Romney says Church-State Separation has gone too far
The Republican presidential candidate has complained that the US
founding fathers’ celebrated detachment of government from religious
faith “has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They
seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgement of God,” said
Mitt Romney, who is a devout Mormon. “Religion is seen as merely a
private affair with no place in public life.”
Romney’s view is very close to the Roman Catholic view that America has become hostile toward religion. “The Founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square,” said Romney. Joining the Roman Catholic Bishops, Romney has accused President Obama of “waging war on religion.”
“Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third US president, said in 1802 that the Amendment meant “a wall of separation between Church and State.”
The U.S. Constitution’s first amendment was intended to create a neutrality of the state toward religion. The polarization of religion in American politics has created reactions. Would a president Romney go too far the other way and allow the Catholic Church even more influence in American politics perhaps to the point of a controlling interest?
“The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions… will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week… The Lord will permit them to reveal what is in their hearts, to act out the spirit of the master that controls them. He will let them show their hatred of his law in their treatment of those who are loyal to its requirements. They will be actuated by the same spirit of religious frenzy that goaded on the mob that crucified Christ; church and State will be united in the same corrupt harmony.” Review and Herald, March 18, 1884
http://www.ktfministry.org/news/2874/romney-says-church-state-separation-has-gone-too-far
Romney’s view is very close to the Roman Catholic view that America has become hostile toward religion. “The Founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square,” said Romney. Joining the Roman Catholic Bishops, Romney has accused President Obama of “waging war on religion.”
“Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third US president, said in 1802 that the Amendment meant “a wall of separation between Church and State.”
The U.S. Constitution’s first amendment was intended to create a neutrality of the state toward religion. The polarization of religion in American politics has created reactions. Would a president Romney go too far the other way and allow the Catholic Church even more influence in American politics perhaps to the point of a controlling interest?
“The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions… will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week… The Lord will permit them to reveal what is in their hearts, to act out the spirit of the master that controls them. He will let them show their hatred of his law in their treatment of those who are loyal to its requirements. They will be actuated by the same spirit of religious frenzy that goaded on the mob that crucified Christ; church and State will be united in the same corrupt harmony.” Review and Herald, March 18, 1884
http://www.ktfministry.org/news/2874/romney-says-church-state-separation-has-gone-too-far
US election: Church and State separation gone too far, says Mitt Romney
The separation of Church and State has been taken too far in America and religion should be restored to public life, Mitt Romney has said.
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaigning in Manassas Photo: AP
The Republican
presidential candidate complained that the US
founding fathers' celebrated detachment of government from religious faith "has
been taken by some well beyond its original meaning".
"They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgement of God,"
said Mr Romney,
who is a devout Mormon. "Religion is seen as merely a private affair
with no place in public life.
"The Founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they
did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square".
The First Amendment of the US Constitution stated in 1791 that "Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof."
Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third
US president, said in 1802 that the Amendment meant "a wall of
separation between Church and State".
Mr Romney's remarks came during an interview with the Cathedral
Age, the magazine of the Washington National Cathedral, which posed an
identical set of questions about faith to President Barack Obama.
Mr Obama, who is accused by Mr Romney of "waging war on religion" by mandating employers to pay for contraception as part of staff health insurance plans, offered a sharply contrasting view on the relationship between religion and government.
"The constitutional principle of a separation between church and state has served our nation well since our founding embraced by people of faith and those of no faith at all throughout our history and it has been paramount in our work," he said.
The President also attempted to brush off questions of how he dealt with people who questioned his faith. Polls consistently show that a significant portion of the electorate believe he is Muslim.
"I have a job to do as president, and that does not involve convincing folks that my faith in Jesus is legitimate and real," Mr Obama told the magazine.
His opponent, who rarely speaks about Mormonism out of apparent fear that it might deter some voters, said: "Every religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These should not be bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance".
Asked for his favourite Biblical passage, Mr Romney offered a line from Matthew 25 that is more frequently cited by Christians on the political Left. "For I was hungry, and ye gave me food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me," it reads.
More from US election 2012...
Washington, D.C.—Following a weekend during which presidential candidates President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney marked Sunday by attending respective church services, the candidates discuss their views of faith in public life in unprecedented interviews in the midsummer issue of Cathedral Age magazine, the quarterly flagship publication of Washington National Cathedral. These interviews, in which each candidate answers a set of identical questions about his individual faith and the place of religious beliefs in the political process, are the most transparent look yet into the faith of the two candidates.
Mr Obama, who is accused by Mr Romney of "waging war on religion" by mandating employers to pay for contraception as part of staff health insurance plans, offered a sharply contrasting view on the relationship between religion and government.
