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Ron Paul's Statement of Faith

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by KenH, Jul 21, 2007.

  1. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Statement of FaithBy Rep. Ron Paul, MD.

    We live in times of great uncertainty when men of faith must stand up for our values and our traditions lest they be washed away in a sea of fear and relativism. As you likely know, I am running for President of the United States, and I am asking for your support


    I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator.


    I have worked tirelessly to defend and restore those rights for all Americans, born and unborn alike. The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideal of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle.


    In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, H.R. 1094. I am also the prime sponsor of H.R. 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn. I have also authored H.R. 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.” Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken and will continue to advocate direct action to restore protection for the unborn.

    I have also acted to protect the lives of Americans by my adherence to the doctrine of “just war.” This doctrine, as articulated by Augustine, suggested that war must only be waged as a last resort--- for a discernible moral and public good, with the right intentions, vetted through established legal authorities (a constitutionally required declaration of the Congress), and with a likely probability of success.

    It has been and remains my firm belief that the current United Nations-mandated, no-win police action in Iraq fails to meet the high moral threshold required to wage just war. That is why I have offered moral and practical opposition to the invasion, occupation and social engineering police exercise now underway in Iraq. It is my belief, borne out by five years of abject failure and tens of thousands of lost lives, that the Iraq operation has been a dangerous diversion from the rightful and appropriate focus of our efforts to bring to justice to the jihadists that have attacked us and seek still to undermine our nation, our values, and our way of life.

    I opposed giving the president power to wage unlimited and unchecked aggression, However, I did vote to support the use of force in Afghanistan. I also authored H.R. 3076, the September 11 Marque and Reprisal Act of 2001. A letter of marque and reprisal is a constitutional tool specifically designed to give the president the authority to respond with appropriate force to those non-state actors who wage aggression against the United States while limiting his authority to only those responsible for the atrocities of that day. Such a limited authorization is consistent with the doctrine of just war and the practical aim of keeping Americans safe while minimizing the costs in blood and treasure of waging such an operation.

    On September 17, 2001, I stated on the house floor that “…striking out at six or eight or even ten different countries could well expand this war of which we wanted no part. Without defining the enemy there is no way to know our precise goal or to know when the war is over. Inadvertently more casual acceptance of civilian deaths as part of this war I'm certain will prolong the agony and increase the chances of even more American casualties. We must guard against this if at all possible.” I’m sorry to say that history has proven this to be true.

    I am running for president to restore the rule of law and to stand up for our divinely inspired Constitution. I have never voted for legislation that is not specifically authorized by the Constitution. As president, I will never sign a piece of legislation, nor use the power of the executive, in a manner inconsistent with the limitations that the founders envisioned.

    Many have given up on America as an exemplar for the world, as a model of freedom, self-government, and self-control. I have not. There is hope for America. I ask you to join me, and to be a part of it.

    Sincerely,


    Ron Paul





     
    #1 KenH, Jul 21, 2007
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2007
  2. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    Thanks for posting this Ken. I have liked him from the start, even though I am a Democrat, and this just adds to the 'why' I like him.

    Thanks again!

    Jamie
     
  3. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    "Divinely inspired consitution"????
     
  4. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    I think, Pastor Larry, that Congressman Paul is referring to the rather unique collection of individuals in the same place at the same point in time to produce a system of national governance that was also unique and new to the world.

    We can certainly see the providence of God at work in that situation.
     
  5. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    While Ken may be right, that wording is a little unsettling to a verbal-plenary Bibliologist like myself, and I'm sure it is to you, Larry.
     
  6. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    The last time I checked Ron Paul is not running for national pastor.
     
  7. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    Thank God :laugh: Pastors probably shouldn't be writing legislation and politicians should probably avoid theological discussions. You end up with such statements as above.
     
  8. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    I don't see where Ron Paul was engaging in a theological discussion based on that one statement.

    But anyone can nitpick anything that anybody says or writes to death if they so desire. :)
     
  9. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    He may not have intended to, but there it is.

    Have a good one, Ken! :thumbs:
     
  10. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    Ken,

    Divinely inspired has a meaning that does not apply to the Constitution. It is true that Paul isn't running for national pastor. I reminded people of that when they complained about Bush's bad theology about Muslims worshipping the same God as true Christians do. In fact, you may have been one of the ones I had to remind.

    Paul should know the difference, and he should be surrounding himself with people who do so that he can avoid this kind of verbal faux pas.

    The providence of God in the Constitution I can certainly subscribe to. He should have said that. The Divine inspiration I cannot.

    On a side note, it is a little funny how you all of the sudden don't like nitpickers when it seems you have made a practice of nitpicking here over the years. FTR, I have no real problem with nitpickers as long as we pick at legitimate nits.
     
  11. poncho

    poncho Well-Known Member

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    Who's to be the judge of what legitimate nits are though? Everyone equally or just those so inclined to believe they are the only ones qualified for the job?
     
  12. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Ron Paul is not surrounding himself with handlers. Many people through the years have complained about candidates having handlers who dictate their every statement and action.

    Now we have a candidate who handles himself and who doesn't try to be all things to all people nor who tries to market himself like a brand of toothpaste and people complain about that, too.

    FTR, if you look back you will see that on this issue I agreed with those that said that President Bush was not our national pastor.
     
  13. Analgesic

    Analgesic New Member

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    As Pastor Larry correctly pointed out, Ron Paul's use of the term is highly suspect, but, as Ken pointed out, it's somewhat refreshing to see such an error -- at least now we know his knowledge of theology is rather questionable (not that a pastor is being elected...)
     
  14. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    Me, of course :D
     
  15. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    Don't let this worry you Ken,

    When people see a true candidate and can't quite wrap their hands around them because they are so use to the 'junk' candidates we've had to pick from, then they will question ever small detail to death.

    Looking over the choices, if this is one of the biggest mistakes Ron Paul has in him, then I say he's doing fairly well for himself. Let's compare him to the other candidates and see how he holds up... At least he speaks his mind AND speaks for himself rather than having these canned answers and speeches.

    Jamie
     
  16. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    Ron Paul may be doing fine as a candidate, but we should not excuse someone who equates the Constitution with the Bible. Divine inspiration is attributable to one and not the other. All you guys want honesty and truth in politics and then when someone actually insists on it from your man, you don't like it for some reason. Perhaps it shows that politics are the same no matter what ... only the names change. Just as some people will support Republicans at all costs overlookign their errors, and some will support Democrats at all costs overlooking their errors, we see that some will support Ron Paul at all costs overlooking his errors.

    Let's at least be able to point out that he misspoke.
     
  17. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    I doubt there is a poster on this board whose knowledge of theology is not rather questionable to another poster(s) on this board. :)
     
  18. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Fine. I freely admit that Ron Paul misspoke when he used language referring to the U.S. constitution as being divinely inspired.

    However, that misstatement will not cause me to cease my support for his candidacy.
     
  19. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    I have no problem with his statement of faith, and ya'lls nits are silly, but he doesn't understand these terrorists.
    Still, he's the best available so far. :thumbs:
     
  20. Petra-O IX

    Petra-O IX Active Member

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    I agree that Ron Paul is by far the best candidate. The other candidates also have their flaws. Hopefully by the time the primaries come into play we will all have a better view of what each candidate is about but I wouldn't expect perfection otherwise not single one who has their hat in the ring is qualified. Many of these candidates will base their running platforms on idealisms and that is what makes Ron Paul uniquely different from the rest as he is more driven by what is more realistic.
     
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