Tim Rutten: Old-time religion, today's politics (LA Times Op-Ed)

[pinto]

Tim Rutten: Old-time religion, today's politics
The sentiments expressed by John F. Kennedy in his famous 1960 speech on religion and politics are being swept away by Republican presidential contenders.

In the midst of a hotly contested presidential election a little more than half a century ago, John Kennedy went to Houston to give the most important speech of his campaign.

No Catholic ever had been elected to the White House, and the young Massachusetts senator chose a Protestant audience deep in the Bible belt — the Greater Houston Ministerial Assn. — as the venue in which to address the so-called religious issue. This is the heart of the case he put to the association and the nation:

"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 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.... I believe in a president whose views on religion are his own private affair, neither imposed upon him by the nation, nor imposed by the nation upon him as a condition to holding that office."

If, as seems increasingly likely, Texas Gov. Rick Perry jumps into the current race for the Republican presidential nomination, Houston also will be the scene of a campaign event that demonstrates just how far we've descended from that day Kennedy spoke, and what the consequences of that descent are. Perry has summoned the country's governors to join him on Aug. 6 in a national day of prayer and fasting sponsored by a fundamentalist, evangelical Protestant ministry. Perry, who urges participants to bring a Bible, acknowledges that the event, which is called The Response, is an overtly Christian occasion, and on its website, he writes that America's hope "lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees."

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-0611-rutten-20110611,0,3167436.column

Bravo Mr. Rutten! Bravo. ~ pinto

[provis99]

1. If only Jefferson knew what he caused in Virginia.

He may have been well intentioned, trying to protect Baptists from discrimination, but he couldn't foresee the Southern Baptists becoming bigger bigots and bullies than their former detractors were.

Lord, save us from Rick Perry the Christian Fundamentalists.

[classof56]

2. Well, I just did a quick read of Joel, which starts out recounting a plague of locusts

Apparently the likes of which had never before struck the earth. Speaking for God, Joel called the priests and those who minister before the altar to put on and rip up sackcloth, then mourn, wail a lot and of course pray. This will put an interesting spin on Perry's big gathering. Fox doubtless will cover it so we can all observe the spectacle. Now, the Bible I'm reading is the New International Version, and I'm wondering if that's on Perry's "approved" list of the Bibles he wants participants to pack. I know from experience the "King James Version Only" types are pretty militant (once knew a preacher who took a machete to all "non-KJV versions", chopped 'em into little pieces declaring them evil). So who knows what will get past the doors. There are reasons why, after a lifetime, I'm no longer a Southern or any kind of Baptist. Actually, my faith is rapidly dwindling, and Perry and his ilk aren't helping one iota.

Tired Old Cynic

[struggle4progress]

3. "Pray with me in Houston this August!" has about the appeal of "Experience Christmas in Fargo!"

[givemebackmycountry]

4. "We will find it on our knees"

FUCK YOU ASSHOLE.
I get on my knees for NO ONE.