Faith

Santorum: Separation of Church and State Not ‘Absolute’

Posted on February 26, 2012 at 1:51pm by Madeleine Morgenstern
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Rick Santorum said Sunday he doesn’t believe the separation of church and state is “absolute” and reiterated past comments that he almost “threw up” after reading a speech on the subject by former President John F. Kennedy.

“The first substantive line says ‘I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute.‘ I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute,” Santorum said on ABC‘s ’This Week.“ ”The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country.”

Santorum, a Catholic, has been very open about the role of religion in his life and in his political beliefs.

“The First Amendment says the free exercise of religion and that means bringing everybody, people of faith and non-faith into the public square,” he said. “Kennedy for the first time articulated the vision saying, ‘No, faith is not allowed in the public square, I will keep it separate.’ Go on and read the speech, ‘I will have nothing to do with faith. I won’t consult with people of faith.’ It was an absolutist doctrine that was foreign at the time of 1960.”

Pressed further by host George Stephanopoulos that he almost “threw up” over the speech, Santorum didn’t back down.

“Absolutely, to say that people of faith have no role in the public square? You bet that makes you throw up,” Santorum said. “What kind of country do we live in that says only people of non-faith can come in the public square and make their case? That makes me throw up and that should make every American.

Referring to the recent controversy over President Barack Obama’s mandate that all insurers must cover the cost of contraception services, Santorum continued: “You are seeing from a president someone who is now trying to tell people of faith that you will do what the government says, we are going to impose our values on you. Not that you can’t come into the public square and argue against it, but now we’re going to turn around and say we’re going to impose our values from the government on people of faith which, of course, is the next logical step when people of faith — at least according to John Kennedy — have no role in the public square.”

Kennedy’s speech, delivered on the campaign trail in 1960, came at a time when Kennedy was facing voters wary of his Catholicism. Despite Santorum’s repeated characterization, the phrase “public square” does not appear, and much of the speech is devoted to Kennedy’s assurances that his religion would not be a factor in his leadership — namely, “request[ing] or accept[ing] instructions on public policy from the Pope.”

Watch Santorum’s full interview below, via ABC. Comments about the separation of church and state begin at the 13:00 mark:

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Comments (432)

martinez012577
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:03pm
Voters ask yourself this, what will Obama attack your candidate on and what does your candidate have to attack Obama on.

Ron Paul can attack Obama on spending, debt, wars, and freedoms. Obama can attack Ron Paul on old newsletters.

Mitt Romney can attack Obama on… well honestly nothing. Obamacare, wars, spending, debt, bailouts, and freedoms Mitt agrees with Obama on those. Obama will point out the similarities and his super packs will attack Mormonism.

Gingrich can be a debate tough guy, but he cannot attack Obama on wars, spending, debt, global warming, our even a health care mandate. Obama will show Newt as a hypocrite for attacking Clinton on affairs while having affairs of his own. He will go on to say Newt has been a part of a Congressional machine that has been nothing but corrupt and shown they have their interests above the interests of the people they represent.

Santorum can attack Obama over and over again on the birth control issue, but what else? He cannot attack him on wars, spending, debt, or freedoms. How many times is the video clip of Rick saying he has “real concerns” about the tea party. Obama will crush Rick because he voted for everything Bush wanted. If you were tired of hearing Obama blame Bush, get ready because if Rick is your guy, you are going to hear a lot more of it.

Hey tea party members, click and see what Rick really thinks about you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLQnoVpkyqc
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- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:12pm
  “Ron Paul can attack Obama on spending, debt, wars, and freedoms. [Obama can attack Ron Paul on old newsletters."]
  
  Obama would make the poor old guy absolutely cry… sorry to say. But you keep convincing yourselves…
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:13pm
  Funny how stuff that these folks said or wrote or supported in the past matters, except for Ron Paul.
  I have to give you all credit because you worship him.
  More than I can say for the supporters of anyone else.
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:28pm
  @TIMETOEND You see the same thing huh? Well let us see… Santorum is Catholic..so Santorum were to get in..it would be the Church of England..the ones our forefather sought freedom from and went to war over..if Paul got in..it would lean protestent..what the forefathers intended.. No one but Paul has a plan to weed out foreing theocracy via the Constitution..Not one of them has voted to protect our Constitutional rights except for Paul..Do you really think that the Church of England..the one who started the false religion of Islam..is going to divert the takeover as stated by the Muslim Brotherhood who we have partnered with in the ME and invited into our gov…dept of education. epa..fbi..cia. supreme court justices. the churches and the presidency. Do you think that church is the answer?
- martinez012577
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:35pm
  Correct the points I made. Dont just say Obama will make him cry, tell us how.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:42pm
  @ASHES:
  The Church of England is Anglican or, here, Episcopalian, not Catholic. The Founders were concerned with representative government over monarchy and freedom of religion over a state religion. You may want to be clear on the Church of England comments in the future…
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:43pm
  @ASHESTOASHES … “Do you really think that the Church of England..the one who started the false religion of Islam..” Huh? What the heck are you talking about??????
  Report Post »
- gothope
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:44pm
  Ron Paul can attack Obama on spending, debt, wars, and freedoms. Obama can attack Ron Paul on old newsletters.
  
  What about contraceptives, cutting a trillion out of the budget, isoliatinist, drugs should be legal, total hypocritic stance on earmarks, he can’t run a newsletter how can he run a country?
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:44pm
  Obama can attack Ron Paul on being a do nothing representative for 30 years.
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:52pm
  ASHES. “You [see the same thing] huh?”
  
  I’ll have to be honest with you ASHES… and other Paul supporters. I really find it hard to deal with drunks (as most people do). I also find it hard to deal with Ron Paul supporters for pretty much the same reason. “I see the same thing.”
  
  I hope that helps…
  Report Post »
- qpwillie
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:56pm
  0bama sure can’t attack Ron Paul on the subject of why 9/11 occurred because they both believe the same thing on that. 0bama’s own pastor said “America’s chickens are coming home to roost” which is exactly what Ron Paul said, using different words.
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:59pm
  MARTINEZ. All Obama has to do is compile all my comments and postings from day one since I’ve been on here and use them (not that I would like that of course) in a debate against Paul. I make you Paul supporters cry… why wouldn’t he? Lmao.
  
  I wish the GOP nominees would call Paul out like they should, but they I guess are much nicer than I am. They have a soft spot for the old fart … I guess as the crazy uncle who really can’t be taken too seriously at the party. Me? Not so much. He’s as dangerous as Obama.
  Report Post »
- oldguy49
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:03pm
  people whay have we hear nothing from our want to be leaders in the last month or 2 on how they will fix this countrys problems……….since cain droped out nothing about really fixing tax system no real solid thoughts on energy-epa-education farce-fed ………….where is the person that will fix these.???????????
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:12pm
  @ACADEMIACA As a result of Augustine’s mission, the church in England became an integral part of the Roman Catholic Church and acknowledged the authority of the Pope. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_England
  After having viewed the rituals..I see no difference.
  Report Post »
- Katydidnt
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:19pm
  What can Obama attack Paul on, Hmmm, how about all of the racist bigot garbage that went out under his name and his newsletter. Paul has tried to distance himself from that, but good luck with that one. Obama has the money, those ads would be played over and over and over again, until every minority in America could recite the words by heart.
  Report Post »
- techengineer11
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:21pm
  martinez012577: That’s a pretty good post. I agree with the overriding sentiment; however, some of what Rick says resonates with me. He’s absolutey right again on this issue.
  
  It‘s an issue that we shouldn’t even have to be figthing about because it’s so obvious but once again due to the demons in the Media they have simply spun this propaganda over and over for so long that the average ignorant American has come to accept it as a truth.
  
  You know Rick is a bit of an enigma to me. I agree with him on most moral issues.. However, he‘s such a big gov’t statist and he attacks those who advocate for States rights on issues that are not enumerated in the Constitution. Not to mention he’s never seen a War which AIPAC wanted that he would not support… But at the end of it all it seems as if he has a strong sense of contempt for us small gov‘t liberty minded Constitutionalist Patriots and I don’t really get it.
  
  Even though I don‘t support him and I don’t even like him I will come to his defense when he is wronged and the Media is launching broad side attacks upon him because of he’s a genuine Christian.
  Report Post »
- MS-GlenNBC
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:22pm
  What is this….. Another Santorum Hit Piece.. I noticed two Romney ♥ pieces……
  
  I guess Glenn Pat and Stu really are for Santorum…..
  
  Keep your hands off my Romney Care and the Progressive Income Tax.
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:29pm
  @LOOK4BIGPICTURE DO I really think that the Church of England created Islam…I consider the Catholic Chuch and the Church of England to be the same thing.. This was revealed a long time ago…after you read up on it.then consider that in 2011 the Vatican was in talks with Netanyahu saying that if Israel didn’t relinquish control of the Holy sites of Jerusalem to the Vatican that there would never be peace in the ME.. full circle.
  http://www.remnantofgod.org/books/docs/How-the-Vatican-Created-Islam.pdf
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:36pm
  @ASHES
  I know this will sound mean, and God knows that we can’t be mean to each other (except on comment streams and blogs) but, Wikipedia is not considered a reputable source. It’s the easiest source on the internet, but not the most reputable. In fact, educators warn students against using it as a source when writing research papers. But, if that’s all you got, enjoy. Just a brief note, Episcopalians do not recognize the Pope, nor do they use the Catholic Church as a guide, nor does the Church of England. I have more than a passing knowledge about the subject so, if you want to debate it, I am game.
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:52pm
  @TIMETOEND Alas I see your point.. far to many people lack the intelligence God gave a jackass so it is impossible to teach you anything. Go ahead and root for your higher taxing big government who will deprive you of your freedom..YOU WILL GO INTO SLAVERY!!!!! An then who’s going to be balling like a baby? All of them except Paul have supported NDAA(martial law) SOPA..and indefinite detention. Paul has actually presented a bill to repeal indefinite detention.. and he would seek to eliminate all of those Islomo/faschists government bureaucracies.. You seek to re-elect a man who supports giving Israel’s enenmies twice the foreign aide that we give Israel..and you support the collapse of our own nation through the building of other nations and policing the world.. people like you are and have been the reason for our nation’s demise.
  Report Post »
- eyestoseeearstohear
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:59pm
  @ MARTINEZ012577
  
  Maybe Ron Paul can BORE OBAMA INTO QUITTING!
  Ron Paul can rattle on, and on, and on and SAY NOTHING that is new, different,
  or unknown. He doesn’t talk about SOLUTIONS – OR HIS SOLUTIONS,
  he just list the problems and the who’s , how’s and causes.
  
