McCain: "I Don't Know" If Mormons Are Christians (LOL! And we thought we Dems were at each other)

[jefferson_dem]

McCain: "I Don't Know" If Mormons Are Christians
By Eric Kleefeld - October 3, 2007, 4:22PM

John McCain's remarks about America being founded in the Constitution as a Christian nation have opened him up to getting a lot more questions about his religion — and the religions of other candidates.

At a meeting with the Spartanburg Herald-Journal editorial board, McCain was asked whether Mormons are Christians — a serious issue with many evangelicals, and a potential pitfall for Mitt Romney.

"I don't know. I respect their faith. I've never frankly looked at the Mormon religion. I've known a lot of Mormons who are wonderful people," McCain said. "More importantly, I don't think it should be held against Gov. Romney. The fact that he's a Mormon should not be a factor in people's judgment."

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/10/mccain_i_dont_know_if_mormons_are_christians.php

[TwilightGardener]

1. Mormons do believe in Jesus, which would make them Christians--they

certainly consider themselves Christians. I don't fault McCain's confusion, though--evangelicals tend to believe they're not.

[hedgehog]

2. There are aspects of Mormon theology that differ from the theology

of most Christian sects. It is my understanding that the Church of Latter Day Saints preaches that each person has the potential to become a deity in the afterlife and that God was once a human. This is contrary to the teachings of every other Christian sect that I can think of. The belief that the Book of Mormon and other texts have the same canonical authority as the Bible is especially abhorrent to many fundamentalists.

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

[chelsea0011]

3. Not sure about that. I think the rabid Christian crowd believes that

Jesus is the one savior and son of god. To not believe that and except him means no kingdom of heaven. Muslims, I believe, accept jesus, but only as a prophet, not a savior. They believe in him but are not christian and isn't the mormon faith the same? Prophet not savior? And I think that is where the religious right has a problem. Me? I think they are all loony.

[Lerkfish]

4. technically they are, for the reason you stated, but beyond that

the road diverges rather widely.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Yeah, the whole thing about Jesus coming to America and meeting with

Indians kind of makes eyebrows go up.

[hedgehog]

6. I first encountered this years ago when I started dating my husband.

In those days, I only knew three flavors of Christian; Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. I was surprised to learn that mainline Protestants did not consider Mormons to be Christians.

[grytpype]

7. I would say Mormons are unorthodox Christians at best.

Among other things, Mormons do not accept the Nicene Creed, which is considered a basic requirement of orthodox Christianity.

They also believe a whole lot of crazy stuff that no other Christians accept.

[hedgehog]

8. Referring to Mormon teachings as crazy stuff isn't very respectful.

As a Catholic Christian, I have objections to som eof the teachings of Islam, Budism, Hinduism, etc. However, I do respect the people who follow those treachings. My respect for the person requires that I respect his beliefs even if they're not mine.

BTW - where it counts - I know Mormons who are very Christian in their attitude toward others. If you're taking care of your fellow man, it doesn't really matter what you profess to believe.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

9. Muslims believe in , and revere Jesus. I believe in Jesus and I'm an atheist.

Christianity requires that one believe certain things about Jesus, and one can argue that Mormons do not.

To a Christian, it's a perfectly reasonable question.