Obama's War On Religion

Texas governor and Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry is airing a new campaign ad pledging to stop President Barack Obama’s war on religion. The Governor’s ad laments that gays can serve openly in the military (to die for their country by the way), but kids can’t pray in schools or celebrate Christmas.

The Governor makes an odd charge considering that one of his key supporters doesn’t think much of Mormons. Only after being asked if he thought Mormons were Christian did Gov. Perry give a weak, indirect rebuke of his supporter’s comments by acknowledging that Mormons were Christian.

Another close supporter of the Governor is vehemently anti-Catholic. In 2011, Gov. Perry gave a highly provocative pastor a key role at his prayer rally. The pastor believes Catholicism is “godless.” This is one of the more charitable descriptions the pastor uses.

The Governor’s ad is also inaccurate. Children can pray in school. They can say grace at lunch time, wear religious clothes or jewelry, observe a moment of silence before class for private prayer, and participate in the thousands of Bible clubs in public schools throughout the country. Christmas trees can be displayed and religious music can be and often is included in holiday programs.

If there’s a war on religion in America then who is to blame?

Incidentally, the Governor said that God told him to run for president. According to Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, she had a calling from God to run for president. And Herman Cain said God also told him to run for president.

If true then God has a peculiar sense of humor. I can’t speak for others, but I don’t get the joke.

Paul is author of Crucifying Jesus and Secularizing America – the Republic of Faith without Wisdom.