  And, the people are going crazy applauding, cheering and etc. -
  but he’s said NOTHING!
  
  This man is NOT IN IT TO WIN IT – he’s just staying in to divide the votes.
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:00pm
  ACADEMICA Okay..for the sake of debating..let’s assume you are right.. and we leave the Church of England out of this.. Santorum is a Cathholic..the Catholic Church does answer to the Pope… the Vatican is said to have created Islam and the Vatican has just made a move for the Holy sites in Israel telling Netanyahu that the showdown in the ME would continue until Israel relinquished her rights to the Holy sites in Jerusalem.to the Vatican.. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/150757
  Oh and I do apoligize for being testy today..I am not in a good mood..
  Report Post »
- me85
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:03pm
  @MARTINEZ012577
  I voted for Rick Santorum because he scares me the least.
  Report Post »
- Ruler4You
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:12pm
  FTA: “Separation of Church and State Not ‘Absolute’
  
  Now, if you could only teach the communists that.
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:14pm
  @EYESNEARS…lol hahahah…Really? Do you even understand that we have rights under the Constitution? Well we do. Did you know that we are 15 trillion in the hole? Well we are..
  Did you know that Dr Paul has a plan to get us out of debt? Well he does!!
  Did you know that the others have a plan to take us further into debt? Well they do!!
  Did you know that Dr Paul has voted for our freedom of speech and our right to bear arms? He Has!!
  Did you know that that Constitution would weed out foreign theocracies such as Islam and Communism?
  It will! And who do you think supports the Constitution and the American people..Ron Paul! That’s who!!
  Report Post »
- Captain Crunch
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:18pm
  @disenlightened
  
  Oh how He loves you and me,
  Oh how He loves Glenn and Stu,
  He gave His life for Rick Santorum too,
  Oh how He loves conservatives too.
  
  I could rewrite an entire hymnal to sing the praises of Rick Santorum, but I don’t want to be the reason for you start taking your meds again.
  Report Post »
- christos
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:19pm
  @ACADAMIA2020—Church of England wasn’t the only church people came here to get away from,,,it was the Catholic Church and Lutheran is just a runoff of the Catholic Church,,,pay $ your sins are forgiven,,oh and then old great Martin Luther great enough to name a Church after i.e. IDOLATRY such a hero,,they have all strayed from the teachings of +JESUS+GOD+ they are idol worshipers and false teachers,,,their so good what do they need +JESUS+GOD+ for they have their $$$$$$ that is their +GOD+ MONEY.—FILTH.
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:20pm
  Okay ASHES. Tell me how Ron Paul is NOT going to put millions (not the 221,000 he proposes, but a more realistic figure like millions) of people out of work in these tough economic times with his fanciful 1 Trillon dollar first year cuts. Is that a wise move Yoda? Millions of people out of work in 1 year? Just think of what that would do to the economy? Too deep for you?
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:21pm
  @ASHES
  I am okay with testy as long as facts are part of the debate.
  Report Post »
- disenlightened
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:40pm
  @ CAPTAIN CRUNCH
  That stunk. Do us a favor and stick to bad opinions.
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:45pm
  @TIMETOEND Well how about free enterprize..just like back in the days when our Constitution meant something.. or have you not noticed that the Dept of Education which I believe was instigated by Newt Gingrich is nothing but a liberal fascist machine with Islam now in the mix..as is the EPA..taking control of our free enterprise.Homeland Security.responsible for helping Holder pass guns to Hezbollah Drug Cartel….Don’t you think that this nation could go back to Godly principles.. teaching the Bible and having Christain organizations in place of Islamo/Fascist ones? Also the health care field and military could expand and grow as could education and science.and drillin for our own oil. Our creativity in God could abound..do you not realize the big gov takeover and it is not for our good. this is what we are up against http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxOr78wfIz8&feature=relmfu
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:46pm
  @CHRISTOS:
  I think you need to reread what I wrote and to not read too much into it. I was pointing out that the churches are all separate. I never got into the reasons why the colonists came here. There were two groups. The “Pilgrims” and the “Colonists.” That is a totally different conversation. I just wanted to make sure that Santorum’s faith was not tied to other faiths…
  Report Post »
- martinez012577
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:49pm
  LOL @ katy
  
  You think the minorities are going to vote for the GOP? Obama got 97% of the black vote. He will this time get 97% of the black vote. The newsletters are old news. It doesnt effect Ron Paul’s voting or even his actions in real life. If those newsletters were really tied to Ron Paul he couldnt have stayed in office this long.
  
  Remember Lott was kicked out of Congress for saying that United States would have avoided “all these problems” if then-segregationist Strom Thurmond had been elected president in 1948. You dont think the things in those newsletters would have gotten Paul out?
  
  Please its an old story with nothing. Even if they were true and Ron Paul did write them, the United States has shown it has no problem electing a racist to be president. Look who is in the White House at the moment.
  
  So back to the real issues.
  
  Debt – Ron Paul cuts 1 trillion first year and has the budget balanced in 3. CNN just put out a piece saying only one of the candidates running cuts our deficit.
  http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/23/news/economy/gop_candidates_deficits/index.htm
  
  Wars – Pulls us out of countries we have no business being in. We just had 7 troops wounded in Afghanistan for what? Tell the wives, children, and mothers of those troops why you want them to stay in a country that hates us.
  
  Freedoms – NDAA, Patriot act, Obamacare, hell the FBI is looking at people who buy bulk food now. It will only get worse unless we elect Ron Paul!!!!
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:07pm
  Like I thought ASHES… too deep for you. But thank you for all the tap dancing.
  Report Post »
- American Soldier (Separated)
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:13pm
  @EYESTOSEEEARSTOHEAR Do you have any logical bone in your body?
  
  If someone says that speeding, drinking and driving, and texting causes accidents, and we need to prevent accidents, does that not imply the solution?
  
  He‘s telling us what we’ve been doing wrong. The solution is to stop doing the things that we’ve been doing wrong! Wow, was that so hard to deduct? Didn’t realize you needed him to have to S P E L L it out for you….
  Report Post »
- ashestoashes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:23pm
  @TIME no time..your just used to the control..like a dog tied to a chain..we’ll see if you still feel that way when your thoughts hit the fan..
  Report Post »
- BarackStalin
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:34pm
  I thought the Republican Party was supposed to be a COALITION of fiscal conservatives and social conservatives.
  
  MITT ROMNEY DOES NOTHING FOR SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES.
  -ran as a pro-choice governor
  -signed legislation limiting gun ownership
  -grew government with Romneycare
  
  I can see why fiscal conservatives want Romney, but NO REPUBLICAN CAN WIN IF SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES STAY HOME ON ELECTION DAY!!!
  
  Obama can’t win if he loses Pennsilvania (Santorum’s home state)
  Obama can’t win if he loses Catholics by a wide margin (Santorum’s faith)
  most importantly…Romney can‘t win if he can’t excite social conservatives to show up and vote
  
  Fiscal conservatives will vote for Santorum to protect their wealth from Communist Obama
  BUT SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES GET NOTHING FROM ROMNEY
  
  If social issues are lost and should not be considered as some are claiming…
  WHY WOULD I EVEN VOTE REPUBLICAN?
  Report Post »
- aconstitutionalistlivesinbrooklyn
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:35pm
  Santorum can attack Obama on Obamacare, the reason he is running for President. He could attack him on climate change, cap and trade, and federal regulations that stifle our economic development. He could attack him on foreign policy, where Obama did not take on Iran to stop their nuclear bomb capabilites and still hasn’t, has attacked Israel for building on her her own land and supporting Palestinians illeagally building on Israeli land, the UN allowing Hezbobola to attack Israel from Lebanon when its peace keeping forces were supposed to prevent that, Obama withdrawing anti-missle defenses from our Eastern European allies, Obama not taking on China for their piracy and monetary manipulation, Obama allowing Venezuela and Cuba to threaten our south with their alliances with Iran, Russia and China. He could attack Obama on the way he is handling the Mexican border and suing states for enforcing federal law. He could attack Obama for raising taxes. He could attack Obama for not allowing the Keystone pipeline and not allowing off-shore drilling and drilling in Alaska and using the EPA to prevent fracking. He could attack Obama for stopping water being sent to Central and Southern California based on phony environmental concerns as declared by two different courts that the EPA and the Park Service ignore. Obama broke contracts, skirted Congress…
  
  I’m not nearly through, but I listed quite a bit Santorum could attack that has nothing to do with what Santorum voted for.
  Report Post »
- christos
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:36pm
  @ACADAMIA@)@)—Wrong I did not confuse your article..nor is the book of Revelation confusing,,,the Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon that rides the beast,,,so keep praying to Mary and the Saints surely you’ll go far,,,I do not put anyone before +GOD+ I pray to +JESUS+ directly,,,no one close to +JESUS+GOD+ has a prayer formula,necklace/rosary,,,etc those are external items…Mary wasn’t +HOLY+ only +JESUS+ was born +HOLY+ the Catholic Church is CREEPY.
  Report Post »
- carbonyes
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:38pm
  MARTINEZ, please get your head out of your @ss, Santorum can challenge Obama on any ground, on any day on any issue and eat Obama’s breakfast, lunch and supper, and kick his butt any time.
  
