Freedom Requires Religion?

The Republican presidential race is serving one useful purpose. It is forcing us to think about the role of religion in politics. Too many people either assume or dismiss that role without thinking hard about it.


Examine this statement by Mitt Romney: “Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom.”


Really?


Does freedom really require religion? You might believe religion is helpful to freedom, but is it required? A number of European countries have freedom, but apparently very little religion. Take the U.K. and Sweden, for two.


Second, does religion require freedom? Not in Saudi Arabia. In fact, the way they practice religion seems to preclude freedom.


Methinks Mitt tried so hard to give a JFK speech that he used a JFK rhetorical device (“Ask not…”) without JFK-level thought.


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Gary Pearce

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Freedom Requires Religion?

The Republican presidential race is serving one useful purpose. It is forcing us to think about the role of religion in politics. Too many people either assume or dismiss that role without thinking hard about it.


Examine this statement by Mitt Romney: “Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom.”


Really?


Does freedom really require religion? You might believe religion is helpful to freedom, but is it required? A number of European countries have freedom, but apparently very little religion. Take the U.K. and Sweden, for two.


Second, does religion require freedom? Not in Saudi Arabia. In fact, the way they practice religion seems to preclude freedom.


Methinks Mitt tried so hard to give a JFK speech that he used a JFK rhetorical device (“Ask not…”) without JFK-level thought.


Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles

Avatar photo

Gary Pearce

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Archives