Freedom Requires Religion?
Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God.
~Mitt Romney, "The Faith Speech", Dec. 2007
I didn't realize that was the big benefit behind freedom. But then when it comes to people like me, Mitt's got this to say,
Say what? So, we've taken this "notion" of separation of church and state too far, Mitt? Really? Because after the last 8 years with your boy, George, I don't think we've taken it far enough. See, I thought religion was, actually, a private affair, with no place in governance.But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life.
It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong.
Mitt falls back on the far Right's double standard around religious extremism:
These radical Islamists do their preaching not by reason or example, but in the coercion of minds and the shedding of blood. We face no greater danger today than theocratic tyranny, and the boundless suffering these states and groups could inflict if given the chance.
Nicely done. Very effective use of fear-mongering with a bit of us-them rhetoric thrown in. "Us", of course, being believers in Jesus Christ. Mitt knows he needs to jump on that Jesus Train if he's got any hope of being elected. Throughout the speech, Mitt played down the differences between Christians and Mormons, focusing on the fact that all believers have something in common, something that non-believers (and those pesky Muslims) apparently do not share.
And I'm sorry Mitt, but I'm pretty sure the last 8 years have been about some "theocratic tyranny" at the hands of King George, with plenty of "coercion of minds and shedding of blood" going on, but what do I know? Apparently, theocratic tyranny only applies to those scary radical religions. The "good religions", which Mitt is fervently hoping will now include Mormons, are not radical extremists bent on tyranny, they are merely God Warriors, carrying out the legacy of our founding fathers.
Looks like Mitt is hoping to catch a ride on the religion mobile by finding common ground with the Christians. And I'm thinking that the so-called "morality voters" might just figure that hey, any religious guy is better than a damn liberal. Unless they go with their boy Huckabee. (A most unpresidential name if ever I've heard one.)
Well, who knows. If the Irish, Italians, and Jewish folks eventually "became White", who's to say Mormons won't be accepted into the Christian fold against the advancing hordes of scary Muslims and non-believers?
I hope the more moderate folks on the right will look at the past 8 years and realize that more religion, of any kind, in governance is a slippery slope to that tyranny Mitt mentioned.
27 comments:
This just makes my blood boil.
Amen!
My entire family is having an orgasm right now. Granted, they don't realize that's what they are having, but I'm sure of it. pft. Nine months from now a whole slew of Mormon babies will be bouncing around the family reunion, trust. (head hang of shame)
When in doubt, blame it on Islam, or those radical feminists that are in league with the gays and the black folk.. If there is a hell, I hope there's a large portion like purgatory and it's called "Get a fucking clue".. and eternity of having what a moron you are ground into you.
I don't know what is more frightening.
The fact that people of the Romney/Bush ilk can look us dead in the face,spout their incredible bullshit,and expect us to buy it..Or the fact that they actually believe what they are saying makes sense...
You are more right (not 'right') than you know. I'm not even going to try and address this as my ex-Mormon partner will surely put in in far batter words than I can.
However, Auld Hat has already put it best!
There was a good piece on NPR about this today - comparing JFK's speech about his Catholicism (my religion will have no place in my legislating) to Romney's about his Mormonism (of course religion will have a place in my legislating, just not Mormonism). We're supposed to be moving forward, not backward!!!
Y|O|Y: It scares me more than makes me angry. At least for now.
Whim: and hallelujah, sister!
Hat: "Granted, they don't realize that's what they're having..." HA! And get that chin up, girl - former/excommunitcated Mormons are among the most intriguing people I've known. (and hot. don't forget that.)
DL: Exactly - it's all their fault. I hope that corner in hell plays FOX news coverage of the last 2 elections on a loop.
Sling: Yes -- I've often wondered if Dubya is "only" power hungry with the intellect of the proverbial box of rocks, or if he truly believes his spewage.
Rodger: See? There's something about those former Mormons, isn't there?
E: Well to that I can only say, "Governor ... you're no Jack Kennedy!" Deja vu.
you're the second person i've seen to post this. i'm speechless.
Mitt will truly say anything if he feels it will raise his poll numbers. The religion speech, is yet another indicator of his desparate need to shirk the quirk of Osmandia, while affirming his theocratic leanings to the Christian fundies. He is nothing. Just another career politician saying whatever he needs to grab the brass ring. He has flip flopped on almost every position he has ever held. It would indeed be scary if he actually does feel this way about religion and government, and has been encouraged by the theocracy at home for the last eight years under King George. I am with you, in that I think dubya is just in it for the money and priviledge, and the ability to loot the country for his elitist buddies. Bush is crass enough to excuse his behavior with religious guises, meant to fool the drooling, banjo playing, incestual, wooden headed, bible thumpers, who got him elected, while giving out tremendous cash prizes to the other part of his electorate that isn't swayed by ethics or religion. Mitt isn't playing the field as expertly as Bush has, and I pray he doesn't wise up and emulate him. I am going to leave this country if another Republican asshole wins the election. Either that, or start a revolution, I haven't decided yet. :)
there was a Family Guy episode where Lois ran for mayor. If she said things like 9/11 was bad, and Jesus, the crowd would roar with pleasure--- ya... hit the nail on the head...
Brava, Cowbell. But this is the beauteous thing about the Republican nominees this year. Hard-core Christians won't get excited about Romney because he's a Mormon and say that he belongs to a "cult" while going to their megachurches and parroting every word their "charismatic leaders" utter. But that's not a cult, no not at all.
They won't get excited about Giuliani, because he shacked up with a couple of gay guys while being sued for a second or third divorce on the grounds of adultery.
Finally, they might get excited about Huckabee, but the richie riches who truly run the GOP won't allow him to take the lead because he's not going to give big tax breaks to wealthy individuals and large corporations.