  Your lummox, Ron “the diaper boy” Paul, would have difficulty fighting his way out of a wet paper bag – sad, but true.
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:40pm
  @oldguy49…They’re talking about those issues, the media’s just not asking these questions. You have to go to each candidate’s websites or YouTube to watch their campaign speeches.
  Report Post »
- techengineer11
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 8:10pm
  TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12:
  
  You and Ms. Morganstein have something going on?? She won’t allow me to post my thoughts of you however, I see she lets you post about anything… lol
  Report Post »
- Formula382
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 8:22pm
  Obama can attack Ron Paul on failed [er no] foreign policy. Obama can attack Paul on prostitution and drugs being even more perverse under him than that of Obummer. And the list goes on…
  
  Conversly, Santorum can attack Obummer on:
  -failed economic policy
  -bank/automotive bailouts
  -anti-American energy policy
  -attack on religous freedom
  -bankrupting America via tripling size of fed balance sheet 800B to 3.2T in 3 years
  -bankrupting America via 6.5T in new debt since he took office, more than 43 other presidents combined
  -Lack of border inforcement
  -worst president for class warfare since Carter
  -pro-OWS mentality i.e. “I want something for nothing mentality”
  -advancing the nany state of the U.S.
  -forced green energy initiative, same initiative that bankrupt Spain 30 years ago….the gift that keeps on giving
  -worst president for foreign affairs ever
  -worst, most apologetic president in the history of the U.S.
  -worst president in the history of the United States of America, period!
  
  Santorum has a decent arguement indeed. Now if we just let “us” decide who we want, we’ll all be better off instead of letting MSLSDC tell the GOP who they want to be on our ticket!
  Report Post »
- DEFCON4
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 8:42pm
  thank you, sir statements are right on track its refreshing to read someone who sees what lies ahead never saw that rick santorum video cant see any tea party people voting for this clown after that rant thanks again
  Report Post »
- Independent4ever
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 9:28pm
  Neoconservatives have taken over the Republican party. They do not care for Ron Paul because he is not following the neoconservative agenda of pre-emptive continuous wars and nation building. That is the bottom line.
  Report Post »
- smokey888x2
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 10:33pm
  “He cannot attack him on wars, spending, debt, or freedoms. How many times is the video clip of Rick saying he has “real concerns” about the tea party. Obama will crush Rick because he voted for everything Bush wanted.”
  
  Oh yes he can and he has!! He was the only and original conservative in this race. ‘How many times … ‘ once and you don’t show his follow-up. Obama will crush Romney even more! Obama will crush Newt even MORE and O could smash Paul. Ear-marks, earmarks were the only way for any senator to get money back to his state then. And Santorum nailed when he stated that McCain didn’t even touch entitlements, earmarks don’t even come close. Again, Santorum was the only conservative in this race after one other drop out — he is far more conservative than Romney, Newt and Paul combined.
  Report Post »
- Patrick Henry II
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 10:34pm
  That was a damning video but, I do not know that Ron Paul, Mitt Romney or Gingrich has been on the side of the TeaParty either. I think all four have said bad things about the TeaParty. That is why the ones left are all about worthless. The only two that were 100% on board with the TeaParty were Herman Cain and Michelle Bachman (I think the guy from NM??? too). Even they are not perfect either.
  Any of the four will only be a stop gap. The solution is the states (at least a hanfull of them) forcing their Constitutional authority, taking it back from DC. No other way will work; except war and that is not a good answer.
  Report Post »
- techengineer11
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 10:43pm
  Independent4ever: Absolutely!
  
  The Neo-Con magazine NewsWeek is basically the FOX News news team. I was trying to have an intelligent conversation with a nephew of mine last night and my god he was almost drooling at the mouth in his desire to go slaugher some Muslims… I was about ready to slap’em and say come to Cujo!
  
  In his mind and the Neo-Con has done a fantastic job of convincing the sheep that the Muslims are coming… The Muslims are coming…Fear the Muslims… They gonna Jihad us… etc . lol Yet the Iranians can’t even produce their own damn gasoline!
  
  I heard Larry Kudlow interview Dr. Paul Thursday or Friday night and asked him if he was worried that Iran may strike us over in the Middle East.. Or lash out at us.. The question obviously assuming that Iran is the agressor.. Pretty amazing actually and these people know better..It’s pure propaganda. 24/7 propaganda getting the folks ready for another little War… But this time it might not be so little..
  
  I don’t really know what prevented Saddam from attacking Israel back when we invaded them but without question Iran will strike if they are attacked and then all bets are off the table.
  
  Wouldn’t it be nice to see these pathetic Neo-Cons fighting their own Wars? lol Bunch of losers!
  Report Post »
- AmericanPatriot01
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 11:07pm
  Rick Santorum is a Holy “holier than thou” Crusader. His policies will not be implemented because he will have at war with every muslim nation on the map within months of his being in the Whit House. We all lose because he doesnt have a clue when it comes to military capabilities or function. BUT he will lead the charge to kill millions in the name of GOD and Country! WAKE UP! he has the Rockafeller agenda in his front pocket and all you idiots will have a chip in your head monitoring your thoughts and every move. Conservative MY @$$. I find it IRONIC that he calls himself a devout christian yet doesn’t tithe and thinks that you can kill off muslims to purify the earth (make it safe for christians, oops, for all religions) He has sold his soul for the seat of power to those that would see the end of our constitution for the purposes of ultimate power.
  
  Ron Paul doesn’t need a new speech or a new gimmic. Truth and integrity are more than enough for a true American Veteran Hero, that he is. he just needs to remain consistant (unlike any of the other candidates) He IS ONE OF US!!
  Report Post »
- Morgan Hopson
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 11:27pm
  I look at these forums and many others and everyone is attacking each other saying my candidate is X and yours is Y so mine is better and yours has no chance. Shameful, The truth of the matter is if any of you have settled on a candidate than express it gladly. If you haven‘t settled on a candidate don’t attack someone for making their decision. If you are supporting the GOP you are trying to get someone besides Obama Elected. The truth is Any of the 4 candidates could possible win against Obama. Would some have an easier go at it yes. Paul would have an advantage because of his fervent supporters that would go door to door and really grass root push. Gingrich could debate Obama’s Pants off. Romney could argue business with Obama. Santorum could argue fervently on social issues. I do support Ron Paul but I don’t expect everyone too. If we all turn on each other then you will end up with people acting out of spite and losing interest in the whole process. I for one welcome everyone who supports a conservative this go around. I enjoy the strong support that is displayed for Ron Paul which brings me to believe he can win. But if you have someone else I wish you the best of luck. Just stop attacking each other calling each other crazy. If a candidate has issues bring them out and force them to have to answer for their deeds. No matter who the candidate is. Obama got elected by the mentality anyone but Bush. We don’t want a repeat of that with someone from our side.
  Report Post »
- martinez012577
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 11:29pm
  @carbonyes
  
  LOL
  
  OK, Santorum, really?
  
  He didnt like Libertarians.
  
  He didnt like the tea party.
  
  He voted for everything Bush wanted. Obama who blames Bush will say to voters “do you want more of the same?”
  
  He wants a war with Iran. Same as Obama.
  
  He doesnt believe in individual freedoms.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gwwmm-cQxU&feature=youtu.be
  
  He has no issue raising the debt ceiling.
  
  He has no problem with the fed.
  
  Since we are broke, his budget of course is terrible.
  http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/23/news/economy/gop_candidates_deficits/index.htm
  
  A vote for Santorum is a vote for Obama. Ron Paul supporters will not vote for fake Santorum. The GOP will not win without the Ron Paul supporters votes. Its simple math. Either vote for our guy, or get four more of Obama.
  Report Post »
- martinez012577
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 11:41pm
  @morgan
  
  I see your point, but I dont believe we have the luxury of having another loss. Our country has never faced a economic crisis like the one coming very soon. We have followed the same path as the Romans. We have a built a empire that is falling apart not from pressures from foreign enemies but from enemies from within.
  
  My oldest child is 9. I dont want us to be in a crusade in Iran 9 years from now and my child could be drafted. Our foreign policy is flawed, its has broken us. Osama Bin Laden wanted to draw the United States into many fronts. We may have killed him but he is winning this war.
  
  Read and learn.
  http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/05/bin-ladens-war-of-a-thousand-cuts-will-live-on/238228/
  
  If it wasnt so sad we have been played, it would be funny.
  
  WAKE UP!!!!!!
  
  Ron Paul 2012
  Report Post »
- WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges12
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:22am
  “Kennedy for the first time articulated the vision saying, ‘No, faith is not allowed in the public square, I will keep it separate.’ Go on and read the speech, ‘I will have nothing to do with faith. I won’t consult with people of faith.’ It was an absolutist doctrine that was foreign at the time of 1960.”
  
