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October 28, 2007 at 06:37:36
by Mary Shaw Page 1 of 2 page(s) |
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In the letter, Romney wrote, "I am an American running for president, not a Mormon running for president."
He goes on to say, "I would have thought that more important to my potential presidency would be my record as a governor, 25-year business leader, Olympic CEO, father, husband -- and American."
Indeed.
I am no fan of Mitt Romney, but I have to agree with him here.
I have thought the same thing through the past two decades' worth of elections, which often have seemed more like contests to prove who's more holy, not who's more qualified to run this country.
And I thought the same thing during a recent Democratic candidates' debate, when each was asked to share his or her favorite Bible verse.
I wondered if that question would have been asked if a non-Christian candidate had been standing on that stage.
And I wondered if this nation will ever evolve to where we really might see a non-Christian candidate standing on that stage. (Jewish Senator Joe Lieberman doesn't count. During his 2000 vice-presidential run, he managed to out-God all the other candidates.)
George W. Bush not only invokes his God in virtually every speech he makes, he also openly admits that he takes his instructions from his God. And look where that has gotten us. It brings to mind the words of Sinclair Lewis, who said, "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
The religious right and their supporters in Washington have brainwashed the American public into believing that Christianity is patriotic. In fact, according to a recent survey by the First Amendment Center, 65 percent of Americans believe that the nation's founders intended the U.S. to be a Christian nation and 55 percent believe that the Constitution establishes a Christian nation.
Hogwash. They need to read the Constitution, which makes no mention of God or Christianity. And they need to acquaint themselves with the Bill of Rights.
It was with good reason that this nation's founders wrote the "separation clause" into the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
It was to protect the minority from tyranny of the majority. Our founders did not want this nation to sink into theocracy. They knew that theocracy always leads to oppression and loss of freedom.
Our founders wanted to establish a democracy in which the government serves all the people, not just the Christian ones.
For these reasons, we should not be compelled to vote for someone because he or she can recite passages from the Bible. In fact, we should be suspicious of those who do so in a political context. It's pandering, and it's often hypocritical.
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| 14 comments |
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excellent
right on target. thank you. by Joan Brunwasser (206 articles, 3757 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 751 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 7:58:36 AM  (0+)
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I say to you...
Amen! by Daniel Geery (26 articles, 95 quicklinks, 126 diaries, 912 comments [26 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 10:07:30 AM (0+)
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Dubya not only invokes his god?
Dubya is a satan worshipper people,dont believe what you hear from the press. We need candidates that address the issues,AIPAC, blackwater,whitewater,watergate,watered down constitution, our liquid assets and the waterloo in Iraq. Are you all wet yet? And dont forget the holy-water. by john riggs (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 463 comments [24 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 10:41:10 AM (0+)
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The Right to Kill
The Constitution gives men the right to kill. Bush is doing exactly what he is permitted to. The Constitution also gives the government the right to print money, and to decide who shall be the winner and loser. Again, Bush is doing exactly what he is permitted to do. You can blame the Bible if you wish, but people just read into the Bible the same things that they put into the Constitution. The purpose of separating church and state was so that the murderous rebel could write his own version of history. The Bible is full of stories of similarly proud men (and Kings) who think they are above God. God is patient. Eventually the fool with power and the fool without power will come to recognize they are both wrong. by Steve Consilvio (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 184 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 12:17:48 PM (0+)
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You are exactly right.
I won't be voting for Romney either (and I am a Mormon, by the way). But could they please get off his back about being a Mormon. It is not germaine to the issue at hand. Interestingly, a recent story in a Utah paper contrasted how when Mitt's father ran for office (president?) several years ago, the issue of his being a Mormon never came up. I just don't like Romney's politics. When he said he would build twice as many Guantanamo's as George W Bush, he lost my vote. by Frank Staheli (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 37 comments [16 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 12:18:00 PM (0+)
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Reply: It would be irrelevant EXCEPT that...
