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*** UPDATED AT 1:45 PM ET WITH COMMENT FROM RUBIO SPOKESMAN AND CORRECTS TIMELINE***
Quick: What religion is the son of Cuban exiles?
Answer: Roman Catholic, right? Right.
And also Mormon?
That’s right, Marco Rubio, the conservative senator on everyone’s short list for vice president, was a member of the LDS Church in his youth, BuzzFeed reports.
Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
When Rubio's family moved to a suburb of Las Vegas, many in his immediate family converted.
When Rubio's family moved to a suburb of Las Vegas, near cousins who were Mormon, many in his immediate family (but not his father) converted, including Marco. Rubio was baptized in the church when he was 8 and enthusiastically participated in the religion, according to the report.
Rubio spokesman Alex Conant tells First Read BuzzFeed is incorrect that "Rubio's steadfast participation in the Mormon church continued for several years—until his parents decided to move them to Miami." (*** UPDATE *** BuzzFeed has clarified: "The cousins said Rubio's participation in the Mormon church continued for several years, until his parents decided to move them to Miami—though Conant said the family left the church before leaving Nevada.")
In fact, Conant said, "He left the church when he was 11 or 12, he received his first communion in 1984 when he was 13, and they didn’t move back to Miami until the next year, in 1985."
BuzzFeed’s McKay Coppins writes:
“The revelation adds a new dimension to Rubio's already-nuanced religious history—and could complicate his political future at a time when many Republicans see him as the odds-on favorite for the 2012 vice presidential nod. Vice presidential candidates are traditionally chosen to provide ethnic and religious balance to a ticket. Mitt Romney's Mormonism and Rubio's Catholic faith would already mean the first two members of minority traditions on a Republican ticket in American history. Rubio's Mormon roots could further complicate that calculation.”
NBC Latino reports that a former Rubio campaign staffer said this should have no bearing on whether the Florida senator's picked as VP and that he is a "devout Catholic":
“It should not affect it at all, that is totally unfair,” says Bertica Cabrera Morris, who ran Senator Rubio’s campaign in Central Florida and is a Senior Advisor to the Romney campaign, as well as a member of Romney’s Hispanic Steering Committee.
“Marco is a devout Catholic,” Cabrera Morris adds. “The first thing he did when he was confirmed as a Senator was have a Mass,” she adds. “His whole life is about faith.”
And Cabrera-Morris said:
"His family attended the church for a few years. He went with his family.”
One of the cousins described Marco to BuzzFeed, though, as being “totally into it.”
“Over the years, he and his cousins frequented LDS youth groups, attended church most Sundays—often walking to the chapel because his mother didn't know how to drive—and latched on to the mainstream Mormon culture that was easily accessible in LDS-heavy Nevada.
“For example, when they were in elementary school, Rubio formed a singing group with Michelle and his sister that would put on performances for extended family. Their inspiration? The Osmonds, of course.”
But all that changed when the family was going to move to Miami.
“Rubio was just reaching high school age when his family relocated, and [cousin] Mo [Denis] speculates that their transition to an area with fewer Mormons likely took its toll.”
A Rubio spokesmantold BuzzFeed “that Rubio never requested to have his name removed from the LDS Church's records, which means officially, the church is likely still counting him as a member.”
And:
“While Rubio continues to identify as a Conservative Roman Catholic, he frequently attends a non-denominational Baptist church with his family in Florida. As his notoriety increases, both communities have sought to lay claim to the rising political star, with little resistance from Rubio himself. In fact, the politician has cooperated for profiles in both the Catholic Advocate, and the Evangelical World Magazine—granting pitch-perfect interviews to each.”
NBC Latino also talked to Ignacio García, a professor at Brigham Young University and a Latino Mormon. García said, NBC Latino writes, "it is not surprising that the Rubio family attended a Mormon church when they lived in Nevada."
"Unless you are hiding under a rock,” García said, “a Latino family in Nevada would have been approached by Mormons, who are welcoming to Latinos, especially immigrants.”
In fact, LDS Church leaders have told NBC News that Latinos are a growth area for the church and are more progressive on immigration policy than on other church policies, like abortion, for example.
Leave a Comment:
We need an Atheist president!
Already have one.
We do? Good.
Well... let's simply apply the GOP policy.... like for the illegals who were brought here by their parents.... It doesn't matter!!!! What don't you understand? Illegal is Illegal.... so yes... he's Mormon!!!!
