We shouldn't even know what Paul's religion is!

[Conza88]

While Ron Paul is a breath of fresh air politically, we're still stuck in this, "Well, what religion does he follow?" nonsense.

It doesn't matter what someone's religion is and it shouldn't be used as a voting issue. I want someone to fix the economy, not preach the gospel. Religion should be a private issue. It's alienating to many people when candidates and the media keep pushing their religion.

We'd all be better off without the religious distraction. Let's stick to the REAL issues!

CORRECT. Ron Paul has said that if religion was the major issue in the American political scene; he wouldn't even be running.

 

[havoc37]

I agree, his religion shouldn't matter!

 

[jmdrake]

And he shouldn't use his Christianity to win over anyone.

Says you. You may not even realize this, but you are trying to force your own morality on Dr. Paul. You haven't articulated any rational reason why he shouldn't reference his Christianity the way he does. People have repeatedly asked you for specific examples and you have failed miserably to come up with one. The idea that this isn't the way to "reach out to non Christians" is laughable. This primary will not be won or lost on the non Christian vote. Part of the reason for the recent success in Iowa has been from successful Christian outreach. We need more, not less. Maybe next time an atheist will run and you can support him.

 

[jmdrake]

I agree, his religion shouldn't matter!

It doesn't matter to anyone but the OP. Seriously. If Ron Paul was open about being Buddhist or Muslim or Atheist I wouldn't give a rip. It's wrong and un-libertarian to be telling people not to be themselves. Like I said, if Ron Paul was gay and Christians were pushing him to hide that the atheists on this board would be all over them.

 

[acptulsa]

Well, there are a lot of people in the world who have difficulty grasping the complex issues, and will vote based on whether they feel they can trust someone. These people crave information enough to get to where they feel like they know a candidate, and religious statements are a part of this. Of course, these people get fooled time and time again. In fact, they pretty much always get fooled. But this is how they operate.

We'd all be better off if we could teach them to vote voting records, or have respect for candidates who respect Matthew Chapter Six, or just somehow find a way to teach them to value intelligence and honesty in elected officials. If you can find a way to do this, by all means let us all know what it is...

Oh, and Mr. Drake, I don't think it's so much that people fear Christians when they act like Pharisees, but that people fear hypocrites (maybe I'm drawing too much of a distinction between Christians and hypocrites here; hope not). But we should learn to fear hypocrites who act like Christians. Dubya comes to mind...

 

[jmdrake]

Well, there are a lot of people in the world who have difficulty grasping the complex issues, and will vote based on whether they feel they can trust someone. These people crave information enough to get to where they feel like they know a candidate, and religious statements are a part of this. Of course, these people get fooled time and time again. In fact, they pretty much always get fooled. But this is how they operate.

We'd all be better off if we could teach them to vote voting records, or have respect for candidates who respect Matthew Chapter Six, or just somehow find a way to teach them to value intelligence and honesty in elected officials. If you can find a way to do this, by all means let us all know what it is...

Oh, and Mr. Drake, I don't think it's so much that people fear Christians when they act like Pharisees, but that people fear hypocrites (maybe I'm drawing too much of a distinction between Christians and hypocrites here; hope not). But we should learn to fear hypocrites who act like Christians. Dubya comes to mind...

There's a particular history from that part of my sig. PM me if you want to hear it. I may change it as the person it was directed at no longer posts here anyway. And I'm not just talking about Christians being hypocrites. There's no reason to fear hypocrites as long as that's all they do. It's when religious people use or advocate the use of the force of government to achieve a purely religious aim that there is reason for concern.

 

[EWM]

Says you. You may not even realize this, but you are trying to force your own morality on Dr. Paul. You haven't articulated any rational reason why he shouldn't reference his Christianity the way he does. People have repeatedly asked you for specific examples and you have failed miserably to come up with one. The idea that this isn't the way to "reach out to non Christians" is laughable. This primary will not be won or lost on the non Christian vote. Part of the reason for the recent success in Iowa has been from successful Christian outreach. We need more, not less. Maybe next time an atheist will run and you can support him.

You don't read very well, do you?

