If one isn't thinking about the American political campaign, it might seem oddly out-of-the-blue that in the course of criticizing Russia's action in Georgia, John McCain noted that Georgia is "one of the world's first nations to adopt Christianity as an official religion."
Of course our Founding Fathers believed that having official state religion was a bad thing, not a good thing. But one can assume that McCain saw some political gain with American evangelical Christians by making this comment. That line simultaneoulsy enabled McCain to convey:
1) I think having Christianity as an official religion is a fine idea in general
2) This is just like the Cold War when the forces of Christianity are at war with the forces of Atheism
3) I view the protection of Christians from attack worldwide as an important goal
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I was appalled at John McCain and his ARROGANCE as he pretended to be President Bush's stand-in; giving a speech, making demands and rattling his personal saber as he practically declared war against Russia and threw "Christianity" into the fray, effectively demeaning all other faiths in the world in his efforts to gain votes. I have a beautiful Bible and if I had a chance I think I would thump him with it.
He is NOT a world leader and, until he is, if ever, he needs to remember his place and get right back down off of that pedestal on which he has perched himself.
He does NOT speak for me and the last time I checked, he was NOT the President of my Nation! Furthermore, the last time I looked, America still is a Nation that separates Church and State as well as being the land of the FREE and home of the BRAVE which INCLUDES freedom of religion!!!
Let's make this perfectly clear. Be VERY careful how you speak about religion because there are OTHER nations which adopt an 'Official State Religion" and it isn't always Christianity, People!
Freedom of Religion means just that. FREEDOM OF RELIGION! That does NOT mean that we have some special right to force our personal faith upon others. Remember, if you are willing to force our Christian Faith upon others, you effectively condone someone else forcing their religion on us.
This is truly appalling and frightening.
It's hard to believe that the potential (G-d forbid) leader of the free world is making statements like this.
McCain is right-on!
There is a verse in the Bible that makes it perfectly clear what everyone's basic belief must be to enter Heaven.
Please read it at: John 14:6.
Not much room for differentiation!
So is 1700 years of Christianity on one side better than 1000 years of it on the other? The present Russian state views itself as the Orthodox protector of the Slavic people, even if the Holy Spirit is often absent from some policy meetings (as it's been in Saakashvili's administration, as well).
Whether McCain's speaking according to his honest beliefs, in line with Scheunemann's official lobbying work for Georgia, or in contempt for the American voter, this is a very bad sign for all of us.
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