  God is not mocked and Kennedy, like the song goes … “got a bullet in his head”.
  Report Post »
- Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:30am
  “Okay ASHES. Tell me how Ron Paul is NOT going to put millions (not the 221,000 he proposes, but a more realistic figure like millions) of people out of work in these tough economic times with his fanciful 1 Trillon dollar first year cuts. Is that a wise move Yoda? Millions of people out of work in 1 year? Just think of what that would do to the economy? Too deep for you?”–Time To End
  
  @TIme To End — It’s really a simple concept not sure if the Santorum supporters can grasp though, the government produces NOTHING, therefore every dollar it spends it has to be taken from a productive source (the people), therefore every dollar “cut” from the government spending is one dollar NOT taken from the people and spent in the economy to what is actually needed. Not for political favors. Also, if you would turn off Fox News and learned some history you would know this was already tried after WWII and it worked…..nuff said.
  Report Post »
- Tree_Butcher
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:30am
  The concept of separation of Church and State was intended to halt the church’s power over nations, and has been twisted into active destruction of the Judeo-Christian faiths by zealots who only believe in The State. One cannot help but notice that the Atheists and Muslims get a free pass.
  I would gladly live under Canon law or the Talmud than Shariah.
  Report Post »
- infopatrot
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:23am
  TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12 i hope ron paul runs third party so that you have to suck on obama dick for 4 more years.
  Report Post »
- Gerrymanderer
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 6:34am
  Here comes the Papist! Santa-o-rum is nothing but a Papist. Go ahead America go vote for a Papist.
  Report Post »
- yeah I got an itch
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 7:59am
  time to end…. you sound like a stupid little hate filled sob. if that is what the rest of the GOP is all about, guess what? they have about 10 months left before they get their 30% of the vote and go home. If you support these guys, what EXACTLY has Obama done to p!#$s you off? ndaa sopa, these are GOP bills that violate the constitution. Ole’ ricky here seems to hate the same limitations on government authority that Obama has. I just don’t get it, the ” I hate tyranny! unless it’s my kind of tyranny” Santorum is a dishonest dirtbag with no job, he got fired, we pay him major money to be retired. what are his solutions? i don’t even hear any? Have you people lost your mind. This attitude is how we got all the misguided OWS and a generation destroyed. stay classy america.
  ron paul 2012
  Report Post »
- Shane74
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:22am
  To those living the fantasy that Ron Paul is somehow unable to win, I present today’s Rasmussen report:
  “For the first time ever, Texas Congressman Ron Paul also leads the president. In that matchup, 43% prefer Paul and 41% Obama. Ten percent (10%) would vote for some other option, a figure that includes 17% of Republicans.
  
  If former Senator Rick Santorum is the Republican nominee, the president leads by two, 45% to 43%. With former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as his opponent, the president enjoys a 10-point lead, 49% to 39%.”
  Report Post »
- Shane74
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:29am
  Yes, that’s right. Santorum loses to the Preesident right now by 10 percent, versus Romney, OR PAUL, WHO BEAT THE PRESIDENT IN THE ELECTION, were it held today:
  
  http://m.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
  
  You anti-pauls are going to have to lie even more to yourselves about his policies, which sadly, most of you have learned from Hannity. Wake the hell up, AMERICANS.
  Report Post »
- Shane74
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:35am
  PSS- go to youtube and look up FOX EDITS JOHN BOLTON. Or google it.
  
  But look up Fox edits John Bolton.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:33am
  @CHRISTOS:
  I am not Catholic, nor am I a bible thumping Protestant.
  I just take issue with the concerted secular effort to remove all religion from society.
  Report Post »
- ed0315
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:47pm
  Another Dr. Suess supporter. You are really stretching on the Romney stuff.
  Report Post »
- DrFrost
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 6:56pm
  Ron Paul hasn‘t really been vetted by this process because he’s never been the front runner. But rest assured, anyone wanting to attack him can do far more than find old newsletters and foreign policy. Don’t fool yourself into thinking any differently.
  
  But why do you have to run this campaign based on what attacks you can make? Negative campaign versus negative campaign is going to be won by he who has the most money. And that is Obama. We better hope that whoever wins the nomination has a strategy for rising above the negative BS the way Reagan did.
  Report Post »
- rocktruth
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:59pm
  @me85 – A very simple but profound point. I feel the same way.
  
  me85@MARTINEZ012577
  I voted for Rick Santorum because he scares me the least.
  Report Post »
- Pacman116
  Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:07am
  LOL!!! Now that’s funny!!
  Report Post »
Arcangel Michael
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:00pm
Jesus, I trust in You

http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplethistory.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySdEJx50Z0&feature=related
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- christos
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:28pm
  @ARCHANGELMICHAEL—You are not the ARCH ANGEL MICHAEL he is in Heaven with +JESUS+GOD+ you are an imposter…
  Report Post »
- Leopold
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:57am
  Good for Rick Santorum. There is a man of courage. He does not back down.
  
  With evil and darkness growing it seems like God is really giving us a choice. Rick Santorum = Pro God. Obama = Anti God.
  
  America has a clear choice before her. There are no coincidences. We all have to lay in the bed that we made for ourselves. God bless America and Rick Santorum.
  Report Post »
MONICNE
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:59pm
What I want to know is- what gives anybody the right to criticize a Godly Man who rightly says the road to damnation is moderation! People should not have the ability to criticize the TRUTH.

Moderates vote for the person! Who are we supposed trust! A Christian or a Politician?
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- godlovinmom
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:09pm
  my vote…christian
  Report Post »
- Nervous Investor
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:33pm
  I am with you GodLovinMom.
  Report Post »
- MONICNE
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:39pm
  Rick knows that some God-Fearing folks just want want to be left alone. College is for traitors and money lovers who feel they have to succeed by being lawyers and doctors and union bosses for teachers and liberals.
  
  Catholics are a naturally humble flock, and the non-Millionaire sheep are taught in church that, “Not everyone should fool themselves into being competitive and thinking they are meant to be better than others. (Like their own parents!)”
  
  TEA
  Report Post »
- Santorum_is_a_douchebag
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:27pm
  What idiots.
  Report Post »
- mbriz
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:49pm
  Neither.
  Report Post »
- TomFerrari
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:08pm
  Just FYI to the infrequent or new readers/posters on theblaze.com…
  
  MONICNE is a TROLL under a FALSE FLAG, pretending to be a TEA Party person.
  He then says the most obnoxious things and tries to make us look ridiculous.
  IGNORE HIM. He wants you to react to him. Do not give him what he wants.
  He wants you to be distracted from the issues so we don‘t spend time working on SOLVING our nation’s problems. Do not let him distract you from the article / the issues.
  IGNORE HIM.
  
  He also goes by “ENCINOM” and “MONCINE” and “MONICNE” and there are others like MS-GLENBC etc.
  When you encounter these trolls, just ignore their posts, and continue reading other comments.
  
  May God Bless America… AGAIN !
  Report Post »
- disenlightened
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:09pm
  Santorum is a dog whistle to the Christian bigots.
- godlovinmom
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 10:34pm
  Oh yes I KNOW who monicne is…. I still vote for the christian!
  Report Post »
BurntHills
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:53pm
no one ever seems to remember what it really means. ”separation of church and state” means one thing: obama and his government cannot force us all to become muslims.
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- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:56pm
  Bingo … well said.
  Report Post »
- godlovinmom
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:10pm
  Was that suppose to be funny…I chuckled on that one.
  Report Post »
- Nervous Investor
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:38pm
  I wish u were right, BurntHills. Sadly however u forget that Obamacare now allows the Princeling to act by Executive Order these days (sans Congress) by merely linking your religion to healthcare in some way, shape or form. PLUS Do not forget the activist judges and teachers …. have u seen the recent case of a Muslim Judge in Penn freeing a Muslim assailant and chastising the Christian victim ….. Judge Martin I think is his name.
  Report Post »
- Lee_in_PA
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:08pm
  You understand.
  Report Post »
- KAdams
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:22pm
  @Nervous: The guy was atheist, not Christian. The magistrate was completely in the wrong.
  Report Post »
- Santorum_is_a_douchebag
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:25pm
  Seperation of Church and State means Ricky can’t be a puppet of the Vatican in public office.
- colt1860
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 11:41pm
  Santorum got one thing slightly wrong here; the seperation of church and state IS, for all practical matters regarding Government or its administration, absolute. The Supreme Court with many Progressives and Liberals have falsely interpreted (and expanded, albeit unconstitutionally) Jefferson’s letter as meaning therein, a seperation from RELIGION, or religious content. Jefferson here did not mean Religion, but AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, such as a Church, or, any Ecclessiastical Institutiton or Organization pertaining thereto. Meaning, no ecclesiastical body of men, or clergy, would have any authority or direct influence over State matters, or affairs therein. The founding fathers well knew the evils of external or foreign institutions influencing or guiding Government, or affecting its Form therein. Th US Constitution prohibits Congress from creating, or adopting, any ESTABLISHMENT of Religion; or from making any such Establishment a part of our General Government, or function thereof. They did not intend to prohibit private Citizens from excersizing or declaring their faith or religion in the public square, as that would be contrary or oppressive to the free conscience of every man. At no point did the first Ammendment imply a seperation of Government and Religion. The frist Ammendment CLEARLY, SPECIFICALLY, and UNEQUIVOCALLY states, declares, and says, AN ESTABLISHMENT of Religion. IT DOES NOT SAY, solely, Religion.
  Report Post »
- colt1860
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 11:42pm
  The Northwest Ordinance.
  
  July 13, 1787
  
  “…And, for extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty, which form the basis whereon these republics, their laws and constitutions are erected; to fix and establish those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions, and governments, which forever hereafter shall be formed in the said territory…
  
  Article I. No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments, in the said territory…
  
  Article III. Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged…”
  Report Post »
hi
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:51pm
Bernburt
Also, by your reasoning, if gay marriage is passed, the government will force the Catholic priests to marry them in the Catholic church.
In other words, you are forcing your set of beliefs on us.
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- inblack
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:32pm
  There are only 4 reasons for gays to be married, that I can see:
  
  1) To express an emotional act of commitment
  2) To get legal benefits like hospital visitation, adoption rights, shared legal assets and inheritance
  3) To get special benefits intended to support child bearing couples
  4) To join in the sight of God and become one.
  
  I can respect 1 and 2, but I don’t think it should be called marriage.
  
  I have a problem with 3 since it takes support away from families having children
  
  As for 4, if that is what they want, who am I to judge – but I do disagree.
  
  4)
  Report Post »
- American Soldier (Separated)
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:18pm
  Where does it say that priests and churches are forced to marry homosexuals?
  
  There isn’t. That’s standard fear mongering and a slippery slope fallacy.
  Report Post »
- YouAreMistakenSir
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:24am
  @inblack
  
  Conservative but reasonable? On this website? Will wonders never cease?
  Report Post »
West Coast Patriot
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:51pm
What does this mean? Anyone?

Treaty of Tripoli

ARTICLE 11.

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Signed by our second president John Adams

“The number, the industry and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church and state.”
“Strongly guarded…is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the United States.”

