[lit-ideas] Legislating sin!

 http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/28/senate.harris.ap/index.html 
Rep. Harris: Church-state separation 'a lie'
POSTED: 10:45 a.m. EDT, August 28, 2006 
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MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that 
separation of church and state is "a lie" and God and the nation's founding 
fathers did not intend the country be "a nation of secular laws."
The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate also said that if Christians are not 
elected, politicians will "legislate sin," including abortion and gay marriage.
Harris made the comments -- which she clarified Saturday -- in the Florida 
Baptist Witness, the weekly journal of the Florida Baptist State Convention, 
which interviewed political candidates and asked them about religion and their 
positions on issues.
Separation of church and state is "a lie we have been told," Harris said in the 
interview, published Thursday, saying separating religion and politics is 
"wrong because God is the one who chooses our rulers."
Electing non-Christians a 'legislative sin'
"If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate 
sin," Harris said.
Her comments drew criticism, including some from fellow Republicans who called 
them offensive and not representative of the party.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, who is Jewish, told the Orlando 
Sentinel that she was "disgusted" by the comments.
Harris' campaign released a statement Saturday saying she had been "speaking to 
a Christian audience, addressing a common misperception that people of faith 
should not be actively involved in government."
The comments reflected "her deep grounding in Judeo-Christian values," the 
statement said, adding that Harris had previously supported pro-Israel 
legislation and legislation recognizing the Holocaust.
Harris' opponents in the GOP primary also gave interviews to the Florida 
Baptist Witness but made more general statements on their faith.
Harris, 49, faced widespread criticism for her role overseeing the 2000 
presidential recount as Florida's secretary of state.
State GOP leaders -- including Gov. Jeb Bush -- don't think she can win against 
Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November. Fundraising has lagged, frustrated 
campaign workers have defected in droves and the issues have been overshadowed 
by news of her dealings with a corrupt defense contractor who gave her $32,000 
in illegal campaign contributions.
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