'Mitt Romney’s Troubling Views on Religion in Government'

[Ninjaneer]

While the former governor said that no one religion should dictate our laws, he made it very clear that he believes religion in general should play a role in state affairs, saying that, “Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. <…> Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone.”

Put another way, Romney believes in freedom of religion, but not freedom from religion.

But it gets worse. From there, Romney’s comments veered off into inaccurate, unhistorical theocratic ramblings:

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

The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust.

We should acknowledge the Creator as did the Founders – in ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places. Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our Constitution rests. I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion, but I will not separate us from 'the God who gave us liberty.'

More at http://www.secular.org/blogs/mike-meno/mitt-romney%E2%80%99s-troubling-views-religion-government">link.

If this guy gets voted in as president...words fail me. I find it extra troubling that his sentiments are shared by so many on "our side" over in R/T.

Edit: first post of this sort. I apologize if I broke any rules or anything.

[LeftishBrit]

1. Ugh

I have no problem with religion or religious people as such, but I HATE political and social anti-secularism!

Anyone who uses such phrases as 'the religion of secularism', 'secular tyranny', 'the dictatorship of moral relativism', etc. has crossed my line in the sand.

It is ironic that this comes from someone who is himself a member of a religious minority - but no doubt Romney needs to curry favour with the traditional Christian Right in order to have any chance of the presidency.

'If this guy gets voted in as president...words fail me'

If any Republican gets voted in as president...words fail me.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

2. What's sad is that he's one of their best prospects for prez

Sure Romney's a douchebag, but I'd have him over Sarah Palin any day.

It's sad that we've gotten to a point where a mormon cheesedick like Romney would seem the most palatable republican option.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Apparently he thinks that the founders came up with "under God" and "in God we trust".

He's almost as ditzy as Palin.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Pawlenty sounds even worse

TPaw: U.S. must turn 'toward God'

Pawlenty struck a more religious tone linking his usual stump speech themes of fiscal responsibility and American greatness stump speech to Christian thinking.

"We need to be a nation that turns toward God, not away from God," he said.

And he came out hard for outlawing abortion, calling that one of the nation's top priorities.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/TPaw-U-S-must-turn-toward-God-1409290.php#ixzz1OKKPBl96