

God?

Which one?

There's currently approximately 30,000 different religions and denominations in the world today.

People are more confused about 'god' than ever.

If god (I can't specify exactly which one) actually exists, s/he/it is more like an absent parent who never shows him/herself.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

"Robertson has a history of inflammatory rhetoric, including a statement after a 2010 earthquake in Haiti that the impoverished and frequently disaster-struck nation was cursed after making a deal with the devil"

I remember this.

Robertson, of course, had zero proof of this. Different Christians will concoct different justifications and reasons for just about everything - as long as it is comforting and makes things feel good.

When I was a Christian, I remember I thanked God (the Christian one) for 'helping' me pass my University exams and graduate. A long time later, I thought - I passed because I was putting in 7-day/week study sessions for months beforehand. My concrete effort vs the vague unprovable notion that god had somehow helped me.

I know which one I believe now.

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Does Mitt Romney realise his referring to god is pushing away everyone who doesn't believe in that god?

Does Mitt Romney realise his referring to god is a sure sign of how desperate he has become?

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9 in 10 Americans still believe in God and while it is waining a little for younger adults, still the US is a God fearing nation, that doesn't mean the churches are packed to the brim and everyone carries a Bible. And while you have quite a few Liberals that don't in God, what the DNC did trying to eliminate God was an almost certainty that many people were going to complain. Obama knew what was at stake, that's why he called and had it put back in the platform. Obama would have possibly also alienated the Muslim vote in Michigan (but at the same time angering Muslims by acknowledging that Jerusalem is the capitol of Israel) as well for as the Jewish vote in Florida. Aside from partisan politics, the majority of African Americans and Latino Americans overwhelmingly are church going people, not to mention the latin community in the US is the fastest growing demographics in the country and a huge chunk of them vote Democratic and to not mention God was the worst thing they could have done, would've been easier to shoot themselves in the foot. That whole debacle will come back to haunt the DNC, it was an embarrassing moment and looking like a party that is anti-God and Anti-Israel won't help them to win more votes for sure. I will NOT mock anyone's religion, it's not my business and not my right to do so. However they worship, is not the issue, what matters is if they are serving the people are are in public office, then their accomplishments are more important than how they pray to the Almighty.

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Latest stats

http://www.gallup.com/poll/147887/Americans-Continue-Believe-God.aspx

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

SS3, what you describe could be considered Deism, if you believe in God, but not in a religion formulated by man nor on some man-made text.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Obama's pastor was famous for his "god damn America" sermons. Obama managed to never hear it in 10 years of membership, then left the congregation when it was exposed. Don't know where he goes to church these days, perhaps the same church Clinton went back to office from to have sex with Monica.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Politicians like Mitt use god for 1 main purpose - to pander votes.

They know that as Christianity is the establishment religion in the USA, they can use god and the notion of the diety to batter others into accepting their usually hate-based views:

Anti-abortion? God (the Christian one) said don't kill.

Anti-gay? The (Christian) Bible says homosexual sex is an abomination in the eyes of the lord.

Support Israel? The Christian) Bible says Israel is the chosen land and the site where Christ will return.

Simply by stating 'God said this' or 'god said that' is a hail Mary pass to batter people who might otherwise think differently to your point of view.

It's also cowardly and weak.

If Mitt can't convince people to vote for him on HIS OWN merits, he's got problems and exhibiting true weakness.

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America still believes in God? What an unbelievably backward country.

Maybe Europe should bring God back, the way Europe is spiraling out of control, they could use a little GOD. Not having God could also by many be seen as ignorant. So don't just put it on America, has nothing to do with the country or people. Islam is the fastest growing religion, are they all stupid as well?

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Herve - "SS3, what you describe could be considered Deism, if you believe in God, but not in a religion formulated by man nor on some man-made text."

I'm not sure what I believe in now. It used to be the Christian god. Then I discovered that the number 1 factor behind a person's religious faith is (drumroll.......) their place of birth.

Which explains why most Hindus live in India, most Muslims are where they are, and why white developed nations are predominantly Christian.

Bottom line is no one has a say over where they are born. If i was born in Delhi, I very likely would be Hindu. But I wasn't. I was born and raised in a Christian family in a so-called 'Christian' nation.

That's probably just like many religious posters on JT.

And the religious indoctrination in Christian countries is amazing when you look at it: we are taught only to accept, NEVER to question.

Catholics are taught to confess their sins to a priest in a box. Christians are led to believe child baptism will 'save' a child who dies early.

Look up these 2 practices in the Bible - neither of them are mentioned.

So why are they practiced and believed to work??

A/ because not enough people actially read the Bible, and B/ not enough people actually question religious teachings and customs.

And now we see Mitt Romney using a prop (the Christian god) to prop up his campaign and doing it in a way that appeals to some but likely turns of many more who are not Christian.

It's just sad.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Does Mitt Romney realise his referring to god is pushing away everyone who doesn't believe in that god?

Why exactly? Are atheists opposed to freedom of speech or freedom of religion? Do atheists think that someone who believes in a higher power is not fit for office?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It was a blunder for the Democrats to acknowledge the Republican fool complaint about the lack of God in the Democrat camp.

They should have just issued a statement that all Americans of all faiths are welcome to worship freely, and that is nothing to do with political parties. Instead they gave the Republicans traction by reacting to this stupidity.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Bass - "Maybe Europe should bring God back, the way Europe is spiraling out of control, they could use a little GOD"

But which one?

Can you see how cultural/religious brainwashing has led you to not even consider specifying which one?

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Dentshol - "Why exactly? Are atheists opposed to freedom of speech or freedom of religion?"

