In recent weeks, I have read article after article from various sources about Mike Huckabee and how it’s ridiculous that he doesn’t believe in evolution, that he gives God credit for his success, and agreed with various statements of the Southern Baptist Conference.
These, by the way, were Republican critics.
Last I knew, the Republican Party claimed to be supportive of religion and faith. More than that, the GOP has been the group claiming to be interested in having public displays of religion — opposing efforts to remove public Christmas displays, keeping “In God We Trust” printed on our money, keeping “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms and courtrooms, keeping Creation and/or Intelligent Design in curricula, etc..
Yet, presented with someone who actually lives by these slogans and teachings, suddenly there’s some kind of problem. Commentators on the radio have belittled the idea of “a Baptist preacher” being President. “I don’t know if we really want a born-again Christian as President,” I’ve heard.
Mockery, derision, and on and on …
So, I ask: What’s with the religious talk?
Ann Coulter wrote that “Godless” was the church of liberalism. Why, then, is it a problem for a conservative to talk about God?
If we want to keep Creation in schools, why is there a problem if a candidate actually believes in Creation?
If we want to keep “In God We Trust” on money, where is the issue that Mike Huckabee actually trusts in God?
I wonder whether Mike Huckabee has called the Republican Party’s bluff. The GOP was fine using signs of faith to hurt liberals, but actually presenting an indication of believing something is a problem.
I expect this kind of talk from liberals, from aggressive atheists, and from the ACLU. But an article that took Huckabee’s belief in divine provision and twisted it into a perceived dictate that all Christians should vote for him came from a Republican critic. I wonder if this same columnist defends “In God We Trust.”
I am not, by the way, arguing that every good Christian has to support Mike Huckabee. I know some good Christians who support different candidates, and at least one who isn’t decided yet. Obviously, I find Gov. Huckabee to be the one who best fits my values and my beliefs.
What I am saying is that if the Republican Party is going to claim so many religious issues, then there should be respect for people of faith. If that is too much to ask, then Christians need to figure out — are we being used? Are we being taken for granted?
… And will we simply put up with it?
December 14, 2007 at 2:34 am
Well said…
I say, consistency…
That’s what they need. People sure make God look bad with their inconsistency.
That’s all I got.
December 14, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Wickle:
Great post!!!! I just blogged on the recent hit piece by Rich Lowry against Gov. Huckabee. The link to the post is: http://christfollower.wordpress.com/2007/12/14/rich-lowry-fails-to-do-his-research-again/
It is amazing how the true colors of the establishment wing of the GOP are showing now that we social conservatives have a genuine candidate who has been a consistent voice for our issues. Thanks for a great post!!!!
December 14, 2007 at 10:06 pm
If we want to keep Creation in schools, why is there a problem if a candidate actually believes in Creation?
If we want to keep “In God We Trust” on money, where is the issue that Mike Huckabee actually trusts in God?
Not all conservatives believe in creation… nor are we all christians…
December 14, 2007 at 10:27 pm
TRM — that’s beside the point.
First of all, I’m not at all sure that views of evolution vs. Creation belong in the discussion of Presidential candidates.
However, if the GOP likes using these issues to bludgeon Democrats, but in fact is unwilling to support them in practice, then the GOP needs to stop pandering.
And Christians should not put up with it.
If someone wants to choose a candidate other than Huckabee based on policy differences … fine. But when the problem is that he lives the policies that the GOP espouses, there is a problem.
December 15, 2007 at 8:17 am
The GOP has always seemed a bit hypocritical to me. Of course, I’m saying that as someone who’s very much not a conservative, so I’m a tad bit biased.
December 15, 2007 at 8:50 am
First of all, I’m not at all sure that views of evolution vs. Creation belong in the discussion of Presidential candidates.
I wholeheartedly agree…
December 15, 2007 at 9:01 am
What I find curious is that, even if Huckabee rejects evolution in favor of other, more religious (Intelligent Design) theories of origins, what difference does it make? The President of the United States isn’t going to be making curriculum decisions for school systems.
December 15, 2007 at 10:37 am
The President of the United States isn’t going to be making curriculum decisions for school systems.
He is a large influence on them and any other policies though…
December 15, 2007 at 11:15 am
I am still on the fence with regard to supporting Huckabee.
December 15, 2007 at 1:05 pm
TRM - In Arkansas, he never made any efforts to abolish science education in favor of “Creation-only” programs.
I’m really not sure what you’re afraid of.
Totaltransformation - Obviously, I’m here to help. If there is anything I can do to answer questions, let me know. There are many other great sources — especially, of course, http://mikehuckabee.com I think that the best way to compare candidates at this point is to use their web sites … pull up any of them in which you might be interested and check them all out.
Thanks for stopping by and making yourself known. It’s always nice to meet new folks.
December 15, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Not afraid, just wary is all. I agree again that religion is being made to much of recently. To be honest, Huckabee grabbed my atention soley with his FairTax support, of which I am fully behind.
Thompson seems like the “take no [****] republican” we need in this hostile world environment.
Edit (Wickle) - I made one edit, it’s probably obvious what that was.
December 15, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Hate to say this. But the GOP went to sleep with election night beer goggles on and what they believed was a winning companion. Woke up the next day with a nasty case of morning-after regret and an ugly bed mate called the extreme right. Now they wont stop calling the GOP, asking why they don’t love them anymore. They never did.
