“It means we’re suppose to have freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.” —Rick Perry’s response when asked what Separation of Church and state meant to him.
I have so many feelings about this.
Real Truth #1: On his garbled talk about the Obama administration targeting the Catholic Bishops and their super nice human trafficking bit- the reason why funding was denied was because the organization refused to allow language that would allow victims to be educated or given a chance for all gynecological or family-planning services (a.k.a. they obviously didn’t want anybody to think that abortion could ever be an option ever). This isn’t about the government funding abortion, it’s about the government taking a stance that funding a program that ignores education in order to uphold their own ideals. This is by no stretch anti-religion, but pro-education. Rick Perry: STFU.
Real Truth #2: “Which one of the 10 Commandments do you not like?” Well, as an atheist, I personally don’t like the first four, which are all about YHWH worship. I’m also pretty sure that anybody of any other faiths would take similar umbrage against them as well. Suspiciously missing from the 10 Commandments, of course: do not rape and do not enslave, probably because ancient Hebrew law allowed certain slavery and because rape wasn’t punishable beyond a fine. Rick Perry: STFU.
Real Truth #3: Prayer in public school is allowed on a personal basis, and also by a group. The only time prayer isn’t allowed in a public school is if the administration endorses it, or if it is made mandatory. Christmas is similar- administrations are advised against naming any celebrations at the end of the year “Christmas” celebrations. These are in place because other religions exist besides Christianity. Rick Perry: STFU.
Real Truth #4: The first amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This does mean that religions should be free to express their own faith. It also means that the government cannot fund or show favor to one religion above the rest or make any religion mandatory. Either way you slice it, it seems to me that allowing school-sanctioned prayer or making a Christmas celebration mandatory in school would be violating one or both of those things. Rick Perry: STFU.
Real Truth #5: The facts are not on Rick Perry’s side.
Real Truth #6: Facts aren’t important to the Republican nominee candidates, apparently.
Real Truth #7: Rick Perry needs to shut the fuck up.
Flawless commentary.