Mike Huckabee continues to grab headlines as his numbers continue to climb. HuffPo’s Sam Stein drops some virtual ink today to explore the Republican’s intractable commitment to faith based poltics. We won’t ruin the surprise – Falwell loved him, Huck ruled Arkansas with a Bible-holding fist – but we will share these statistics:
In his 2001 book, “Living Beyond Your Lifetime,” Huckabee cited Scripture 44 times, made more than 100 references to God, 20 mentions of Jesus, and six remarks on the Ten Commandments in a scant 210 pages.
The book’s premise was that one’s faith and character were the basis for future success. And not surprisingly, such a treatise has rolled over to Huckabee’s current run for the White House. Asked to explain his recent rise in the polls, he once again resorted to the providential. “There’s only one explanation for it,” Huckabee proclaimed, “and it’s not a human one.”
Because God has time to answer pollsters, but not the billions and billions of people who pray everyday.
Charles
These people are the Pharisees of modern times. Go back and read the Gospels and you’ll see that the modern evangelicals behave just as the Pharisees that Jesus railed against. It is clearly in the text in whatever translation one chooses.
I am an atheist and don’t believe but history is constantly repeating itself. When a new idea emerges that threatens the powers that be, the powers that be will respond and often say that a god is on their side and all others are destined for damnation.
Paul understood. Do not be fooled by those who would have you keep the law.
Matt
If you don’t think the republicans and their fundy allies in general, and this smiley-faced lunatic in particular, aren’t laser-focussed on establishing a right-wing theocracy, think again: Last night the (Democrat-controlled and shame on them) US House of Representatives passed H Res 847, “Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith”, by a vote of 372 to 9. Not only does this bill say that Christmas is nice, it goes on and on about how christians are more numerous than any other religion in the U.S. and the world, how the roots of our Republic are deeply embedded in christianity, and this gem now enshrined in the Congressional Record for all time: “Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible.” The bill “expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide” and “acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization”.
And if you don’t think THAT’S the pointy end of the theocratic wedge, to be pointed at and quoted from when they want crucifixes in classrooms and commandments in courts and creationism in textbooks and homos shuttled off to Camp Huckabee, then you’re not nearly paranoid enough.
Read the full text of the bill, and find out how your rep voted (so you can communicate your pleasure/horror) here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hr110-847
Grrrr.
abelincoln
Personally I am frightened by all this talk about religion during this campaign. It seems each candidate is try to out do the other candidates in terms of who believes in god more or who is more religious. The debates seem to lean towards this subject way too often and real issues are being ignored. And it’s not just the Republicans doing this, it’s also the Democrats.
I think everyone should be frightened by this.
I don’t say I’m an atheist because saying so means there is something that needs to be not believed in. So I don’t know what to call myself except tired of constantly hearing about the wonders of religion and god.
Matt
abelincoln, I couldn’t agree more. It has no place in the political discussions. But the republicans need to motivate their base, and their base is comprised of ignorant, small-minded, intolerant, selfrighteous, semiliterate bible-thumpers, so what can they do but proclaim how Jee-sus will be their VP? Sad thing is, the dems seem to find it necessary to jump on the I-heart-Jesus bandwagon too.
I really think Huckabee may be the most dangerous gop candidate, and that’s saying a lot with this bunch. I heard him say this morning that the most important thing he’d do first-off as prez would be to “unite the country”. In republicanland, of course, as the current idiot-in-chief (another “uniter”) has demonstrated, you can only “unite the country” AGAINST something or someone. In the absence of a terrorist attack, (in which case we can be united against cab drivers), I think the obvious fundy goal is to unite against those who threaten morals, families, and marriage: i.e., you ‘n’ me.
abelincoln
Matt, excellent points, well reasoned and with a touch of humor…
how can they not love us?
Seriously, I like what you said and the way you said it. Me, I just tend to rant and rave like Richard Dawkins and then no one listens.
Is there some sort of organized offense to this; a defense obviously is not the way to go? If there is I need to join.