That’s one of the many reason religion needs to stay out of politics. Aren’t some aspects of American religion or politics corrupt enought? Maybe the religious right had one too many a few years ago. Have you taken a good look at Karl Rove?
December 16, 2007 at 12:08 am
Well, I wouldn’t have put it that way … but you have a certain amount of a point.
A number of leaders of the religious right made deals, hoping to secure access and standing. I’m not sure the deal was worth it.
And, yes, Rove is one of those people who helps prove that Christians have to be very wary of the Republicans.
December 16, 2007 at 10:07 am
Doesn’t it seem Huck wants his cake and eat it too ? I mean he makes snide comments about Romney ,yet is more than obviously wearing his faith on his lapel.
December 16, 2007 at 11:16 am
No, not really. He isn’t making snide comments about Romney. Arguably, he made one. For that he has publicly apologized, privately apologized, and it’s getting milked as if this is all he does.
However, he has consistently refused to answer questions about Mormonism. He has said that it isn’t important. His own faith is part of who he is — so he’ll talk about it. He doesn’t talk down everyone else.
So, no, I don’t think that that’s a fair assessment.
December 16, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Sorry for the language…
December 16, 2007 at 1:03 pm
No sweat … I know I’m a prude.
December 16, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Hey Winkle,
I’m getting into this conversation late–bummer. I wanted to let you know that I am a staunch Believing Conservative who is very frustrated with the GOP, and our line up of candidates–the RINO herd!
I was supporting the Huckster until I found out he was a fiscal liberal pandering to the Mexican leadership for cheap illegal labor for the businesses in his state.
Then I found out about his love for higher taxes.
I was wondering what your opinion is on this article:
http://gto7.wordpress.com/2007/11/27/dear-christian-friend-dont-be-duped-by-mike-huckabee/
I am an fairly well known activist in my county and parts of my state, and have not endorsed a candidate. I am leaning towards Hunter myself. I have voted since I was 18 and fear that this will be the first pers. election that I may not be voting in which grieves me terribly! I can’t in good conscience support someone like Judy Rudy-e-ani.
Anyway, I hope that you will read this article and let me know what you think. If you could also cut and paste your thoughts on my blog as well so my readers can get in on the act I would appreciate it.
Like I said, I was a Huckabee supporter, and am so glad I found out about his RINO behavior before the primaries. My state is filled with such morphed animals and is part of the reason why this state is horrible for businesses and families.
Thanks and G-d bless!
December 16, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Let me amend my statement:
I think Ron Paul will do a Perot, and if he does then I know my household will be voting for him!
December 16, 2007 at 10:52 pm
(Side note: It’s Wickle, not Winkle. “Wickle” is a borderline-nonsense word formed from pronouncing my real-life initials — WKL.)
I know that you asked me to throw the comment on your blog, but it’s lengthy, so I’ll put it here and ask if you really want me to.
It’s also all been said before, though I’m not sure that I’ve put it all in one place.
I read Chuck Baldwin on Christian Worldview Network, so, yes, I’ve seen this article. Frankly, his citing Robert Novak doesn’t help his argument — Novak has thinned the veil of his contempt for Christian conservatives over recent years.
That being said, it doesn’t do anything to lessen the rest of his argument, so let’s go through that:
The questions related to taxes keep going back and forth — like all governors, he had to increase taxes at times. He also lowered them. Bear in mind that in ten years, there were a great many federal mandates on the state government, and that money has to come from somewhere.
As an example — he did get an income tax surcharge, and had it repealed when it was no longer necessary.
To me, that shows restraint and responsibility. There are those who are totally unforgiving on taxes — and there’s nothing that can be said to them. However, to anyone else, I would encourage looking at what happened and why. See if there was a better answer. If not, hold off the judgment.
Quin Hillyer also has a solid record of hit pieces on Huckabee. Yes, he appeared in “American Spectator.” So did David Brock, who now claims that most of what he wrote was faked.
The ethics committee, which consisted of officials appointed by the Democratic predecessors, did find him at fault. All of those findings were reversed on appeal. Nothing stuck permanently. Hillyer leaves that out, and so does Baldwin.
As to the smoking issue … I’m not sure when smoking bans became the biggest issue in the GOP, but this keeps coming up.
Rick Calhoun, formerly chairman of the Eagle Forum in AR, has a very different story from Hillyer.
The argument that a consulate is built for the purpose of attracting illegal aliens is a leap of logic that I can’t follow. Many states have consulates in them. They’re for purposes of promoting trade and business dealings — not for attracting illegal aliens.
As for the prediction that Gov. Huckabee will support Giuliani — that really remains to be seen. Many Republicans will, and I don’t understand why. Certainly, I was baffled when Sen. Brownback had hinted that he might endorse Giuliani, but I think I’ll wait until I get that same vibe from Gov. Huckabee — rather than just Chuck Baldwin’s assurance — before I hold that against him.
December 17, 2007 at 12:06 am
Oops, sorry Wickle!
I appreciate you reading through Baldwin’s article. I did some more research and still have major concerns about Huckabee’s liberal economic stance.
Here’s another link for your reader’s review:
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/media/uploads/071113-white-paper-huckabee-update.pdf
I’m not too concerned that he will make it through the nomination process but I am concerned that he is being believed by Christians that he is a conservative when he is at the very least a RINO.
Michelle Malkin on Huckabee’s leadership on illegal immigration:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/uc/20071212/cm_uc_crmmax/op_194640
Anyway, thanks for your time.