God help us indeed

[doodle]

Rick Perry has found the answer to all our national problems. We don't have a failure of our elected representatives....we just need to pray more..
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/us/po ... er.html?hp


Yes, Rick Perry. That is the answer to all our problems. Let's convert the Washington monument into a giant cross and genuflect ourselves in front of it for a couple of months until manna starts raining from the heavens.

Why not. I mean the mayor of Harrisburg, PA has shown that this kind of stuff really works. And if not, we can always try voodoo next.
http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2011 ... alance.php

[Coffee]

Why are you Lefties more afraid of Christianity than of the Islamo-Nazis?

** I'm not a Christian, either.  Just don't have a problem with them believing whatever they do.

[Gumby]

I don't think doodle ever said he had a problem with Christianity. His post seem more like a commentary on politicians using religion as a last resort to solve fiscal issues (and gain votes).

[TBV]

Looks like Rick Perry has company.

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative ... s/fast.htm
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/fdr-prayer.htm
http://celebrateyourfaithblog.com/2011/ ... ayer-2011/

Even when the subject is the economy... http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index ... z1UJ8FaKDU

For the rest of you, "Can't we all just get along?"

[Reub]

A "failure of our elected representatives"?

In what way? Aren't they representing the interests of their constituents?

[MediumTex]

I'm not sure what doodle's point is.

Politicians say and do goofy things all the time.

This is no goofier than things I read about every day.

Politicians are a reflection of those who elect them.  Saying it is right or wrong is pointless.  It just is.

Some people in Texas say that Rick Perry is sort of like George W. Bush, except without the brains.

The rest of the country will get to know Rick Perry soon enough.

[doodle]

Reub,

Aren't they representing the interests of their constituents?

You are kidding right? 

As far as mixing Christianity and politics, I actually do find it offensive. I would prefer that our leaders keep their personal religious beliefs private. I don't like the idea of living in a theocracy. That is what differentiates us from countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, you start getting people like Herman Cain saying things like he would never hire a Muslim to work in his cabinet.

[MediumTex]

Aren't they representing the interests of their constituents?

You are kidding right? 

As far as mixing Christianity and politics, I actually do find it offensive. I would prefer that our leaders keep their personal religious beliefs private. I don't like the idea of living in a theocracy. That is what differentiates us from countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, you start getting people like Herman Cain saying things like he would never hire a Muslim to work in his cabinet.

It's an observation, not an opinion or an endorsement.

Normally, it's hard to get political leaders more enlightened than the people who elect them.

If people in a democracy want to elect people who express a certain religious belief publicly, on what basis would you say they shouldn't do that?  Because YOU wouldn't do that?  That's not much of an argument for changing someone else's behavior.

An ever-present problem in any free society is that people will be free to do dumb things (or at least dumb according to the standards of some members of the society).

[AdamA]

I don't see what the problem is.  The video footage makes it look pretty benign.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPcE1wvqLHU

[Pres]

If people in a democracy want to elect people who express a certain religious belief publicly, on what basis would you say they shouldn't do that?  Because YOU wouldn't do that?  That's not much of an argument for changing someone else's behavior.

In a number of countries the separation of Church and State is considered a fundamental element of democracy and is enacted in the constitution. In the US it's not so simple. There's a whole separate Wikipedia page on it for the US:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation ... ted_States

I personally dislike how religions tend to interfere with personal freedoms, science, medical research, sexual education, the fight against AIDS, the fight against overpopulation. I shudder at the thought of living in a country where it has a hold on politics.

Why are you Lefties more afraid of Christianity than of the Islamo-Nazis?

I'm no lefty, at least not according to European standards. But I fear fanatics from all religions the same because they want to dictate how others should live. Don't misunderstand me, I will defend anyone's right to celebrate his religion. But in my country the separation of Church and State is in the constitution and yet non-christians have had difficult times in the past because the Church had so much influence and wasn't exactly spreading a spirit of tolerance.

[doodle]

Any elected official whose policy response to national crisis is to lead a vigil of Christian prayer and fasting scares the hell out of me.

History provides a pretty ugly picture of what happens when politics and religion mix. Many of the candidates on the right seem to think that combining the two will be solution to our countries problems. Herman Cain's comments regarding Muslims are a direct violation of the sixth ammendment, and Michelle Bachman's kooky comments about obeying her husband makes me wonder who exactly will be running the country were she elected president.

Many of the rights candidates don't seem willing or able to create a wall between the dictates of their church, and the rights and interests of all Americans.

[MediumTex]

I don't disagree that mixing politics and religion is about as good an idea as mixing alcohol and guns, but I don't understand what point we are making here.

Are we just saying that we don't like it?  Fine, I don't like it either, but how does that push our understanding of anything forward?

If we are going to raise an issue I would like the opportunity to gain some new insight into it. 

[6 Iron]

Doodle, you are clearly opposed to his open practice of religion, but I am not sure what your point is. Should only agnostics and atheists be elected to office, or are you willing to allow those with religious beliefs serve if they practice their religion in hiding? Our constitution is specific that we not establish a national religion, but does not prohibit religious practices of those who serve, and does not prevent them from applying their religious principles in their actions, so long as they do not violate the citizen's rights. I, personally, like knowing what beliefs and principles inform and shape a candidate, be it Christianity, Keynesianism, climate change, Social Darwinism or Sharia law.

[Coffee]

Excluding religion from governance hasn't exactly worked out so well, either.  Reference: U.S.S.R.

As for Rick Perry -- how exactly did leading this prayer, mix the church with the state? Did he bring the Pope into the Capital building and give him an office or something? (Which should show you how much we Jews know about Christian denominations: Y'all pray with the pope, just like we all keep kosher, right?) 

[Coffee]

I don't see what the problem is.  The video footage makes it look pretty benign.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPcE1wvqLHU

Classic movie.  It was on TV, tonight.  I laugh every time.
And yes... the Highlander was a great movie, too. 

[Reub]

"Why are you Lefties more afraid of Christianity than of the Islamo-Nazis?"

Because they have more in common with the latter than anyone would care to admit, Coffee.

[MediumTex]

I'm going to stop this one here.

Let's get back to something less controversial.