By Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editors
(CNN)–For the next four days, the eyes of the political world will be on Tampa, Florida, the site of the Republican National Convention (which will now get started Tuesday, after Tropical Storm Isaac cancelled Monday's events).
Though politics will be the name of the game, it's a safe bet that religion will also play a major role. The convention opens with a prayer from a Hispanic evangelical leader and closes with a benediction from a Catholic cleric who's sometimes called "America's pope."
In between, balloons will drop on the first Mormon to be nominated by a major political party to be president of the United States. Here are eight ways faith will matter this week. What did we leave out? Let us know in comments and we'll expand our list as warranted.
1. The ghost of Todd Akin
Most people couldn't pick him out of lineup and he won't be attending the convention this week. But the Missouri Senate candidate who claimed that women could prevent conception in cases of "legitimate rape" opened a rift in the Republican Party, with GOP chieftains pressuring him to drop out while some powerful conservative Christian activists rally to his defense. Those activists are using the Akin episode to allege that the Republican Party wants quash their socially conservative agenda even as it happily accepts their votes. If the infighting continues into this week, there could be a battle for GOP's soul at a moment when the GOP wants to project unity.
2. The M word
Even now that he's talking more about his religious faith, Mitt Romney almost never refers specifically to Mormonism or to his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And yet Romney has held a series leadership positions in his church. Will the Republican Party continue to studiously avoid one of its presidential candidate's defining characteristics? Or will some convention speaker make a case for why Romney's Mormonism is an asset? Will Romney himself mention his religion as he accepts his party's nomination?
3. Ladies night (or week)?
For months, the GOP has been on the defensive, as Democrats say Republicans are waging a "war on women," a theme the Dems began sounding when the American bishops blasted the White House for its contraception mandate for insurance companies earlier this year. This week, Republicans face a delicate balancing act in trying to assuage the concerns of moderate women voters while also satisfying its religiously conservative base. (See ghost of Todd Akin, above). A big part of that mission falls to Ann Romney, the Republican nominee's wife, and to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, both of whom have choice speaking slots.
4. The possibility of a culture war speech
"There is a religious war going on in this country," former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan told the 1992 Republican convention in a primetime address. "It is a cultural war, as critical to the kind of nation we shall be as the Cold War itself. For this war is for the soul of America." There are still debates over whether the speech, which provoked a media frenzy, helped or hurt President George H.W. Bush, who would go on to lose to Bill Clinton. But the Republican Party is keen on avoiding such moments as it tries to win over independents this fall. There's some nervousness about what Rick Santorum will say in his convention address.
5. Religious liberty
Many conservatives are livid over the Obama administration's requirement that health insurers offer free contraceptive coverage, even for employees of Catholic institutions. Plus, talking up religious liberty is likely less of a turnoff for moderate voters than is talk about bans on abortion and gay marriage, traditionally the top concerns of religious conservatives. Catholics and evangelicals, two key voting blocs, have been buzzing about religious liberty for months, with mega-pastor Rick Warren recently canceling plans for a presidential forum with Obama and Romney and announcing plans for one on religious liberty instead.
6. Israel
When it comes to foreign policy, look for convention speakers to try outdo one another in pledging support for the Jewish State - and in railing against Obama for what they'll allege are his administration's shabby treatment of a key American ally. Israel is especially important to the GOP's evangelical base, some of whom see a biblical bond with the Jewish people and some who believe Israel must be in Jewish control before the Second Coming can happen. Mitt Romney included Israel as one of his marquee stops on his recent foreign trip, including a photo-op at Jerusalem's Western Wall.
7. Hurricane theology
Will some televangelist claim that Tropical Storm Isaac, which is headed toward the Gulf Coast, is God's way of punishing the GOP for insufficient piety? It wouldn't be the first time a prominent preacher blamed severe weather on American insubordinance.
8. "America's pope"
The convention's closing prayer will be delivered by Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who leads the American Catholic bishops and is sometimes referred to as America's pope. It's a good indication of just how important the Catholic vote is thought to be this year, with Catholics accounting for 1 in 4 Americans and considered to be the quintessential swing bloc. Whoever wins these voters will likely win the White House.
we really need a party in power than doesnt believe in mythology
Anybody interested in having phone s e x
Should I use the same phone number we used yesterday?
