In re: Religion, public office and the law - Romney is no JFK

[pinto]

I think it's inevitable that religion and what it may mean in political terms this federal election cycle come in to play to an extent. Some comparisons between public concerns about JFK as a Catholic and Romney as a Mormon have been made in the press. Here are two quotes that I think highlight different approaches from two Presidential candidates on the issue. ~ pinto

JFK -

"The Separation of Church and State Is Absolute":

I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute—where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote—where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference—and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.

I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish—where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source—where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials—and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.

http://catholicism.about.com/od/history/p/Address-Of-Sen-John-F-Kennedy-To-The-Greater-Houston-Ministerial-Association.htm

Romney -

Washington National Cathedral’s magazine, Cathedral Age, asked President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney an identical set of questions about the presence of faith in their lives and the role of religion in America. Each was given the opportunity to respond freely, and their responses appear as in full.

CA: How do you view the role of faith in public life?

Governor Romney: We should acknowledge the Creator, as did the Founders -- in ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places. Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our Constitution rests.

Full interview with Obama and Romney via links at Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/obama-and-romney-answer-q_n_1818290.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

[cbayer]

1. What a stark contrast!

Romney, trying to look like a mainstream religionist, is really crossing the line here.

[dimbear]

2. Has he asked Paul Ryan the Golden Question* yet?

Since Mitt spent most of the Viet Nam era trying to save the French from Catholicism, a little effort here wouldn't be out of place.

* Golden Question: "Do you want to learn more about the Mormon Church?"

Since Mitt sees Paul as his sixth son, Paul should probably check to see if his Catholic baptism is still current.

[pinto]

3. None of that matters to me as much as the separation of church and state issue.

All candidates can practice their religion as they see fit, or practice none for that matter. Yet I hold to JFK's clear statement -

"The Separation of Church and State Is Absolute"