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SALT LAKE CITY — A controversial talk show host is feeling heat from the Utah State Democratic Party after claims he made about the origins of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
VIDEO:
MSNBC's O'Donnell criticizes Romney's 'invented religion'
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has taken a lot of heat during the campaign cycle for being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sen. Orrin Hatch commented Tuesday that President Barack Obama will likely "throw" Romney's religion into his campaign tactics.While criticizing comments GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney made about President Barack Obama and secularism, host Lawrence O'Donnell claimed, "Mormonism was created by a guy in upstate New York in 1830 when he got caught having sex with the maid and explained to his wife that God told him to do it."
The O'Donnell added, "Forty-eight wives later, Joseph Smith's lifestyle was completely sanctified in the religion he invented to go with it, which Mitt Romney says he believes."
On Friday, the Utah State Democratic Party condemned what they call "religious bigotry" from O'Donnell and other groups. Party chairman Jim Dabakis said the political battle should always be fought on political issues.
"As the Utah Democratic Party, we are saying, not just to Democrats but to Republicans and everybody else, ‘Hands off,'" Dabakis said.
It's unfortunate that now, in 2012, there seems to be only one group in America that it is still acceptable to attack, and that's the LDS Church.
–Jim Dabakis, Utah Democratic Party
Dabakis added that O'Donnell's remarks are akin to the bigotry from members of groups on the other side of the political aisle, like The Southern Baptist Convention and The Christian Broadcasting Network.
"It's unfortunate that now, in 2012, there seems to be only one group in America that it is still acceptable to attack, and that's the LDS Church," Dabakis said.
In a statement released by the party, Dabakis stated, "Unfortunately, Mr. O'Donnell has a long history of Mormon-bashing. I won't stand for it, and I know the President doesn't stand for this type of disrespect and incivility either.
"It is terrible that pundits and political opportunists on both sides of the aisle keep forcing this issue into our national debate. I have the utmost respect for my LDS brothers and sisters, and I strongly condemn these uncivil, prejudiced attacks on the faith. We are better than this, and our discourse should reflect it."
