Focus On Family Pulls Glenn Beck ArticleDecember 27th, 2008 | 22 Comments | Posted in Catholics, Glenn Beck, James Dobson, LDS, Mitt Romney, Mormons
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I wanted to bring this controversy to the attention of our readers, not to promote any in depth discussion of the differences in understanding of Christian theology between the LDS Church and other Churches, but because I see a definite link between this ongoing in fighting amongst fellow conservatives and the electoral loss we just endured.
We have had a debate on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ for over 2,000 years. If past experience is any guide, it doesn’t look good for settling this anytime soon, so my suggestion is that we all respectfully agree to disagree on some points of theology, and to turn to those areas where we do agree, namely on our shared values and conservative political philosophy.
While some Evangelicals have dedicated themselves to pointing out the differences that do exist, they have had a “throw the baby out with the bath water” approach to this past election. They rejected the most full spectrum conservative, Pro Life Republican since Reagan, because of theological differences, and in doing so, they helped elect the most liberal, pro abortion President-elect ever. Wow! Do they yet realize what they have done? The so-called “Freedom of Choice Act” ( negating any law which tries to limit the scope of the abortion industry ) has already been written and awaits the signature of soon to be President Barack Obama. The “Fairness Doctrine” bill designed to silence ALL conservatives, Catholics, Protestants, Baptists and Latter Day Saints, awaits the signature of soon to be President Barack Obama. Embryonic stem cell research funding bills await his signature, too.
While the theology police were out on patrol for any deviation from doctrine, this is what they unwittingly unleashed.
I don’t mean to impugn their motives. They are passionate in their defense of dogma, but I just wish they would have realized the truth of what Romney supporters have been writing and talking about for the last two years. Mitt was running for President, not Pastor. If all of us on the right don’t take away some very hard earned and very expensive ( in terms of human life consequences ) lessons from this in fighting over theology when politics and policy should have been the focus, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes that cost us: 1. the Presidency 2. the House 3. the Senate 4. maybe the right to filibuster toxic bills 5. maybe the Supreme Court 6. Independent voters. What a terrible price to pay for the luxury of indulging ourselves in a hissy fit.
Of course, that’s all water under the bridge now. We can, however, learn from our mistakes and resolve never to repeat the errors made in the 2008 election. We can resolve that we will follow the Constitution in 2012 where it says: “but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or Public trust under the United States.” ( Article VI )
~~John Cronin~~
http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/joel_campbell/?id=5597
James Dobson’s Focus on the Family ministry has pulled from its CitizenLink Web site an article about talk show host Glenn Beck’s book “The Christmas Sweater” after some complained that Beck’s LDS faith is a “cult” and “false religion” and shouldn’t be promoted by a Christian ministry.
When contacted Friday, a Focus on the Family worker at the ministry in Colorado Springs, Colo. confirmed that the article had been pulled at this link and read a prepared statement for callers who had called about the Beck article:
“You are correct to note that Mr. Beck is a member of the Mormon church, and that we did not make mention of this fact in our interview with him. We do recognize the deep theological difference between evangelical theology and Mormon theology, and it would have been prudent for us at least to have pointed out these differences. Because of the confusion, we have removed the interview from CitizenLink.”
All other questions about the controversy were directed to a ministry media spokesman who would not be available until Jan. 2. Calls to Beck’s offices Friday went unanswered. A link to the story still remained on the Front Page of www.glennbeck.com.
Apparently, the controversy was fueled on Dec. 22, when an anti-Mormon group called Underground Apologetics issued a release through Christian News Wire which read:
“Focus on the Family has a story on Glenn Beck, a Mormon, on their CitizenLink Web site. Glenn Beck was a CNN host and will move to Fox News in January. Beck is currently promoting his book, ‘The Christmas Sweater.’ The CitizenLink story focuses on Beck’s faith and why he wrote ‘The Christmas Sweater.’
“While Glenn’s social views are compatible with many Christian views, his beliefs in Mormonism are not. Clearly, Mormonism is a cult. The CitizenLink story does not mention Beck’s Mormon faith, however, the story makes it look as if Beck is a Christian who believes in the essential doctrines of the faith.
“Through the years, Focus on the Family has done great things to help the family and has brought attention to the many social ills that are attacking the family.
“However, to promote a Mormon as a Christian is not helpful to the cause of Jesus Christ. For Christians to influence society, Christians should be promoting the central issues of the faith properly without opening the door to false religions.”
Underground Apologetics president Steve McConkey said in an interview that he had not read Beck’s book, but understood its message. He felt that the work was suspect based on what he understands about Beck’s faith. McConkey said he had not asked Dobson’s ministry to remove the article from its site.
The Mormon Media Observer contacted Karla Dial. identified as a freelance reporter living in Colorado Springs, and received an e-mail response that said:
“I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on that in any forum, but thanks for asking.”
Because the offending article is no longer available at citizenlink.org, the Mormon Media Observer is reprinting it in its entirety from an archived record. Here is also a link to an Amazon.com video about the book.
Tags: Focus on the Family, The Christmas Sweater, Underground Apologetics