The United Sfates Constitution pushes seperstion of religion and politics.

Why so many Americans dont undersfsnd this is beyond me.

America's Founding Fathers were Atheists.

Do atheists think that someone who believes in a higher power is not fit for office?

No, but they should not use religion - any religion - publicly or in policy-making.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

RJP - hey should have just issued a statement that all Americans of all faiths are welcome to worship freely, and that is nothing to do with political parties. Instead they gave the Republicans traction by reacting to this stupidity."

I agree.

However, that would have enraged all the Christian voters who for some reason believe they and they alone have the only lock on religion and that only their god is real.

And yet, can they prove these things?

No.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Sushi

You have absolutely NO idea as to what you are talking about! Obama has the same problem in Florida, Michigan, NY and California, if you think he doesn't then you are a hardcore Kool-aid connoisseur! As I said, before, Obama cannot alienate Latinos and African Americans, so in Obama's case, especially what happened a few days ago, that may very well come back to haunt him and the Dems if they are seen as the party of NO God! Unless, Obama wants to shave off a big chunk of his voting block, which would benefit and play right into the Republicans hands, that would be a...God send!

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

But which one?

Can you see how cultural/religious brainwashing has led you to not even consider specifying which one?

All of them.

America's Founding Fathers were Atheists.

Not quite true.

To plainly say they were "Christians" is a bit misleading. Some of them were, but others were deitists, or believed in one spirtual being (God if you will) which had very little to do with governing their lives on earth. However, it is important to note that all of the Founding Fathers followed Christian doctrine for rules on how to conduct ones self, for it was so intertwined with the society. Benjamin Franklin probably explains it best when he, to paraphrase, said that although he is unsure of whether God exists or not, he felt it was better to believe in Christianity and the Christian God than not to, for the Christian teachings prevented moral anarchy. Thus, our nation was founded on Christian principles because the Founding Generation recognized the value in them to create a moral, virtuous society.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

SS3, I agree with what you just wrote about religion and one's place of birth, etc.

My point about deism is that perhaps you might find it fits your personal convictions.

Many great people have been deists including Thomas Jefferson.

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Bass, good point on the religious / spiritual proclivities of the Founding Fathers( not Atheists, but an amalgamation of beliefs) .

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Bass - "However, it is important to note that all of the Founding Fathers followed Christian doctrine for rules on how to conduct ones self,.."

You should probably read a little deeper and investigate other religions.

All the major religions teach the same basic precepts: don't kill, treat/love your neighbor as yourself, etc.

These are not exclusively Christian concepts at all.

And again - can you see the bias? The Foinding Fathers came from where? England? What was/is the predominant religion in England?

Christianity. So, Cgristianity was probably the only religion any of them knew.

Instant bias, and no surprise they based their doctrine on it.

Bass - "All of them."

So, just out of interest, how many God's do you believe in?

I believe in none but I cannot and will not claim that none exist.

And I certainly won't be arrogant enough to push my religious beliefs on anyone if even I can't prove them.

Which is what Mitt seems quite happy to do.

for it was so intertwined with the society. Benjamin Franklin probably explains it best when he, to paraphrase, said that although he is unsure of whether God exists or not, he felt it was better to believe in Christianity and the Christian God than not to, for the Christian teachings prevented moral anarchy. Thus

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Pat Robertson along with his fellow bigots and ripoff artists drag the name of the US through the mud. How the hell are these idiots taken seriously? As the late Christopher Hitchens said of Jerry Falwell, 'If you gave Falwell an enema, you could bury him in a matchbox'. The same could apply to Robertson.

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Mitt associating with Pat Robertson is a disgrace and shows how desperate Mitt has become.

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@Sushi

You should probably read a little deeper and investigate other religions.

I did, but we are talking about the US and the US are morals and ethics are based on Christian/Judea laws, basic.

All the major religions teach the same basic precepts: don't kill, treat/love your neighbor as yourself, etc.

Yes, so what's your point?

These are not exclusively Christian concepts at all.

I never said that.

And again - can you see the bias? The Foinding Fathers came from where? England? What was/is the predominant religion in England?

In case you haven't noticed, that was a long time ago. Has nothing to do with Anything now.

No, bias

So, just out of interest, how many God's do you believe in?

That is completely irrelevant to the discussion. I will not interject my personal beliefs on this thread.

And I certainly won't be arrogant enough to push my religious beliefs on anyone if even I can't prove them.

Neither will I. But we are not politicians. Obama and Romney have to very delicate on this issue.

Which is what Mitt seems quite happy to do.

And Which Obama, if he is smart, needs to do more to a certain point.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Don't you just love the accusations of intolerance towards the atheists? I wonder how many on the Christian right would vote for an Atheist? Imagine what would happen if a Muslim candidate ran? Oh, sorry Obama is a Muslim.

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What good is Pat Robertson when Obama has the support of almighty Crist? ; )

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Land of the free? What tosh! the republican campaign is a joke - vote Republican, because god says so.

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Personally, I think Obama is not particularly concerned about his faith, and good on him. His country's Constitution specifies a separation of church and state, and Obama is honoring this.

Mitt is not.

I think Obama clearly injected himself into the DNC platform debate about including 'God' to shore up the Christian vote.

Sad, IMO, but 'necessary' as - let's face it - his job depends on votes.

What he isn't doing, though, is invoking god (the Christian one), which is what Romney and the narrow-minded exclusionist Christian conservatives on the Right are doing.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

A more accurate article title would read:

"Romney plays Christian God card in swing state struggle in desperate attempt to score votes among exclusionist Christian voters"

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Or

"Romney goes against U.S. Constitution by playing God card in swing state struggle"

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Benjamin Franklin probably explains it best

He sure does.........

