Stinky,
I also don’t think you have any right to say I’m not adequately informed. How do you know “Under the Banner of Heaven” is even accurate? It looks too spiteful to be true journalism, more like another hate book with a distorted view of the reality. I know I’ll get no compassion from this forum, but I wonder if you (stinky) even go to church or read an actual religous book, the Bible.

righty:  “It is a religion born of violence and hate.”

That is simple nonsense.

Actually, I learned a little more about the religion and everything falls in line with what I wrote. Righty, I just got done watching the PBS special and read about some of the atrocities that those people had to go through. (Missouri history classes coming back to me) Violence on there part seemed more reactionary if not 100% defensive. And if violence was such a huge part, why have we not heard of a Mormon jihad. Accept that you are perpetuating a hateful lie and move on.

Sorry, the last commenter isn’t adequately informed about the Mormon religion to make a valid judgement. It is a religion born of violence and hate. Please read ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’

It’s a very sad thing to read these comments. I’m trying to find out all that I can on the candidates that are less known, Paul, Obama etc. and of all the websites that have commentary, this has to be the worst. Really, what does his religion really matter? It should be about his politics, which he has too little a record to deem important. But what is low, is for us to bash on a persons choice of something that is person. It’s akin to bashing a homosexual (I believe it to be a choice), but I would never utter such comments about that community as are uttered here. Due to my profession I have lived in several states and countries (none of which has been Utah) and came into contact with several Mormons. Every single encounter has been great. I was never once afraid of sending my kids to play or spend the night at their houses. Never did I see a domineering husband or mindless robots. Those who think so are recipients of poor information or confused. The simply have strong convictions. No alcohol or smoking, as a health official I wish more people did that.
So they have practices, lets say that are unorthodox from mainstream Christian religions. As a Christian and weekly church goer, I can say that most of them knew the Bible, yes the Bible better than I. They believe that man can become Gods, great. If God is such a loving being than why not. Christ even says “know ye not that ye are gods.” Polygamy, Abraham did it and he was a good guy. Holy underwear, well, they were always modest so maybe that’s a good thing. A modern day prophet, no where in the Bible does it say that we can’t have one. More words of God than our Bible, surely more was said and wasn’t written down. Virign birth, no pastor I’ve ever met can explain that either. Fact is, Mormons are as Christian as any other religion that teaches the Bible, but still that should have nothing to do with how we vote, if but for the fact that the candidate stands for solid, American values(which for the most part are Christian)

I am amazed by the old mans bigoted remarks, but even more amazed by the support he gets from the other commentaries.  Should we make fun of Hasidic Jews’ curly forelocks and the pope’s curious headgear while we are at it?  Why is O.K. to mock Mormon traditions and resort to name calling instead of concentrating on political issues.  It would seem many have become superficial scholars by reading a few biased articles on the intranet and are now experts on what Mormons believe.  Don’t forget that the Majority leader of the senate, Harry Reid, is also Mormon.  All Mormons don’t think the same and there is diversity with in the church.  Lets keep the discussion about a candidates ideas and not resort to childish mud slinging and name calling about peoples personal life.

Oh my Truthdig friends, I can’t begin to tell you guys how much this elderly gentleman’s gesture makes me proud. Pelosi should have taken notes from this guy when she met with bush after getting her new position.

You see, refusal to shake someone’s hand takes away their perceived power. Romney will remember this day for the rest of his life and it will not be because he is mormon, he will have to re-evaluate his perceived power and know he has lots of work to do.

I mentioned this in my comment to the Pelosi-bush article, there was a case in the Northwest where a guys employer paid him well over $250,000.00 to shake hands with his manager after refusing to do it because his manager was a “jerk.” There is more to the story, but this was the jist of it. Imagine the power behind such a simple gesture and the refusal to not follow through with it.

Maybe this man was being nice to Romney and decided to use the mormon excuse to avoid calling Romney a “jerk.”

Anyone thinking of supporting the mormon Romney should read Jon Krakauer’s book ,"Under the Banner of Heaven”. The man seems like the reincarnation of joseph Smith in that he is handsome, glib and seductive,and also will apparently say whatever it takes to draw votes. Ater enduring the disaster of tha Bush presidency, America should never again elect a person of radical senseless faith. Better a shrewd person who doesn’t wear his faith on his sleeve to attract the votes of the gulible.

I have on occasion refused to shake someone’s hand.
But not because of their religion.
I figure anyone’s religious beliefs are none of my business.
Unless they try to MAKE it my business.