the Mormon Church does play politics. One small example: Gordon Hinkley spoke in favor of the Iraq war before it started. by Daniel Geery (26 articles, 95 quicklinks, 126 diaries, 912 comments [26 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 1:00:32 PM (0+)
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What's new
Bigotry takes many forms. I was just going over our summer's trip photos and lingered over the ones of the Lorraine Motel I took in Memphis. The Lorraine Motel is the site of one of our nation's biggest tragedies - the assassination of Dr King. He was gunned down in Memphis for what he believed in. He frequently used the words Jesus and God in his speeches. The man was a preacher first and an activist second. Now instead of a bigot gunning someone whose beliefs they do not like from a rundown building the bigots hide behide a computer screen and try to do their assassinations from a computer keyboard. There is not a place in America for religious or anyother kind of bigot. It is good Romney is running, it brings all these bigots out in the open. They can't help themselves and use any kind of phony reason in the world to write terrible things about the man who is, by the way, the most qualified candidate in either party. You can put everyone's else expeience at actually running something and accomplishing anything, except maybe Rudy's, on the head of pin. Being Governor of Arkanasas is, as Ross Perot said once, equivalent to running a large Wal-Mart. Even HC told a crowd 'God Bless You' the other day. She did not, of course, say ' and God Bless America' the way most other politicians do. She says she taught Sunday school and prays everyday. Does this disqualify her too? by Mad Jayhawk (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 652 comments [56 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 12:39:38 PM (0+)
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Somemore History
147 years ago, Americans elected Abraham Lincoln, who once proclaimed "the Bible is not my book & Christianity is not my profession." Just remember this man was president during the most critical period in this nation's history. Many scholars & American historians have concluded that Honest Abe was for the most part, an atheist. Yet he was most admired for his genoristy, integrity & statesmanship. All of these traits seem to be lacking in all of our so called Christian, Jewish, Mormon, etc. politicians who seem to use religion as a scapegoat for their actions as evidenced by Bush's invasion of Iraq. It's highly unlikely that Americans will ever elect an agnostic or atheist as president. However, I would be delighted to hear a candidate some day declare " I don't believe in a god & have no use for religion." Perhaps another Lincoln in the making? by iman (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 89 comments) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 1:54:49 PM (0+)
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Deists
a lot of the founders were deists, like Franklin and Jefferson. Jefferson even took the miracles out of the bible, just leaving Jesus' words. The "Jefferson Bible" is still in print 200+ years later. The idea of faith without religion, without the bureaucracy, the institution... is interesting. Maslow said that the founders of religions were very different than the teachers, who couldn't really connect with the spiritual dimension. by Rob Kall (952 articles, 4177 quicklinks, 374 diaries, 2087 comments [45 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 6:09:20 PM (0+)
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my Karma all 8cyls can run over your dogma
I am reminded to the statement in the bible that says Religion, given it can’t be empirically proven is therefore a right of personal choice (much like one’s sporting team or not). The problems come about when religion becomes dogma and is used as both a means of justification for exclusion (bigotry) and a means of cynical manipulation of the susceptible. The problem with dogma is while providing some with the security of predictability it also becomes rigid and instead of encouraging man to exceed their circumstances it become and impediment. The intent of the founding fathers was clearly to create an inclusive nation (a meritocracy) not make the mistakes of older nations. Not everyone can be Religious (least of all your version of it) but every one is a human and they have rights too. Goodness isn't a matter of religion it is a matter of the inner nature of the individual and their attitude to humanity (“Karma” if you like). Hence the 60’s whimsical quote “My Karma all 8 cyls can run over your Dogma” The founding fathers were right to assert the “God to god….Caesar to Caesar” principal as Article 1 of the Constitution better known as the separation of Church from State. by Andris (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 531 comments) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 11:27:02 PM (0+)
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Re: "Is God Running for President?"
by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 11:46:38 PM (0+)
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separation clause?
There is no "separation clause" in the First Amendment. There is an "establishment clause" ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...") and a "free exercise clause" ("...or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ..."). by tim bristol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 89 comments) on Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 8:58:04 AM (0+)
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Politics and Religion are Married
It is a sad day in our country when Presidential candidates compete with each other to see who is holier than thou. Let it be known that the same individuals that have brought us our corrupted governmental system, have brought religion to our Country; by brain washing each and everyone of us to place religious morals and ethics in front of our freedom and liberty, they have managed to take control of our Country and Souls. In a court of law you must swear on the bible, our currency not only is ridden with secret society codes, but also with the words in God we trust. What kills me is the hypocrisy of it all, they worship the devil and the almighty dollar while brains washing the rest of us to believe in the almighty God. I think religion should be a personal thing, and at best be kept in the persons heart and at home. It has no place in politics and should not be forced down our throats. With as many different religious beliefs around, why should we take favoritism to a particular group, and run our country based on this groups morals and Holy Book? I say enough is enough, lets get back to basics, take our country back, straighten out the Federal Reserves, fire a few of the incompetent people in the White House and live life the way it was meant to be lived. Why should life be only good for the rich and holy? Or should I state the rich and the so called holy. by Mark Angelo Cummings (4 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 53 comments) on Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 2:52:20 PM (0+)
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Is god running for president
We have George Bush who beleaves he is god. this sinner prays to god every night. and he sends our son's and daughters to die in his worthless war. I beleave he thinks that god sent him to defend the oil fields in iraq and the middle east. after all this war is all about oil and wealthy oil corporationsin america to prosper.this idiot president says he care's about the human being and he is against steam-cell research. but he killed over 750,000 of iraq's population. and over 3830 of our beloved military. THIS IS A HYPOCRITE we have as president. At least i can say the Arabs beleave in the KORAN. this imbecile does not care about our Constitution. he said the Constitution was just a GODDAM piece of paper. and he would do what he wanted to do. George Bush and Dick Cheney have done what thay wanted to do. our country is coming apart and its all because of these two TYRANTS IN THE WHITE HOUSE. by vincent passiatore (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 185 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 9:14:07 PM (0+)
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