- James Madison
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- hi
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:54pm
  One Nation Under Man
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:03pm
  Translation:
  John Adams was a “team player”
  He knew that, diplomatically, it served the United States best, to take a moderate path towards the issues with the Barbary Pirates and the Muslim States. All the while, building a strong navy to thwart them in the future.
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:03pm
  This treaty was an attempt to prevent Islamic pirates from attacking American traders going to Europe off the shores of Tripoli. Yes … we were being attacked by Islamic terrorists even back in the late 1700′s. (Kinda dismantles Ron Paul‘s argument that we’re hated by Islam because we attack them, doesn’t it?)
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:06pm
  “The Founding Fathers envisioned a robustly Christian yet religiously tolerant America…”
  
  “The notion of a rigid separation between church and state has no basis in either the text of the Constitution or the writings of our Founding Fathers. On the contrary, our Founders’ political views were strongly informed by their religious beliefs. Certainly the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both replete with references to God, would be aghast at the federal government’s hostility to religion…”
  
  I sure Hope Ron Paul wouldn’t throw his personal religious beliefs based on these statements down our throughts like Santorum supposedly would (so say some).
  
  Santorum say tomAAAto, Paul says tomaahto. I see the same thing.
  
  Unless Paul is just trying to suck up to evengelicals to get votes.
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:14pm
  Sorry. Down our throats…
  Report Post »
- michael12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:19pm
  You have, as others in the past misinterpreted The Treaty of Tripoli. Please follow the attached link which should help clear it up for you.
  http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=125
  Report Post »
- Winedude
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:59pm
  If you’re looking into quotes that some of the Founding Fathers made about the state and religion, here are a few to keep you happy and thinking:
  
  “The United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian doctrine.”
  –George Washington
  
  “The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever
  from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with
  blood for centuries.¬”
  –James Madison
  
  “Religions are all alike – founded upon fables and mythologie¬s.”
  - Thomas Jefferson
  
  “The Christian God is a being of terrific character — cruel, vindictive¬,
  capricious¬, and unjust.”
  – Thomas Jefferson
  
  “In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people.”
  - James Madison
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:31pm
  @WINEDUDE:
  All of those comments were regarding the Church of England and The Roman Catholic Church. They had nothing to do with the general practice of religion and its relationship with the new nation or our nation now. But, as is the case with comments taken individually, rather than in context, they can fit into what ever narrative you choose to place them in. We are becoming a secular nation, in spite of the general public, most of whom remain practicing Christians and Jews (the most dominant religions). As a republic, everyone has a voice. As time has passed and the Progressives have gained a foothold in our government and ideology, religion has been castigated.
  Report Post »
- American Soldier (Separated)
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:24pm
  @ACADEMICA2020
  
  So you really believe that the founding fathers believed those things about the Church of England and Catholics but actually believed that Christians won’t fall into those same mistakes and fail to protect individual freedoms?
  
  Just as they saw the flaw of a Democracy, they also saw the flaw of allowing any religious institution from having control of the government.
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 7:00pm
  @Winedude … Spoken like a true liberal atheist. You take a sentence out of context and invent a story around it to back up your opinion. Looks like Michael12, who posted right before you, pretty much blows the wind out of your sails. LOL
  Report Post »
- Winedude
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 11:15pm
  Let’s see if I can put this any more simple: “Either God can prevent evil but chooses not to, which means he is not all-good, or he wishes to prevent evil but cannot, which means he is not all-powerful.”
  
  “God gives all of us free will,…and when we come to the fork in the road where one path will lead us to heaven and one to hell, we have a choice, and God is not responsible for what choice we make. But, if God is all knowing, he would know which path we take.”
  
  The above being said, the whole idea of religion is pointless. I was brought up as a religious person and did the same with my kids. I now wonder why I wasted their time and mine.
  Report Post »
Texas.7
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:43pm
Real faith should seep into every aspect of our lives. We were built to be One Nation under God, so that God given rights would be protected. Christ, in my opinion, would not have supported a theocracy, but that is not what Rick Santorum is suggesting. Christianity demands free will (unlike Islam, which instead focuses on enforcement). Christians lead toward freedom, we choose leaders based on their world views to protect those freedoms. And our world view protects the freedoms of people of all beliefs.

Just as it is logical for India to be based on Hindu ideals deeply seated in their culture- America must stay true to herself and God. As long as the rights of believers from all faiths and non-faiths alike are protected, to the point that it doesn‘t infringe on other’s rights, why not?

The problem with Islam is that Allah is not satisfied with free will faith. Islam, as a national framework always moves towards slavery and enforced compliance, per the lead Imam’s interpretation of Sharia. Islam teaches that only the religious leaders hear from Allah, so all must listen and obey them.

Jesus teaches that we need no intermediary. Therefore, no nation, law or leader can come between us and God, so long as we do no harm. That is why you see such a broad range of beliefs even among Christians. Yet we can stand as One under the banner of Christ. But we demand freedom.

We demand freedom for all, so long as your faith harms nobody else.
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- Winedude
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:00pm
  See my reply above:
  
  “The United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian doctrine.”
  –George Washington
  
  “The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever
  from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with
  blood for centuries.¬”
  –James Madison
  
  “Religions are all alike – founded upon fables and mythologie¬s.”
  - Thomas Jefferson
  
  “The Christian God is a being of terrific character — cruel, vindictive¬,
  capricious¬, and unjust.”
  – Thomas Jefferson
  
  “In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people.”
  - James Madison
  Report Post »
- Texas.7
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:09pm
  I would like to amend my comment a bit, out of my great concern for India and other locations where persecution of the Body of Christ is still a problem:
  
  http://www.partnersintl.org/partners/sa/incg
  “India is a very religious country, birthplace of four major religions, yet among its billion-plus people, only a little over 2% of the population is Christian. No other part of the world has as high a concentration of unevangelized people as India. With more than 4,635 distinct people groups, finishing the task of evangelism in India will require prepared workers, effective coordination, unwavering commitment, and the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.
  Opposition to Christianity is steadily increasing in certain regions in India. Over the last several decades, Hindu militant groups have been growing in strength and influencing society. Hindutva ideology, “India is Hindu Only,” tries to squelch all other religions in the country. Yet, God is at work, bringing people to Himself from all strata of Indian society.”
  
  The Spirit is moving in places like China, India and Africa. The Church is flourishing during a time of great persecution, but we need to pray for freedom for the faithful. While the church seems to be falling asleep where liberalism is entrenched (think Europe), Christianity is giving people hope. I do believe we will see a great revival in the end times.
  
  http://www.persecution.com/
  Report Post »
- Texas.7
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:16pm
  Winedude, you are very wrong in your quotes, but I will agree that the reason we don’t have a king (who is considered appointed by God, as was the Emperor in the dark ages) is for the same reason I am stating. Of the people, by the people requires freedom. We don’t need a dictator (Marxist or Islamic), an earthly intermediary between man and God (the UN, if you consider the god of this world?) or a national religion. But we are founded on Christian principals that believe in all the freedoms and rights that God has given to us- freedom of religion, rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Surrendering these rights in the name of Gaia, Social Justice, Islam, Humanism, Marxism or anything else that is contrary to the teachings of Christ and the Laws of God leads us towards enslavement.
  Report Post »
- Texas.7
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 9:03pm
  sorry for so many posts, but this is exciting!
  From: http://brisvaani.com/a-christian-message-on-diwali/
  Message for the Feast of Deepavali 2011, Christians and Hindus: Together in Promoting Religious Freedom, Vatican City
  Dear Hindu Friends,
  The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is pleased to send you its cordial greetings as you celebrate Deepavali on 26 October of this year. May God, the source of all light, illumine your hearts, homes and communities for a life of peace and prosperity,
  Maintaining our tradition of sharing a reflection on this occasion, we propose this year the theme of Religious Freedom. This subject is currently taking centre stage in many places, calling our attention to those members of our human family exposed to bias, prejudice, hate propaganda, discrimination and persecution on the basis of religious affiliation. ***Religious freedom is the answer to religiously motivated conflicts in many parts of the world. Amid the violence triggered by these conflicts, many desperately yearn for peaceful coexistence and integral human development.
  ***Religious freedom is numbered among the fundamental human rights rooted in the dignity of the human person. When it is jeopardized or denied, all other human rights are endangered. Religious freedom necessarily includes immunity from coercion by any individual, group, community or institution…(and) the freedom to change one’s own religion. (take note, Islam)
  Report Post »
desert buckeye
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:41pm
We already have a State-controlled religion. It’s called Liberalism. To them, politics and religion are one in the same!
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- MONICNE
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:01pm
  AMEN. They must not be allowed to outvote us and control our lives one more minute.
  
  TEA
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:07pm
  Wish I had a “Like” button to click …
  
  Those liberals want us to all believe exactly like them … otherwise they want to shut us up.
  Report Post »
- Texas.7
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:12pm
  And since we know that none can come to faith in Christ except through voluntary confession- our faith is much more accommodating than theirs!
  
  Christians know that forced faith is against the laws of God and nature- because He established free will.
  
  Liberals want to brain wash our kids, enforce their ideals, and punish those with different ideas. They slander, offend, riot (or “occupy”) and allow unions and groups such as the Black Panthers (think 2008 election) intimidate through force. That puts them inline with radical Islam, as they both believe in forced compliance.
  Report Post »
- Micmac
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:50pm
  Yes, the Libs pray to Government.
  
