I saw this on Drudge yesterday. Santorum is going to have problems with this - it may be politically fatal. And then to proclaim he'll defend anything just opens the door to his being constantly knocked off message and going back to this stuff. This is bad for the Anyone-But-Mitt Republicans, because after Santorum, who's left? And if delegates don't split, the party can't even broker the convention. Well, they could, because none of those rules about delegates and nominations are binding. But politically that's very dangerous territory.

Santorum the "Vatican candidate" is trying to set up a theocracy. Once again the GOP is out of touch with 88% of the people of the USA ..His cult beliefs make him ANTI AMERICAN.. He and the GOP are a dividing wedge and will divide the people of the USA not unite them !Look the firestorm he has created for the GOP ..and we still have no idea what "any" GOP member will do as president!

You can believe that Satan is alive and alert and on the prowl to ruin America, but it doesn't do any good to declare war on Hell.

You can be Catholic and not like Rick Santorum.

You can also despise Rick Santorum, but still be offended by the bigoted remarks of InPS.

The Vatican does not run a slate of political candidates; Catholicism is neither a "cult", nor anti-American; and fomenting anti-Catholic bigotry is not a valid countermeasure to "wedge" politics.

He is begging to sound like Christine O'Donnell "I'm not a witch."

At least being a witch implies a broader world view than Santorum's "conservative" world view which appears nothing more than his longing for the good ol days of the Spanish Inquistion

The Grand Ol' Party is anything but these days - this is not the party of Lincoln, of Goldwater or even Reagan. This is a party of theocrats, whether they're the good ol' boy type of Rick Perry, the fire-and-brimstone sort like Rick Santorum, or the cultish Mitt Romney.

It isn't even Santorum or his close personal associates that frighten me - it's that a majority of voters have been taken in by the rhetoric to the point that they vehemently support the anti-American platform espoused by their candidate, simply because he's the "anti-Obama."

God forgive them. They know not what they do.

Ty79

What you, and the media, fail to realize is that his views are shared by a majority of Americans

That simply isn't true. Quote your sources if you want to make that assertion.

It's also highly dependent on what you're claiming 'his views' are. If you're saying 'his views' are that government is corrupt and needs reform, then yes, you're probably right. But if you're saying 'his views' are that abortion should never be allowed, and that all the other candidates are 'less Christian' than he, than I'd say you're dead wrong.

He's gotta watch this stuff. They will use this to paint him as a religious wacko, and it's going to work. He might win a primary running on religion, but there's not a chance in hell he can win the general that way.

America is full up to here with what the Catholic church calls the 7 deadly sins, but I doubt the, "Satan made me do it," line is going to work for most people. People are prideful. It usually leads to something bad happening, like a well deserved beat-down at some bar, but Satan doesn't do it. We have lust, and stds, gluttony, and a fat population, avarice, and credit problems, and a whole list of other things. Face it. We do these things to ourselves, and if Satan is doing anything, it's sitting back and watching.

What worries me about Santorum and the GOP is that they are already tooling up for the Inquisition 2.0, using such minor torture devices and waterboarding and (something I wish I'd never heard of) trans-vaginal ultrasound probes. We were wise to keep church and state separate. We will be wise to continue that practice.

You must live in the same little bubble as Santorum. First of all, every independent survey ever conducted regarding this topic has shown that the vast majority of Americans disagree with these views and consider them radical or outside of the norm. Secondly, I've yet to see him make anyone but himself look foolish. And finally, I do agree his popularity will continue to grow, but only among religious extremists. If he somehow actually wins the nomination, and I hope he does, it will serve to cause the complete defeat of the republican party at all levels throughout the country. This is what needs to happen so we can take our country back from the tea party terrorists and Christian Taliban.

I am with Ty. His views ARE very widely held by most people in "flyover country". Many people do believe in good and evil, and believe that a great cloud is forming over this country (part of it being the fact that so many now even deny the existence of evil). Rick Santorum's views may seem "nuts" and "radical" to many of you on here, but they are quite mainstream with about half (or more) of America. This is why our country is so divided right now. We very much have two diametrically opposed views on things, which is what makes coming to any sort of compromise so difficult.

Santorum...the American Taliban.

I do believe that the majority of the population believes in a God or creator of some sort, however I also believe that the majority of people want to keep religion separate from gov't. There are so many decisions a president has to make that do not follow the lines of the bible and I don't believe that Santourm could possibly make decisions that would be best for a nation made of citizens who have vastly different religious views or no religious views at all. He might win the primary, because all of the far right religious zealots will turn out to vote, but he won't win the Presidential election, as his strict views offend most of us.

@Ty79,

Wait to those as you say majority of Americas go to vote. Let's see if Stupid Rick will be the next President. Oh by the way a woman's place is barefoot and pregnant not in the work place. Oooops I guess he forgot half the voting block are women. Ooooops good luck with your delusional theory.

And remember "he'll stand by anything he said". Good now we can make a complete fool out of you with video.

Santorum = South Park fraction of the GOP

So the left believes that anyone who is religious enough that it actually has some impact on their life is a nut? Or a "taliban"?

