Shouldn't it be "freedom requires HOPE, not religion?"
"Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone," he said.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/06/romney.speech/index.html
2007-12-06 04:16:48 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Freedom is not predicated on nor bound to any religious belief. The idea that freedom MANDATES religious faith is self-contradictory. In actuality, most religions tend to inhibit freedom, not promote it. Mitt Romney is simply pandering for evangelicals whom otherwise may not have voted for him.
2007-12-06 04:26:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think freedom requires diligence. Mitt should read the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Amendment I
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
-- US Constitution and Bill of Rights:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html#amendments
2007-12-06 04:41:27 · answer #2 · answered by sagacious_ness 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think this is more of a personal belief that Romney has, than an official docrine of the Mormon church. The Mormon church merely teaches that God uses free agency (freedom), and doesn't force anyone to be righteous. One of the Mormon church's Articles of Faith states: "We believe in the right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men to do the same--let them worship how, where, or what they may."
Don't be so paranoid that Romney is going to establish any kind of state religion, or prevent anyone from practicing their faith (or aetheism).
As for my interpretation of what Romney is saying, it is much easier to practice one's religion in a country that allows freedom of religion, so in that sense yes religion requires freedom.
Conversely, if religion is banned in a country, or if the government mandates everyone belong to a certain religion, it stifles free thinking. The Soviet Union was not a free country, and banned religion, and colapsed. So in that sense, yes freedom requires religion--freedom of religion (or freedom to not belong to any religion).
2007-12-07 08:27:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The man knows nothing about history or the culture of other countries if he believes that religion requires freedom. Maybe he knows it is not true, but assumes his audience doesn't, and focus groups liked the sound of it.
2007-12-06 04:44:42 · answer #4 · answered by meg 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, freedom requires religion. I define religion as someone's personal values system and how well they live up to the principles of that system.
Freedom cannot survive long without values systems which reflect moral principles whether you belong to an organized religion or not.
2007-12-06 10:10:17 · answer #5 · answered by Clear Vision 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Romney's history and character are deeply entrenched in religious proclivities. His outspoken remarks regarding his belief in a more entwined religious and governmental connection (vis-à-vis freedom) is appalling.
How a man with such a non-secular belief system worked his way up to a potential presidential candidacy baffles me. Word to the wise and to those wishing to maintain America's secular democratic beliefs: DO NOT vote for Mitt Romney.
2007-12-06 04:31:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
LOL! The 1st amendment makes it clear that this government is to free of religion, Religion is nothing more than ancillary embellishment in United States history.
But I respect Mormon achievement with establishing Salt Lake City, it's a monument to socialism and people working together. Sad how Republicans don't learn lessons from that.
2007-12-06 04:29:02 · answer #7 · answered by Stewie Griffin 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As an atheist, I dont care two cents. Just tell me how you plan on running this circus and be done with it. As much culture and differences in opinions there is here, we all tend to pick between two sides and he seems to be splitting it three way which may not be bad but he forgets Americans are idiots and can barely agree on Jesus Christ and Christmas.
2007-12-06 04:31:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Funny how he left out what religion does for freedom.
I'm no atheist, but I certainly don't believe in Romney's God, or the God of 90% of Christians out there. Kind of insulting that he should tell me that I need religion to be truly free.
2007-12-06 04:26:18 · answer #9 · answered by brickity hussein brack 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
In this case, Romney seems to be directly contradicting Thomas Jefferson (the drafter of the Declaration of Independence).
You can find many Jefferson quotes that assert religion is an opposing force to personal freedoms which he often refers to as liberty.
2007-12-06 04:24:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