Americans United: Those Who Don't Follow Any Particular Religion Are Good Americans too.

[marmar]

from Americans United for the Separation of Church and State:



Romney Speech Reflects Inaccurate Understanding Of Church-State Relations, Says Americans United
Thursday, December 6, 2007

Those Who Don't Follow Any Particular Religion Are Good Americans Too, Says AU's Lynn

Today’s speech by Mitt Romney on the role of religion in American politics reflects an inaccurate understanding of the constitutional relationship between church and state, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

“I was disappointed in Romney’s statement,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The founders of our Constitution meant for religion and government to be completely separate. Romney is wrong when he says we are in danger of taking separation too far or at risk of establishing a religion of secularism.

“I was particularly outraged that Romney thinks that the Constitution is somehow based on faith and that judges should rule accordingly, “ Lynn said. “That’s a gross misunderstanding of the framework of our constitutional system.

“I think it is telling that Romney quoted John Adams instead of Thomas Jefferson or James Madison,” Lynn continued. “Jefferson and Madison are the towering figures who gave us religious liberty and church-state separation.

“I was also disappointed that Romney doesn’t seem to recognize that many Americans are non-believers,” Lynn continued. “Polls repeatedly show that millions of people have chosen to follow no spiritual path at all. They’re good Americans too, and Romney ought to have recognized that fact.

“I am an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and I believe in my faith,” Lynn added. “But I believe just as strongly that non-believers are good Americans too. I wish Romney had said that.”

http://www.au.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr012=09o9ioh...

[BOSSHOG]

1. I was surprised/confused at Romney's speech

I thought he was trying to get radical christian clerics to support him and yet he said nothing of hating gays or liberals or minorities or muslims or immigrants. He didn't say he wanted America in never ending war causing death and destruction on a global basis. Thats the way to get the support of the pious life lovers in our country.

[zbdent]

2. So ... all those Muslims are free?

Because, as Romney said, "freedom requires religion", right?

[LeftishBrit]

3. In the UK, only one-third of people do go to church/follow a religion

Only 50% say they believe in God, and for lots of them that's very vague.

I think it would be hard for a committed atheist to be Prime Minister even here, but many MPs are; e.g. my MP is an official in the National Secular Society.

[marmar]

4. I can relate....I believe in some kind of God, or higher power, or energy....

.... or whatever you want to call it, but not in all this structured, bureaucratic, dogmatic religion.