Help someone help my Mohammad please send him help. He is burning in hell right now for not following Jesus' truth.
hinduism, absurdity of a hindu, absurd, spewing his hindu Judaism, filthy self center ism, speaking not of truth but his hindu soul, filthy desire.
Islamism is healthy for animals, but not for humans since animals don't give a $H|T to 72 hoors in Jannat if they die of unnatural death.
Son of a gun! I knew it man! I knew this Islam thing was a fake deal. Lying Bas tards. Hey Mohammad shove 72 up your you-know-what!.
@Ram – it doesn't matter to me. I am half muslim half atheist and I don't give a $H|T to 72 hoors in Jannat! I live free life here in American, s ex, drugs, and rock 'n roll baby wooooo !!!!
Ram, a hindu, racist hindu sanatan, filthy man god of hindu's, ignorant, married his sister in following of hindu racist tradition of hinduism, incest, according to their hindu, filthy books of religion and every hindu, ignorant of hindered gutter land india, follows hindu, filthy tradition by his hindu hinduism filthy faith.
If it was not hinduism, criminality of hindu's, criminals, they would not have been called hindu's, criminals, and your post is true picture of hindu, criminal mind set of a hindu, denier of truth absolute. Nothing better can come out of a hindu, ignorant, but his hinduism, ignorance like your post. hindu, ignorant.
@hinduism source of hindufilthyracism.
Pig, you certainly have a right to believe whatever you want, but pretending Muslims are the purest of the pure is simply ignorant.
to be hindu pig, filthy secular is way of hindu's, criminals, not of mine, stay hind, sunk in your hindu filthy hinduism, secular ism, every human can smell hind, stink of hinduism, skunk ism, but a hindu pig, filthy secular from hindered gutter land india.
"Pig, you certainly have a right to believe whatever you want, but pretending Muslims are the purest of the pure is simply ignorant."
--------------
Everyone knows us normal people are the puest of the pure.
Hey, I'm still looking for someone to have phone s e x with?
go find yourself a neurosurgeon, you are forming incoherent sentences, I suspect some of your brain cells are damaged..drug abuse!!!.
Hey Sarah give Mohammad a chance would you! Hopefully, it will calm some rioting muslims down.
Sorry guy, I love, submit to truth absolute, unlike you hind, absurd, me to be a hindu, bigoted, hindu Jew, filthy self centered.
for the record, I am a Pakistani Sunni muslim and support Jihad against Shia, Ahmedi, Sikh, Hindus, Jews, Christians, Gays, Lesbians, and animals. Did I miss anyone?
Use your own Id, hindu, ignorant from hindered gutter land india.
you are a fake "hinduism source of hindufilthyracism.". Get your own ID skunk. You are nothing but a worthless pathetic freak who jumps through every hoop his Pakistani bosses tell him to do. Freak stop posting incoherent messages on this board.
yes...Republicans
Secular Humanists and Vegans
Word Pak is based on Latin word Puki, Pe or Pa, Te, or Ta, meaning from stomach and throat base word for Sick in English, Upchuck, blowing chunks or spewing, meaning, worshiping at the porcelain thrown or a sweaty, infection of puke absolute, such as flu, or Food poisoning, in disregard diarrhea or Montezuma’s revenge,
Word Stan is based on Latin word Satan, Se or Sa, Tan, or Ten, meaning land of devils.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, a chain smoker, tuberculosis patient, atheist muslim lawyer, who jokingly called then Sindhu land occupied by trible people "Pakistan" literelly means "land of Puking Devils", poor soul never imagined his personal racist joke on some group would become a reality one day country Pakistan he founded. Pakistan is a land of Puking Terrorists.
hinduism, absurdity of a hindu, ignorant from hindered gutter called india.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.