What ever happened to Warren Jeffs? Is he down at the Polygamist Colonies of Hilldale, UT. and Colorado City, AZ. on the southern Utah Boarder?
Warren Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence in Texas. He still attempts to control his religion from jail.
The current leader of the Mormon or LDS religion presented in the article is Thomas S. Monson.
These are two completely separate religions based on one commonality which they had about 100 years ago.
He was sentanced to life in prision in the State of Texas. He has nothing to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, if you were trying to infer something. It would be like saying the Pope has something major to do with the Southern Baptist Convention every year. Just not going to happen.
Is this a new series from BSNBC. Are we going to see more Obama Muslim Past stories from his time in Indonesia?
Come on folks. He was 8! What do you remember about being 8? How many people reading this (and equipped with a couple of properly firing neurons) don't see it like this: his cousins were LDS, he was 8, the family was in a new town, and this particular group was the 8 year-old's only social outlet. How many people understand religion, much less make a proper commitment to it at age 8?
"8 and enthusiastically participated in the religion" REALLY?? How about an article about when he first masterbated....Then you imply he is a sex addict. Geesh its no wonder no one but a farrrrrr left wing-nuts can take this organization seriously
BSNBC, what can you say.
yea, actively participated at 8 years of age. somebody get a rope.
Does anyone know what Mitt Romney s ties are to Mexico?
Yes - he is a Mexican.
Romney's Mexican ties are that his great grandfather moved to Mexico when the Morman church stopped practicing poligomy in the United States. His father moved back to the United States to go into business for himself. Apparently, his cousins in Mexico are very proud that one of their own may get to be president of the United States.
His father was born on a Mormon colony in Mexico, so technically his father is Mexican, and following Birther Law, he is Mexican and not eligible to run for President :-) That's OK though, because Mexico is largely a Catholic nation, so there's no chance we'll have a stealth Islamist in the White House, disrupting our way of life, and forcing McDonald's to take any pork products off its menus, and we know pork is a major staple in Mexican Cuisine :-)
Who cares what church Rubio attends. MSNBC is just worried about him taking Hispanic voters away from Obama. And of all the candidates, the really extreme one is the guy who for 20 years listened to hate rants against whites, Jews, and America from his preacher and mentor, Reverend Jeremy Wright. Give up? None other than our President Obama.
Oh my! The bible thumpers ain't going to like that unless, like Swaggart, he cries and says forgive me I meant to be a Christian! Sheeple are like that.
I bet the other Mormon Glen Beck will probably be Mitt Romney s V.P Candidate not Marco Rubio.
those of you that have never spent time in a mormon community will not understand their grand scheme to seek legitimacy for their cult by securing the highest office in this country, this presidential run is the result of over 50 years in the planning. Yes they are all hypocrites. they believe in magic underwear, believe that the LDS president is a living prophet, believe anyone of non white skin color is the seed of satan, only started to allow blacks in the church in 1978. read under the banner of god, they are a Cult. The LDS stock holdings amount to billions and likely trillions when you consider the secret foregin accounts while investing billions through bain capital they had annual returns of 88% on invested money and yes it is funneled right back to the campaign. They are all hypocrites. Beware of the mormon cult
That story sounds almost as bad as the Rev. Wright cult.
Cracker Jock ! Wrong agian. Go to Mormon.org and get your facts straight. Your post is ignorant and or you have an agenda against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I invite you to ask Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch,Steve Young, Glaydis Knight, LaVell Edwards, Johnny Miller, Jason Chaffetz, Willard Marriott, Donny Osmond,and even the "Jimmer" etc.... ask them and 14 million others if they agree with your stoneage rant. Ask them to their face....not behind some cowardly website blog. You remind me of the guy in the Ben Hur movie when betting on the chariott races is being discussed. The Roman guy says in betting a large sum of gold " The difference between a Roman and a Jew in front of a bunch of Romans and Roman soldiers. The Arab replies, " Bravely Spoken"
cpt, you are entitled to your opinion. I disagree with it because some of what you say is not true. Having lived in NV, I have many Mormon friends who are wonderful people with wonderful families. To hear them so denigrated here makes me sick to my stomach. What is it that makes you liberals so vile and so mean?
I am doubtful that reading a book by someone who is strongly anti-Mormon will give you a good representation of what the LDS church believes and how it functions. The LDS church does publish almost everything dealing with church management and teachings freely available on its site without even having to log in.
The LDS faith teaches that politics are important to pay attention to, no matter which country you are in. Politics shape peoples lives, and the LDS church believes that people should be involved, regardless of what religion you are.
