Mitt Romney’s Lack of Understanding of Religion and Government

[doh_phooey]

Mitt Romney gave his religion speech today and, as expected, we found that he is no John Kennedy. He is also no Arnold Vinick, who would have told those who asked about his religion, as in this clip from The West Wing, that it was none of their business. Neither Kennedy’s speech or Vinick’s fictional comment would be accepted in today’s Republican Party.

He also spoke of “our grand tradition of religious tolerance and liberty,” but he does not appear to understand these principles. Nor does he understand secularism. Romney said:

We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong.

Romney makes the same mistake made by many conservatives in confusing secularism for opposition to religion. When Romney cites the founding fathers he fails to understand that many of them were simultaneously religious and believers in secularism. As historian Joseph Ellis recently explained in his book American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies At The Founding Of The Republic, the creation of a secular state was one of the great accomplishments of the founding fathers.

read on: http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2477

[doh_phooey]

1. Mitt Romney hates Secularists -- WTF??

Secularism is anti-religion? Is he aware that our founding fathers were secularists? Apparently not. He is being compared to John F. Kennedy who struggled with issues of faith during his campaign. One not-so-tiny difference between them is that JFK believed in secularism.

Under the rules for office of the president NO RELIGIOUS TEST SHALL BE ADMINISTERED. Yes, Mr. Romney, that includes you too. The office you are seeking not only does not come with a religious test, but it is a SECULAR position within a SECULAR government. Perhaps he should withdraw from the race if that is how he feels about EVERY SINGLE VOTER. You see, as American citizens we are all secularists. It is one of the principals on which this country was founded and like it or not it is what we all are.

Secularism is about freedom of choice. Our founding fathers understood that favoring one religion over another would be oppressive and result in chaos as we try to accommodate each and every belief system. Therefore, the only fair answer is to favor none. That is secularism. This does not mean that it is anti-religious or atheistic, it simply means that it endorses no particular religion.

http://informationparadox.blogspot.com/2007/12/mitt-romney-hates-secularist-wtf.html

[doh_phooey]

2. kick

:kick:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

3. Treaty of Tripoli.

"The United States is not a Christian nation."

Circa 1793, still in force.

[doh_phooey]

4. No room for atheists, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc.

Thanks, Mitt