"The constitutional principle of a separation between church and state has served our nation well since our founding embraced by people of faith and those of no faith at all throughout our history and it has been paramount in our work," he said.
The President also attempted to brush off questions of how he dealt with people who questioned his faith. Polls consistently show that a significant portion of the electorate believe he is Muslim.
"I have a job to do as president, and that does not involve convincing folks that my faith in Jesus is legitimate and real," Mr Obama told the magazine.
His opponent, who rarely speaks about Mormonism out of apparent fear that it might deter some voters, said: "Every religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These should not be bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance".
Asked for his favourite Biblical passage, Mr Romney offered a line from Matthew 25 that is more frequently cited by Christians on the political Left. "For I was hungry, and ye gave me food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me," it reads.
More from US election 2012...
Obama and Romney Discuss Faith in Washington National Cathedral magazine
Cathedral Age interviewed presidential candidates on “faith in America”Washington, D.C.—Following a weekend during which presidential candidates President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney marked Sunday by attending respective church services, the candidates discuss their views of faith in public life in unprecedented interviews in the midsummer issue of Cathedral Age magazine, the quarterly flagship publication of Washington National Cathedral. These interviews, in which each candidate answers a set of identical questions about his individual faith and the place of religious beliefs in the political process, are the most transparent look yet into the faith of the two candidates.
Cathedral Age asked the candidates eight questions including:
“How does faith play a role in your life,” and “What does a political
leader’s faith tell you about him/her as a person?” as well as how each
responds to those who question the sincerity of his beliefs. In their
revealing answers, the two candidates discuss their personal beliefs,
address those who have questioned their faith, and explain their vision
for how faith communities can work together with government for the
public good.
In answering these questions and others, both candidates reaffirmed their beliefs and spoke about how religion should not be the singular measure of a candidate.
“First and foremost, my Christian faith gives me a perspective and security that I don’t think I would have otherwise: That I am loved. That, at the end of the day, God is in control,” said President Obama. “Faith can express itself in people in many ways, and I think it is important that we not make faith alone a barometer of a person’s worth, value, or character.”
Governor Romney said, “I am often asked about my faith and my beliefs about Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.”
Romney also said, “A political leader’s faith can tell us a great deal or nothing…Perhaps the most important question to ask a person of faith who seeks a political office is whether he or she shares these American values: the equality of human kind, the obligation to serve one another, and a steadfast commitment to liberty. They are not unique to any one denomination.”
The complete interviews may be downloaded at www.nationalcathedral.org »
With its first issue dating back to Easter 1925, Cathedral Age is produced four times a year and seeks to offer its readers an indispensable, thoughtful resource for Americans of all faiths and perspectives. Recent editions of the magazine have included an interview with former First Lady Barbara Bush, a reflection by Pastor Rick Warren, and coverage of the ongoing effort to restore the Cathedral following the damage incurred from the earthquake that hit the East Coast in August 2011.
One unifying theme between both candidates’ answers was a dedication to the “other” as an expression of the Christian faith. Governor Romney said that he was inspired by the words in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus said that those who cared for the poor, hungry, the naked and the “least of these,” cared for Christ.
Romney said, “My faith is grounded in the conviction that a consequence of our common humanity is our responsibility to one another—to our fellow Americans foremost, but also to every child of God.”
President Obama discussed a similar theme in his response to a question about the role of faith in public life. “We face big challenges in this country, and we’re coming to the point where we will decide if we’re truly in this together or if each individual ought to just fight for what serves them best,” the president said. “Faith tells us that there is something about this world that ties our interest to the welfare of a child who can’t get the health care they need, or a parent who can’t find work after the plant shut down, or a family going hungry.”
Both candidates also addressed the sacred principle of religious freedom and the role that faith can play in unifying the nation and in promoting the common good.
“Religious liberty is the first freedom in our Bill of Rights,” Governor Romney said. “And whether the cause is justice for the persecuted, compassion for the needy and the sick, or mercy for the child waiting to be born, there is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action.”
President Obama said, “This country has a rich tradition of seeking to create an environment where people of different beliefs can live together and share common goals. As Americans, I think we understand that—in protecting our ability to advocate for our own positions—we must protect the ability of those who come from different backgrounds and beliefs to do so as well. Faith demands that we see the image of God in one another and respect it.”
Washington National Cathedral is called to be the spiritual home for the nation. It aspires to be a catalyst for spiritual harmony in our nation, renewal in the churches, reconciliation among faiths, and compassion in our world. In promoting interfaith understanding, the Cathedral is a leader in convening people of all faiths to examine and respond to important issues. The theme of “faith and the election” for the midsummer issue of its magazine is one example of how the Cathedral lives out its role at the intersection of faith and public life.
