Excerpts Of Governor Romney's Remarks (As Prepared For
Delivery):
"There are some who may feel that religion is not a matter to be
seriously considered in the context of the weighty threats that
face us. If so, they are at odds with the nation's founders, for
they, when our nation faced its greatest peril, sought the
blessings of the Creator. And further, they discovered the
essential connection between the survival of a free land and the
protection of religious freedom. In John Adam's words: 'We have no
government armed with power capable of contending with human
passions unbridled by morality and religion... Our constitution was
made for a moral and religious people.'
"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."
…
"When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office,
that oath becomes my highest promise to God. If I am fortunate to
become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group,
no one cause, and no one interest. A President must serve only the
common cause of the people of the United States."
…
"There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe
and explain his church's distinctive doctrines. To do so would
enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the
constitution. No candidate should become the spokesman for his
faith. For if he becomes President he will need the prayers of the
people of all faiths."
…
"It is important to recognize that while differences in theology
exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of
moral convictions. And where the affairs of our nation are
concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter - on
the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course.
Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the
right to life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in
America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people.
"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good
reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the
state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent
years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been
taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to
remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion
is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life.
It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in
America - the religion of secularism. They are wrong.
"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but
they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the
public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed
trust.
"We should acknowledge the Creator as did the founders - in
ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our
pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday
season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our
public places. Our greatness would not long endure without judges
who respect the foundation of faith upon which our constitution
rests. I will take care to separate the affairs of government from
any religion, but I will not separate us from 'the God who gave us
liberty.'"
…
"These American values, this great moral heritage, is shared and
lived in my religion as it is in yours. I was taught in my home to
honor God and love my neighbor. I saw my father march with Martin
Luther King. I saw my parents provide compassionate care to
others, in personal ways to people nearby, and in just as
consequential ways in leading national volunteer movements."
…
"My faith is grounded on these truths. You can witness them in Ann
and my marriage and in our family. We are a long way from perfect
and we have surely stumbled along the way, but our aspirations, our
values, are the self -same as those from the other faiths that
stand upon this common foundation. And these convictions will
indeed inform my presidency."
...
"The diversity of our cultural expression, and the vibrancy of our
religious dialogue, has kept America in the forefront of civilized
nations even as others regard religious freedom as something to be
destroyed.
"In such a world, we can be deeply thankful that we live in a land
where reason and religion are friends and allies in the cause of
liberty, joined against the evils and dangers of the day. And you
can be certain of this: Any believer in religious freedom, any
person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty, has a friend and
ally in me. And so it is for hundreds of millions of our
countrymen: we do not insist on a single strain of religion -
rather, we welcome our nation's symphony of faith."
Well sounds quite a bit like the seven simple points.
Will it send folks scurrying back from Huckabee? Coverage of the
Wayne Dumond story may have done a better job of that.