Bruce
Santorum thinks that all birth control is immoral. Yet 98% of all American women will use birth control in their lifetime. How can you even think that the majority of American, even in the fly-over states agree with him.

You probably need to widen your circle of friends. Go talk to some people other than just your immediate circle. I think you will find that you're wrong.

Santy... how about just not saying dumb things that you may have to defend...

But if li'l Ricky didn't say DUMB things, he'd have nothing left to say!

Oh, wait... that would be a WONDERFUL thing :-)

Santorum represents everything wrong with the Republican party for me, and sadly, the cult part of the party thinks he represents everything that is correct.

He's the big government, as long as he's in power and can use the Bible to rule, big government candidate. You can't make up more screwed up stuff in your mind than this guy says out of his mouth. Sadly, I understand him. But it doesn't mean he should be a candidate.

Republicans have good candidates. Apparently, nobody in the party wants them to run, though. This could be the race that shows how the cult part of your party isn't the road to leading the country. Democrats could learn from this too, but right now, I don't see Kucinich as the candidate of choice. But Santorum is the equivalent for his party. Actually, he's worse, because he doesn't know when to stop.

Ty79

You assume what he says is dumb. What you, and the media, fail to realize is that his views are shared by a majority of Americans. When pressed to defend and debate his views, he often makes his opponents look foolish. I understand why those who hold self-serving viewpoints don't like Santorum, but don't be surprised when his support continues to rise despite the increased scrutiny he has received

So, you think the majority of Americans think Satan is attacking this country?

Ty79

You assume what he says is dumb. What you, and the media, fail to realize is that his views are shared by a majority of Americans. When pressed to defend and debate his views, he often makes his opponents look foolish. I understand why those who hold self-serving viewpoints don't like Santorum, but don't be surprised when his support continues to rise despite the increased scrutiny he has received

So, you think the majority of Americans think Satan is attacking this country?

"Rick Satanorum is the devil and dumber than a box of Rocks"

Santorum's not gonna make it to the nomination. Christianity is NOT the only religion practiced in this country, and not even other Christians would want the POTUS trying to dictate which religion is more acceptable and therefore should be part of any political run for office.

What if Romney stood up and started preaching about the Mormon religion, or some other Washington politicians started preaching about all the other religions present in this country.

When I want to hear a sermon, I have my own church to go to and my own pastor. I resent Santorum trying make HIS personal religion seem more superior than everyone else's in this country.

Obama / Biden 2012

you are mistaken ty79, ricks views are not held by a majority of americans. the proof will be as he fades rather quickly in the next few weeks. he rose because he wasn't mitt. he will fall because of who he is.

his rigid views are painting him in a corner.

"The Tea-ReTards love Rick when he talks out of his a$$, this lowlife is drawing flies"

ty79 - They call them "flyover" states for a reason. Mainly because only a tiny portion of America's population live there. You're confusing geographical area with voting bodies.

Ty79

You assume what he says is dumb. What you, and the media, fail to realize is that his views are shared by a majority of Americans. When pressed to defend and debate his views, he often makes his opponents look foolish. I understand why those who hold self-serving viewpoints don't like Santorum, but don't be surprised when his support continues to rise despite the increased scrutiny he has received

So, you think the majority of Americans think Satan is attacking this country?

Ty79

You assume what he says is dumb. What you, and the media, fail to realize is that his views are shared by a majority of Americans. When pressed to defend and debate his views, he often makes his opponents look foolish. I understand why those who hold self-serving viewpoints don't like Santorum, but don't be surprised when his support continues to rise despite the increased scrutiny he has received

So, you think the majority of Americans think Satan is attacking this country?

Ty79

You assume what he says is dumb. What you, and the media, fail to realize is that his views are shared by a majority of Americans. When pressed to defend and debate his views, he often makes his opponents look foolish. I understand why those who hold self-serving viewpoints don't like Santorum, but don't be surprised when his support continues to rise despite the increased scrutiny he has received

So, you think the majority of Americans think Satan is attacking this country?

Santorum... where stupidity goes to thrive. Those who vote for this moron would have loved the Spanish Inquisition and theocratic despots.

Our American obsession with boogeymen, and a God who is perpetually pissed off and vengeful.

If the design was intelligent, why are we so bloody stupid?

Good one, Ray! :)

So much for separation of church and state...

Bruce--- people,candidates can have their religious views and beliefs ,just don't legislate them down our throats .AYATOLLAH SANATORIUM is a SCARY DUDE

Dana Carvey must be laughing his ass off. We now have the Church Lady running for President!

"Could it be . . . SATAN???!"

(And his Evil Spawn, the Girl Scouts . . .)

I think Rick is having a convocation with his Tea-ReTards ? When he compares our President to Satan. I compare Santorum to a "Nut"

Ron Paul for president!!!

The use of the word Satan, is every bit as dangerous as the use of the phrase Anti-American.

People who use these words are often demonizing a group of people simply because they do not agree with their ideology or politics.