When the nominee is finally announced, I predict that a lot of evangelicals will stay at home on election day.
There is not enough pie in the world to medicate me against this presidential campaign season. Canada is looking better and better.
Mr. Tater HAS captured the entire picture of what's going on. I only want to add the disgust I feel at the shameless appearance at the Bush library before a private, invited audience ONLY so NO one will ask a question that was not pre-approved. Completely Staged. THAT's ROMNEY and ALL of 'em. I am broken that those running to LEAD this country are criminals, not just politicians. And they're doing it blatantly while playing like they have MORAL beliefs. I am ASTOUNDED that Poor White MEN are most likely to vote for the BUSH types even against their own interests. They have bought into the pre-Fascist "FEAR" card and are following like the proverbial religious sheep. Yep, Mormons do that too. Thanks for a GREAT discussion on this asshat Romney. **I come to your page via/ Rodger Dodger, my partner. Whoopee!
I'm getting the coffin spins.
Monica: Too bad Mitt's not. (speechless.)
Tater: Tell us how you really feel, ha! Yeah, Mitt could be even more dangerous in the long run, because Dubya's ignorance and dumbassery is always going to show through - he's only but so smart - but someone like Mitt comes across as more professional and put together.
Mouse: Yes, I'm always amazed at the ways these guys find to bring up 9/11 at the drop of a hat! Even now, when everyone KNOWS they fabricated the whole Iraq-9/11 connection -- they should never utter those words, but they do, over and over and over and...
Red: Yes, absolutely, the right is not at all happy with their candidate pool, which is a good thing. What worries me is if Mitt is successful in convincing the religious base that they've got more in common than differences, and that any BELIEVER is better than than abortion-having, gay marrying, God-banishing liberals who want to give their hard earned taxes to welfareites. Using my own parents as a gauge, Mom is definitely part of the religious base, Dad just concerned about where his tax dollars are going and not wanting to give anyone a "free ride". They are (now) fed up with Bush, they think (now) that the war should end. BUT, even with that, there is no way in hell they would vote for a liberal. Mom would vote for the worst Rethug than vote for a liberal, and her circle of friends/church feels that way too. They see it almost as a mission to keep the god-hating baby-killing liberals out of the white house. (However, Mom would never vote Mormon, Daddy would if he liked the guy's positions) So I'm not so sure they'll stay home, but I am really really hoping that the lack of a definitive "good candidate" may fracture them for a change.
KA: I'm seriously considering that "Marry a Canadian" matchmaking site.
Mark: Welcome, partner of Rodger! We the Sheeple, that's their motto. Yes, the hypocrisy really chaps my ass -- I'm not religious any more, but i was (very) at one time, and it pisses me off to see these guys USING belief to manipulate those who do have a true faith. I mean, if you're going to believe it, follow it and live it, great, more power to you, but don't USE it to get what you want from folks who think you're on the same page with them, you know? I've had enough of these hypocritical right-wingers preaching morality while doing the same shit behind closed doors that they preach against. It's just ridiculous.
TJ: Here, take a Dramamine.
Red, PS: I meant to include that I am hoping the more moderate rightwingers might cross over on election day, due to their sorry pool -- the die-hards, I don't believe they ever would.
Y'know, I could actually marry a Canadian! What's that URL?
Red: Actually, I had the name backwards: http://www.marryanamerican.ca/
But I just went by there, and it seems the site has fallen by the wayside. They list refer you to another site, where they're supposedly set up to cater to the users from the original site. I didn't check that out.
Mitt is a total asshat. We lived with his mis-administration for 4 years here in MA and the entire time all he did was run around to the conservative Red States and bash the state FOR WHICH HE WAS GOVERNOR.
Let the knuckle draggers have their fundy candidate, the moderate Repubs are going to cross over and vote Democrat this coming election.
Freedom requires religion? Really? Let's ask
(1) Diaspora Jews in Europe how the Catholic Church ensured their freedom;
(2) unwed mothers confined to quasi-prisons and forced to give up their children in Ireland how religion ensured their freedom;
(3) Native Americans how conversion to Christianity at the end of a sword ensured their freedom;
(4) women burned as witches in New England (or anywhere else, for that matter) how religion ensured their freedom; and
(5) gays and lesibians who can't share the same legal right as us heteros how religion ensures their freedom.
And don't even get me started on modern theocracies such as Saudi Arabia, where a rape victim is sentenced to be whipped for being in a car with a man who is not a relative.
Sigh. Religion can do a lot of good for folks. It can provide hope and a sense of meaning in what is objectively a very arbitrary and meaningless universe.
But let's not kid ourselves. Like everything else in this world, religion is something we all too often use to justify being assholes to one another.
Freedom requires religion? Maybe, in some circumstances. But oppression couldn't get along well without it, either.
RG: Interesting - I didn't really know anything about him until he popped up as a candidate. I hope you're right about the moderates! (fingers crossed)
Lex: YES x5! Excellent. I heard some similar comments on NPR the other day, shooting apart that theory. As you say, religion can be very good for people as well. I really believe it needs to stay on the individual level, however, in people's private lives, because when it comes into the more official levels, that's when it seems to morph into the conflict, genocide, and cruelty has historically so often been behind religion.
I was watching him give this speech, growing more and more infuriated, wishing I could come up with a coherent way to write about it.
Thankfully, you did it for me, and way better than I ever could have.
Hey thanks, JP. I only wrote about a small part of it, because I was getting more and more pissed off too, so I cut things off before it turned into a full-blown incoherent rant. Like a televangelist.
Mitt's magic underwear is on too tight.
Lorraine: I'm pretty sure he gets a charge of wearing it that way.
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