7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever. (Book of Mormon, Moroni, Chapter 10)
Can you identify author of these words, part of book of hindu Mithra ism, pagan savior ism, Christianity called bible. Don not try to hide behind, God, some one made a claim, that he said tish, who is he? The person.
Yes, the author is God.
No need to lay some human's hinduism, absurdity on God, truth absolute name, a hind, crime against God. Truth absolute.
If a verse does not conform to truth absolute, it is hinduism, absurdity of hindu's, ignorant s to hind, fool others on truth absolute name.
The only reason faith plays a role in the GOP is to distract people with no knowledge of political or economic philosophy into voting against their own economic interests.
Jonah – quit quoting chapter and verse! I don't care! It has no place in government!!
That is just your opinion. My opinion is that no uninspired atheist has any place anywhere. Where do you get off deciding what is relevant?
To what extent to you mean any where? That is a very curious comment.
I find it absolutely amazing that a party that has turned into such a fundy force is willing to back the first non Christian President.
Who are you talking about? Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Are you talking about Obama? I thought he was a protestant. I think they consider themselves Christian.
You know I'm talking about Romney and the Mormon church.
But you are not speaking accurately
So, what is it that you have against the Church of Jesus Christ, Everyman?
"But you are not speaking accurately" just like the Mormons when speaking about the bible and adding an entire adventure that never happened just so they could feel like they were part of the tribes of Israel. And the word you are looking for is "liar" as in the Mormons are liars and don't mind admitting their willingness to lie for their faith.
How so Bill?
Jonah, I'm not so much against the religion as I am in the honesty of who they are. they know that the fundy side of the RP would have serious issues with Mitt if they understood this. My big problem is bringing any religion into politics. It has no place at all in politics
Everyman, Mitt didn't bring up the issue nor did the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so don't blame us. It was foisted on us.
No Jonah, you are wrong. There are topics he bases his government agenda on based on his religion so no, it wasn't forced on you...its forced on us.
I know of no such issues. Be specific, what are talking about? And, anyway, every politician is going to rely on his background to form his agenda. Look at Rick Santorum. Why should we Mormons take a back seat to anyone? Our beliefs are just as good as any ones!
Separation of church and state Jonah. Santorum is a huge idiot. And no one should take a back seat to anyones beliefs.
Technically, there is no such thing as separation of church and state. The 1st amendement guarantees freedom of religion.
Well the first amendement says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" ...Jefferson wrote , "I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." You seem to be confused Johan
Yes, what I said.
Troubling Quotes from the Second Prophet (leader) of the Mormon Church
Brigham Young said your own blood must atone for some sins.
"There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it . . . " (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 247; see also, vol. 4, p. 53-54, 219-220).
Brigham Young said you must confess Joseph Smith as a prophet of God in order to be saved.
"...and he that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is Antichrist," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p. 312).
Brigham Young said his discourses are as good as Scripture.
"I say now, when they [his discourses] are copied and approved by me they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible . . . " (Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 264; see also p. 95).
Brigham Young said he had never given any counsel that was wrong.
"I am here to answer. I shall be on hand to answer when I am called upon, for all the counsel and for all the instruction that I have given to this people. If there is an Elder here, or any member of this Church, called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who can bring up the first idea, the first sentence that I have delivered to the people as counsel that is wrong, I really wish they would do it; but they cannot do it, for the simple reason that I have never given counsel that is wrong; this is the reason." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 16, p. 161).
Brigham Young compared his sermons with scripture.
"I know just as well what to teach this people and just what to say to them and what to do in order to bring them into the celestial kingdom...I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve. The people have the oracles of God continually." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 95).
Brigham Young said you are damned if you deny polygamy.
"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 266). Also, "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, p. 269).
Brigham Young said you can't get to the highest heaven without Joseph Smith's consent.
"...no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 289).
Brigham Young boasted.
"What man or woman on earth, what spirit in the spirit-world can say truthfully that I ever gave a wrong word of counsel, or a word of advice that could not be sanctioned by the heavens? The success which has attended me in my presidency is owing to the blessings and mercy of the Almighty . . . " (Journal of Discourses, vol. 12, p. 127).