I've lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men.

Speech to the Constitutional Convention (28 June 1787)

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Politics is a dirty business and it is pretty much a given that whoever is shown to be behind in the polls can be expected to show increasing desperation in his attempts to lure more voters.

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Sail - "I've lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men."

Same question for you - WHICH god?

Is it the Christian god who embarked on and commanded murderous rampages while issuing as his first commandment to Moses, "Thou shalt no kill."

That one?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Same question for you - WHICH god?

I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. ... I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous.

Benjamin Franklin......."Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion" (1728).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Sushi 'Thou shalt not kill' is an inaccurate translation - it should read 'Thou shalt not commit murder'. Butchering other tribes was not regarded as or understood as murder. They do have their standards you know....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

A more accurate article title would be "Obama plays class warfare card in re-election struggle."

0 ( +2 / -2 )

bass4funk: "9 in 10 Americans still believe in God and while it is waining a little for younger adults, still the US is a God fearing nation,"

Speaking of 'hard core Kool-aid', since you brought it up, which god are you talking about? If you think 9 out of 10 Americans believe in the Christian god then you're not sipping the Kool-aid you brought up, your chugging it. It's a perfect example of how out of touch Romney is via the people who blindly support him. Maybe you guys can finally stop chanting the rhetoric McCain and the dolt palin tried to pin on Obama as 'The One' and start applying it to Romney; he's absolutely nuts and has just alienated himself once again.

Not to worry, though... he'll be back-tracking via flip-flopping again by tomorrow, saying he accepts all faiths and what.

"At the Daytona 500, the multimillionaire former private equity boss infamously said that he considers several NASCAR team owners to be friends—a comment that helped solidify his image as a man out of touch."

TOO funny!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Thou shalt not murder" Moses servant of God most high was removing wicked men, and baal, and the asherath pole's ,and the idol's they worshipped from the land, for their stench had reached his nostrils. They all had become like sodom. God's name is "Jealous". Who on earth can think for one second they can counsel God Most High! Dont have a sinful unbelieving Heart. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

The US needs more Ben Franklins, the person not the paper note.

" Like the other advocates of republicanism, Franklin emphasized that the new republic could survive only if the people were virtuous. All his life he explored the role of civic and personal virtue, as expressed in Poor Richard's aphorisms. Franklin felt that organized religion was necessary to keep men good to their fellow men, but rarely attended religious services himself.

Franklin formulated a presentation of his beliefs and published it in 1728. It did not mention many of the Puritan ideas as regards belief in salvation, the divinity of Jesus, and indeed most religious dogma. He clarified himself as a deist in his 1771 autobiography, although he still considered himself a Christian. He retained a strong faith in a God as the wellspring of morality and goodness in man, and as a Providential actor in history responsible for American independence. "

1 ( +2 / -1 )

T-Mack: "Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you!"

Which one?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Sail - "I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. ... I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous"

That's not answering the question.

Hindus and people in thousands of other - different - religions would say the same/similar thing.

See how complicated this gets?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Serrano - " more accurate article title would be "Obama plays class warfare card in re-election struggle."

Yo Serrano - wrong article!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

bass4funk: "9 in 10 Americans still believe in God and while it is waining a little for younger adults, still the US is a God fearing natio

Nonsense. The US is a god-fearing nation on Sundays only and that's only among the Christians.

The rest of the time, much of America is a god-ignoring, god-pandering, god-law-flaunting nation that resumes its weekly orgy of murder, abuse, divorce, suicide, etc. straight after church.

Pretty much all western "god-fearing nation are like this.

Amazed you still can't see it.

Everyone, even the most hardcore Christians and Mitt, cherry pick the laws from the Bible they want to follow and ignore the rest.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

When I was a Christian, I remember I thanked God (the Christian one) for 'helping' me pass my University exams and graduate. A long time later, I thought - I passed because I was putting in 7-day/week study sessions for months beforehand. My concrete effort vs the vague unprovable notion that god had somehow helped me.

God as a great cosmic Santa Claus vending machine in the sky. lol. No doubt a majority of Christians do have crude ideas as to how petition works, that prayer and faith can replace what you can do of your own efforts, but how is that the fault of God ? Is it really about Him or is merely about us and what we want. What do our prayers really sound like to God? Bless me Father? I want this? I want that? Help me! “Prayer is not a substitute for work, thinking, watching, suffering, or giving; prayer is a support for all other efforts.” -- George Buttrick (English-born Congregational preacher)

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Lizzi, good points.

Also, considering how many prayers don't get answered and how Christians (myself included in the past) make up every excuse in the book to justify it, when I considered "my prayers aren't being answered because god doesn't exist" suddenly all those unanswered prayers made a whole lot of sense.

Ditto for when my mother and grandmother died of cancer - despite heaps of people praying for them. "they weren't healed because there's no god'"

But I'll admit the "god has taken them home" (despite my grandmother being an Atheist) notion was extremely comforting at the time.

Comfort......us pretty much what religion is all about, IMO.

Kudos to those who use it for that, but to see Mitt Romney using it as a tool to win votes considering the US electorate is full of millions of people of other faiths?

Ridiculous.

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Islam is the fastest growing religion, are they all stupid as well?

You certainly don't have to be stupid to be deluded. The fact is non-religious people think those who believe angels are real (for example, nearly 80% of Americans) are under a delusion. The vast majority of religious people, by definition, scorn the beliefs of other religions to their own (even if they don't outwardly admit it) and think atheists are shallow-thinking people.

Are atheists opposed to freedom of speech or freedom of religion? Do atheists think that someone who believes in a higher power is not fit for office?

