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November 1st, 2012
01:43 PM ET
My Take: Billy Graham and Ralph Reed are putting politics before God
By Stephen Prothero, Special to CNN (CNN)–Why are evangelicals like Billy Graham and Ralph Reed stumping for Mitt Romney? And why are roughly three-quarters of white evangelicals inclined to vote for him? Because politics matters more to them than religion. Last year, in a talk at a conference on Mormonism and Islam at Utah Valley University, I asked my Mormon listeners why they had not rushed to the defense of Muslims in controversies such as the one that raged over the Park51 project near ground zero. After all, they have been the victims of religious prejudice. Their founder, Joseph Smith, was killed by a mob of vigilantes. Given this history, I expected that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as Mormons, would feel the sting of anti-Muslim prejudice and speak out against it. But neither Mitt Romney of the GOP nor Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of the Democratic Party did anything of the sort. In fact, Romney issued a statement opposing the construction of the Islamic center. Why? Because they were thinking and acting as Republicans or Democrats first and Mormons second. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter I see a parallel story playing out this election season with the religious right. Until quite recently, many evangelicals saw Mormonism as a dangerous cult spreading false theology and dooming its followers to hell. In fact, only after Romney showed up for a meet and greet with Billy Graham in North Carolina earlier this month did the website of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association erase a reference to Mormonism as a “cult." Did Mormons all of a sudden change their theology? Did Graham change his definition of a “cult”? Of course not. It just became politically expedient for Graham to declassify Mormonism, given the fact that Romney, a Mormon, was the presidential nominee of his beloved GOP. Ralph Reed, too, is forsaking his theology for his politics, mobilizing his Atlanta-based Faith and Freedom Coalition to place voter guides in Ohio churches in the run-up to election day. I am old enough to remember when the main purpose of Reed’s Christian Coalition and other groups on the religious right was to put born-again Christians in the Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court. And for decades those who were running those groups saw Mormons as non-Christians. And don't get me started on Mike Huckabee, who in a recent ad says that a vote for Obama is a vote for your own damnation. Have LDS Church members repudiated the Book of Mormon as “another testament of Jesus Christ” or their view that the Bible is the word of God only “as far as it is correctly translated”? Have they accepted the Trinity? Rejected their teaching that there are many gods? As Ben Witherington, Albert Mohler, and many other evangelical thinkers continue to insist: no, no, and no. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories I used to believe that the purpose of the religious right was to infuse American politics with Christian politicians and Christian politics. I no longer believe that. The purpose of the religious right is to use the Christian God for political purposes. Why any Christian, conservative or liberal, can say "Amen" to that is beyond me. I am perfectly happy to see Reed stump for Romney in Ohio and Graham plump for Romney in an ad in The Wall Street Journal. Just don’t tell me they are doing so as Christians. They are doing so as shills for the GOP. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Stephen Prothero. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion scholar and author of 
And whoever changes the words of the Bible is a blasphemer. Sound familiar?? Joey Smith didn't just change the words of the Bible. He wrote a whole new one. Mormons are the false prophets the Bible warns us of. Will you betray your religion for politics? Are you prepared to be cast into a fiery pit because you betrayed the Lord? JUDAS?
Every Religion has changed the word of God to suit their purpose. Under Obama Welfare has increased, number of People on Food Stamps has increased, number of people on disability has increased, cost of living has increased yet your won't vote for Romney because of his faith. His values are closer to God's values than those of Obama. God's people are the Jewish people. Christ was a Jew & prophet that the Jews turned their back on. Thus Christianity. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Shouldn't you be more concerned with the future of your Children & Grandchildren? Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit,.... Or "abundance" (u); much is got by it, food, raiment, riches, wealth, wisdom, honour; either with the labour of the hands or head, and nothing is to be got without labour; and he that is laborious in his calling, whether it be by manual operation, working with his hands that which is good; or by hard study, much reading, and constant meditation, is like to gain much for his own use and the good of others;
but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury; or "want" (w), of food and raiment, the common necessaries of life; a man that spends his time in idle talk, boasting of what he can do and does, and yet does nothing, is in a fair way to come to beggary: so all talk about wisdom, and knowledge, and religion, without making use of the proper means of improvement, tends to the poverty of the mind; and generally they are most empty of knowledge, natural or spiritual, that talk and brag most of it; empty casks make the greatest sound; good discourse, wholesome words, sound doctrine, thoroughly digested, tend indeed to edification, to the enriching of the mind; but vain words, the enticing words of men's wisdom; logomachies, striving about words to no profit; and all great swelling words of vanity, which are all mere lip labour; they tend to spiritual poverty and leanness of soul.
