Posted on 12/06/2007 8:22:12 AM PST by La Enchiladita
(CNN) -- White House hopeful Mitt Romney said religious liberty "is fundamental to America's greatness," in his Thursday address on faith in America.
..."There are some who may feel that religion is not a matter to be seriously considered in the context of the weighty threats that face us. If so, they are at odds with the nation's founders," Romney said.
"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone," he said.
..."If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest. A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
That said, please know that I served on our school board for about 8 years, and also serving was a man who was Mormon, and another who was some kind of fundamentalist.
I noticed that the Mormon never tried to insert his views into discussions and decisions we had to make, but the fundamentalist sure did, and we had to remind him constantly that this was not the time and place to try to enforce his personal religious beliefs.
I’m favorably impressed, both by Romney’s words and the seemingly faithful presentation of them by CNN. Certain other members of the MSM are putting emphasis on parts that Romney most obviously did NOT, but this story seems reasonably factual.
Of course he did not point out that the “god” he worships is the invention of the cult of which he is a member, but he does seem to have a healthy view of the role that faith - however misplaced in his case - should have in the life of our nation’s leaders.
His religion is not a factor for me in terms of influencing my vote, but I must admit that my opinion of him overall has improved after reading this. Not enough for me to vote for him in any primary, but maybe enough that I might be willing to come out and vote for him in the presidential election should he make it that far.
“Recall the early days of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, during the fall of 1774. With Boston occupied by British troops, there were rumors of imminent hostilities and fears of an impending war. In this time of peril, someone suggested that they pray. But there were objections. ‘They were too divided in religious sentiments’, what with Episcopalians and Quakers, Anabaptists and Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Catholics.“Then Sam Adams rose, and said he would hear a prayer from anyone of piety and good character, as long as they were a patriot.
“And so together they prayed, and together they fought, and together, by the grace of God ... they founded this great nation.
“In that spirit, let us give thanks to the divine ‘author of liberty.’ And together, let us pray that this land may always be blessed, ‘with freedom’s holy light.’
“God bless the United States of America.”
My great to the fifth was at Ft Pitt in 1774. I believe in those imperiled times the big picture was frequently focused by such leaders as Sam Adams.
It was a very good speech, exceeded my expectations to be honest. There was so much hype among the talking heads...its rare when a political speech lives up to the potential.
And it will dominate the news cycle for politics today. I suspect it will also be featured among the talk shows from tonight through Sunday.
I also think it makes Huckabee’s dancing around religion and Romney look very very small.
“I noticed that the Mormon never tried to insert his views into discussions and decisions we had to make, but the fundamentalist sure did, and we had to remind him constantly that this was not the time and place to try to enforce his personal religious beliefs.”
Precisely why Huckabee and his bible thumping are so dangerous.
Hello, Iowa... Can you hear me now?
:-)
BJ Clinton used sex to cover up his treason and Willard
uses religion to cover up his left wing social programs.
Whine, sob, cry, the meanie democrats made him change his beliefs.
Earth to Iowa, Earth to Iowa. LOL.
I'm shocked it has come down to this.
sw
Mitt hits it out of the ballpark ping!
How wonderful to know your ancestry such as that; it truly brings history alive for you, doesn’t it?
I owe a debt of gratitude to the Mormons for my ability to research my own “family tree.”
“Earth to Iowa, Earth to Iowa. LOL.”
If Iowa votes for Huckabee, it’ll forever be on my ‘do not visit’ list.
You’re right, we should be shocked at what a small segment of bigots have necessitated.
That small segment has made a big noise on this supposedly conservative forum, too.
More ecumenical garbage. He can’t say that he believes Christ is the savior in one sentence, then say that the devout repititious prayers of Muslims draw them closer to God in the next.
He makes a lot of nice points, but on the most salient ones he’s off the mark and no different than anyone else who muddies the religious waters.
That’s great. I haven’t been able to get that far back yet, only to the 4th. Knowing your family history is important.
Mitt Romney is smart and articulate. Have always been impressed with the way he presents himself.
Fox doesn’t seem to be a fan, that’s for sure.
He's not being persecuted, nor was he forced to give the speech. He is falling behind because he has flip-flopped on all his views and appears to be a candidate that takes positions only based on political expediency. People don't care if he thinks Jesus came to America or if the Garden of Eden is in Missouri, they don't trust him because of his past political positions. Now he is trying to play the victim by blaming his failed campaign on his religion. I think it is shameful.
Wow!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.