A New American Holy War

This thread has gone way off topic. The gist of the article about former MA Governor Mitt Romney is whether there should be some sort of religious requirement or test to hold the office of President of the United States. Romney has been challenged about his religious beliefs, and made a speech explaining the affect his religious beliefs would have on his decisions in our highest public office.
The article was not about whether or not Christianity is the one and only true religion, or what Christians believe God intends for our country.
I agree with William.Demuth's post: We have a secular government as clearly defined by our Constitution. As a non-Christian American citizen, I should not be forced to obey "Christian" or any other religion's laws as the laws of this land. I have the right to choose to live my life according to my own religious beliefs, as do all of us. And the right to have no religious beliefs at all, and be left alone by those who do. God does not belong in the White House.
Just take a look at other countries that are theocracies... have we not noticed how badly the governments of Muslim theocracies run? Look at how the economies, medical care, educational system, and infrastructure of those countries work? But everybody prays and prays the same way to the same God. Remember, the European countries each had revolutions to separate their civil governments from the Church (Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or Protestant). Theocracies didn't work then, either. And our founding fathers made sure in our Constitution that our country would not be governed by religion. That doesn't mean that each American is prohibited from practicing their faith. Just don't push it on me. I don't push mine on you. This may be a big surprise to some of you, but there are a few religions that don't proselytize at all. Those religions never come up in these discussions for exactly that reason.

I agree with William Clifford. But on a much different ground. The truth is we have sufficient evidence of the existence of God. Scripture proclaims that the knowledge of God is evident; but that men supress that truth because of their unrighteousness (see Romans 1:18-23). It is evident to all mens conscience (although probably seared) that God exists and that we should submit to His rule. Yet, because we all love unrighteousness we refuse to submit to him and begin worshipping false gods (even if its atheism). Rather than saying there is insufficient evidence for the existence of God I would challenge that there is insufficient evidence that He does not exist. May the Holy Spirit do a mighty work, and melt your heart of stone into a heart of flesh so that you can have the greatest pleasure of all--namely Jesus Christ. I pray that God might shine light into your heart so that you can see the beauty of Christ.
Also, to the one commenting about the book of revelations....In that I agree with you that Mormons are not Christians because they deny the deity of Jesus Christ--your argument doesn't stand. I don't mean to pick at little things but its the Book of Revelation (it's one Revelation--that of Jesus Christ revealed as our Great King). But more than that if you look in the context its probably not saying "don't add anything to the Bible". We can get that argument elsewehere, but thats really not what it is saying...it is saying do not add anything to this revelation (that which was given to John, revealing that Jesus is the Christ). I also appreciate your comments allisonrey about checking the original source--excellent advice. I would also encourage you to do a little research as well and check the differences between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity. I pray that the Lord might open your heart as well---and I am encouraged by your determination to know the Word of God. I urge you to seek the one true God!

Thank you angelus, I could not understand it either. These religious nuts scare me to death. We have had nothing but trouble from mixing religion with politics. We need religion out of politics. Go do your thing all you want but dont mandate my morals in the law. If you want something really scary to consider. Thinkk about the Supreme Court justices these guys will appoint. Four or eight years of a President is one thing, but a lifetime of Jimmy Swaggart on the Supreme Court is too much for me.

My dentist is a Mormon. We had a long discussion and he made two very interesting points. First he said that the Mormon community including himself were extremely proud of Mitt Romney because he is one of them. The second point he made was that when the minority competes against the Majority the Majority always wins. Therefore, it would be impossible for Romney to run as a minority and win. So he changed his stance on Immigration and Abortion to align himself with the Majority. The Majority is run by a few powerful fraternities and there is no way a candidate can win unless he follows their protocol. Huck is not controlled by these fraternities, he says what he thinks and does what he thinks. RIght or Wrong. Romeny basis his decision on guidelines set out by the establishment or fraternal order Do you think all the billionares in America have a fraternity or belong to some type of fraternity. If your ansere is Yes; then you cannot dismiss my facts as negative and say it is impossible to prove. You are just to lazy to do research. You cannot research for five minutes you have to take it on like a project if you really want to understand the way thing work. Without proof your comment mean nothing.