You sir are the real Judas.
Mary Baker Eddy – Christian Scientist – also wrote an addendum to the Bible outlining what they believed was God's word. The Book of Morman also explains their interpretation of the Bible – much like your pastor does (if you really go to Church) every Sunday or Saturday or whatever day you attend.
mormons are not christians. my dog knows that
Donner is not a Christian. We can all know that.
The president is a government leader, NOT the leader of the church or your spiritual life. The church and government are two different SPHERES. The press loves separation of church and state. So who is the hypocrite here? You can't have it both ways.
So we've got ppl calling one candidate a cult member while we have a closet muslim in the White House (if you dont believe it do a little research about his supposed wedding ring that claims "There is no God but Allah"). At least Romney doesnt pretend to be something he's not. Also Romneys religious beliefs arent a factor in how he will handle foreign and domestic affairs in trying to get people back to work and our economy on the right track and somehow turning around the 16T in debt. Meanwhile Obamas closet Islamic beliefs have very much damaged this country with his constant appeasement of radical Muslims worldwide (Iran,Pakistan,etc), while selling out our #1 ally in Isreal.. As for evangelicals, far extreme Baptists also believe anybody who isnt a baptist is going to hell so how does that make you any better. I lived in the Mtns of NC Im well aware of the narrowminded beliefs of supposed evangelicals like Franklin Graham who look down as being morally superior to Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists and others. Reality is many supposed evangelicals think every religion that doesnt believe as they do is a cult (to include those aforementioned numbers including Catholics and all other Protestant faiths but their own). Honestly, too many who claim to be born again are hypocrits of the highest order some of which include my former inlaws.. Judge lest ye be judged, in otherwords nobody can judge a man but God. In the end this election is very much about the future of this country and Id much rather have an accomplished businessman and former Governor who knows what it takes to make things turn around in this country and create jobs vs someone who spent 4yrs now spending more time on Oprah, The Talk and others then he has facing the press in this country to answer for his constant and repeated shortcomings.
Lying for the Lord, huh? How's the weather in Cult Lake City?
Chimpo – your are the liar. You have no knowledge of Religion. You are a purveyor of Hate. Hatred is not of God.
Why stump for Romney? He is the better choice to govern our country. The election isn't for Pope; it is for the President of the United States. People who have religious beliefs have a choice between two people: Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. Who will do the better job. Second, who represents your values. Christians do value family, and American Christians value a work ethic. Mitt Romney well represents both those values. He looks to be the better choice to get this country back to work and off of food stamps and welfare, where no family wants to be. We are not headed in the right direction and its time to give someone else the chance. President Obama told us he would be a one term President if he didn't get things done. He hasn't. No one talked about religion in the debates because it is not a factor. The economy is want matters in this election.
So you will vote for the party that endorses legitimate r-pe? Forgive them Lord, they know not what they do.
Chimpo – all bluster no substance.
So true>
Is the whole state of Utah on here? Is that the plan? Post so much that you muddy the waters? You disgusting trash. The Mormon church is a cult. started by a con artist 180 years ago. To call Mormons Christians is blasphemy. Whoever changes the words of the Bible is a blasphemer. That comes from the true Bible. Not a work of fiction dreamt up by a con artist. Beware false prophets. He is here. Wearing a magical Mormon diaper. Sickening.
All Churches are a cult. Saul was a murderer, he became Paul a prophet, should we discount his teachings? Either God is capable of creating good out of evil, or not. Mormans have a better record of giving, taking care of others, stewardship than any other organized religion. So tell me chimpo who made you God?
Oh, I have no religious affiliation (used to teach Sunday School at a Christian Church). Believe God is bigger than Bigotry.
Do you read Aramaic? True Bible, come on. One God many religious interpretations.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
9 And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon.
30 And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—
US Soldier
I'm a Christian as well but if we're only NOT voting for Obama because we don't agree with his views, that means we agree with Romney's views: one of them being Mormonism (who don't believe Jesus died on the cross, and that Joseph Smith was the last great prophet, Not Jesus). I'm not saying I'm voting for Obama, I'm just saying we need to make our intentions clear. you are severely flawed did you get shot in the head?//jesus died on the cross and rose the 3rd day and is alive. jesus christ appointed joseph smith or how else could he have produced the book of mormon?
It is Character that counts.
The "religious" right is pro-GOP because of the money. They know that the GOP will never make abortion illegal. It's all about money. If anything they should be furious with GOP because they made corporations people but didn't do it for the unborn.
WHOA...please understand this isn't the "steve" that posted earlier...
