Ron Paul's Statement of Faith

[sailingaway]

http://tjohnson.udderweb.com/?p=132

“I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate.”
-Ron Paul

My faith is a deeply private issue to me, and I don’t speak on it in great detail during my speeches because I want to avoid any appearance of exploiting it for political gain. Let me be very clear here: I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate.

It is God Who gave us life. As He is free, so are those He created in His image. Our rights to life and liberty are inalienable.

I’m running for President of the United States because I believe that our traditions and way of life are under attack from an out-of-control federal government and reckless politicians who show no regard for what our Founders entrusted to our protection.
America became the greatest nation in human history because a dedicated band of Patriots believed their God-given rights were worth fighting for, even if it meant challenging the world’s most powerful nation in what many deemed a “hopeless” cause.

Being free meant so much to our forefathers that they put everything on the line – and thousands sacrificed their lives – to give the promise of liberty to not only their children and grandchildren, but to generations they knew they would never even meet.

Their courage and determination guaranteed they would defy the odds and achieve victory.

In this critical election, you and I must decide if the principles of limited government and personal freedom are worth fighting for once again.

Since I’m asking for your vote and your trust to lead this nation, let me tell you a little bit about my background and beliefs.

My parents raised my four brothers and me on a dairy near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they set clear examples for each of us about faith, honest living, and individual responsibility. Their Christian values helped inspire two of my brothers to eventually enter the ministry, and provided me with the foundation I needed to practice medicine and one day become a U.S. Representative.

In addition to my time in Congress, I am proud to have delivered over 4,000 babies as a country doctor in Texas. As I trained to practice medicine, I became convinced without a doubt that life begins at the moment of conception. I never performed an abortion, and I never once found an abortion necessary to save the life of the mother. In fact, I successfully helped women struggling with their pregnancies to seek other options, including adoption.

I am running to Restore America Now, and by that I mean that it’s time to protect and promote the basic God-given rights inherent in the promise of America.

We must pass on our heritage of liberty to the next generation – not tens of trillions of dollars in debt and liabilities.

We must stand for life – not allow millions of innocent children to continue to be slaughtered with the government’s approval.

We must follow the Biblical mandate of using honest weights and measures – not printing money out of thin air in almost complete secrecy and then handing it over to oppressive dictators.

We must only send our men and women to fight for our country when the mission is clear, every necessary tool needed to win is provided, and we respect the Constitution by declaring war.

Once war is declared, it must be waged according to Just War principles. We should only fight when it’s in our national security interest, and we should no longer do the corrupt United Nation’s bidding by policing the world.

In Congress, I never vote for any piece of legislation that violates the Constitution’s strict limits on government power. I also do not participate in the congressional pension system.

As President, I give you my word that I will only exercise my authority within the confines of the Constitution, and I will work every day to rein in a runaway federal government by binding it with the chains of that document.

For my stands and beliefs, I am told that my efforts are “hopeless.” Like those who were proud to stand up for what they knew was right to create our nation, however, I firmly believe that now is a better time than ever before to reclaim our liberties. No situation is hopeless for those who receive their strength from their faith, family, and freedom.

And like those Patriots, I have no doubt that liberty will prevail.
I invite you to join me and millions of other Americans in taking our stand to honor our forefathers’ sacrifices and Restore America Now.

For Liberty,

Ron Paul

 

[GopBlackList]

I am not a Christian myself. But I respect the fact that he does not use his faith as a political tool and carries himself in a peaceful, respectful, and tolerant manner than most politicians who call themselves Christians. Much respect!

 

[qwerty]

That was great!

 

[anewvoice]

I hate to be anal retentive about this, but has anyone actually verfiied the source of this new statement? I love it's straight forward nature and want to point folks to the official source.

It seems to have originated here on these forums:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...-Christian-Poll!&highlight=statement+of+faith

With a reference to the DailyPaul site which is no longer a valid link (and potentially caused virus issues)
http://www.dailypaul.com/169951/ron-...e-poll-results

Then the OP, Matt Collins, who has clearly been around a long long time notes
"It came directly from the campaign. Please spread it around. "

Then ThomJohn erposted it on his blog after noting he could not find it online either
http://tjohnson.udderweb.com/?p=132

Followed by Ratmaster noting
"The Campaign confirmed to me today that the statement of faith is authentic and from Ron Paul himself this cycle. In case anyone (and they shouldn't!) doubted The Collins! "

And finally in this post we are referencing the newly created blog enrty from ThomJohn as the source, which was clearly driven from our own forum activity. And that's the end of the discussion.