Brigham Young said Jesus' birth was as natural as ours.
"The birth of the Savior was as natural as the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood–was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115).
Brigham Young said that God the Father and Mary 'do it.'
"When the time came that His first-born, the Saviour, should come into the world and take a tabernacle, the Father came Himself and favoured that spirit with a tabernacle instead of letting any other man do it," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 218). "The birth of the Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood - was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115). Note: the late Bruce McConkie who was a member of the First Council of the Seventy stated "There is nothing figurative about his paternity; he was begotten, conceived and born in the normal and natural course of events..." (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 742).
Brigham Young said that Jesus was not begotten by the Holy Spirit.
"I have given you a few leading items upon this subject, but a great deal more remains to be told. Now, remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 51).
Brigham Young taught that Adam was God.
"Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint and sinner! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the Archangel, the Ancient of Days! about whom holy men have written and spoken - He is our Father, and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do. Every man upon the earth, professing Christians or non professing, must hear it, and will know it sooner or later." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 50).
Brigham Young made a false prophecy?
"In the days of Joseph [Smith] it was considered a great privilege to be permitted to speak to a member of Congress, but twenty-six years will not pass away before the Elders of this Church will be as much thought of as the kings on their thrones," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 40).
Brigham Young comments about blacks
"You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind....Cain slew his brother. Cain might have been killed, and that would have put a termination to that line of human beings. This was not to be, and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 290).
"In our first settlement in Missouri, it was said by our enemies that we intended to tamper with the slaves, not that we had any idea of the kind, for such a thing never entered our minds. We knew that the children of Ham were to be the "servant of servants," and no power under heaven could hinder it, so long as the Lord would permit them to welter under the curse and those were known to be our religious views concerning them." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 172).
"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 10, p. 110).
Now if that last portion didn't strike you as unbelievably horrible, than imagine this....Mormons are taught to believe every word of their prophets as though they were the words of God: Unquestionable. And these are quotes from just one of their prophets.
Now imagine the President of the USA being Mormon.....
Brother Brigham certainly had a personality, sometimes firery, and he was greatly loved by his people. When he heard that Johnson's army was on its way to Utah, he gave a firery, defiant speach and declared the saints would oppose him with everything they had. In the afternoon, he came back and humbly declared that Brigham Young was speaking in the morning and now they would hear from the Lord. He then proceeded to say the opposite of what he said that morning. No, prophets are ordinary men who are called by the Lord to serve. They do not always speak as prophets. So, how do we know the difference? Each Latter-day-saint is taught to seek his own revelation and to walk in the light of the gospel. We are united because when the revelation is from the Lord, it will be the same for everyone and everyone will know it is from the Lord.
Brigham's comments about blacks is indeed troubling, but later revelation by President Kimball shows that Brigham was probably speaking as Brigham at that time.
I vote for the person who I feel will be a leader to all the the people. I do not vote based on religious beliefs. Everyone can believe what they want, but do not impose your beliefs on me, I already have my own. I am voting for the President of the US, not a Pope or Bishop or Rabbi. I respect your beliefs, but remember they belong to you and your God. Thank you.
Prayer changes things . .
People with dementia can repeat themselves over and over again, by telling a repeat a word or phrase.
@troll
I notice you keep repeating yourself. Self diagnosis perhaps?
The Republican Party convention will be a waste of money. Why is that?-------->>>>
Why the Christian Right i.e. the Republican Party no longer matters in presidential elections:
Once again, all the conservative votes in the country "ain't" going to help a "pro-life" presidential candidate, i.e Mitt Romney, in 2012 as the "Immoral Majority" rules the country and will be doing so for awhile. The "Immoral Majority" you ask?
The fastest growing USA voting bloc: In 2008, the 70+ million "Roe vs. Wade mothers and fathers" of aborted womb-babies" whose ranks grow by two million per year i.e. 78+ million "IM" voters in 2012.
2008 Presidential popular vote results:
69,456,897 for pro-abortion/choice BO, 59,934,814 for "pro-life" JM.