In all the commentary I’ve seen or heard about Romney, I haven’t seen him proselyte for converts, just voters.

Now, can we get back to focusing on GOOD reasons to not vote for the man?

Of course I wont vote for him because he’s republican.

That’s good enough for me.

I love the comments here.

(I once thought of being a field anthropologist.)

Thanks!

Do you really believe that Mitt Romney was taken back by this man not shaking his hand?  Remember he was a missionary in France and I am sure he has had many people slam doors, yell names, etc., in his face.  Some of the Mormon missionaries in the United States are greated with guns at the front door.  Isn’t that nice. Can’t people treat each other with a little bit more civility these days.  I read an article that this man who made such a bigoted comment picks up garbage around the town.  That is aa wonderful thing that he does for the community but could he please pick up the bigoted pile of dirt that came out of his mouth!  It ‘s sad that you have to tell a 72 year old man to grow up!

This is NOT bigotry. One cannot be bigoted against an ideology, which is all Mormonism (or any other religion) amounts too. There is a belief system there and it is not “bigoted” to be disgusted with someones beliefs. Mormonism is offensive, after all. So now it is “bigoted” to refuse to shake the hand of a racist, war mongering homophobe?

As a believing Latter-day Saint, I would just like to confirm that my family and I, to say nothing of my many Mormon friends, are deluded morons, slavish cultists, duplicitous, and corrupt, and that we’re scarcely worthy even of second-class citizenship, let alone of holding public office.

I wonder if the IRS would consider exempting us from taxes on this account.

Years ago I would have agreed w/ RJ. But having worked at a university in Minnesota for the last few years opened my eyes to the corrupt and duplicitous behaviors that are inherent to Mormanism. Setting aside their utterly nonsensical claims about their origins, their code of conduct tilts heavily toward the manipulative and secretive, even as they justify it in the name of advancing the church. Their peculiar cultish, and defensive psychology results in a slavish fealty to the FINANCIAL AND POWER goals of that church. It is a bizarre world view. It IS a cult -even though some of the nicest people( superficially) that I’ve met are Mormans. Romney must NOT become President.

Were the man seeking an office in some religious organization, I could perhaps see the importance of his statement of faith, so as to have something to draw on in matching him to the spiritual and faith needs of the position. But, he’s running for President of the United States of America. The USA is a nation that looks religiously like a patchwork quilt made of every known cloth on earth. I suppose it’s cool to know the man has a standard of faith. But, I am more interested in his response to the needs of the day beyond ususal rhetoric on abortion, homosexuality, and the very satanic influences of the practice of evolution in our holy creationist society. We are not a Christian nation. We offer every citizen the freedom to liberally exercise and practice the faith of his personal preference within the confines of the law. Alas, there is no room for human sacrifice, canabalism, and a man can only legally in most states annoy one sister at a time with the brutal lifelong confinement of civil marriage. In America, however, there are other fine faith offerings to suit the taste. We offer those rites which allow the peyote sacriment, wine at Christian communion, post bah Mitzva feasting, regular praying with the Muslims, sexual rites of goddess worship, voice and tambourine lessons with the Krishnas, band and voice with the Salvation Army, and safety with reptile seminars for potential Christian snake handlers. We’re still working on legally instituting the Rold Gold ganga sacriment in Ja worship, an effort that has suffered an inordinate number of setbacks during the tenure of the Bush Administration. This has proven to be rather shocking and distrubing, considering what an avid supporter of the Weed and the Coke movement Shrubby was during his Yale years. This brings me to my point: What is the Mormon guy’s stance on weed in America? Actually, what is the man’s stance on anything that affects or concerns this 40-hour a week worker bee who is surviving from payday to payday here in red state Missouri?

Not shaking Romney’s hand was not bigoted. Considering the continued attacks the Republicans have made on the Bill of Rights and the Constitution he was lucky the man didn’t spit on him.

As to his religion, I am sorry, but there are real reasons to be concerned, as thanks to the new pope there are reasons to question the ability of Catholic candidates in view of firm statements from the pope that political candidates will lose their standing in the church if they persue inclusive politics in order to service their political supporters views and needs.

In the case of Mormons there is a record of Mormon judges not ruling fairly in matters that involve crimes committed by Mormons against outsiders. Therefore there is every reason for non-Mormons and the non-religous to question how they would represent the nation’s interests as a whole.

I don’t care if someone chooses not to vote for Romney, but not shaking his hand.....what a BIGOT!