You sound like someone who has been educated on religion, but not a born-again Christian. Romney might be a Mormon, whose church believes differently than mine, but his core values are much closer to mine than Barack Obama's. NO Christian should support someone who believes that it's a good thing to kill over a million babies through aborting them in the womb every year. NO Christian who puts Christ first in their lives can support Gay Marriage. The Bible doesn't support either of these issues. It's actually people who call themselves a Christian and support these issues who are putting politics above their "religion."
I'm a Christian as well but if we're only NOT voting for Obama because we don't agree with his views, that means we agree with Romney's views: one of them being Mormonism (who don't believe Jesus died on the cross, and that Joseph Smith was the last great prophet, Not Jesus). I'm not saying I'm voting for Obama, I'm just saying we need to make our intentions clear.
Prolife also means being against the death penalty and anti war, as well as health care for all. It's not just abortion.
There isn't a word in the bible about conception – DNA wasn't known for a long time after it was written. A fetus is a person when its intellectual capacity exceeds that of the food we serve for dinner.
This is for USSoldier,
Oh my goodness, get your story straight before you start talking about someone's religion you obviously know nothing about. You just wrote about the Mormon religion that is just not true. Go to mormon.org and read up. You might learn something.
Throughout history as the government goes, so goes religion. Christians are already being persecuted, Isreal has be abandoned by this administration. For people of faith the only choice is Romney. If you are truly a believer you can't afford another 4 years of Obama. Like Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hitler and others people of faith will find themselves persecuted. The bible teaches that we should be good stewards of what we are given. Is Obama a good Steward of our taxpayer dollars, of our nation? Is the government good at Charity? Does government care about you, the individual? You are expendable under this administration. Every Religion, in my opinion, has issues. I do respect the Morman values regarding family, charity, taking care of their own, stewardship, like every religion they have a few unusual beliefs, not as strange as Islam with 72 Virgins waiting in Heaven, but very similar to other religions.
Steve, you don't speak for all of us when you speak for pro-life...
For US Soldier – Under Obama Welfare has increased, number of People on Food Stamps has increased, number of people on disability has increased, cost of living has increased yet your won't vote for Romney because of his faith. His values are closer to God's values than those of Obama. God's people are the Jewish people. Christ was a Jew & prophet that the Jews turned their back on. Thus Christianity. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Shouldn't you be more concerned with the future of your Children & Grandchildren? Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit,.... Or "abundance" (u); much is got by it, food, raiment, riches, wealth, wisdom, honour; either with the labour of the hands or head, and nothing is to be got without labour; and he that is laborious in his calling, whether it be by manual operation, working with his hands that which is good; or by hard study, much reading, and constant meditation, is like to gain much for his own use and the good of others;
but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury; or "want" (w), of food and raiment, the common necessaries of life; a man that spends his time in idle talk, boasting of what he can do and does, and yet does nothing, is in a fair way to come to beggary: so all talk about wisdom, and knowledge, and religion, without making use of the proper means of improvement, tends to the poverty of the mind; and generally they are most empty of knowledge, natural or spiritual, that talk and brag most of it; empty casks make the greatest sound; good discourse, wholesome words, sound doctrine, thoroughly digested, tend indeed to edification, to the enriching of the mind; but vain words, the enticing words of men's wisdom; logomachies, striving about words to no profit; and all great swelling words of vanity, which are all mere lip labour; they tend to spiritual poverty and leanness of soul.
Ya, because we as Christians would rather vote for a guy whose "Christian" church says things like "God damn America".
Same is true for all the pedophile priests.
The prophets said as much, supposedly while speaking for God, about Israel.
Wow! I have never read a more anti-Christian, anti-Romney article. But then again, CNN has always been pro-Obama, and pro-left in everything they do, so this doesn't surprise me. Romney's going to win anyway, so this article doesn't bother me one bit.How this guy could write a book on the American Bible is beyond me. I only hope that he didn't get a suckers to buy it, and give him money. Now that would be a shame.
If it didn't bother you one bit, you wouldn't have posted, and if you were certain Romney would win, you wouldn't have read the article at all.
Prothero is right. As an evangelical who has studied and written about Mormonism, nothing has changed in the foundational doctrines of the faith. What has changed is that the Republicans nominated a Mormon. Romney has every right to run for president, but for evangelicals to pretend that their backing of Romney reflects openness to different theological perspectives or, more startling, an understanding of Mormons as on their way to evangelicalism, is disingenuous. All that conservative Christians are revealing is where their true loyalties, and biases, lie.
