Monday, February 20, 2012

Going the wrong way...

Fifty-two years ago, John Kennedy faced the real hurdle of his Roman Catholic faith. This was, at the time, a significant impediment that only one major party candidate, Al Smith, had faced before -- to the latter's detriment.

Kennedy had to face the hurdle that Mitt Romney may eventually have to face, assuring the public he will govern as best for this country, not as what is best for his faith. Here is Kennedy in 1960 facing that question.


But one candidate is determined to show just the opposite. Rather than proclaim himself determined NOT to govern solely as his religion's doctrines proclaim Rick Santorum is doing the opposite. He is completely non-secular. The Opus Dei candidate.

Being religious isn't enough -- even mainstream protestants are unfit to govern in Rick Santorum's view.
...this was a Protestant country and the Protestant ethic, mainstream, mainline Protestantism, and of course we look at the shape of mainline Protestantism in this country and it is in shambles, it is gone from the world of Christianity as I see it.
Two generations of Republicans decrying secular government have given birth to a candidate who can accept only one type of religious doctrine  leading to one type of rule.

To quote James Madison, "Ugh"*.

*(may not be actual James Madison quote)

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]

4 comments:

jimmiraybob said...

Why o why could he hold onto "it is gone from the world of Christianity as I see it" until after the nomination? Jeez.

I think that you capture the spirit of Madison in as dignified a manner as possible. Now, John jay: "I knew it! I F@#king knew it. That damn Whore of Babylon and his minions are trying to take over America!."

Anonymous said...

If they had any integrity at all, or just a sense of "WTF...?" the Southern Baptists should demand that Frothy come to Dallas to stand before the multitudes and s'plain hisself. 'Cuz if they don't...

Note: I believe your disclaimer at the bottom of your post, "*(may not be actual James Madison quote)" should have been: "not intended to be a factual statement." Precedents, 'ya know.

jimmiraybob said...

As a disclaimer I should point out that I've spent a fair bit of time studying the Medieval west (and to a lesser extent the east - go Attaturk) and I think Santorum's unflinching Medieval philosophical approach and effort to advance the Pope and the Roman Church in a struggle for authority against the secular state is a real boon to "seeing" history. That's why I would support a Santorum presidential run as the GOP candidate. Clear choices and all.

I think that a President Santorum could actually pull off starting a series of religious wars. Just what the founding fathers called for in the DOI and Constitution.

pansypoo said...

what part of separation of church + state don't you get?

the embracing of the evangelicals could be the biggest mistake.