Perry needed to act and act quickly in an attempt to re-energize his campaign and create enthusiasm and support from potential GOP primary voters. As one of several Evangelical Republican potential nominees, Perry's campaign needed to create some noise to separate himself from the rest of the group. Therefore, his campaign chose to draw a staunch line in the sand with the following message in his ad:
"I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian, but you don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.
As President, I'll end Obama's war on religion. And I'll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.
Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again.
I'm Rick Perry and I approve this message."
Is such bigoted and theocratic language acceptable in America? Isn't America supposed to represent equality and justice before the law and equal opportunity for all to strive to achieve one's goals? And which Church liturgy would Perry like our public schools that are paid for by tax funds from ALL AMERICANS, including Muslims, Jews, Athiests, Hindus, and other faiths, to forcibly teach our children?
Personally, I am an Orthodox Christian, and I don't want Protestant guided prayer to be taught to my children. In particular, I don't want Evangelical Christianity to be taught to my children whatsoever. However, this is besides the point and only an example of why even Christians don't all agree or want schools being involved with guiding our children's spiritual growth. America is a secular country, and has never been a theocracy. The Separation of Church and State is a fundamental underlying principle in our Constitution protecting individual liberties and freedoms. The Constitution grants Americans the right to choose what religion to follow, and whether to follow a religion at all. State institutions are barred by the Separation clause from favoring any religion, and this includes Christianity.
In the year 2011 is such homophobic and discriminatory language still acceptable from a politician running for president? Yes, what Perry said is not just homophobic, but also discriminatory to gay and lesbian Americans. Singling out one group (gay/lesbian Americans wanting to serve in the military) and denying them the right to freely participate in any aspect of society that all others are permitted (all other Americans are permitted to serve) is the very definition of discrimination.
Finally, is this what defines the fabric of Christian America? Is the evangelical message the message of American Christianity? It definitely is not for me, and I wish it did not define the voice of American Christianity. However, there is no counter Christian block in American politics to the Evangelicals. Unfortunately, those of us Christians that love and accept all people and judge them by the content of their character have no representation in US Christianity and Politics. We are too few and far apart.
I obviously don't think Perry's anti-gay ad should be acceptable in America, but I do unfortunately believe his Evangelical Christianity is the American brand of Christianity. Of course, there are small pockets of Christians here and there that do not adopt the Evangelical message, but their voice is not a part of the political discourse that represents Christianity in US politics. Anyways, what do you think?
Is Rick Perry's new anti-gay ad acceptable in America? Does this message define the fabric of Christian America?
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