  NoBama 2012
  Report Post »
- Texas.7
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 7:54am
  ENCINOM, do you actually read my posts? If you did, you would know that I advocate religious freedom, and that it is in the name of God that I do so, because Jesus did. His kingdom is not of this world, and He came to call people home (win hearts), not through the sword of the world, but with the sword of His Word, which cuts through flesh, soul and Spirit.
  One nation under God respects all people, because God is the Creator of free will. “Under God” means that we choose to honor His view of freedom and rights- which also protect your rights. But they protect all life and liberty that doesn’t hurt another. This means that we can choose our own faith and not have the government try to re-educate our children. So can you. But through God’s eyes, abortion is murder. Sharia law is in violation of God’s natural law. It comes from the one who wants to kill, and Jesus brought life. Please understand that I believe it is in the atheists best interest (even assuming that they reject Christ), that we maintain God’s view of freedom for all. The left currently is forcing conversion on so many levels and so many beliefs, to quote Mrs. Pres- “Barack will NOT ALLOW people to go back” to their own ideals and so forth, she goes on to say that we must re-write history and our conversation. Sorry, but we want freedom in this country, and we are seeing something great being stolen from us. Simultanious to our freedoms vanishing, a powerful anti-Christ force attacks.
  Report Post »
- Texas.7
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:12am
  ENCINOM, you claim the founding fathers were athiest, correct? First of all, they were not. But if they were, they still found it secure to establish this country on an unmovable foundation- God.
  
  When Sharia takes hold, gays will be rounded and stoned. When Communism takes hold, people will be categorized into preferred groups based on utilitarian ideals, and the elderly, very young, handicapped and poor will easily be trodden down. All of man’s schemes fail, and if they depart from God’s view, they are evil. So, if the founders were indeed atheist (again, they were not), but if they were, that shows their profound wisdom even more, for certainly, they had witnessed the offenses against man and nature when freedoms were dictated by people.
  Report Post »
- encinom
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:05am
  @Texas.7
  No I do not claim that the Founders were Atheists, they were Christian and diests. But the founders, especially Jefferson sought ot create a Government founder on the principals of the age of Enlightenment, logic and reason, and break with the past myths and supersititions.
  
  There is little different from Christians like yourself seek ing to impose your Chrisitian myths as the foundation of our law and rights and a muslim extremist trying to impose Sharia. God, Allah, etc has no business within the government.
  Report Post »
AnotherWay
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:32pm
Heard recently the story of a 19 year old who went to work for John Kennedy in the White House and he had seduced her within 3 days and slept in Jackie’s bed. Sounds like someone who has a real vested interest in keeping morality and values out of government with an absolute separation of church and state.
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- MONICNE
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:36pm
  Kennedy was also of the Catholic race. They say they invented Christians! Bizarro land exists!
  
  TEA
  Report Post »
- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:38pm
  How about his brother Ted who killed a girl and walked (swam) away. Great family values in that Kennedy family?
  Report Post »
- MONICNE
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:45pm
  JFK, Uncle Teddy; typical northern state Catholic millionaire Senators.
  
  Good thing Saint Rick does not share that pedigree!
  
  TEA
  Report Post »
ninja
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:25pm
I’m liking Santorum more all the time.
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- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:39pm
  He’s a union guy, which is why he’s doing so well in Michigan. He was in Pennsylvania, too.
  Report Post »
Look4DBigPicture
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:23pm
I remember when Kennedy was campaigning to become president and his Catholic beliefs were being attacked. Everyone feared he would reject the newly accepted women’s movement for sexual freedom, and turn the country into a theocratic backwards society. Attacking Santorum is just as ridiculous now as it was to attack Kennedy back then.

As a child, I didn’t necessarily like going to church every Sunday, but looking back I see how enriched my life was because of it. My family was filled with love and understanding, and not anger and judgment. My friends and I weren’t consumed by the ills of the world, because we were focused on being hard-working good honest citizens. If someone in the church was having a problem, we all supported them until they regained their strength. If a family outside of the church was having a problem, the church communities helped them as well.

Somewhere along the road, as religious institutions came under attack, people started depending on the government to be their support system. It creates and environment where people sit back and wait for government to rescue those in need, rather than individuals taking on the role as a caring community. That’s not America … that’s some other country.
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- bernbart
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:39pm
  IN the 1960s voters were very worried about electing a Catholic because they feared the Pope would be running the U.S. government. Kennedy also made s strong statements in support of the Separation of Church and State. The Catholic Church in the 1960s strongly believed in the Separation of Church and state. Today it appears the Bishops want to run our lives and government policies. The Catholic bishops have a very large lobby in DC. They use to lobby for the poor but now they lobby for the WAR on Women. The insertion of religion into politics, presidential dialog, and public policies is destroying our Democracy, and it is time to STOP IT!
  
  The GOP needs to take back their party from the religious fascists who now disguise themselves as the Tea Party.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:53pm
  @BERNBART:
  Religious Fascists?
  So, are you an Atheist? A Unitarian Universalist?
  If you are going to say that the separation of church and state is in the Constitution, the “separation” we are being beaten to death with now comes from a court case in the late 1940s, not the Constitution. The Progressive movement is a secular movement as well, they come hand-in-hand. Religion, of all forms, is being painted as archaic and a distraction. If Europe is our new model, Europe is burning. I’ll take what our Founding Fathers desired over what is the new normal anyday.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:10pm
  And, before you make some remotely pithy remark in response to what I just said, know that I am not Catholic, nor am I devout anything. I do have a HUGE issue with the fomenting war on religion that has become topic Du jour thanks to the Progressive movement and an unapologetic President.
  Report Post »
- encinom
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:17pm
  “I do have a HUGE issue with the fomenting war on religion that has become topic Du jour thanks to the Progressive movement and an unapologetic President.”
  
  The only war on religion is in the minds of the brain dead Fox and Blaze zombies. The Truth is this is a non-issue that was created to get the ignorant GOP base up in arms over something.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:02pm
  @ENICOM:
  You have issues my friend and one of them is that you think you can figure everything about a person by what they write. What’s your story? You seem to think you have this topic all figured out and anyone who has another point of view is some mindless religious lemming.
  Do you honestly think you are going to have a reasonably rational conversation with anyone if you go into it thinking you are the only one who is right?
  Report Post »
A Hoosier Says
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:19pm
Rick Santorum makes me throw up.
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- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:46pm
  Then don’t listen to him!
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:17pm
  @academica2020…Amen. I had to quit listening to Obama for the same reason.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:25pm
  Good decision.
  Report Post »
MONICNE
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:18pm
At least Rick is not using the Class Warfare language of the Occupy Movement to talk about how “working people” need to be able to find and get good paying jobs! Lefties like Mitt are trying to cut the programs the poor depend on the most in order to cut the deficit, and reduce benefits for Millionaires.

Rick is proud that some folks are just who they need to be and want to be – they do not needs to improve themselves and become unnecessarily competitive and successful like Mitt says he wants the little people to be – regardless of whether they are God-Fearing or not.

Rick does not have that confusion.

TEA
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JustPeachy
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:14pm
Anyone tired of faith being placed on the defensive? I know I am.

I think people who fear God and fear people who love God should truly sit down with themselves and ask themselves what truly has them so frightened. People may TALK openly about their faith in America, but that is what “religious freedom” IS. To my knowledge no one shares his faith via gunpoint (yet, and I’m not talking about Christianity!) and no one forces someone to accept a certain faith (least not in America and not a practice of Christianity). If someone tries to share his/her faith and one doesn’t want to listen, they don’t have to do so. They can move on and go about their merry ways.

Being open about one’s faith and having freedom of speech is NOT the same thing as “cramming it down one’s throat“ or ”forcing a certain belief” on anyone else. It is a FREEDOM we’ve always enjoyed in America. Take that one away, others will follow–so some people should be very careful for what they wish!
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bernbart
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:14pm
Santorum is wrong: The first Amendment to the Constitution reads… “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”:…

The first amendment protects religion in 2 ways. I prohibits the government from creating a state religion or giving support to any or all religions. This is called the’ Establishment Clause “ The ”Free Exercise Clause” prohibits the government from interfering when people choose to exercise their religions as they wish. (These are protected individual rights, not religious institutions rights)

The government mandate that all employers insurance coverage includes contraceptive coverage in preventative cares does not interfere with individual Catholics from practicing their religion, as they can choose not to use contraception, no one is forcing them to do it. However Catholic bishops insisting that Catholic employers (not the church) do not have to provide contraceptive coverage for in their insurance plan violates the “ Free Exercise Clause” for both their non Catholic and Catholic employees.: an violates the establishment clause by attempting to force religious beliefs on government policies.
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- hi
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:47pm
  No employer should be forced to provide the abortion pill to his/her employees. It is a violation of conscience.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:21pm
  @BERNBART:
  Are you serious?
  The Government has a justifiable mandate to tell religious employers that they have to provide free contraception to their employees and, with the “compromise” the government will pay it in full,instead of the religious institution? (translation, the taxpayers?) Are you really serious? In addition, this is a right? A right by whose decision? Did “WE THE PEOPLE” get to vote on it?
  Report Post »
- AxelPhantom
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:29pm
  If I do not believe in birth control of any kind as a part of my religion, in fact see, its proliferation as an affront to God and it is against the practice of my religion to use, support, distribute, or further its use and the government demands under penalty of law that I pay into the government insurance “kitty” which must provide and distribute birth control how is my right to live in the beliefs of my religion NOT being violated?
  
  Birth control and for that matter, health insurance is not a right any more than food or fancy sneakers with glow in the dark heels. Government has no business in either one.
  Report Post »
- Copo
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:06pm
  This is about getting God back into public life, God was never supposed to be taken out of government. Separation of church and state is about having a church without a pope. I wouldn’t be supporting Santorum if it was about making Catholicism the official religion, I’m a Protestant.
  Report Post »
- EchoHawk
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 6:07pm
  In all probability this will fly well over your head academica2020. The government has it’s “justifiable mandate” to protect individual rights over religious conscience in that the law, written by the government, delineates what rights are, as opposed to being subject to referendum and the tyranny of the majority. The purpose of the first line in the First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” is that religion is to have no influence on government and it‘s execution of it’s business. Thus the second line “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” which means the government doesn’t interfere in your practice of religion.
  Report Post »
- encinom
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 9:06pm
  @HI
  No employer is to force his/her morality on their employees. Should a Jewish business owner claim a moral objection to paying his employees if the there is a chance they would purchase non-kosher items.
  