This is a potentially hugely powerful piece of text and we have no original source. Can someone who is in the know contact the campaign and get a properly published "Statement of Faith" added to the actual campaign site? Or in lieu of that, added to Ron Paul's own site?

 

[anewvoice]

It's not a matter of trusting you, I've always found these forums to be higher than average on trustworthiness. It's a matter of ensuring there are not factual issues because we both know the media will punish us for even the stupidest of errors/ommisions.

You are right, this is a great tool to convert Christians, so wth has the campaign not taken notice of it and posted the letter? It's possible they are already planning something and we might interrupt. Be nice if we could get a formal statement on it.

 

[acptulsa]

Here's a place to get similar statements right from the horse's mouth:

http://video.pbs.org/video/1436186560/

I actually like this better because he specifically mentions Matthew 6.

 

[pcosmar]

Can't find a link to this elsewhere yet,, but the one released in 2007 is here,
http://www.covenantnews.com/ronpaul070721.htm

Statement of Faith
By Rep. Ron Paul, MD.
The Covenant News ~ July 21, 2007

We live in times of great uncertainty when men of faith must stand up for our values and our traditions lest they be washed away in a sea of fear and relativism. As you likely know, I am running for President of the United States, and I am asking for your support.

I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator.

I have worked tirelessly to defend and restore those rights for all Americans, born and unborn alike. The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideal of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle.

In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, H.R. 1094. I am also the prime sponsor of H.R. 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn. I have also authored H.R. 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.” Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken and will continue to advocate direct action to restore protection for the unborn.

I have also acted to protect the lives of Americans by my adherence to the doctrine of “just war.” This doctrine, as articulated by Augustine, suggested that war must only be waged as a last resort--- for a discernible moral and public good, with the right intentions, vetted through established legal authorities (a constitutionally required declaration of the Congress), and with a likely probability of success.

It has been and remains my firm belief that the current United Nations-mandated, no-win police action in Iraq fails to meet the high moral threshold required to wage just war. That is why I have offered moral and practical opposition to the invasion, occupation and social engineering police exercise now underway in Iraq. It is my belief, borne out by five years of abject failure and tens of thousands of lost lives, that the Iraq operation has been a dangerous diversion from the rightful and appropriate focus of our efforts to bring to justice to the jihadists that have attacked us and seek still to undermine our nation, our values, and our way of life.

I opposed giving the president power to wage unlimited and unchecked aggression, However, I did vote to support the use of force in Afghanistan. I also authored H.R. 3076, the September 11 Marque and Reprisal Act of 2001. A letter of marque and reprisal is a constitutional tool specifically designed to give the president the authority to respond with appropriate force to those non-state actors who wage aggression against the United States while limiting his authority to only those responsible for the atrocities of that day. Such a limited authorization is consistent with the doctrine of just war and the practical aim of keeping Americans safe while minimizing the costs in blood and treasure of waging such an operation.

On September 17, 2001, I stated on the house floor that “…striking out at six or eight or even ten different countries could well expand this war of which we wanted no part. Without defining the enemy there is no way to know our precise goal or to know when the war is over. Inadvertently more casual acceptance of civilian deaths as part of this war I'm certain will prolong the agony and increase the chances of even more American casualties. We must guard against this if at all possible.” I’m sorry to say that history has proven this to be true.

I am running for president to restore the rule of law and to stand up for our divinely inspired Constitution. I have never voted for legislation that is not specifically authorized by the Constitution. As president, I will never sign a piece of legislation, nor use the power of the executive, in a manner inconsistent with the limitations that the founders envisioned.

Many have given up on America as an exemplar for the world, as a model of freedom, self-government, and self-control. I have not. There is hope for America. I ask you to join me, and to be a part of it.

Sincerely,

Ron Paul

I would expect his Faith to remain a constant.

