Katherine Harris: Separation of Church and State 'a Lie'

Chris OConnor

Katherine Harris: Separation of Church and State 'a Lie'

MIAMI — U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that separation of church and state is "a lie" and God and the nation's founding fathers did not intend the country be "a nation of secular laws."

The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate also said that if Christians are not elected, politicians will "legislate sin," including abortion and gay marriage.

Harris made the comments in the Florida Baptist Witness, the weekly journal of the Florida Baptist State Convention, which interviewed political candidates and asked them about religion and their positions on issues.

Separation of church and state is "a lie we have been told," Harris said in the interview, published Thursday, saying separating religion and politics is "wrong because God is the one who chooses our rulers."

"If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," Harris said.

Her comments drew criticism, including some from fellow Republicans who called them offensive and not representative of the party.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who is Jewish, told the Orlando Sentinel that she was "disgusted" by the comments.

"Congresswoman Harris encourages Americans from all walks of life and faith to participate in our government," said a brief statement from the Harris campaign. "She continues to be an unwavering advocate of religious rights and freedoms."

Harris' opponents in the GOP primary also gave interviews to the Florida Baptist Witness but made more general statements on their faith.

Harris, 49, faced widespread criticism for her role overseeing the 2000 presidential recount as Florida's secretary of state.

State GOP leaders — including Gov. Jeb Bush — don't think she can win against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November. Fundraising has lagged, frustrated campaign workers have defected in droves and the issues have been overshadowed by news of her dealings with a corrupt defense contractor who gave her $32,000 in illegal campaign contributions.

MadArchitect

Whoa! Okay, the big news here, as I see it, is that the woman responsible for one of the most controversial elections in American history is now going on record as saying that it is immoral and potentially unamerican to elect presidents of the wrong faith. Shouldn't someone be calling for an investigation?

Chris OConnor

Someone should indeed be putting this story into the limelight.

Mr. Pessimistic

I just think that respectable Republicans should stop voting for these people...this way even the rigged votes would not be effective.

Mr. P.

Mr. P's place. I warned you!!!

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Chris OConnor

Us "respectable Republicans" are put in a real bind sometimes. We either vote for the Republican or the Democrat. These are our choices. We could get into a lengthy discussion about Indepentent's, but some of us refuse to throw our vote away on a candidate that stands no chance of winning.

Politicians wear many hats, of which some are clearly more important than others. I argue that national defense and fiscal policy rank higher than environmental issues and church/state issues, at least in the short-term. When it comes to the most important planks in a political platform I usually agree with how Republicans handle them. I could agree with 90% of the lesser planks of the Democratic platform, but as long as the most important planks are better represented by Republicans I will give them my vote.

So stopping voting for people like George Bush or Katherine Harris in a sense means supporting politicians that I don't feel have effective game plans for the most important issues facing our nation today. I'm stuck in a shitty situation.

GOD defiles Reason

Now that you've had a chance to evaluate Bush's national security and fiscal policy performance, have you drawn any particular conclusions?

"When it comes to the most important planks in a political platform I usually agree with how Republicans handle them."

Such as what? What political platform planks are you refering to?

Chris OConnor

I agree with the Republicans that we should agressively target terrorism wherever it exists, even if it means attacking other soverign nations. Any nation that harbors terrorists should be dealt harshly with. I believe the United Nations should have bigger balls and should be an active participant in such campaigns, but they are just as filled with corruption as every other beaurocracy.

I think more liberals will feel the same the morning that they wake up, turn on the TV, and learn that Washington, DC was nuked by 17 sub-launched Iranian nuclear warheads.

Edited by: Chris OConnor at: 8/28/06 8:37 pm

GOD defiles Reason

Have you given much thought to Bush's actual national security performance?

Chris OConnor

In my opinion we had no legitimate reason or right to invade Iraq. How the actual invasion and subsequent challenges have unfolded have been more than acceptable. We need a new leader and I'm looking forward to Bush being out of office. And if the Democrats produce a decent candidate I may vote Democratic.

GOD defiles Reason

I wish like hell that someday, some smart lawyer finds a way to argue that the two party system in unconstitutional and has it banned by the Supreme Court. I'm tired of all those lowlife cocksuckers.

Hmmm. My spellcheck didn't recognize "cocksuckers." Fancy that.

Chris OConnor

I agree 100%. This system makes it so the best candidates can't even compete. We get the scumbags that have learned how to manipulate the system to their advantage. But didn't our Constitution actually spell out the 2-party system?


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