http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53684212-90/church-romney-dozier-faith.html.csp
Florida pastor to Romney: Renounce âracistâ Mormonism
By Thomas Burr
| The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published Mar 09 2012 11:45 am
Washington ⢠A Florida pastor plans a news conference Monday to call on presidential candidate Mitt Romney to renounce his âracistâ Mormon faith.
The Rev. OâNeal Dozier, senior pastor of The Worldwide Christian Center Church on Pompano Beach, Fla., says Democrats and President Barack Obama would use Romneyâs âracist religion as a secret weaponâ to attack the Republican in the general election.
âThe Mormon religion is prejudiced against blacks, Jews and the Native American Indians,â Dozier says in a release previewing the news conference. âThese allegations are substantiated and validated by the writings of the former prophets and seers of the Mormon church.â
What Dozierâs release doesnât mention is that heâs a supporter of rival Republican contender Rick Santorum, and, according to news reports, an honorary chairman of his Florida campaign. The Santorum campaign on Friday touted Dozier as one of its conservative leader endorsements.
Santorum spoke in January at Dozierâs church, where the senior pastor noted that blacks will not vote for a Mormon because of the LDS faithâs racial history. Up until 1978, the Utah-based religion barred blacks from its all-male priesthood.
Romneyâs campaign declined to comment. A spokeswoman for Santorum didnât return a request for comment.
Florida pastor to Romney: Renounce âracistâ Mormonism
By Thomas Burr
| The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published Mar 09 2012 11:45 am
Washington ⢠A Florida pastor plans a news conference Monday to call on presidential candidate Mitt Romney to renounce his âracistâ Mormon faith.
The Rev. OâNeal Dozier, senior pastor of The Worldwide Christian Center Church on Pompano Beach, Fla., says Democrats and President Barack Obama would use Romneyâs âracist religion as a secret weaponâ to attack the Republican in the general election.
âThe Mormon religion is prejudiced against blacks, Jews and the Native American Indians,â Dozier says in a release previewing the news conference. âThese allegations are substantiated and validated by the writings of the former prophets and seers of the Mormon church.â
What Dozierâs release doesnât mention is that heâs a supporter of rival Republican contender Rick Santorum, and, according to news reports, an honorary chairman of his Florida campaign. The Santorum campaign on Friday touted Dozier as one of its conservative leader endorsements.
Santorum spoke in January at Dozierâs church, where the senior pastor noted that blacks will not vote for a Mormon because of the LDS faithâs racial history. Up until 1978, the Utah-based religion barred blacks from its all-male priesthood.
Romneyâs campaign declined to comment. A spokeswoman for Santorum didnât return a request for comment.
