Eloquent divisiveness
I've been hearing and reading more of it throughout the day. A lot of it is rather eloquent, and Mittens owes a lot to his speechwriter.
But there are some points that reinforce the divisiveness of Romney's message:
For if he becomes President he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths.
And what about those who don't have religious faith? Will atheists and agnostics be excluded from consideration under a RomneyRegime?
"It is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions. And where the affairs of our nation are concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter – on the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course. Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the right to life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people.
Again, is he excluding the non-religious? Is he saying that the non-religious are immoral and lack conscience?
Consistency doesn't seem to be one of Mitten's strong suits:
in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong.
So let me get this straight: Non-religionists nevertheless have their own religion, what he calls "secularism"...and that's the one religion that should not be tolerated in America? Hmmm...
Here's a bit of code sure to be received with pleasure by the religious right:
Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our constitution rests.
Yep, let's pack the judicary with Bible thumpers. Just what we need.
More of the exclusion of non-religionists from American life:
...does he share these American values: the equality of human kind, the obligation to serve one another, and a steadfast commitment to liberty?
"They are not unique to any one denomination. They belong to the great moral inheritance we hold in common. They are the firm ground on which Americans of different faiths meet and stand as a nation, united.
"We believe that every single human being is a child of God – we are all part of the human family. The conviction of the inherent and inalienable worth of every life is still the most revolutionary political proposition ever advanced.
Not "unique to one denomination", but apparently not present outside of religion. Note the subtle "right-to-life" message he slipped in there.
Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God, not an indulgence of government.
Actually, no. Compare and contrast this assertion with "the tree of liberty is watered with the blood of patriots". We earned our liberty, Mittens, your God didn't hand it to us on a platter. And it takes a lot more than prayer to hang on to it.
These American values, this great moral heritage, is shared and lived in my religion as it is in yours.
And also in the heart of this agnostic, Mittens. Quit with the religious bigotry already.
...any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty, has a friend and ally in me.
And conversely, Mitty?
In that spirit, let us give thanks to the divine 'author of liberty.'
I'm profoundly grateful to the Founders who actually did the heavy lifting and sweating and bleeding and dying, Mittens. They didn't just say a prayer and were rewarded by the sight of the Constitution floating down out of the heavens on a sunbeam.