Mickey your partly right, I know mormonism is a cult but I would rather have Mitt with his views of family and life and business in office than Obama that wants us to be communist/socialist and believe in killing the unborn and almost born as no problem. Sometimes you have to pick so so bad over very bad. Is my faith important, YES, but what I see with the church being side lined and told to go against there beliefs and told that if we evangelize we could go to jail under this current administration as far worse than what I believe that Romney would do to us, I believe that he Romney believes in Freedom of Religion not freedom from religion. Plus personally I think Obama might be a muslim at heart and again would rather have a mormon in office than a muslim or one that seems like one.
God in both old and new testament has always been Political always battling the Empire. Remember Moses and God commanding him to tell Pharaoh to let his people go? Nothing has changed. As Regan said "government is the Problem" God told us that for centuries. People of faith are following their faith when they get involved. Look at what is going on around us. Christians are under attack, even by other so called Christians. Politics are eternal. Vote Romney, if you value the future of your family. I really don't want my kids or grand-kids to spend 40 plus years in the desert.
The attack on religious liberty by the present administration may have somethng to do with it. For those who are unaware, the Obama government, through the HHS mandate, has redefined religious organizations as those which only serve people of the same faith. That goes against the tenets of Christianity.
You are right on.
So you're a woman who is going to vote for the party that endorses legitimate r-pe? You are sick.
Seems to me the choice is between a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or a radical Christian with a Muslim upbringing and a penchant for lying whenever he feels it's necessary. I'll take the LDS Christian who practices what Christ taught any day. I have more problems with Catholicism than I do with Mormonism but I'll take both over whatever Obama claims to be.
After reading this writter's Article you have to call into question his Faith.
And if he is not putting his Politics before his Faith. Because so much of what he is saying is Political.
The Mormon faith more closely resembles Christianity in its Principles then the Muslim Faith.
You do not here of Mormon Terrorists. Mormons believe in Protecting Life not Abortion.
They respect other religions. They believe in Womens Rights. Muslims believe women are still property.
They Shot a girl for saying she wanted an Education. The Demo's do not respect Religion, or Religious Rights.
The Majority of their Party consists of Athiests, Agnostics, Race Centric Religion, or Fair Weather Christians who acknowledge they do not practice their faith. That is why Christians should be Voting for Romney this election
Another anti-Christian blog written by an intellectual elitist, who is truly neither. Christians support Romney not because they excuse the theological error of that faith, but because they subscribe to the moral code they both share. I doubt this fellow genuinely believes his argument but rather saw an opportunity to create a straw man to serve his own political purposes.
What a creative blend of ignorance and manipulation.
By the way, people (Mormons) who would join in protecting others (Muslims) simply because they, too, were at one time persecuted would be demonstrating a greater allegiance to the commonality of victimhood than to their religious doctrine. Again, ignorance and manipulation create a thinly veiled and bigoted assault on Christians and Mormons for political purposes.
And he's accusing me of being a hypocrite?
Prothero is exactly what the Bible warns us not to fall for.
Exactly. His premise is flawed. If you research his previous articles, this seems to be his theme: These people should be supporting those people and if they don't, they are hypocrites. He's just trying to get attention. The argument doesn't hold water.
Well said. Prothero is silly in his claim to the students of UVU that they should support the ground zero mosque because their ancestors were similarly persecuted. The two groups hardly share a tradition of persecution. Mormons would expect no sympathy for attempting to build a temple at a site where other members of their faith had ruthlessly murdered thousands of people.
Well said.
12 And the book is delivered to ahim that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
13 ¶Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
THAT MARVELOUS WORK AND WONDER IS THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THAT "UNLEARNED' WAS JOSEPH SMITH
the light is breaking forth to the evangelicals and their eyes are beginning to open up- this article is a centerpiece and the truth must be told...
Kris
Your interpretation is wrong. God is speaking of prophets and seers and the spirit of "deep sleep" that God has put on those in Israel. He says, this is LIKE giving someone a sealed book to read, but they cannot read it because it sealed or they are unlearned and unable to read. Even so, the prophets and rulers had no ability to "see" because God had "closed their eyes" to the truth and visions He may have given to an obedient people. You must read the Bible in its context. KRIS-GOOD TRY THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN REAL LIFE AND DO NOT GO TO WIKILEAKS TO FIND IT
the israel who is alluded to are the scattered tribes including here in U.S.A.
"You must read the Bible in its context. "
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ..
good one
Perhaps the issue of denominational identification, and theology, overshadow values for you. But for many Christians, myself included, it is the values that are represented in a candidate that matter. In other words, to paraphrase one of your favorite democrats "it's his character, stupid!"
Mittins changes his stance on every issue every few months. He panders to what ever crowd he is addressing. He is a typical ceo dirt ball. Anyone who can not see his lies are dumb. It is sad that half this country is going to f the rest. If romney is elected our taxes will go up, and our troops will go to iran.