 

[EWM]

It doesn't matter to anyone but the OP. Seriously. If Ron Paul was open about being Buddhist or Muslim or Atheist I wouldn't give a rip. It's wrong and un-libertarian to be telling people not to be themselves. Like I said, if Ron Paul was gay and Christians were pushing him to hide that the atheists on this board would be all over them.

Then he shouldn't hide details of his sex life either. A person's favorite sexual positions say a lot about them. I think we need full disclosure, for the good of the country.

 

[EWM]

Well, there are a lot of people in the world who have difficulty grasping the complex issues, and will vote based on whether they feel they can trust someone. These people crave information enough to get to where they feel like they know a candidate, and religious statements are a part of this. Of course, these people get fooled time and time again. In fact, they pretty much always get fooled. But this is how they operate.

We'd all be better off if we could teach them to vote voting records, or have respect for candidates who respect Matthew Chapter Six, or just somehow find a way to teach them to value intelligence and honesty in elected officials. If you can find a way to do this, by all means let us all know what it is...

Oh, and Mr. Drake, I don't think it's so much that people fear Christians when they act like Pharisees, but that people fear hypocrites (maybe I'm drawing too much of a distinction between Christians and hypocrites here; hope not). But we should learn to fear hypocrites who act like Christians. Dubya comes to mind...

What's funny is that Christ probably wouldn't believe in most of what Christians believe.

 

[jmdrake]

You don't read very well, do you?

You don't debate very well do you?

 

[jmdrake]

Then he shouldn't hide details of his sex life either. A person's favorite sexual positions say a lot about them. I think we need full disclosure, for the good of the country.

I gave you an example of where Christianity is relevant to public discourse. (Israel). Where's the relevance of your counter example? And did you miss my example because you can't read? It's clear that you aren't being serious.

 

[jmdrake]

What's funny is that Christ probably wouldn't believe in most of what Christians believe.

Says you.

 

[EWM]

You don't debate very well do you?

I've made my points very clear. Your response indicates either a lock of comprehension or a lack of thread reading.

 

[jmdrake]

I've made my points very clear. Your response indicates either a lock of comprehension or a lack of thread reading.

You've made it clear that you don't have any points.

 

[EWM]

I gave you an example of where Christianity is relevant to public discourse. (Israel). Where's the relevance of your counter example? And did you miss my example because you can't read? It's clear that you aren't being serious.

I simply disagree with you. I see no good reason to include religion into a political campaign.

 

[EWM]

Says you.

Says a lot of people. Christ wouldn't be Christian. He'd be Jewish, as he was.

 

[LibertyEagle]

I simply disagree with you. I see no good reason to include religion into a political campaign.

Then, you probably shouldn't include it. Others may have a different opinion.

 

[LibertyEagle]

I simply disagree with you. I see no good reason to include religion into a political campaign.

Then, you probably shouldn't include it. Others may have a different opinion.

 

[jmdrake]

I simply disagree with you. I see no good reason to include religion into a political campaign.

That's nice. That's a moral position. It's fine for you to have your own moral position. It's hypocritical for you to force your morality on others in the name of secularism. You have not espoused a single reason why not to include religion in a political campaign. And the fact that you can't see a good reason to include it shows your being willfully blind. Winning is always a good reason. Someone could say "I think TV should be free of political ads". That's a nice moral position. It's not a reasonable one. To make a reasoned position you have to go beyond "I just don't like political ads on TV". Political ads on TV help candidates win whether you like them or not. Robocalls help candidates win whether you like them or not. Ron Paul being able to engage people he agrees with religiously in a way they feel comfortable helped him have a strong showing in Iowa whether you like that or not. And it's true that "winning isn't everything", but so far you haven't articulated any reason why what Ron is doing is bad except that you just don't like it. The reason you tried to give that "It doesn't help reach out to non Christians and atheists" is weaksauce. That type of thinking will not win the primary. If you were making an argument that "non Christians will find this deeply offensive", while that would still be a weak argument, it would at least make some sense.

 

[jmdrake]

Says a lot of people. Christ wouldn't be Christian. He'd be Jewish, as he was.

Buddha was Hindu. That doesn't mean Buddha would now approve the caste system. Jesus made it clear in His talk with the woman of Samaria that He was moving passed Jewish tradition.

John 4:19-26
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

In fact some would say that Christianity is merely the fulfillment of Judaism and opening it up to all people.