“Our presidential candidates have been molded by their faith communities as they have been shaped by educational institutions, families, and work experiences. The sources of their convictions and assumptions are proper inquiries in an election year,” said the Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade, interim dean of the Cathedral. An essay by Wade—“The Search for Understanding: Claiming (and Reclaiming) Faith’s Constructive Force”—introduces the interviews with the candidates in the magazine. “We are not called to common conclusions but to common paths, principles, and hopes. People of faith are bound to a given set of questions, even if the answers will vary.”
Washington National Cathedral has been the location of funeral and memorial services for nearly all the 21 presidents of the United States since the Cathedral’s founding. There have been three State Funerals (for Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Ford), one official burial service (President Wilson), and seven memorial services for U.S. presidents. Beginning with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first inauguration in 1933, presidential inaugural prayer services have also taken place at the Cathedral. That tradition has been more recently consistent since President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985. The exception was President Bill Clinton, who chose Metropolitan AME Church, the historic black church in downtown Washington, for both of his inaugural prayer services.
SOURCE:
In answering these questions and others, both candidates reaffirmed their beliefs and spoke about how religion should not be the singular measure of a candidate.
“First and foremost, my Christian faith gives me a perspective and security that I don’t think I would have otherwise: That I am loved. That, at the end of the day, God is in control,” said President Obama. “Faith can express itself in people in many ways, and I think it is important that we not make faith alone a barometer of a person’s worth, value, or character.”
Governor Romney said, “I am often asked about my faith and my beliefs about Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.”
Romney also said, “A political leader’s faith can tell us a great deal or nothing…Perhaps the most important question to ask a person of faith who seeks a political office is whether he or she shares these American values: the equality of human kind, the obligation to serve one another, and a steadfast commitment to liberty. They are not unique to any one denomination.”
The complete interviews may be downloaded at www.nationalcathedral.org »
With its first issue dating back to Easter 1925, Cathedral Age is produced four times a year and seeks to offer its readers an indispensable, thoughtful resource for Americans of all faiths and perspectives. Recent editions of the magazine have included an interview with former First Lady Barbara Bush, a reflection by Pastor Rick Warren, and coverage of the ongoing effort to restore the Cathedral following the damage incurred from the earthquake that hit the East Coast in August 2011.
One unifying theme between both candidates’ answers was a dedication to the “other” as an expression of the Christian faith. Governor Romney said that he was inspired by the words in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus said that those who cared for the poor, hungry, the naked and the “least of these,” cared for Christ.
Romney said, “My faith is grounded in the conviction that a consequence of our common humanity is our responsibility to one another—to our fellow Americans foremost, but also to every child of God.”
President Obama discussed a similar theme in his response to a question about the role of faith in public life. “We face big challenges in this country, and we’re coming to the point where we will decide if we’re truly in this together or if each individual ought to just fight for what serves them best,” the president said. “Faith tells us that there is something about this world that ties our interest to the welfare of a child who can’t get the health care they need, or a parent who can’t find work after the plant shut down, or a family going hungry.”
Both candidates also addressed the sacred principle of religious freedom and the role that faith can play in unifying the nation and in promoting the common good.
“Religious liberty is the first freedom in our Bill of Rights,” Governor Romney said. “And whether the cause is justice for the persecuted, compassion for the needy and the sick, or mercy for the child waiting to be born, there is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action.”
President Obama said, “This country has a rich tradition of seeking to create an environment where people of different beliefs can live together and share common goals. As Americans, I think we understand that—in protecting our ability to advocate for our own positions—we must protect the ability of those who come from different backgrounds and beliefs to do so as well. Faith demands that we see the image of God in one another and respect it.”
Washington National Cathedral is called to be the spiritual home for the nation. It aspires to be a catalyst for spiritual harmony in our nation, renewal in the churches, reconciliation among faiths, and compassion in our world. In promoting interfaith understanding, the Cathedral is a leader in convening people of all faiths to examine and respond to important issues. The theme of “faith and the election” for the midsummer issue of its magazine is one example of how the Cathedral lives out its role at the intersection of faith and public life.
“Our presidential candidates have been molded by their faith communities as they have been shaped by educational institutions, families, and work experiences. The sources of their convictions and assumptions are proper inquiries in an election year,” said the Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade, interim dean of the Cathedral. An essay by Wade—“The Search for Understanding: Claiming (and Reclaiming) Faith’s Constructive Force”—introduces the interviews with the candidates in the magazine. “We are not called to common conclusions but to common paths, principles, and hopes. People of faith are bound to a given set of questions, even if the answers will vary.”