  This is a labor issue, the Church is already required in several States to provide contraceptive coverage. Additonally, the majority of Catholic law schools offer such coverage to their students.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:38am
  @ECHOHAWK:
  LOL Over my head?
  I teach US and European History.
  Nice try though.
  Thanks for the Bill of Rights refresher, I’ll add that my lesson plan.
  Report Post »
- encinom
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:21pm
  academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:38am
  @ECHOHAWK:
  LOL Over my head?
  I teach US and European History.
  Nice try though.
  Thanks for the Bill of Rights refresher, I’ll add that my lesson plan.
  _______________________
  
  Than sir you are a failure of a teacher, instead of teaching facts you are brainwashing your students with the mindless dribble of the Conservative Christians. You are taking history and providing your own reactionary spin to it. There is nothing unconstitution about requiring employers to cover all of their employee’s health needs. Would you allow a jewish deli owner not to pay it employees, because he morally objects to them buying unkosher products with their salary, this law is no different. The Catholic Church is asking for a special consideration in the labor laws. If anything that is what violates the 1st Amendment and the Establishment Clause, allowing employers to modify labor laws based on their supersitial beliefs.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:34pm
  @ENCINOM:
  It amazes me how folks like you can read what I write and assume you know what I believe, what I teach, how I teach, etc. My personal and political opinions have no place in my work. I took an oath when I began teaching that stated that I teach the curriculum. Unlike many of my peers, I do not spin anything to satisfy my view of the world. That said, I do express my views here and I do have an educational background that gives me knowledge. You don’t have to agree with me, and that is fine. I will call out others here if I think they are wrong. I disagree with your perspective, and I believe you have a right to your opinions. I won’t analyze you comments and determine anything about your ability to do whatever it is you do. I will say that, by your pointed comments to me, you assume too much and make yourself look bad by attacking what you think I do in my classroom. Lastly, I am a Christian in faith. I don’t thump bibles or preach on the streets or anywhere else. I express opinions based upon what I believe. That’s all.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:46pm
  @ENICOM:
  In response to your insulting and sarcastic response to my earlier comments here, there is nothing in the Constitution that says that all US citizens have a right to healthcare.
  Please state where in the Constitution it says that every citizen has a right to healthcare. I suppose you believe that every citizen has a right to a college education as well?
  Perhaps President Obama should create new amendments for the states to vote on? At least, if they pass, your argument will be grounded in fact and not opinion. Secondly, a Jewish business owner is different than a religious institution. But, by your argument, you see no difference, so I am not going to waste anymore time here to convince you otherwise.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:41pm
  @ECHOHAWK:
  Your argument about the 1st Amendment is the same one used by the left to keep all religious materials out of public places. It is interesting that you phrased it the way you did, because the reason it was added was to prevent a “state religion” from being formed, and imposed, by the government, much like what existed in Europe. It was not meant to keep religious symbols and activities out of public places. That ruling cam in the late 1940s and was based on a judicial interpretation of the 1st Amendment. As usual, you and others who constantly refer to the separation clause say that it was meant by the Founders) to keep religion out of government. This continues to be debated in schools, in the courts, and on all of these comment streams. Your buddy ENICOM has gone so far as to call folks like me ignorant brain dead zombie failures because we disagree with your interpretation of things. Is it any wonder why people cannot have conversations about this stuff anymore.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:36pm
  Sum and substance:
  BERNBART, ECHOHAWK, and ENCINOM all believe that the government has a right to tell employers that they are “required” to provide healthcare, at the employers expense and, in addition, if the employer is a religious institution or organization, their beliefs do not override what the government mandates. There are a number of issues at play here:
  1) The belief that the government can mandate health insurance, or anything else, and (as argued by these three), it is a right justifiably established by the government. Reason why the President now brags about “going around Congress” to get things done (so much for the separation of powers).
  2) Any religious institution or organization that objects, or refuses, for religious reasons, to comply, is in violation of the Constitution.
  3) Employers are subservient to the needs of their employees (basically a union mentality) and, as such, the employers have no rights.
  We are well on our way to a Socialist/Marxist society and the advocates for such a society are using every Alinsky and ACLU tactic to get what they want. Anyone who opposes them is an idiot, ignorant, mindless, stupid, a lemming, a zealot, etc.
  Report Post »
- encinom
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:08pm
  @academica2020
  You claim to be an educator of history, yet you repeat the debunked theories of Barton. You are a fraud.
  
  Seperation of Church and State is a legal short for the Religious test clause of the Constitution and the Establishment Clause. Only Conservative Christian are too stupid to figure that point out, they need they need it spelled out in front of them. Additionally, I would expect a competent History teacher to undertand the most basic element of American civics, that Supreme Court Opinion is treated as fact until overturned or otherwise made moot.
  
  As for the Healthcare lae, the precedent for that was set in the 1960′s with Mediccare/Medicaid and in the 1940s with Social Security. Those programs both have survived the callous attack of Conservatives, so unless you are willing to reopen the settled legal argument, you have no leg to stand on.
  
  As for the Cathoilc Church, there arguement is dishonest. The Church acts as an employer, with eployees of various faiths and backgrouds at its hospitals and universities. The Church has now right to dictate the morality of its employees. If the have the believe one of their janitors donates to the Church of Satan, should they withhold his salary because it is going to a purpose against their morality? Of course what is forgotten is the State law already requires many of the Universitys and Hospitals to provide such coverage.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:14am
  @ENCINOM:
  You’ve got your talking points and sarcasm down to a science my friend, there are so many folks like you here that I often wonder if you comment here for recreation, part-time income, or to get some anger issues out of your system..
  I made a note of your performance evaluation for my employer.
  Have fun, there are plenty of Conservative Religious Nut Job stories here for you to comment on.
  Report Post »
NOBALONEY
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:09pm
Rick Santorum is a man with strong convictions, and is what we need to turn things around. The paramount issue is the debt. Our national debt has passed 100% of GDP. Sure we’re not Greece at 160%, or Italy at 120%, but if we send back the same representative. We’ll be facing the same financial collapse that Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain are dealing with now.
On November 6th, the choice is clear. Restore the republic, or financial collapse.
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- SychinLegacy
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:20pm
  Look up Santorum’s past votes. He contributed to the debt we face just as much as any other progressive. He voted YES for it all. What honestly makes you think he’ll magically change his ways? Cause he said he will? I’ll remember that next time a murder wants out on parole.
  Report Post »
chameleonx
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:08pm
What is with Christians who want control with our government? Seriously. Do you really feel oppressed by small religious minorities in this country? This country is founded on freedom of religion. But we never had a government religion. What we should do is respect the beliefs and traditions of others.
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- CatB
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:18pm
  Give me a break .. it is the government who wants to control everything .. and there is NO separation of church and state … you have religious freedom to worship .. not from being “offended” by others.
  Report Post »
- chameleonx
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:32pm
  Well then don’t be offended. I do not see why Christians have their kicks in a knickers. Christians have radio and television shows, book stores, churches around every corner etc. Christians are not being oppressed in this country. So, stop whining about it!
  Report Post »
- CatB
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:51pm
  I’m not the one who is “whining” .. those who think they have a right not to be offended .. by the likes of a Nativity at Christmas or the 10 Commandments are the whinners.
  Report Post »
TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:03pm
And I also understand and agree when Santorum said this…

“Satan has his sights on the United States of America,” Santorum told a Catholic university audience in 2008.

“Satan is attacking the great institutions of America — using those great vices of pride, vanity and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that (have) so deeply rooted in the American tradition.”

If you’re Godless or wishy washy in your religion and belief system… you don’t see the value in these comments, or the overall discussion.
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- West Coast Patriot
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:16pm
  The seperation of church and state was meant to keep government from pushing one religion on the people, giving the people the right to worship in any manner they saw fit according to their beliefs and principles. Freedom of religion and freedom from religious prosecution. The idea that Satan is destroying America is ridiculous. Religious beliefs and relationships with your savior, mine happens to be Christ, is personal. Satan lives in each one of us and it also is a personal batte that each of us have to fight by ourselves. Santorum sounds like the big government jerk he is, on this, and will try to push his religious beliefs on America. How many amendments are the people willing to put in jeopardy by voting for these big government progressives???
  Report Post »
- TRONINTHEMORNING
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:20pm
  I’m not a Catholic and I agree what Santorum said about Satan and his infiltration. That‘s the fallen angel’s gig. He seeks out whom he may destroy because his destruction is inevitable and wants to take as many with him as possible. If you believe the Bible and the Saviour, Jesus Christ; then it is all simple and easy to understand. But you’re right TIME2END, if one is wishy washy or without Christ, then it’s a different road altogether.
  Report Post »
- West Coast Patriot
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:23pm
  I meant persecution not prosecution.
  Report Post »
- TRONINTHEMORNING
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:28pm
  @westcoast
  I can assure you that Satan does not live in me; the Holy Spirit does, however. And those two cannot share one heart. Satan is an antagonist, not a god. God lives within people once they open the door and accept Christ. Satan can coax, redirect, tempt, prod, push, and create all kinds of trouble, but he doesn’t live in people. He is a created being not a creator.
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:30pm
  LEFTCOAST. Who said this… ?
  
  “The notion of a rigid separation between church and state has no basis in either the text of the Constitution or the writings of our Founding Fathers. On the contrary, our Founders’ political views were strongly informed by their religious beliefs. Certainly the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both replete with references to God, would be aghast at the federal government’s hostility to religion.”
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:39pm
  TRON. “But you’re right TIME2END, if one is wishy washy or without Christ, then it’s a different road altogether.”
  