Atheists believe that in democratic, multi-ethnic societies which reflect an array of religious and non-religious beliefs, the issues involved in a political debate and election should be non-religious. Atheists also generally believe societies have progressed through humanism, not religion. For example, the Christian religion has had to develop its doctrines based to suit the demands of the acceptable prevalent humanistic culture. Christians used to burn witches at the stake, have inquisitions, crusades, slaves and commit other atrocities in the name of (and justification) of their religion. In fact, as recently as the infamous time of white sheets and burning crosses (carried out by devout white protestants?). Mormons originally believed in polygamy and the inferiority of blacks. What changed them all? Certainly not their original religious dogma.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Aside from partisan politics, the majority of African Americans and Latino Americans overwhelmingly are church going people, not to mention the latin community in the US is the fastest growing demographics in the country and a huge chunk of them vote Democratic and to not mention God was the worst thing they could have done,

@ bass4funk: You are correct. It seems the Dems have forgotten what happened to them in CA in 2008. Obama won the state and had the minority vote. But that same voting block (Blacks, Latinos, and Asians) also defeated the Gay Marriage proposal on the CA ballot. The Dems thought that they had that one won, since they knew that they had a huge minority voter turnout, but that far left wing of the party didn't really understand the people. Of course they tried to deny it and blame it on the religious right groups from places like Utah and their campaigns to defeat the measure, but it was the CA Dem voters who were mostly minority who defeated that proposal. You can look at how the elections results were, and outside of very liberal places like SF, where there were large minoity populations, that measure fell.

Obama knew this, as evidence from the pushback he has been getting from minority (Black) pastors who are calling him out on his support of gay marriage, and for the platform to not at least mention God and Israel, would have given the GOP ammunition that they could use against him.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

bass4funkSep. 09, 2012 - 11:09AM JST

9 in 10 Americans still believe in God and while it is waining a little for younger adults, still the US is a God fearing nation

I thought this God guy was all forgiving and generally an fine sort of entity. So why would 90% of any nation be in fear of him?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I'll admit I'm surprised to see a man as proudly self-made as Mitt Romney now bending over and relying on the other-worldly religious crutch of god. 

Does Mitt have no shame?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Persons do not exist. No. Just matter. Reason is an illusion when only matter exists. Virtue is what? How about goodness? And Truth. All a joke.All relative. So they say. But maybe persons do exit with will, perception and reason. Person hood must exist in the Universe because we exit. Perhaps through will, perception and reason we can know truth. Surely something is there for those who do not harden their hearts, for we can will to not see. Perhaps what we believe is what we get. I like the idea of a being treated with loving kindness by a supreme being. I am not jealous and know that the spirit of such is not too far away. In fact my very thoughts exist by that grace. Be quiet and know.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Wise words from a very wise man.

This was Franklin's final and most famous description his personal faith. He offers a concise "creed" and expresses skepticism about the Divinity Jesus. He died the next month, on April 17, at the age of 85. Stiles was President of Yale College.

Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles

You desire to know something of my Religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it: But I do not take your Curiosity amiss, and shall endeavour in a few Words to gratify it. Here is my Creed: I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we can render to him, is doing Good to his other Children. That the Soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another Life respecting its Conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do, in whatever Sect I meet with them. As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting Changes, and I have with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his Divinity: tho' it is a Question I do not dogmatise upon,

http://www.beliefnet.com/resourcelib/docs/44/Letter_from_Benjamin_Franklin_to_Ezra_Stiles_1.html

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Romney said Americans needed a new president who will “commit to a nation under God that recognizes that we the American people were given our rights not by government but by God himself.”

I don't remember voting for god.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Dog whistles aplenty in this news. Let's take a look at a few.

Romney appeared with televangelist Pat Robertson ....

Pat Robertson is your average Christian in the way that a pit bull is your average dog: He may look cuddly and innocuous, but he has an agenda and will rip off your face to achieve it. Specifically, he is an evangelist, one who predicted that the Apocalypse would occur in 1982. That did not, as far as we are aware, happen; it did, though, seem to leave the man with a very large chip on his shoulder.

So when Romney states that:

We are a nation that’s bestowed by God.

he is speaking in specific terms that evangelists would understand. To them, history is merely an unmasking of God's will, an unwinding of a wound-up mechanical puppet show. In this show, Israel is the star, for its reconstitution is a sign of the End of Times. But that little state cannot survive without support, and in that comes America's Biblical purpose. This is to what Romney is alluding.

This is closely related to the concept of "American exceptionalism" - a concept not related to quality or quantity but to a God-given role in the outplay of history. An non-evangelical may refer to America as "exceptional" in concrete terms such as opportunity and freedom (or in more negative ways as well); an evangelical does so in the sense that America is a country which must fulfill God's will. These are quite different concepts.

Google a bit of it and look around; one site mentions, "We call it American exceptionalism—the belief that, from among the countries of the world, the United States of America has been uniquely called by God to be X. In this equation, X equals whatever you think America stands for." http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/2010/10/07/mormon-apocalypse-part-1/

That Romney chose to appear with Robinson is no accident; that Robinson chose to support the Mormon Romney over the more conventional Obama is neither. Evangelical Christianity calls to a large number of people, particularly in the South, but it is as mainstream as the Mormons - and the enemy of one's enemy tends to become one's friend.