Also, according to their website, any stocks received are immediately liquidated. The church itself does not hold any stocks, according to their policy. The most common rumor I have seen is that Coca Cola or Pepsi have most of their stocks held by the LDS church. This rumor was even reviewed by snopes and shown to be false.
Given all that is happening in the world today - there should be something better to report as news.
Why is this even relevant?? why are we talking about people's religion this way.. I thought we had this little thing called "Freedom of Religion" but i guess not anymore.
It's part of the Left-wing "Demean" campaign. It's what the Left feels is important in life. You know, the same group that goes around saying the GOP is all about social issues. The same group that says everyone else is intolerant for not holding their view of the world - the "We are better than everyone else" group of Left-wing Progressives.
People are free to practice any religion they want, as long it is yours. I find the more religious people get the more closed minded they become.
Last time I checked, Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution said "...but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." Those of you who claim to love the constitution so much, should actually read it some time (and not just the parts you agree with)!
I worked for the Mormons for Ten years and I can safely tell you that if you are not one of them, you are Persona Non Grata. They will still use you as a worker Bee but you will never get the good jobs.
They are worse then the Forengi on Star Trek and they all worship the Golden Calf...
They even Screwed me out of 401k Contributions and I am a Roman Catholic and a Veteran.
Mitt Romney can't wait to go back to Salt Lake City in Victory as the Next President.
You worked for 14+ million people? Or was it more like I worked for a Mormon once? Just wondering. I worked for a Catholic once, but I did not work for all of the Catholics in the World?
Just once I'd like to see a candidate that isn't affiliated with any religious organization.
Not going to happen. Even if it was possible that it would happen it surely wouldn't be a Republican. Religion is their very narrow minded base.
Dan G. Still the same childish posts, time after time, I see.
Why don't you ever try any new material? You're boring.
The Constitution guarantees us Freedom FROM religion for a good reason.
This is precisely why the founders of this country decided to keep religious tests our of the government. It is easy to see where this is all going to end. No person will qualify for any office because of his or her religious beliefs past or present. It should be a non issue.
The extreme right wingers are going out of their way to push this and are destroying the basic foundation of the United States. We are the laughing stock of the rest of the western world.
uh, Lar, you say the right wing is pushing this? Then, why am I reading this on the most liberal minded blog there is?
SO WHAT. This whole religion and politics thing is just driving me crazy. Get back to what is important in the world today.
And the point of this story is what?
to daryl-2183015
The Osmonds were simply entertainers that were Mormon and just happen to be popular. Saying they were gods is totally ludicrous. There are plenty of entertainers out there that are also Mormon but people don't even know it. For example, the famous Gladys Knight (minus the pips) is a very active Mormon.
I could list a ton of famous athletes, entertainers and other people on television who are Mormon but there is no point in comparing church rosters.
You know we are regular people just like everyone else and some people leave the church and join other faiths just like people leave their churches and join ours. Its all about how you feel when you are there and how you are treated and whether or not you find what you are seeking for.
It really is that simple and Mr. Rubio is still alright in my book whether or not he attends our church anymore. I am sure he still lives by high standards and has respect for other religions.
Very well said, DP. I'm sickened by what I read here and how my Mormon friends are being characterized by people who have no idea .
wow.
the media is quick to shed light on republicans religious beliefs....no matter when, so why dont they say anything about when obama was a follower of islam ? obama says he converted to christ in the 90s...so whats the big secret ?
it seems the media is only interested in looking into the past of republicans....but to look at obamas past, well then...you must be racist.
How can he run for VP. He was not born in America, he was born in Cuba. Both the President and Vice President must be born in America.
Just the president. There is no mention of the VP's nationality.
It's been citied before as a loophole that could explain an Arnold Schwartenager(sp) presidency.
That's actually a good question. From the 12 Amendment
"But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."
http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am12.html
Checked further, apparently he was born in Miami. I guess the term 'anchor baby' doesn't apply if your parents are from Cuba.
But I'm betting we'll go through another round of 'where's his birth certificate' if he's on the ticket.
He was NOT born in Cuba.
If a famous atheist was found to have been brought up in the Catholic church we wouldn't accuse him of being Catholic now would we? Why then does someone who grew up in the LDS church AND THEN LEFT have to be accused of being a Mormon? If the current President grew up in a Islamic environment and later became a Christian, we wouldn't want to accuse him of being a Muslim, now would we?
Come on people/media! You can't have it both ways!!!
Grow up!!!