Rick Perry's Shameless Promotion of Faith in Government

[Schneibster]

Matthew 6:2-15

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

He doesn't even know what the Babble says about what he's doing.

David and Solomon have a bit to say about this, too.

[Seth]

My dog? Sorry Seth, I thought I was dating your kid sister.

I don't have a kid sister, you must have mistaken yours for mine.

[Seth]

Except, of course, that he was talking about personal faith, and he's absolutely correct in everything he says, which does not include, as you suggest, "faith in government." People's faith will always inform their decisions, both in their private lives and, for those in government service as elected officials, in their jobs. And that's as it should be because they are elected in part to reflect the values and principles of their constituents, most of whom also are people of faith.

You must learn to distinguish between people of faith living their ideals and principles and an "establishment" of a state church. Those are two entirely different things.

Rick Perry is the one not distinguishing between the two. In fact, he's violation the U.S. constitution:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

He's parading faith to garner support from Christians. He's weak on the issues and he's way out of his league on the national stage so he's using faith because Jesus is the only thing he has going for him. By broadcasting his piety, he's not keeping it personal, but making it very public. And it's a very shameful public display at that!

Nonsense. He's not violating the Constitution. The "religious test" provision merely says that GOVERNMENT may not establish a religious test for holding public office. In this case, Congress cannot require candidates for Congress, or the presidency, or any federal job for that matter to fill out a questionnaire with information about their religious beliefs or make belief in one or another (or NO religion) a predicate (qualification) for holding office. It says nothing about what someone says about his faith outside of his job duties.

There's absolutely nothing in the Constitution prohibiting a candidate from "parading his faith to garner support" from any religious, or non-religious group. He's perfectly entitled to appeal to Christians, or Muslims, or Atheists if he thinks it will get him votes. Moreover, it's good for the Republic and the public when candidates announce openly their religious beliefs so that their constituents will understand, for better or worse, what the candidate's basic values are and where they come from.

You're mistaking "religious test" and "free expression of religion."

[Seth]

Matthew 6:2-15

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

He doesn't even know what the Babble says about what he's doing.

David and Solomon have a bit to say about this, too.

As if YOU get to tell him what his faith is and how to practice it...

[Schneibster]

I don't think the founders foresaw people would get stupider.

[Seth]

I don't think the founders foresaw people would get stupider.

Yes, I'm sure they would be dismayed at your example of intelligence, but then again they had stupid people back then as well, so they might not be at all surprised, merely disgusted.

[Svartalf]

My dog? Sorry Seth, I thought I was dating your kid sister.

I don't have a kid sister, you must have mistaken yours for mine.

Since I don't have a dog either...

[Seth]

My dog? Sorry Seth, I thought I was dating your kid sister.

I don't have a kid sister, you must have mistaken yours for mine.

Since I don't have a dog either...

That's not a nice thing to say about your sister...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

[rab]

Nonsense. He's not violating the Constitution. The "religious test" provision merely says that GOVERNMENT may not establish a religious test for holding public office. In this case, Congress cannot require candidates for Congress, or the presidency, or any federal job for that matter to fill out a questionnaire with information about their religious beliefs or make belief in one or another (or NO religion) a predicate (qualification) for holding office. It says nothing about what someone says about his faith outside of his job duties.

There's absolutely nothing in the Constitution prohibiting a candidate from "parading his faith to garner support" from any religious, or non-religious group. He's perfectly entitled to appeal to Christians, or Muslims, or Atheists if he thinks it will get him votes. Moreover, it's good for the Republic and the public when candidates announce openly their religious beliefs so that their constituents will understand, for better or worse, what the candidate's basic values are and where they come from.

You're mistaking "religious test" and "free expression of religion."

Politicians are in fact having religious tests for office. What it boils down to is---my god is bigger than your god. my faith is bigger than your faith. my Christianity is more authentic than yours, etc. Watch how long a Muslim or atheist would last in a republican field for president.

Perry has aligned himself up with people who are now organizing to get more christians to the polls---at least their brand of christians, meaning REPUBLICAN right wingnut Christians. This is a litmus test for office. You gotta be a right wing YAHWEH freak to qualify for the GOP nomination, or at least pander to those that vote right wing YAHWEH freak. Why do you think John McCain chose Sarah Palin to be his running mate in 08? Because of her intellect and experience? Right!

[Warren Dew]

Perry has aligned himself up with people who are now organizing to get more christians to the polls---at least their brand of christians, meaning REPUBLICAN right wingnut Christians. This is a litmus test for office. You gotta be a right wing YAHWEH freak to qualify for the GOP nomination, or at least pander to those that vote right wing YAHWEH freak.

This must be why Perry is leading in the polls for the Republican nomination right now.

Oh wait....

[Seth]

Nonsense. He's not violating the Constitution. The "religious test" provision merely says that GOVERNMENT may not establish a religious test for holding public office. In this case, Congress cannot require candidates for Congress, or the presidency, or any federal job for that matter to fill out a questionnaire with information about their religious beliefs or make belief in one or another (or NO religion) a predicate (qualification) for holding office. It says nothing about what someone says about his faith outside of his job duties.

There's absolutely nothing in the Constitution prohibiting a candidate from "parading his faith to garner support" from any religious, or non-religious group. He's perfectly entitled to appeal to Christians, or Muslims, or Atheists if he thinks it will get him votes. Moreover, it's good for the Republic and the public when candidates announce openly their religious beliefs so that their constituents will understand, for better or worse, what the candidate's basic values are and where they come from.

You're mistaking "religious test" and "free expression of religion."

Politicians are in fact having religious tests for office. What it boils down to is---my god is bigger than your god. my faith is bigger than your faith. my Christianity is more authentic than yours, etc.

That's not a "religious test" as contemplated by the Constitution. It's merely the voters deciding who they want to represent them using religious belief as one metric.

Watch how long a Muslim or atheist would last in a republican field for president.

So what? It's the right of the People to select whom they wish, and select someone who represents their faith. That's just democracy in action.

Perry has aligned himself up with people who are now organizing to get more christians to the polls---at least their brand of christians, meaning REPUBLICAN right wingnut Christians. This is a litmus test for office. You gotta be a right wing YAHWEH freak to qualify for the GOP nomination, or at least pander to those that vote right wing YAHWEH freak. Why do you think John McCain chose Sarah Palin to be his running mate in 08? Because of her intellect and experience? Right!

It's not a test at all, it's just an aspect that voters consider important in a candidate, as is their right.

[Feck]

I don't think anyone who preys for rain should be allowed to feed themselves never mind any other responsibilities . sorry if you vote for him or a party that would even consider his nomination then you are a moron .

[Tero]

Faith, values, honor. Useful stuff for saving the economy.

Wait, the government does not do anything. Then it does not matter who wins.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Faith, values, honor. Useful stuff for saving the economy.

Wait, the government does not do anything. Then it does not matter who wins.

There's a slam on politicians called "wrapping oneself in the flag", meaning taking shelter behind a symbol that nobody wants to besmirch (or at least that's the theory.)

I think we need another, "nailing oneself to the cross."