Republican senator Rand Paul, who currently represents Kentucky and is a prospective presidential candidate for the upcoming 2016 elections, told religious leaders during a private prayer breakfast last month that the First Amendment does not say religion has to be kept out of governance…. “The First Amendment says keep government out of religion. It doesn’t say keep religion out of government,” Paul said. “So, you do have a role and a place here.”…. “Religion is part of our daily life and a part of our government,” Paul said. “It always has been.”
There’s so much derp in this, making it difficult to know where to start. I can’t help but wonder if Sen. Paul has actually even read the Constitution. There’s this little thing in the 1st Amendment called the Exclusion Clause, which prevents government from passing legislation elevating the interests of one religion over those of others. There’s also a pretty well documented thing called “the separation of Church and State.” Given that this country was founded by those fleeing religious persecution back in England, this is no small thing.
Religion is part of the daily lives of many, and for many in government, their religious beliefs inform their public service. That’s not automatically a bad thing…as long as there’s the recognition that America is NOT a Christian nation, but rather a secular nation with a 80% majority that self-identifies as Christian. There are no laws proscribing religious beliefs or values in those who serve in government, just as there can be no religious litmus test for those running for office. The short version is that a public servant cannot use their religious beliefs to the detriment of those they serve.
I get that Rand Paul is pandering, albeit poorly and transparently. He needs votes, and he’s desperate, which means that he’s probably willing to cut some corners. While he’s certainly free to say what’s on his mind, the rest of are also free to call bullshit when he steps into territory he clearly hasn’t done his homework on.
The 1st Amendment doesn’t say “keep religion out of governance;” not in those exact words, at least. Anyone who’s read the Constitution and understands anything about it will recognize the glaring errors in Sen. Paul’s words. When religion and governance are intermingled, theocracy is the inevitable result…and no democratic government predicated on fealty to a religious doctrine can survive and prosper for long. Those who doubt me on that count need only look at the examples of Iran, Somalia, and Pakistan (and Texas) to understand the shortcomings of theocracy…and yet that’s exactly where Sen. Paul would take America.
And they question Barack Obama’s love of country….
