Does Rick Santorum Have a Satan Problem?

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 2/21/12 | Peter Grier

[marshmallow]

Parts of a 2008 speech by Rick Santorum have surfaced online, in which he says Satan is subverting great American institutions. Its appearance comes at a time in the campaign when Santorum's rivals are trying to make voters think twice about supporting him.

Does Rick Santorum have a Satan problem? Specifically, is it a political negative for him that the Drudge Report all day Tuesday has highlighted a story about a 2008 speech he gave at Ave Maria University in Florida in which he said America is under assault by Satan?

“Satan is attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity, and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that [have] so deeply rooted in the American tradition,” Mr. Santorum said in that 2008 speech.

Audio excerpts from the speech indicate that Santorum said Satan had successfully subverted academia first, followed by mainline Protestantism, which he said is “in shambles,” and then the culture. Politics came last.

“The body politic held up pretty well until the last couple of decades,” he said in the speech.

[NoGrayZone]

I wasn’t sure if the quote to me was good or bad, so I looked it up (took a while with all my non-allowed cookie thing).

May I assume it’s good?

[cripplecreek]

Its good. Whitfield was warning about those who argue against leading a moral life.

[NoGrayZone]

Thank goodness. I’m surrounded by quite a few of them at work.

So many times I’m told to “just lie” (to get a better deal). I have no idea why they continue to say these things to me because I refuse each and every time.

I will probably be unemployed some time in the near future.

[cripplecreek]

Its a little sad to see how many FReepers have adopted a leftist stance of wanting Rick Santorum and apparently the rest of us to shut up about the "God stuff" so we can win.

What they don't realize is that they've already lost far more than they'll ever lose in any election. Personally I have no intent of facing my maker with excuses.

I'm inspired by the true faith of Christians in the mideast who face death daily for being Christians yet openly and proudly proclaim their faith. The Coptic Christians of Egypt have a longstanding tradition of tattooing a visible cross on their bodies so their faith will not be hidden.

[MarkBsnr]

Santorum is the Church Lady and Mr. Rogers rolled into one.

I didn't know that Santorum rode horses.

[Mariner]

"Specifically, is it a political negative for him that the Drudge Report all day Tuesday has highlighted a story about a 2008 speech he gave at Ave Maria University in Florida in which he said America is under assault by Satan? "

Yes it is clearly a political negative for him and will likely ascertain his defeat in both AZ and MI next week.

By Super Tuesday he'll be fortunate to finish second in any race.

Please don't assume I am making a value judgement on whether Santorum is right or wrong on this. I am not. I am assessing the political implications only and have almost no data to back it up excepting his recent slowing in Michigan. Polls lag reality by 5-7 days.

Santorum will sound like a nut to the majority of the electorate AND the majority of the GOP electorate.

Right or wrong has nothing to do with it.

[nonsporting]

I'm inspired by the true faith of Christians in the mideast who face death daily for being Christians yet openly and proudly proclaim their faith. The Coptic Christians of Egypt have a longstanding tradition of tattooing a visible cross on their bodies so their faith will not be hidden.

The Coptic Christians are earning treasure in heaven with their tribulation. Such boldness should encourage our boldness to reach the lost with the Gospel of Christ.

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38)

I would also encourage the Coptic Christians to obey God's word. We are told to "bear" our cross, not "tatoo" it. In fact, we are expressly told not to print marks on our bodies:

"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you. I am the LORD." (Leviticus 12:28).

Many will explain this away by saying "that only prohibits it for the dead." No. The cuttings prohibition [here] is qualified. The printing prohibition is unqualified. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. [For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.]" (1 John 5:3,4)

[Victor]

"....He was not a Navy Seal, but thanks for playing...."

LOL...Good Lord, I was Rick-Rolled...!!

[NoGrayZone]

Wow, many a props to their bravery.....but mostly their faith.

"and apparently the rest of us to shut up about the "God stuff" so we can win."

What does a win mean without the Father? NOTHING!

I'd rather lose in righteousness then win with evil.

People need to wake up and realize our time here is short...actually, it's nothing compared to eternity. They better pick a side.

[Campion]

What your ugly little anti-Catholic screed neglects to mention is that a whole lot of those mainline Protestant denominations -- while they don't have "graven images" or "plastic beads" to "fondle" -- quite openly endorse the brutal, cold-blooded murder of unborn children -- even to the degree of paying for it in their clergy medical insurance plans! (See the Presbyterian Church of the USA for an example of the latter.) Not to mention that a number of them also openly celebrate sodomy.

That puts a stench in God's nostrils that no "plastic beads" or "graven images" can ever hope to equal.

[DarkSavant]

I have a hard core protestant friend who is very strict about idolatry. One day I was talking to her about a crossroad decision she was having trouble with. Her solution when she has issues is to pray, then hold what she called a prayer fleece outside overnight. If it was wet she would make one decision, if dry the other. I found it amazing she didn’t see the hypocrisy in it, as there are no Catholic traditions that come close to that sort of REAL idolatry.