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October 28, 2007 at 06:37:36

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Is God Running for President?

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By Mary Shaw (about the author)     Page 1 of 2 page(s)

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For OpEdNews: Mary Shaw - Writer

I was reading the Letters section in the October 15 issue of Newsweek magazine, and found an interesting letter from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The letter was in response to an article in a previous edition that apparently had focused on Romney primarily as a practicing Mormon.

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.

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http://www.maryshawonline.com

Mary Shaw is a Philadelphia-based writer and activist, with a focus on politics, human rights, and social justice. She is a former Philadelphia Area Coordinator for the Nobel-Prize-winning human rights group Amnesty International, and her views (more...)
 

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excellent by Joan Brunwasser on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 7:58:36 AM
I say to you... by Daniel Geery on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 10:07:30 AM
Dubya not only invokes his god? by john riggs on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 10:41:10 AM
The Right to Kill by Steve Consilvio on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 12:17:48 PM
You are exactly right. by Frank Staheli on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 12:18:00 PM
It would be irrelevant EXCEPT that... by Daniel Geery on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 1:00:32 PM
What's new by Mad Jayhawk on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 12:39:38 PM
Somemore History by iman on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 1:54:49 PM
Deists by Rob Kall on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 6:09:20 PM
my Karma all 8cyls can run over your dogma by Andris on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 11:27:02 PM
Re: "Is God Running for President?" by Munich on Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 at 11:46:38 PM
separation clause? by tim bristol on Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 8:58:04 AM
Politics and Religion are Married by Mark Angelo Cummings on Monday, Oct 29, 2007 at 2:52:20 PM
Is god running for president by vincent passiatore on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 at 9:14:07 PM

 
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