And the irony:
And all because many women fail to take the Pill once a day or men fail to use a condom even though in most cases these men have them in their pockets. (maybe they should be called the "Stupid Majority"?)
The failures of the widely used birth "control" methods i.e. the Pill and male condom have led to the large rate of abortions ( one million/yr) and S-TDs (19 million/yr) in the USA. Men and women must either recognize their responsibilities by using the Pill or condoms properly and/or use other safer birth control methods in order to reduce the epidemics of abortion and S-TDs.
Reality – So, tell me, how do you plan to "mandate" responsiblity for the human race?? How do you make someone responsible in their own bedroom?? The law is seperation of church & state! The government has no business making laws that "regulate" my conscience! It is between me and my God and no one else. I'm not asking the government to "pay" for an abortion, birth controll, etc! I just want the right to choose!! Leave your beliefs out of it!!
Beyond religion:
The reality of se-x, contraception and STD/HIV control: – from a guy who enjoys intelligent se-x-
Note: Some words hyphenated to defeat an obvious word filter. ...
The Brutal Effects of Stupidity:
: The failures of the widely used birth "control" methods i.e. the Pill (8.7% actual failure rate) and male con-dom (17.4% actual failure rate) have led to the large rate of abortions and S-TDs in the USA. Men and women must either recognize their responsibilities by using the Pill or co-ndoms properly and/or use safer methods in order to reduce the epidemics of abortion and S-TDs.- Failure rate statistics provided by the Gut-tmacher Inst-itute. Unfortunately they do not give the statistics for doubling up i.e. using a combination of the Pill and a condom.
Added information before making your next move:
from the CDC-2006
"Se-xually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. While substantial progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing, and treating certain S-TDs in recent years, CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24.1 In addition to the physical and psy-ch-ological consequences of S-TDs, these diseases also exact a tremendous economic toll. Direct medical costs as-sociated with STDs in the United States are estimated at up to $14.7 billion annually in 2006 dollars."
And from:
Consumer Reports, January, 2012
"Yes, or-al se-x is se-x, and it can boost cancer risk-
Here's a crucial message for teens (and all se-xually active "post-teeners": Or-al se-x carries many of the same risks as va-ginal se-x, including human papilloma virus, or HPV. And HPV may now be overtaking tobacco as the leading cause of or-al cancers in America in people under age 50.
"Adolescents don’t think or-al se-x is something to worry about," said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. "They view it as a way to have intimacy without having 's-ex.'" (It should be called the Bill Clinton Syndrome !!)
Obviously, political leaders in both parties, Planned Parenthood, parents, the "stupid part of the USA" and the educational system have failed miserably on many fronts.
The most effective forms of contraception, ranked by "Perfect use":
– (Abstinence, 0% failure rate)
– (Masturbation, mono or mutual, 0% failure rate)
Followed by:
One-month injectable and Implant (both at 0.05 percent)
Vasectomy and IUD (Mirena) (both at 0.1 percent)
The Pill, Three-month injectable, and the Patch (all at 0.3 percent)
Tubal sterilization (at 0.5 percent)
IUD (Copper-T) (0.6 percent)
Periodic abstinence (Post-ovulation) (1.0 percent)
Periodic abstinence (Symptothermal) and Male condom (both at 2.0 percent)
Periodic abstinence (Ovulation method) (3.0 percent)
Every other method ranks below these, including Withdrawal (4.0), Female condom (5.0), Diaphragm (6.0), Periodic abstinence (calendar) (9.0), the Sponge (9.0-20.0, depending on whether the woman using it has had a child in the past), Cervical cap (9.0-26.0, with the same caveat as the Sponge), and Spermicides (18.0).
GOD will win.
I didn't know GOD was running for office.
Because nothing says great leader like a grown man wearing a magical Mormon diaper 24/7 to keep himself safe. Do you think Putin will shake in his boots at the sight of the mighty diaper wearer??
http://www.mormon.org
15 Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi, Chapter 22)
Hello folks. Everyone is cordially invited to visit – thestarofkaduri.com
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (New Testament, 1 Corinthians, Chapter 2)