Mainstream Christians might have imagined Lucifer standing by chortling as Romney made obscience to Robinson. Non-Christians might be either annoyed or attribute it to obligatory Christianity referencing. For evangelicals, however, this is a message which will not be misunderstood.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Sushi

I get what you are saying, there is some truth to that, but still the majority of Americans are a God-fearing nation, it doesn't mean that they go and sit in a church everyday. Both men are playing the religious card. they both cannot discount their votes and again, it's a fine line that both need walk. I will submit to you that from Obama's end, he really needs to come off more like he respects God or at least acknowledges the almighty if he wants their votes, cow towing to the small minority of atheists that are whining about this won't help him, I assure you.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@Laguna Pat Robertson has unsuccessfully predicted the end of times many times since 1982 and has been made to look the crazed fanatic that he is every time. It is a disgrace to the American people that this maniac still has a following and can appear with a presidential candidate. It seems that you can get away with hate speech, bigotry and downright insanity in the States as long as it is dressed up in religion. It seems atheism is on the rise in America, and let's hope that one day idiots like Robertson will be treated with the contempt they deserve.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I thought this God guy was all forgiving and generally an fine sort of entity. So why would 90% of any nation be in fear of him?

I think you are totally misunderstanding the word FEAR as it relates to religious terms. FEAR meaning, respect and being humble when it comes invoking God.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

"FEAR meaning, respect "

Sounds like something I'd attribute more to Vito Corleone...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I will be so glad when this mind-numbing election is over for another three years.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

under God

Really though, they must mean prisons. Per capita in US according to nationmaster it's 715 per 100,000. Canada it's 116 and Japan 54.

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Candidates like Mitt who are invoking a murderous Christian god that the people claim is exclusionist are again turning the religious section of the American electorate into a global laughing stock.

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Obama had a question on this by the way.

The word God, which appeared in the 2008 and 2004 platform, was not originally included in the 2012 version.

When he learned of the absence of the word God from the platform, Obama reacted by saying, "Why on earth would that have been taken out?" three Democratic sources told CNN.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/05/just-in-democrats-to-update-platform-with-jerusalem-reference/

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Romney says:

we the American people were given our rights not by government but by God himself

Take a breath and then think about how astoundingly ignorant, arrogant, and dangerous this line of thinking is. I have no doubt Romney believes it. In this case at least he's not having to lie for a vote. He and the evangelicals are birds of a feather when it comes to God & Country (TM).

A nation hand-picked by God to be a light unto the nations? Has not that storyline already worn thin? The constitution has never claimed to be the unerring word of God, and I'm sure Jefferson and the other founders (despite their deistic enlightenment idealistic grandiloquence) would be surprised to find America so religiously attached to its own unique nationhood.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Sail, keeping 'god' in the party platform would be in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution.

The question that should be being asked is why is 'God' mentioned in the RNC platform?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Oh my god! I do not which GOD Mitt wants us also to believe in!

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Romney says:

we the American people were given our rights not by government but by God himself

Take a breath and then think about how astoundingly ignorant, arrogant, and dangerous this line of thinking is.

Like the line of thinking in our Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Devoid of policy, defying arithmetic, Romney turns to god.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Forgot to mention the role of Jerusalem in my above note. A capital for many countries defines it - Paris for France, London for England; for others, it is simply convenience - Moscow for Russia, whatever for Australia (Canberra? Isn't that a kind of cheese?) - but in either case, displacement is quite imaginable. France might do well with a capital on the sea; Russia used to have one in Saint Petersburg. Japan could remove its capital to Fukuoka, America to Omaha, and things would go on much as they did.

But not Israel. Jerusalem is the Biblical capital; the capital must be there for the End of Times to occur according to evangelical thought. This explains the importance of the Dems including this in their platform as well as why Romney chose this moment to appear with Robinson. The Dems can argue it away as simply political; Romney seems to be pitching for the evangelical vote whole-hog.

I am deficient in Mormon scripture; it would be useful if someone knowledable in this are could post some thoughts about the LDS and how they consider the Apocalypse.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sail, keeping 'god' in the party platform would be in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution.

The question that should be being asked is why is 'God' mentioned in the RNC platform?

Better question would be, "Why would God then also be a part of the Oath for Offices to be held by Federal judges including Supreme Court Justices if it was unconstitutional?

Sec. 453. Oaths of justices and judges

"I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

sailwind: "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights..."

I just created a wicked sweet and sour meatball dinner. Does that make me god? Romney has shoved his foot in his mouth on this issue much farther than he has on anything else thusfar, save his refusal to release his tax documents. The man is desperate, and the god-card is proof of that.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The poor guy is delusional, and it looks like he is not the only one.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I just created a wicked sweet and sour meatball dinner. Does that make me god?

Nah, just a candidate for some serious indigestion. Interesting analogy though. Ronald Reagan used it also.

“Sometimes when I'm faced with an atheist, I am tempted to invite him to the greatest gourmet dinner that one could ever serve, and when we have finished eating that magnificent dinner, to ask him if he believes there's a cook.”

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

sailwind: "“Sometimes when I'm faced with an atheist, I am tempted to invite him to the greatest gourmet dinner that one could ever serve, and when we have finished eating that magnificent dinner, to ask him if he believes there's a cook.”

Yes, well, Reagan's intelligence never was his strong suit. If the person asked if he or she believes there is a cook (notice how Reagan says 'him' and not 'her') and that person for whatever reason said 'no', Reagan could ask the cook to come out and thus prove the cook's existence. Is Romney going to show us god, sail? And if so, which one?

Atheists use common sense, people who believe in god use external locus of control to justify their actions -- in essence, they say, "Wasn't me". But just watch, tomorrow Romney will be talking about how he thinks all religions are wonderful and that people are free to believe in what they choose (while he threatens to ram his bible-thumping legislature down their throats).

3 ( +5 / -2 )

God does not care about Mitt Romney or American politics for that matter. The whole issue is silly.

