Ron Paul On The Huckster’s Christmas Ad: "When fascism comes to this country, it’ll be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."

From HotAir.com: Ron Paul on Huck’s Christmas ad: When fascism comes, it’ll come bearing a cross

Quote:

Quoting Sinclair Lewis, of course. He’s quick to add that he’s not sure if that’s a fair assessment, although it was obviously fair enough for him to utter aloud as the first thing that came to his mind, hm?

My thoughts:

Ron Paul's comment/quote implies religion should be kept out of things and that Christianity is dangerous. That's my problem with his comment. It's essentially an endorsement of secularism, or at least of the idea that Christians should keep their beliefs to themselves.

I don't have a problem with examining the use of religion in the campaigns of Republicans or Democrats (both sides are doing it).

I don't like implying that religion has no place in the discussion.

People vote for elected officials for any number of reasons. Some people reportedly select candidates based on their physical appearance or if they "look presidential".

Why not talk about all the factors that go into voting for a candidate?

Why should some topics be taboo?

Any thoughts?

Comments

[al]

Why is it illegitimate to question Huckabee's use of religion--and make no mistake, he's using it here, as countless commentators on the "shrewdness" of this ad have noted--in a political campaign?

[Thomistic]

Ron Paul's comment/quote implies religion should be kept out of things and that Christianity is dangerous. That's my problem with his comment. It's essentially an endorsement of secularism, or at least of the idea that Christians should keep their beliefs to themselves.

I don't have a problem with examining the use of religion in the campaigns of Republicans or Democrats (both sides are doing it).

I don't like implying that religion has no place in the discussion.

People vote for elected officials for any number of reasons. Some people reportedly select candidates based on their physical appearance or if they "look presidential".

Why not talk about all the factors that go into voting for a candidate?

Why should some topics be taboo?

Pax,

Thomistic

[Jimbo]

Sometimes someone's comment to something is a snapshot into their mind. I think this about Ron Paul. We've just heard him project his innner mind on Hugatree's campaign ad.

Instead of answering the question, or say the floating, illuminated cross that disappears behind Huckstabee's head was a bit tacky--or at least less than subtle--he talks about fascism! Now, once again we have obvious nut-like behavior from Ron Paul, who sees fascism and talks about fascism at bizarre times.

But here again we have the Huck commiting a religious faux paus: using a religious symbol to further his political agenda. I'm not so sure how greater America will view that, but I don't argue that he has a right to portray himself in a way that he thinks will maximize his appeal. I think in the long run this will not help his campaign.

[Hotchney]

Are you serious? Ron Paul almost became a pastor and is a man of great faith. One of his brothers has dedicated his life to God. Ron Paul is merely taking Huckabee to task for his abuse of the cross and christianity in his campaign. Huckabee tries to make himself seem like the only "Christian" candidate when he is really quite far from it.

[Loyolalaw98@aol.com]

While I am no "Paulite," even a stopped watch tells the correct time twice a day.

From a historical perspective the examples af fascism using Christianity as a shill are numerous. Sometimes legitimately, as with Franco in Spain or Salazar in Portugal, and sometimes an utter abomination as Petain in France. What about the Slovak priest who was the President of the puppet gov't set up there by the Nazis, or the Croat fascists using the Church similarly?

My examples are all Catholic, there are non-Catholic examples too, most in Eastern and Southern Europe where the Orthodox Churches were completely slave-like in their service to various dictatorships prior to the end of WWII.

One could say too that in the majority the Lutheran Churches in Germany "rolled-over" for Hitler, with some notable exceptions among Evangelical German Protestants - ala Martin Niemoller.

[carlos]

Again, I'm backing Mitt in this primary, but I have to admit that the ad is a stroke of genius. In the ad, Huckabee in one fell swoop strikes out at Mitt's attack ads and -- at the same time -- throws a jab at those who would excise Christmas (and the very reason for the holiday) from our national lexicon.

Once again, the Huckabee campaign seems to be firing on all cylinders leading up to the Iowa Caucuses. Whether the momentum will be enough to beat Mitt's organization on the ground...we'll see. Despite Huckabee's financial constraints, he has been a nimble and well-spoken opponent.

[carlos]

Jimbo, I see no faux pas in the ad. America has a robust tradition of using religion to further a political agenda. In the 19th century, abolitionists used religious imagery and arguments in their attempts to outlaw slavery. In the 20th century, prohibitionists used similar arguments to ban alcoholic beverage sales. I think the ad's timing and message is spot on, and I'm not even voting for Huckabee in the primary!

[L.T.]

First of all, it was an off-the-cuff remark RP made about the use of religious symbolism for political campaigning purposes in general. It was nothing like the Huckster's conniving anti-Romney comment that Mormons believe Jesus and the Satan are brothers. And even if it were, Huckabee deserved it.

Secondly, what's so controversial about what RP said? He did not say that religious viewpoints should be expunged from the public square. Rather he's saying we must admit that there are perils that come with use of religious language and symbolism in politics. The potential for manipulation and demagoguery of a unique sort arises when instead of speaking out of true moral conviction, politicians coopt religion for political ends. History shows this danger is real. It's why we should stand forcefully for the freedom of religious expression in politics, but be extra careful to respect its volatile and corrosive nature when mixed with politics.

[John]

What is the definition of spam?

[John]

Huckabee is attempting to be a false idol:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments."

[joanne]

It was a CHRISTMAS message. Would it have been better delivered with no reference to Christ? That makes no sense. I'm on the fence about Huckabee, but I liked the ad. It was certainly appropriate to the season and to his campaign, part of which is built on bringing God back into our public lives.