So, the warped mind of Rick Santorum is spewing forth its unAmerican garbage once again. This time, it’s his belief that one of the most fundamental concepts in America – the absolute separation of church and state – is so abhorrent to him that it makes him physically ill (“I almost threw up” reading JFK’s speech on the subject.)
Is Ricky right, or is he totally, men-in-white-coats, baying-at-the-moon bonkers? Here’s just a small sampling of quotes, from numerous sources, of leading Americans – including the Founding Fathers, of course, plus many presidents throughout our history – definitvely declaring that America must have strict (or as Willard might say, “severe?” lol) separation of church and state. It’s not even a question, except in the frothily warped mind of Rick Santorum, who claims that “The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country.”
So, who are you going to listen to? 1) Kookinelli-level-crazy Rick Santorum; or 2) the U.S. Constitution, the Founding Fathers, FDR, JFK, Ronald Reagan (“Church and state are, and must remain, separate”), and pretty much every other leading Republican and Democrat in U.S. history? Tough one, I know. Not. Anyway, enjoy the quotes.
*”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” (First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution)
*”Every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshiping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience” (George Washington)
*”As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion–as it has itself no character of enmity against the law, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims]…” (Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between the United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary, 1796-1797, signed by President George Washington)
*”I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.” (Thomas Jefferson)
*”I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, disciplines or exercises.” (Thomas Jefferson)
*”As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of government to protect all conscientious protesters thereof, and I know of no other business government has to do therewith.” (Thomas Paine)
*”If there is one thing for which we stand in this country, it is for complete religious freedom, and it is an emphatic negation of this right to cross-examine a man on his religion before being willing to support him for public office.” (Teddy Roosevelt)
*”Because we are unqualifiedly and without reservation against any system of denominational schools, maintained by the adherents of any creed with the help of state aid, therefore, we as strenuously insist that the public schools shall be free from sectarian influences, and, above all, free from any attitude of hostility to the adherents of any particular creed.” (Teddy Roosevelt)
*”The fundamental precept of liberty is toleration. We cannot permit any inquisition either from within or from without the law or apply any religious test to the holding of office. The mind of America must be forever free.” (Calvin Coolidge)
*”It is my firm belief that there should be separation of church and state in the United States–that is, that both church and state should be free to operate, without interference from each other in their respective areas of jurisdiction. We live in a liberal, democratic society which embraces wide varieties of belief and disbelief. There is no doubt in my mind that the pluralism which has developed under our Constitution, providing as it does a framework within which diverse opinions can exist side by side and by their interaction enrich the whole, is the most ideal system yet devised by man. I cannot conceive of a set of circumstances which would lead me to a different conclusion.” (JFK)
*”I believe in an America where the separation of Church and State is absolute--where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be a Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote–where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference–and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.” (JFK)
*”I believe in the American tradition of separation of church and state which is expressed in the First Amendment to the Constitution. By my office–and by my personal conviction–I am sworn to uphold that tradition.” (LBJ)
*”It is difficult for me to see how religious exercises can be a requirement in public schools, given our Constitutional requirement of separation of church and state.” (Gerald Ford)
*”I’m a Southern Baptist, and I have always believed in a total separation of church and state. And I think the interjection of religion into politics is not good for this country.” (Jimmy Carter)
*”We establish no religion in this country, we command no worship, we mandate no belief. Nor will we ever. Church and state are, and must remain, separate. All are free to believe or not believe, all are free to practice a faith or not, and those who believe are free and should be free, to speak of and act on their belief. At the same time as our constitution prohibits state religion, establishment of it protects the free exercise of all religions. And walking this fine line requires government to be strictly neutral.” (Ronald Reagan)
So, what do you think? Rick Santorum for President…of Iran, perhaps?
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