Really the Mittster McBain is better suited to run for president of planet zoltar, or wherever mormans want to go next. Maybe there lying all the time is acceptable.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Candidates like Mitt who are invoking a murderous Christian god that the people claim is exclusionist are again turning the religious section of the American electorate into a global laughing stock.

I think it is very disingenuous of you to say that the Christian God is a murderous God. If you want to say that there were people that used Christianity as a way to impose rule or brutality like with Slavery or the Spanish Inquisition, I get your point, but other religions have done the same, so you shouldn't pigeonhole an entire religion and never undermine the voting power of Christians, in particular, Catholics. They too, are a large voting block many of them liberal and many are Conservative, but thinking that these people are irrelevant and are look marginalized is absolutely suicidal politically.

And saying things like "In God we trust" is NOT violating the Constitution at all. If either Romney or Obama would turn to the Bible in oder to legislate and to adopt or enact laws in the name if the Church, then you can make that argument, which neither President has done.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

cleo: "I will be so glad when this mind-numbing election is over for another three years"

You could, if you choose to, just ignore it. But, heh heh, you don't.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Atheists use common sense, people who believe in god use external locus of control to justify their actions

That is totally subjective point.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Bass - 'I think it is very disingenuous of you to say that the Christian God is a murderous God."

Bass, can yu do me a favor? Pick up your Bible and read the book of Deuteronomy.

The get back to us how the Christian god isn't a murderous deity.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Atheists use common sense

Or as Ravi Zacharias famously said.

To sustain the belief that there is no God, atheism has to demonstrate infinite knowledge, which is tantamount to saying, "I have infinite knowledge that there is no being in existence with infinite knowledge."

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@Sail

all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights

You will notice that the authors of this wrote all men, and did not grant special privilege to America or Americans. Pride in one's country and its accomplishments is noble; believing that God chose one people over another is arrogant, bigoted, and self-destructive.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Not sure why everyone is picking on the Republicans for the religious stuff. It was the dems who brought back the God thing in their platform - regardless of the opposition, Obama talks about faith and God, and Clinton had no problem ending his speech with God bless you and God bless America.

Maybe it's true that Americans are more religious in general.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Bass, the Noah flood - god wiped out EVERY LIVING THING on the face of the planet.

That was probably the Christian God's biggest massacre, and one of many I might add.

Your assertion that the Christian god is not murderous simply show all of us here that you either haven't read you Bible or choose to ignore the violent parts.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

bass4funk: "but other religions have done the same,"

Mitt's clearly not talking about other religions, is he? nor are the 1 out of 10 Americans you claim are not god-fearing! :) ouch. Hurts how that comes back to bite you, eh? Anyway, why have they had to change the Bible from the Old Testament to the New? Was the Old god too nasty? How can you possibly believe in such a thing when Christians constantly change their stance on what constitutes the god they preach about? Some probably think the world is still square and that the universe revolves around earth.

sailwind: "To sustain the belief that there is no God, atheism has to demonstrate infinite knowledge, which is tantamount to saying, "I have infinite knowledge that there is no being in existence with infinite knowledge.""

Do you have infinite knowledge? Take responsibility for your own actions, right or wrong. It always amuses me how people like Romney pat themselves on the back when they believe they are successful, and then blame god when they are wronged. There is no god, bottom line. There is life, and if you want to call that a god, then do so -- but it's certainly not some omnipotent bible-thumping god who allows all the war and chaos to go on for her amusement.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bass, if you're still not convinced -

Www.Evilbible.com

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Sail again

tantamount to saying, "I have infinite knowledge that there is no being in existence with infinite knowledge."

BS. Atheism simply does not subscribe to a belief in any supernatural omniscient deity, and opposes power structures that institutionalize hearsay and mumbo jumbo. The burden of proof is with the believer. You believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster and you want to share your belief? Fine. Show me the evidence.

It is impossible to prove, and absurd to demand 'infinite knowledge' for proving, the non-existence of a socially-constructed myth.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Interestingly enough, fools like Romney and his supporters that believe you must disprove god or else he exists also still think WMDs existed in Iraq and said you must prove they don't exist to avoid the illegal invasion. It's like the equivalent of a child putting his or her fingers in his or her ears and just shouting "LALALALALALA!" when logic is presented to them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Romney appeared with televangelist Pat Robertson in the key swing state of Virginia

It's over! Pat Robertson needs to be institutionalized. If Romney is on the campaign trail with this religious nut job, you've essentially jumped the shark. Romney, pack ur bags and go home son, you're done!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Here's a simple test. If a "biblical teaching" doesn't square with "the greatest commandment" to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and to "love your neighbor as yourself" it's not a command for the Church Universal, but for a specific audience in a specific cultural context, perhaps perverted by distorted translation of the common meaning of the word in the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) at the time it was written.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

First guy to promise to legalise polygamy WINS!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

BS. Atheism simply does not subscribe to a belief in any supernatural omniscient deity,

Atheism is a belief system that is based on cold blooded rationality. At its core everything can scientifically explained or eventually will be. A true atheist would agree that there is no such thing as " true love". After all love is nothing but dopamine flooded neurons running along neural pathways that formulate a certain neurological pattern of recognition in the human brain. The feeling of "love" is just a chemical by-product. Countless studies and cat scans have documented the changes in the brain showing this to be true. Love, though the feeling is intense and pleasurable when one does find his or soul mate is just a chemical induced illusion if one wants to be Atheistic about it.

