Was Barry Goldwater, former conservative Republican presidential candidate, correct when...?

Question

he said this about the then just emerging religious right:

"I don't have any respect for the Religious Right. There is no place in this country for practicing religion in politics. That goes for Falwell, Robertson and all the rest of these political preachers. They are a detriment to the country."

"A lot of so-called conservatives don't know what the word means. They think I've turned liberal because I believe a woman has a right to an abortion. That's a decision that's up to the pregnant woman, not up to the pope or some do-gooders or the Religious Right."

"When you say 'radical right' today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye."

"Well, I've spent quite a number of years carrying the flag of the 'Old Conservatism.' And I can say with conviction that the religious issues of these groups have little or nothing to do with conservative or liberal politics. The uncompromising position of these groups is a divisive element that could tear apart the very spirit of our representative system, if they gain sufficient strength."

"Being a conservative in America traditionally has meant that one holds a deep, abiding respect for the Constitution. We conservatives believe sincerely in the integrity of the Constitution. We treasure the freedoms that document protects. . . "By maintaining the separation of church and state, the United States has avoided the intolerance which has so divided the rest of the world with religious wars . . . Can any of us refute the wisdom of Madison and the other framers? Can anyone look at the carnage in Iran, the bloodshed in Northem Ireland, or the bombs bursting in Lebanon and yet question the dangers of injecting religious issues into the affairs of state?"

"The religious factions will go on imposing their will on others," { he said,} "unless the decent people connected to them recognize that religion has no place in public policy. They must learn to make their views known without trying to make their views the only alternatives. . . We have succeeded for 205 years in keeping the affairs of state separate from the uncompromising idealism of religious groups and we mustn't stop now" { he insisted}. "To retreat from that separation would violate the principles of conservatism and the values upon which the framers built this democratic republic."

Answer 1

Yes, Goldwater is right. He has a view of what is doing the right thing. The Christian Right reminds me of right wing wackos.

Answer 2

The comments about religion and politics are correct. There is no place for religion in politics. A fundamental principle of the founding of this country was that the government was not to force religion upon the people. (First Amendment). There is no place in the Constitution authorizing the federal government to legislate morality, or to determine for the entire population such a personal aspect as ones relationship with their God. As well stated above, drawing moral issues into the national debate is divisive, and legislating based upon the moral views of any given segment of the population is not what the federal government should be about.

Answer 3

The religious right is not organized in the way that many liberal groups are. An example would be Catholics and Baptists. They have one common goal and that would be abortion and porn, but it ends there. Most Catholics hold more liberal social views. This is just one example. Christians have a right to vote how ever they please. Stop being afraid, and get over it. There will never be the Office of Bishop of the Parish of the USA. The whole idea that the "Religious Right" is going to take over is silly. There is a bigger chance that Islam or a form of communism will take over than Christians of every faith are going to agree and form a government.

Answer 4

I thought he was good. I was very young. Too bad he was too forthright about his nuke views.
I especially loved the lob one at the kremlin comment.
Wiki \/
Goldwater was painted as a dangerous figure by the Johnson campaign, which countered Goldwater's slogan "In your heart, you know he's right" with the lines "In your guts, you know he's nuts," and "In your heart, you know he might" (that is, might drop the atomic bomb). Johnson himself did not mention Goldwater in his own acceptance speech at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.

Goldwater's provocative advocacy of aggressive tactics to prevent the spread of Communism in Asia led to effective counterattacks from Lyndon Johnson and his supporters, who feared that Goldwater's militancy would have dire consequences, possibly even nuclear war. Regarding Vietnam, Goldwater charged that Johnson's policy was devoid of "goal, course, or purpose," leaving "only sudden death in the jungles and the slow strangulation of freedom."[4] Goldwater's own rhetoric on nuclear war was viewed by many as quite uncompromising, a view buttressed by off-hand comments such as, "Let's lob one into the men's room at the Kremlin."[5]

Answer 5

Goldwater was right to say that religion has no place in politics. That's not conservative or liberal, it's just good policy and common sense.
Barry Goldwater was a real American hero.

Answer 6

Barry was right the Republican Party of today is party of Jerry, Pat, James and other right wing religious leaders. I believe Barry used the term" Falwell needs swift kick in the ***."

Answer 7

I am totally with you on this. I've been saying for years that moral issues have no place in the federal arena. These issue on a national level do nothing but divide the nation.

Answer 8

Goldwater was a great man. He is probably rolling around in his grave now seeing what the GOP is doing. Goldwater was the last true conservative.

Answer 9

coach me the money..bloody frauds..follow the money righteous fakes.. Alabama that Cesspool of Racism, and hate mongers,..Mississippi, and Louisiana, no longer a techniques at the back of.. Too undesirable King could no longer communicate freely..goddamned us of a and their racist backdoor POS's, who migrated to one celebration..the celebration of obstruction and sabotage .. nonetheless keeping us hostage...