The Theological Differences Behind Evangelical Unease With Romney

[Are_grits_groceries]

The Rev. R. Philip Roberts, the president of a Southern Baptist seminary in Kansas City, Mo., is an evangelist with a particular goal: countering Mormon beliefs.

Mr. Roberts has traveled throughout the United States, and to some countries abroad, preaching that Mormonism is heretical to Christianity. His message is a theological one, but theology is about to land squarely in the middle of the Republican presidential primary campaign.

As the Republican voting moves South, with primaries in South Carolina on Saturday and in Florida on Jan. 31, the religion of Mitt Romney, the front-runner, may be an inescapable issue in many voters’ minds. In South Carolina, where about 60 percent of Republican voters are evangelical Christians, Mr. Romney, a devout Mormon and a former bishop in the church, faces an electorate that has been exposed over the years to preachers like Mr. Roberts who teach that the Mormon faith is apostasy.

Many evangelicals have numerous reasons, other than religion, for objecting to Mr. Romney. But to understand just how hard it is for some to coalesce around his candidacy, it is important to understand the gravity of their theological qualms.

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/us/politics/evangelical-christians-unease-with-romney-is-theological.html?_r=1

This is a good article to read if you have wondered why evangelicals are leery of Mormons.
It gives examples of the basic differences in the 2 groups regarding theology.

It is one of the more readable explanations I have come across.

[hobbit709]

1. One could use Mr. Roberts arguments to counter his beliefs

"When viewed from the outside, ALL religions appear equally silly"

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. These people never leave their theological houses

to look at anything differently. Even if they did, they would see what they wanted.

[DCBob]

2. This could have a significant impact on the turnout for the GOP.

The fundies take their religion seriously, of course, and the thought of a Mormon in the WH is almost as bad as a Muslim. So if they think Obama is a Muslim then they show up, if not.. they might not. My opinion.. FWIW.

[Raven]

4. This was very helpful,

thank you for posting it.

[customerserviceguy]

5. It isn't simply a difference of beliefs

It's the willingness of the Mormons to send missionaries to poach the flocks of fundie preachers who are already having a hard enough time maintaining the collection plate, between the recession and each subsequent generation having less and less attendance in their churches. The LDS missionaries are a pocketbook threat to snake handler preachers in a way that Catholics, Jews, and even Eastern religious practitioners are not, and they will not simply hand them another talking point to use in people's doorways.

[Are_grits_groceries]

6. True. But most people are aware of their missionaries.

A lot of people don't know the theological differences between Mormons and evangelicals. They are very real, and many evangelicals view them as a cult if not worse.

[customerserviceguy]

8. In the fundie churches that are threatened

the preachers make damned good and sure that they know it. You can Google up all kinds of stuff they've put out, it's really amazing the trouble they have gone to.

[RainDog]

7. Evangelicals hate Mormonism

Romney is, strangely, the only non-nutter on so many issues - the one area where the republican base demands uniform nuttery is in their religious beliefs - which include a hatred of Mormonism.

[LeftinOH]

9. I'm seriously uneasy with Mormonism.. evangelicals, too. n/t