[lit-ideas] Legislating sin!
- From: jimkandjulieb@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:05:00 -0400
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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