As a non-Christian American, any discussion of religion by any candidate for public office always makes me queasy. If you are a religious [or atheist] minority in the US, and by that I mean someone who does not believe that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, you cannot imagine the sense of discrimination and alienation that one feels when ???religion??? comes up in any campaign or legislative discussion.

We are not electing a national clerical leader; we are electing a President. A candidates??? religious beliefs and practices- or lack thereof- should be irrelevant. One???s religious beliefs are a very personal and private matter, and as Article VI of the Constitution states, ??? ...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.??? However, historically, presidential candidates??? belief in God- specifically the Christian embodiment of God- has always been seen as a relevant factor in his ability to serve as President. And as long as the majority of Americans identify themselves as ???Christians,??? this will not change.

The perspective of a non-Christian American in this country is very different. Although the First Amendment states that, ???Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,??? in practice, Christianity influences our laws, our legislators, and our government. The ???God??? referred to on our paper currency ???In God We Trust,??? is not Allah, or Krishna, or Buddha, or the Great Spirit; it is God as defined by Christianity. The Bill of Rights was written to protect the minorities in this country from being discriminated against by the majority. Asking a political candidate about their religious beliefs, and how his/her faith would affect their decisions should be out of bounds: clearly, a President???s religious beliefs- or absence of religious beliefs- should not influence their political decisions in any way.

We Americans who are ???minorities??? have been wondering for some time now when our country will be ready to elect a President who is not a White Christian Man. But who will come first? A woman? A non-Caucasian? Or a non-Christian? Look at the 2008 candidates; it seems that we still are not ready for a non-Christian. I still don???t see a reflection of myself as an American citizen represented in my choices. Would I vote for a candidate because of his religious beliefs? For 30 years, I have voted for candidates IN SPITE OF their religious beliefs. And I cringed every time I saw Rev. Billy Graham participate in an inauguration.

dear mister meacham,

what I think is weird is that in your comments (and very personal opinions) about how romney should have included atheists, or at least should have 'talked' to them also, you seem to forget what America was founded on...'In God We Trust'. I truly hope that most Americans still do exactly that...trust in God. I'm an immigrant and I except America for what it stands for...a land of freedom, personal liberty and God. just because somebody's opinions and convictions have changed or are different, doesn't mean the values this country was founded on should change. I think a lot of people were surprised (maybe even a little frustrated and 'scared'?!) by romney's speech because of its patriotic and very Amercian feel. it's not a 'holy war'...people and even the candidates themselves want to know more about a candidate's religion because anything out of the 'ordinary' (protestant and catholic is maybe too different. I don't need to know every detail about someone's personal belief, but I must admit, I'd like to know at least some of the main principles they live by.

for a cover story, it's a little bit too opinionated...it sounds very editorial.

The reason no one can give an honest answer to these questions is due to the fact that you have been brainwashed.
If the republican party claims that they are the party of faith then WHY? on earth did they did not purpose an ammendment to OVERTURN Roe vs. Wae? They had control of all three branches and a majority in the Supreme court. Why are there children without healthcare; Why are there millions of people suffering in this great land. Why are middle class people being abused by credit card companies and other entities like the Oil Industry. Is that God's will or is that the will of a man who claims to be a man of GOD. Religion is a good thing but it is used in the wrong way. This is a perfect example. Holy War!! How ridiculous is that. Holy and war just don't seem to fit toghether. It is a Holy Joke when any man claims they are speaking on behalf of God. In their minds they think they are speaking on behalf of God but they are not they are speaking on their own behalf or their church's is behalf. This is why we have SEPERATION of CHURCH AND STATE. When you lead a state you represent everyone; Just like Jesus INCLUDED EVERYONE. This why people are scared of Mormons they only include themselves. THere's nothing wrong with that but don't expect the rest of the population to adhere to your rules and beliefs. There your beliefs not GOD'S.