Posted on 04/12/2007 8:22:49 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
1994 Rudy: "I will work as hard to protect someone's right to believe in God as he or she sees fit -- or not to believe in God."
The Brody File has dug up a Rudy quote from the past that makes for an interesting discussion. In a 1994 New York Times article, Rudy said this:
"As the Mayor of New York City, I will work as hard to protect someone's right to believe in God as he or she sees fit -- or not to believe in God -- because I realize that my right to practice my religion depends completely on my commitment to defend someone else's right to practice theirs, or to practice no religion at all."
The article goes on to mention his views on Catholicism.
"Mr. Giuliani, who as a young man once considered joining the priesthood, noted that many Catholics today "feel that in some intellectual or quasi-intellectual circles, they are demeaned." He said he had also heard Catholics say that "Catholic-bashing has become part of the dogma of what they regard as the politically correct." And he said: "Indeed, I do detect among some who accept the most recent intellectual fads a disdain for those who share in the more orthodox faiths, whether Christian or Jewish or Muslim. In my humble opinion -- and this is meant as an observation, not a challenge -- that disdain emerges from an almost subconscious conclusion that to believe in God too fervently betrays a certain intellectual infirmity." He compared such a view with the "difficult time that some believers have in drawing the line between belief in dogma and respect for those who disagree." He called for believers and unbelievers alike to avoid "the arrogance of having no doubts."
Read the rest of the article here. It's interesting to hear Rudy talk about his faith. Clearly, there is a deeper story there. It makes me wonder what his upbringing was like and how his Catholic faith helped shaped who he is today. It's something worth exploring. I interview Giuliani next week. Maybe I'll pursue this with him. Got questions for him? Email them to me.
That sounds like Rudy’s point.
You have to learn to use sarcasm tags! :-) You might scare some people! ;-)
Heh heh heh.
(Sarcasm tags spoil the fun)
Its your obsession not mine! Enjoy yourself!
You are just plain evil! ;-) I like it! LOL!
Yup. Plain Evil. Like Guiliani.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
What an arrogant jerk. Now he tells folks how they should believe?
Yup!
I heard Glenn Beck interview Giuliani this morning, talking about guns, taxes, health care and the free market.
Beck was impressed.
So was I.
Did he get to talk about education?
Maybe he meant truly "intelligent" people always strive to keep an open mind.
Or, maybe he meant an evangelist should maintain an appearance of open-mindedness to avoid appearing arrogant.
I really don't know what he meant. But, if it's either of the above, I'd disagree with him.
So this statement by Rudy really means nothing.
Talk is cheap.
Rudy's past actions speak volumes. But I guess we're supposed to not pay attention to what a politician has done in the past, just what he says he's gonna do as he seeks a higher office.
Really? Thanks for the info. Glad to hear it!
But I don't think that those who have firm beliefs are somehow inferior. We simply have to wrestle with the great questions of the world. So I find Rudy's line arrogant, even if I might share some of his doubts.
Did Beck say he was impressed? Or was that your interpretation of what you believed Beck was thinking?
How can you argue with this statement?
“In my humble opinion — and this is meant as an observation, not a challenge — that disdain emerges from an almost subconscious conclusion that to believe in God too fervently betrays a certain intellectual infirmity.””
Beck said that if they weren’t both straight guys against gay marriage he’d kiss Rudy in gratitude for his common sense.
That good enough for you?
***...”The Catholic religion provides me the structure in which to ask these questions,” the Mayor said. “The church has built the road that allows my intellect to traverse to the outer reaches of what is comprehensible and, at that point, the church offers a leap of faith to carry me where my intellect cannot go. For me, being a Catholic is not limiting but liberating.”....***
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.