THe Kennedy Speech

Mitt Romney made his big religion speech this week. Everybody said it was supposed to be his “Kennedy” speech, where he assures the nation that his religion will not get in the way of his being president. But when you look at it, Romney’s speech was the antithesis of Kennedy’s. Kennedy said that religion was a private matter and did not belong in private life. Romney called secularism a new religion, and called for an active place for faith in public life. His message should be frightening to atheists and agnostics, troubling for non-Christians, and at least disturbing for moderate Christians. We have known for years that conservative Christians have wanted to jettison the establishment clause and turn America into that “shining city on a hill,” a Christian nation, a theocracy. Freedom to these fascists means the freedom to conform to their religious views or have no place at the table. By playing to this crowd, as Bush has done, Romney is selling out 80% of America. Jefferson is spinning in his grave.