 

[Nickwanz]

While I am not a Christian myself (not religous at all really) I was in Chick-Fil-A the other day and saw a stack of church concert flyers on the condiment stand. Maybe printing up a few hundred flyers with his statement of faith on them to leave in Chick-Fil-As is a good idea? I think I'm gonna do this, anyone have any objections to something like this?

 

[acptulsa]

While I am not a Christian myself (not religous at all really) I was in Chick-Fil-A the other day and saw a stack of church concert flyers on the condiment stand. Maybe printing up a few hundred flyers to leave in Chick-Fil-As is a good idea? I think I'm gonna do this, anyone have any objections to something like this?

Chick-Fil-A might. They have a corporate intent to promote Christianity, not politics. Though if the flyer were limited to the statement of faith above, and maybe a comment or two about his fifty-four year marriage to Carol, the manager might not object to it.

 

[Echoes]

We've gotta get this message to as many Christians in Iowa ASAP, Iowa is do or die.

 

[Sola_Fide]

While I am not a Christian myself (not religous at all really) I was in Chick-Fil-A the other day and saw a stack of church concert flyers on the condiment stand. Maybe printing up a few hundred flyers with his statement of faith on them to leave in Chick-Fil-As is a good idea? I think I'm gonna do this, anyone have any objections to something like this?

Great idea imo.

 

[Nickwanz]

They have a corporate intent to promote Christianity, not politics.

This was my main concern. but i figured the worst they could do is throw them away. I was thinking to only do 20 or so at first and sit down and eat an see what happens.

 

[libertyisntdead]

Ron Paul is a true Christian unlike Bachmann. I love this guy.

 

[PastaRocket848]

what exactly is a "true christian"?

 

[libertyisntdead]

what exactly is a "true christian"?

Re-read this to get an idea - "My faith is a deeply private issue to me, and I don’t speak on it in great detail during my speeches because I want to avoid any appearance of exploiting it for political gain. Let me be very clear here: I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate.

It is God Who gave us life. As He is free, so are those He created in His image. Our rights to life and liberty are inalienable."

 

[PastaRocket848]

oh no I'm definitely not. i just want to know what one is. please, do tell. you seem to be the authority...

 

[sailingaway]

oh no I'm definitely not. i just want to know what one is. please, do tell. you seem to be the authority...

cool it. Why would you want to poison a nice thread? Surely everyone is allowed to have their own beliefs? We are fine with your being an atheist if that is more comfortable for you...

The only objection I could imagine would be if the person were going to be pushing their views on others, and frankly, that isn't a trait confined only to the religious.

 

[outspoken]

Being a Christian is more about your actions than about your knowledge. There is a large segment of the population that use their religion (I wouldn't even call it faith as it has nothing to do with a belief in a power greater than the Self) in the spirit of nothing more than self-righteous propaganda thus missing the whole point of seeking to find their own highest consciousness(i.e. holy spirit) through knowing what little we have to go on in terms of the teachings of Jesus Christ. You could memorize the who bible backwards and forwards and yet be less Christ-like than many atheists. Truly knowing God through Christ has very little with talking the talk and everything to do with walking the walk and knowing the peace that comes from surrendering to a power greater than one's own ego. Ron Paul is the full embodiment of what it means not to call oneself a Christian by being one in all your actions and words which seek to challedge all that in this world that is rooted in evil without becoming the evil itself. The man is a saint in my book!

 

[falconplayer11]

^^Great post, that last one.

Being a Christian has nothing to do with talking about Christ. Indeed, many who talk about Christ all the time do it to the detriment of the suffering people around them. Christ was a man who loved and engaged with all people around him, regardless of their religion or lifestyle. He loved them, and his kingdom was not of this world, as he not once used government or force to change the hearts of those in his society. Just like today, many expected him to come and set up an earthly kingdom...to use the political mechanisms of the day to bring heaven to earth. But his kingdom was not like that. It is a spiritual kingdom that resides in the hearts of everyone who loves Jesus Christ.

Ron Paul is a Christian as I described above (although not a perfect one). He does not flaunt his faith, but puts it into practice by seeking the best for all and to end the use of force to oppress all people, regardless of their nationality.

Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart.

 

[falconplayer11]

what exactly is a "true christian"?

This would be a Christian (follower of Jesus Christ) who practices their faith because they believe that the teachings of Jesus Christ are true...not because their family believes or because they are respected more for claiming to believe.