For myself however, when I look into my better half I happen to thank God for her and our life together and give a prayer to a higher being and not to cold blooded brain produced chemical byproducts.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Lizz: "...but for a specific audience in a specific cultural context, perhaps perverted by distorted translation of the common meaning of the word in the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) at the time it was written."

So in other words it was meant for a very small, very specific group of people, and might not at all have been translated well and could be very different from what you think. And yet Romney is using the same religion and religious nutbags like Robertson to try and appeal to everyone?

Only the GOP could disconnect in such a way as to try and connect with this.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sushi: "That's not an insult - that's a fact."

Well said. South Park did an interesting number on this issue (actually, it always does) in the whole "Imagination Land" episodes, where people were saying, "Such and such is imaginary, but heaven and hell are real" and what not.

Wasn't it Ogre in Revenge of the Nerds 2 that pointed out that G-O-D spelled backwards is really just D-O-G?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Sushi

Your assertion that the Christian god is not murderous simply show all of us here that you either haven't read you Bible or choose to ignore the violent parts.

You can string this along anyway you wish, I never said anything about the Bible or if I believe or if I am a Christian, all I am saying is, is that throughout history violent acts were made in the name of religion, that doesn't make it generally a psychotic religion. Also, just because you think everything can be explained DOESN'T mean that isn't such a thing a a God or a higher power, there is absolutely no proof, none! No one has ever passed on, came back to life and gave us a report, so I am not ruling anything out, why? Because you just don't know either way. That doesn't make me a religious man or not, but it makes me a careful, open-minded and humble person.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

During the primaries, the issue of Romney's Mormanism was brought up. Evangelicals like Robertson didn't really flock to Romney, so the fact that he is reaching out to them and they seem somewhat approachable is simply a matter of politics.

I'll admit I'm surprised to see a man as proudly self-made as Mitt Romney now bending over and relying on the other-worldly religious crutch of god.

Well maybe it is about time that an elected person does this. Pretty much goes against the common grain that just because a person is religious, that they can't be reached. I am sure Romney will tell you that he made his fortune because he was Blessed, and to a point I can believe in that. But also, he had to go out and work on increasing his wealth, he didn't just sit around and wait for it to fall from Heaven, or go around on TV telling people to send him $19.95 for a special "healing towel" to bring them closer to God. He kept his religion, practiced it as he saw fit, and still realized he had to work, but he does give back to his church.

Good for him, and if you don't believe like he does, then that's your right. Nowhere have I read or heard that he wants to bring American closer to his Morman faith.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

bass4funk: "That is totally subjective point."

It's 'totally' fact, actually, subjective or objective. Do you really think saying 'god commanded me to do this' is internal locus of control? Only a weak and possibly demented human being would say their actions are the result of a higher power and not their own will.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Alphaape: "He kept his religion, practiced it as he saw fit, and still realized he had to work, but he does give back to his church."

So again the conundrum; who did it, him or god? Was it god who made him in his own image and Romney did what he did of his own will, but the wars he proposes are god's will? The paradoxes of Christianity are incredibly humorous, but then, when you point them out nutters just shut up and say 'God will judge you!' and then run and hide.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thank god (but which one?)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sushi: "Thank god (but which one?)"

I'm up for thanking Shiva... if for nothing else than the wicked Indian food joint near my place.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It points out yet another conundrum for the wingers who support Romney and his bible-thumping -- he is unwilling to support other religions, especially standing beside the nutbag Roberts, and if he ate Indian curry he'd probably thank the Christian god for its taste, when the people that magnificently brewed it up don't give one iota about his god.

My question to the nutters is, when Obama wins again this year will that be god's will or Obama's fault?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Whatever happens is "God's will" by definition.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Smith

Ah, now that you're being called on to explain your stance on Romney's beliefs it's suddenly 'not part of the >discussion', is it? So, you want to talk religion when it suits you, but not when it doesn't? and that's 'objective' >in your mind?

I am not here to explain Romney's belief on religion, I am just merely saying that, you cannot prove that God or a higher power DOESN'T exist, that is all that I am talking about. It has nothing to do with whether the faithful want to talk about it or not, just because you can rationalize and physically touch something and can conceptualize something, that doesn't mean that there isn't something spiritual out there.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

My question to the nutters is, when Obama wins again this year will that be god's will or Obama's fault?

Not when, "IF." Liberal moon bats always overestimate themselves as well as their insatiable ego. It could be a combination of God, luck and voters waking up.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

No, it doesn't. Evidence is evidence. You can see, feel, touch, measure it. Belief is what you fall back on when there is no evidence, or when you don't like the evidence in front of your face.

The ability to question, the ability to take a skeptical position, is actually absolutely central to a lot of people's understanding of themselves as religious persons. It's a central element of faith and very important I think to experience doubt. A faith without some struggles with disbelief is like a human body without any antibodies in it. It is in itself, is in my opinion, faith strengthening, in that it drives you to find answers. All the great spiritual leaders had their "Dark Night of the Soul" when they questioned their beliefs or were tempted to abandon God -- Moses, Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed all hesitated at times, unsure of their calling. I doubt that you find many scientists or science fans who actually claim that science is the “only” methodology we can use to describe the world around us.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Atheism is a belief system that is based on cold blooded rationality.

Nonsense. It is not a belief system, and I don't see the danger in demystifying very real emotions like love. Just because they come from the brain rather than from an socially constructed God doesn't make them experientially any less remarkable and life affirming.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Romney flip flops again! Now he's saying that he likes and would keep most parts of "Obamacare"...WTF? His whole campaign was ran on repealing it the day he was elected to office, and now he wants to keep it? His fip flopping knows no bounds!!!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/09/mitt-romney-obamacare-_n_1868385.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A strict agnostic says you cannot pronounce as knowledge anything you cannot demonstrate. You can't run an experiment on whether God exists or not, therefore you can't say anything about it as knowledge. Atheism is a belief system because makes an absolute stand about something that cannot be proven.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You can't run an experiment on whether God exists or not, therefore you can't say anything about it as knowledge. Atheism is a belief system because makes an absolute stand about something that cannot be proven.