Washington National Cathedral has been the location of funeral and memorial services for nearly all the 21 presidents of the United States since the Cathedral’s founding. There have been three State Funerals (for Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Ford), one official burial service (President Wilson), and seven memorial services for U.S. presidents. Beginning with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first inauguration in 1933, presidential inaugural prayer services have also taken place at the Cathedral. That tradition has been more recently consistent since President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985. The exception was President Bill Clinton, who chose Metropolitan AME Church, the historic black church in downtown Washington, for both of his inaugural prayer services.
SOURCE:
Washington National Cathedral
Media Contact:
Richard Weinberg
(202) 537-5548
The TEA PARTY ECONOMIST
The TEA PARTY ECONOMIST
Ron Paul's original staff economist, Dr. Gary North!
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle” — Sun Tzu, 5th century... READ MORE
Obama's "Driving-Around Money" — Taxpayer Dollars
In the days of machine politics, there was a phenomenon called walking-around money. Ward heelers with cash in their pockets would walk around a precinct and pay bums on the street to go in and vote for the party’s candidates. Today, that is no longer done. Today, the money is in the hundreds of millions. ... READ MORE
22 Rules of Success in Business. Ignore Two of Them.
Bob Bly is a great copywriter. He sends out a daily email. I really liked this one. 1-Show up for appointments 10 minutes early. 2-Customers are not always right, but they must be treated as if they are. 3-When speaking before groups, dress up one level from what the group is wearing; e.g., if they... READ MORE
THE NSA May Have Tapped Your Phone
The National Security Agency, known as NSA (“No Such Agency”), is allowed to tap the communications of Americans, but only insofar as they are dealing with people outside the USA. For over five years, the NSA has been monitoring the communications of Americans who were communicating only inside the USA. The Electronic Freedom Foundation has... READ MORE
Welfare State Promoter Melts Down On-screen: “Whites Owe It. Fork It Over.”
This lady wants safety nets. She says that the prevailing majority voters will not fork over the money they owe the poor to provide government-funded safety nets. She yells. She screams. “Fork it over!” What if she were black? I mean really black, as in African black. What if she were having a tirade in... READ MORE
Ron Paul's original staff economist, Dr. Gary North!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Obama’s Brand of Marxism“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle” — Sun Tzu, 5th century... READ MORE
Obama's "Driving-Around Money" — Taxpayer Dollars
In the days of machine politics, there was a phenomenon called walking-around money. Ward heelers with cash in their pockets would walk around a precinct and pay bums on the street to go in and vote for the party’s candidates. Today, that is no longer done. Today, the money is in the hundreds of millions. ... READ MORE
22 Rules of Success in Business. Ignore Two of Them.
Bob Bly is a great copywriter. He sends out a daily email. I really liked this one. 1-Show up for appointments 10 minutes early. 2-Customers are not always right, but they must be treated as if they are. 3-When speaking before groups, dress up one level from what the group is wearing; e.g., if they... READ MORE
THE NSA May Have Tapped Your Phone
The National Security Agency, known as NSA (“No Such Agency”), is allowed to tap the communications of Americans, but only insofar as they are dealing with people outside the USA. For over five years, the NSA has been monitoring the communications of Americans who were communicating only inside the USA. The Electronic Freedom Foundation has... READ MORE
Welfare State Promoter Melts Down On-screen: “Whites Owe It. Fork It Over.”
This lady wants safety nets. She says that the prevailing majority voters will not fork over the money they owe the poor to provide government-funded safety nets. She yells. She screams. “Fork it over!” What if she were black? I mean really black, as in African black. What if she were having a tirade in... READ MORE
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Clash Daily News
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Number Of Republicans In America Hits Record High After falling for two straight months, the number of Americans who consider themselves Republicans jumped nearly three points in August. During August, 37.6% of Americans considered themselves Republicans. That’s up from 34.9% ... READ MORE |
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Destroying the Constitution – but a “Good Guy”? Some people insist Barack Obama is a good guy with a good heart. They say his only reason for seeking re-election is the good impulse to serve the best interests of the people and defend the defenseless. Do his words match his ... READ MORE |
WND News Alerts
| Obama lawyer warned against certifying eligibility |
| The warning has now been issued. Democrat Party or state elections officials certifying Obama's eligibility for the 2012 election could become the targets of election-fraud charges. |
| Read the latest now on WND.com. |
| Plus! |
| A left-leaning network 'anchorman' is a holocaust denier. Find out who ... |
| Click here for details. |
The Cowboy Byte
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| September 4, 2012 News and Thoughts for the day |
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