Rick Perry's New Campaign Promise: 'I'll End Obama's War on Religion

Has President Barack Obama declared an open war on religion? While some would say with certainty that he has, others would openly defend the president's purported personal faith and devotion to the Almighty.

But GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry, for one, believes that Obama has been less-than-friendly to people of faith in America.

In fact, in a new campaign advertisement running in Iowa, Perry takes some hard jabs at the president's faith record, while attempting to rally evangelicals. The 30-second spot starts with Perry saying, "I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian."

The texas governor continues, saying, "But you don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know that there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military, but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas and pray in school."

Perry's message is particularly timely, as it addresses the War on Christmas, which many see as a pervasive problem in American society. School prayer, another important issue for some religious voters, was also included in his pitch to Iowan voters. "Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again," Perry concludes.

Watch the ad, below:

This theme follows closely with what many pundits and religious leaders have been saying. For example, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) recently said, "The Obama adminstration's bias against Catholics is an affront to religious freedom and a threat to all people." Listen to these words, below:

But while many view Obama's policies as anti-religion and anti-Catholic in particular, lately the president has been speaking more openly about his faith. During the White House's recent tree-lighting ceremony, he made some overtly Christ-filled statements:

"More than 2,000 years ago, a child was born to two faithful travelers who could find rest only in a stable, among the cattle and the sheep.  But this was not just any child.  Christ’s birth made the angels rejoice and attracted shepherds and kings from afar."

Regardless of what Obama claims he believes, many, like Perry, would consider his words vapid and a symptom of the 2012 campaign season. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section.

(H/T: Politico)