You can say the same about candy rainbows,santa claus and unicorns. Can you prove without a doubt that they don't exist? If you can't, does that mean that the do do exist?

Atheism is not the belief of the non-existence of god, because atheist don't carry a "faith" (as creationists do) that god doesn't exist. Atheist believe that there is no scientific fact to back the existence of a god, AND that there is overwhelming evidence that suggest that there is no god.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Readers, no more debate on the existence of God. It is a question that cannot be answered and is not what this story is about.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Doesn't Pat Robertson, as a God-fearing fundamentalist, believe that Romney, as a Mormon, is going to hell?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Interesting the Republicans keep touting an USA that was founded on the principals of Christianity - when in fact it was founded on NOT allowing Christianity or any religion as the basis of government. Massive removal of reality from the debate.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A devout Mormon talking about God in a speech is not that radical.

What's amazing is that the very senior leadership of the Democratic Party (some say it was Obama himself), changed the wording of their platform seemingly against the will of the party members. What's up with that? And why isn't that the big "God in politics" issue.

Is Obama some kind of religious nut? We know he attended church for years and was baptized as an adult. Is he a religious nut? He often mentions God and faith.

But not only that, is Obama the religious nut who believes in some mysterious being in the sky now forcing his weird beliefs on the "democratic" party against the members will? What's up with that? That's got to be one of the weirdest videos around. Three times the speaker clearly hears that there is no clear 2/3rds majority in favor of the "God" word. But, who cares what the party faithful who are doing all this work think, and how far they travelled. It was on the tele-prompter and it must be obeyed. So...was it Obama, or who are the religious zealots responsible in the upper echelons of the "democratic" party. You'd think the media would be all over that. Does that kind of stuff happen a lot?

Strange.... But what it does show is that the powers that be in the "democratic" party don't really care much for the opinions of the people who they want to do all this work for them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Readers, no more debate on the existence of God. It is a question that cannot be answered and is not what this story is about."

I agree. If democrats want to debate the existence of God, they should do it with Obama or maybe at the next DNC.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I will not take God out of… our platform. I will not take God out of my heart. We are a nation that’s bestowed by God

Doesn't sound so different from the fundamentalist Muslim leaders the US is so keen to try to curtail to me.....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Romney has officially lost the election.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Romney enjoyed no discernible benefit in the polls from his convention.

Where was the poll taken?

On JT? At the DNC?

If the vast number of unemployed were polled, the results would not see the light of day, due to a majority of media hacks presiding over "presentable" information.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Obama was introduced in St Petersburg, Florida, by Charlie Crist, the former Republican governor of the Sunshine State, who says he was driven from his party after losing a Senate primary to Tea Party-backed Marco Rubio in 2010.

Crist quit the Republican party because he was mad that he lost to a better candidate ( a younger non-white and better prepared candidate). He is a sore loser. Don't run on a party ticket if you can't handle losing out to another person of the same party. He would have been better served by losing gracefully. Now he is just seen as an opportunist by both parties - kind of like Senator and former Democrat VP candidate Joe Leiberman.

By the way, their is no such thing as the "God card". Everyone knows that it is widely accepted in America to unfairly attack Christians for their religious beliefs. However, if by "God" it is meant Allah, Budha, or any other non-Christian based religion then you can expect to be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I'm sorry but even the author of the article can see how ridiculous nay cynical Romney's actions are "Romney plays God card in swing state struggle" If he done that in the UK he would have been more or less laughed at. Religion and politics should be separate always.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The country may claim to be mostly of christian beliefs, but it doesn't mean they'd be willing to vote for Romney just because of that. The same way I didn't vote for Obama just because he's black. Honestly, political grandstanding just makes me sick to the stomach. All I care about is how well you'll do for the country.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"I'm sorry but even the author of the article can see how ridiculous nay cynical Romney's actions are "Romney plays God card in swing state struggle""

"even the author"?? So you read that article and think the author of that article is an objective, unbiased journalist?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Doesn't Pat Robertson, as a God-fearing fundamentalist, believe that Romney, as a Mormon, is going to hell?

Nah, they can just baptize him posthumously as they do holocaust victims. They also did the same for (to?) Obama's mother in 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism_for_the_dead

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

No doubt Romney is thinking "Oh my God". If that's all he can think of then it's another reason he just won't and can't win.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Yasakuni I never said the author was bias all I said was that even the author can see as an outsider looking in how it looks playing the "god card" otherwise the article like all here are very unbais

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wonder if Romney remembered to mention that he also believes ( and I am not making this up) that his God communicates through known con-men who carry sacred scripts written on gold tablets carried around in a hat, only seen by said conman?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@bassfunk - whilst some of what you say above is of course true; you cannot disprove the existence of God, and so the question is not a scientific one as falsifiability is central to rational questions. It is possible to state that there is no known reason to believe in God. There is no footprint, no evidence, and nothing in the universe that points to a need for a God. That then begs the question: why believe. One may as well believe ina giant, all powerful tuna-fish sandwich. That belief has the exact same weight as belief in any particular deity.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A homo-sex supporter believes in GOD?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

When Romney mentions faith the same media mafia that has time and again photographed Obama in such a way as to bestow a halo on him denigrate Romney and call him an extremist, a divisive figure. Unreal.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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