  TY… agreed.
  Report Post »
- West Coast Patriot
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:04pm
  Oh I am so sorry guys, I did not know that I was sharing this site with such godly people. Oh my god! Should I bow before you Tron? You must be a mormon that thinks he has already become a god. How ridiculous you are to think that you are so righteous. There is good and bad in everyone you pious piece. You guys are no better than anyone else on this planet and to think that shows how much BS you have in you.
  Report Post »
- TRONINTHEMORNING
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:15pm
  @westcoast
  
  Not a mormon, not sinless; but am a saved sinner. And anyone can achieve that status. Look it up in the Gospel of John.
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:16pm
  BY “GOD”…. I think LEFTCOAST…. has LOST IT!!!
  Report Post »
- Railroadman
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:35pm
  To West Coast Patriot.
  Actually satan does not live in all of us. Those who have Christ can not have satan in us. satan is in the world and controls the worlds system. Your theology needs some brushing up on. Sorry.
  The world that is controlled by satan temps us everyday. It is what we do with the tempation that determines our course. Since satan wants to destroy God’s greatest creation, us, it is natural and true that satan would cause corruption in America. A spiritual person can see this but God has made the truth seem like foolishness to the wise.
  Report Post »
booger71
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:02pm
I wish these Presidential candidates would actually read the Constitution.
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- Baddoggy
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:05pm
  One does…and he folows it.
  Guess who?
  Report Post »
- hi
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:56pm
  I wish the President would read the Constitution.
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:53pm
  I wish the President would read American history … he seems to be lacking knowledge in that area.
  Report Post »
UBETHECHANGE
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:01pm
David Barton has a great book on this in our FF own words! Separation of Church & State: What the Founders Really Meant by David Barton
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- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:48pm
  I love David Barton … very smart and well researched man. The words “Separation of Church and State” are nowhere in the Constitution. However, the words “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;” are in the 1st Amendment of our Bill of Rights.
  
  Our forefathers wanted to protect American citizens from being forced by the government to practice the same religion, like the Church of England … which was a theocracy. Americans are free to choose whatever religion they want to practice and are protected under the 1st Amendment to exercise their freedoms … and yes, the freedom of speech allows us to talk about and express those religious views in public.
  Report Post »
- UBETHECHANGE
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:58pm
  Santorum has never said he will pass a law in respects to his religion, has he?
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Baddoggy
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:00pm
He does NOT understand the Constitution. If you dont think this man will legislate his religion you are nuts.
I am an Evangelical I do not want him in control because I HATE Fasicm! It is just as bad as Marxism!
Wake up you Santorum nutjobs!
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- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:54pm
  Why would think that???? That’s crazy talk. Santorum was an active member of Congress for 12 years and never once brought forth legislation to enforce his religious beliefs.
  
  Don’t you see that the media is trying to make our Republican candidates look like religious zealots? Although Santorum’s religious beliefs are important to him, he isn’t focused on religion … he’s focused on the economy, jobs, national security, and host of other more important issues.
  Report Post »
- Baddoggy
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:45pm
  Does DOMA come to mind doofus?
  Report Post »
- Independent4ever
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 9:36pm
  Santorum “took one for the team” when supporting no child left behind. It will be business as usual with Santorum as president. If you like status quo…Santorum is your candidate.
  Report Post »
wowthird
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 1:59pm
This may be Santorum’s undoing.
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The_Jerk
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 1:57pm
There is no, was no, separation of church and state. There is separation of a federal government from a religion. States had churches at the time of the signing of the Constitution. States can have churches, the federal government can not. And, don’t give me that post Civil War amendment argument.
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- TRONINTHEMORNING
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:00pm
  Hmmm, that’s exactly how I read it; and by golly, people who don’t agree maybe need glasses or they just have an agenda.
  Report Post »
- bernbart
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:26pm
  You are wrong.
  The First Amendment‘ Establishment and Free Exercise clause’ starts with:
  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religions… (this prohibits the government from creating a state religions or giving support to any or all religions or favoring one religion over another.
  The second part ‘Free Exercise Cause’ says:
  , or prohibiting the free exercise there of”. ( prohibits government for interfering with an indivulas right to chose to exercise their religions as they wish)
  
  these are individual rights, not religious institutions rights.
  Report Post »
- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:36pm
  Bernbart, ““Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religions… (this prohibits the government from creating a state religions or giving support to any or all religions or favoring one religion over another.”
  
  Focus on the word ‘Congress.’ Congress is prohibited, not the states. The states had churches when the founders wrote the amendment. The amendment was written to restrict the federal government, not the states. The Bill of Rights was written to restrict the federal government, not the states.
  Report Post »
- Chet Hempstead
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:58pm
  And, don’t give me that post Civil War amendment argument.
  
  You mean the argument that one of the purposes of the Fourteenth Amendment was to extend the restraints of the Bill of Rights to the states? It was and it does. I don’t have to give you that argument because the courts have given it over and over again ever since the middle of the nineteenth century. Also states cannot establish religions because every state constitution in the country says that they can’t, including the current constitutions of those states that once had an established religion in the distant past.
  Report Post »
- tzion
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:33pm
  I can see how the XIV extended the free exercise clause and certain other aspects of the Bill of Rights, but it only prevents the States from limiting the rights of the people. The Establishment clause is still only applicable to Congress.
  Report Post »
- academica2020
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:39pm
  Well CHET, the separation that is being exercised by Atheists now comes from a court decision in the late 1940s. One that said, paraphrasing, religious symbols and activities have no place in public places., If they attempt to do so, they violate the Constitution. A product of judicial activism. We can go back and forth on this issue all you want, but that is when it became an all or nothing proposition. Atheists wear it like a flag now and use it, most often successfully, whenever they feel compelled to rattle their sabres against the overwhelmingly religious population of our nation.
  Report Post »
- Lee_in_PA
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:14pm
  Easy to read, hard to understand for some.
  Report Post »
- Chet Hempstead
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:54pm
  academica2020
  Talking about this in terms of atheists vs religious people is not honest or accurate. One of the biggest religious minorities in the country is the people who are neither atheists nor religious – who believe that there may be a God, but have no use for those who claim to have some kind of book of rules that came straight from His mouth to man’s ear. This huge but quiet group is the real reason that the people you call judicial activists and I call judicious realists rightly decided that a ban on establishment of religion had to include establishment of religion in general as referable to non-religion.
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- academica2020
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:30am
  Well CHET, if the free expression of religious faith, in public places, is offensive to you, you may need to examine how and why you came to feel that way. I do not support “in your face” anything, but the activism lately is very well organized and hides behind the court case that flipped the separation issue.
  I respect your right the feel the way you do and I am not offended by folks who are agnostic or atheist, I just don’t appreciate it when they run rough shod over folks who are religious.
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- Chet Hempstead
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:45pm
  I do not support “in your face” anything either. If government were endorsing the beliefs of atheists and agnostics by giving them a platform to express their disbelief at public events and on public property without giving the religious equal opportunity to express their views, I would be against that, too. But that’s never happened, so stop acting like you are some kind of victim when the most the disbelievers have ever asked for was that the government that is supposed to represent all of us not take sides on the issue of the existence of God, which is entirely a matter of opinion that will never be settled conclusively.
  Report Post »
ModerationIsBest
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 1:56pm
Theocracy in America – Santorum 2012
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- Baddoggy
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:04pm
  Call it what it is FACISM.
  Report Post »
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:34pm
  John F Kennedy was treated the same as Rick Santorum today. RS has no more of a desire to make our country into a theocracy than did RFK. This entire topic is a diversion from the issues that are important to this country.
  
  We should be more concerned about the dangers of existing theocratic countries trying to destroy us and force us to become a Sharia compliant country.
  Report Post »
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 3:00pm
  Granted I wasn‘t alive during the JFK stuff but from what I’ve heard, it was more about the media hyping up the whole Catholic church/Pope thing. With Santorum, he has gone out of his way to make comments like, “I think civil law has to comport with a higher law.”
  Report Post »
LOJ
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 1:53pm
The church has everything to do with morality and sin…they are in a leadership role for God!
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- americanfoodblister
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 2:22pm
  Which one..???? The many brands of religion through out history have cornered the market on selling b.s. Guilt, fear ,terror and ever changing fantasy stories for quite some time now..
  
  Santorum the zealot might even think God is an American.
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- Crazy Times
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:20pm
  @ AmericanFB
  I would rather have Santorum believe God is an American than have a President who doesn’t believe in a God at all.
  
  See what Stalin thought about God, then ask the Ukraines how that turned out for them….
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:24pm
  AMERICANFOODBLISTER.
  
  Recieving Communion might help you with that blister of yours. Unless of course it’s the gift that keeps on giving kind? Then I recommend 5 Hail Mary’s and some ointment.
  Report Post »
- Crazy Times
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 4:38pm
  @ T2ETPCI12,
  
  LOL! great comment.
  
  Santorum 2012!
  Report Post »
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:22pm
  CRAZY. Heh-heh-heh.
  Report Post »
- OccupyWashington
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:50am
  GOD‘S existemce doesn’t depend on us believing in HIM. Our founding forefathers established this country recognizing GOD, and that is the central idea of this country….
  
  GOD judges nations.
  GOD gives us rights
  GOD gives us choices
  GOD ultimately blesses those who fear HIM
  GOD punishes those who disobey HIM
  
  The only major difference between the French Revolution and every other revolution in history……
  centrality and reverence for the one true CREATOR…. Yeah that’s right…. GOD
  Report Post »
- Clive
  Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:33pm
  I’m a catholic, but it doesn’t mean i want “catholic laws” in this country. Protestants wouldn’t be happy about it either, neither would jews, etc… and none of us would be happy with muslim/sharia law.
  
  So whats wrong with keeping religion separate from politics? You can still be free to worship god however you want, as much as you want.
  Report Post »
KangarooJack
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:22pm
No, it’s not him that has started this.

When the Christian who does not renounce his Faith is put to death in Iran-all the doors will open.

What you fail to grasp is that YOU are not safe either. Do you think this Religion of Peace will tolerate your unbelief? They stone women to death. STONE THEM TO DEATH IN SOCCER STADIUMS for SHOWING THEIR ANKLES. They cut the hands off of CHILDREN who steal a loaf of bread. They strap bombs on retarded/mentally challenged teens to blow up infidels. They kill people who draw a cartoon of their beloved ICON or burn a book.

Have I lied? Look it up for yourself. THEY DO NOT LOVE YOU.
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Santorum: Separation of Church and State Not ‘Absolute’

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