This is simply inflamatory hate speech. It denies the personhood of those in the opposition and encourages the "righteous" to violent acts.

This man has no business being a presidential candidate

Hey, even though I disagree with almost EVERYTHING Rick Santorum says, you have to give credit where credit is due.......................he TOTALLY ROCKS in those KICK-ASS SWEATER VESTS!!!

P.S. Is his nose sideways on his face or is my T.V. messed up?

P.S.S. OMG...His oldest daughter looks just like him...............bless her little heart!

Here we are talking about Religion and Women's rights and nothing about our Economy, This Rick and his Teapugs are beyond a insult to the American people.

I've seen several interviews with Santorum and he has voted FOR birth control on multiple occasions. He does NOT let his personal beliefs get in the way of understanding that the vast majority of Americans are in favor of birth control, and he would NOT try to ram his personal beliefs down everyone's throats. Obama, on the other hand, IS trying to ram the issue of birth control down the Catholic church's throat, even knowing that it's against their belief system (by requiring that the church either pay for birth control directly or requiring them to pay insurance premiums which go to birth control).

"At the end of the day Rick Santorum is the one that will go to Hell"

I agree w/Bruce-308647. And I don't want a presidential candidate who is afraid to speak of his beliefs when asked. I don't want a presidential candidate who will give an answer hoping to not offend anyone. Of course there are other religions besides Christianity in the US and there is a huge range of beliefs within the Christian community. There is a huge range of beliefs among people within a single religion. So, the man is against abortion. There are plenty of Americans who don't feel women should have abortions so readily available to them to the point that they are using them as birth control and that happens often! Many Amercians who are against abortion do not want their tax dollars paying for them. That's a fact and whether you agree with it or not it is a valid opinion. Many pro choice backers do not want a woman to be required to see an ultra sound of the baby before having an abortion because it is too traumatic for the woman. Well, face it, an abortion is a traumatic experience. It is stopping a child from being born. So deal with it, watch the ultra sound, get counseling and make an educated and heart felt decision. Abortions should not be so easy.

Santorum isn't telling you that you will have to be Catholic if he is elected. He isn't going to ban birth control either. He loves his God and there is nothing wrong with that. This country is corrupt. Elected elites profiting from insider trading. They get into politics to make themself rich and they don't care about you or me. Serving the public is demeaning when they can have all the power. Satan has taken over this country. It's a metaphor. Our rights and freedoms are being eroded and stolen from us because dopes want to be 'cool and hip' by voting for the first black president. The guy is a Marxist/Communist and he is gutting America. He hung around with radicals at his church! Does anyone know how to think out there anymore? Does anyone look at the facts and his actions? Of the actions of ALL our corrupt officials? Santorum is a man of principle and a man of his word. THOSE are the qualities we need in the White House. Obama is nothing but a liar. He spews concern for the American people while encouraging higher gas and energy prices that will affect the price of everything we buy. He is destroying the middle class along with our elected officials and others that aren't elected but appointed to office. Soon there will be only the rich elites and the poor in this country. Nothing inbetween. He has offended the Catholic Church and doesn't call muslim terrorists what they really are. A terrorist wanting to end the western way of life. That means it will affect all of us. Sharia law is heading to America. I want someone like Santorum as my president. Someone who is ethical. Someone who cares about life and not blowing someone up or beheading them. Americans are so stupid. You deserve what you get voting for B.O. again. The problem is you will be taking down the rest of us who know better.

Mr. Santorum, I'm from Missouri. I've lived here most of my life and my family dates back at least six generations of Missourians. Let me assure you that my family and I have been able to raise all the Hell we wanted without Satan being anywhere near the place. And I can assure you, we do it for the foreseeable future. In the coming elections, if I were you, I'd worry a whole lot less about Satan and a whole lot more about angry, disgruntled voters, who don't much like being preached.

The greatest trick Satan ever played on mankind was to convince us he did not exist. All you knee-jerk liberals are showing us exactly who you fear by the volume and the venom of your pathetic emotional half-wit remarks. No one living in "fly-over country"? What a typical urban-centric point of view. If you don't live in a city of at least a million, you don't matter. Every single one of you, including the author of this article, have twisted his remarks completely out of context, all while bending over backwards to ignore the association between Obama and Rev. Wright. If you had a spine to begin with, which is questionable, it must be twisted like a pretzel. The comments up at #1.44 and #1.45 are spot-on. Santorum isn't about to install an American theocracy. Unlike Obama, he knows how to separate his own religious views from the political decisions he would have to make in office, and unlike Obama, he knows where the limitations of Presidential power lie. He is right on the money when he says that evil has permeated American society. You can tell by the cacophony of demonic screeching coming from the left. The ones who least like having their sins pointed out to them are usually the worst of the sinners.

Note to moderator:

Please restore ty79's comment at #1.5. I see no reason for it to have been collapsed. He isn't insulting or deriding anyone, which is more than I can say for 90% of the rest of the comments on this thread. Just because the lefties disagree with him doesn't mean he should not be heard.

wow! has he offended you all with satan? being he is alive and well now as was 4 yrs ago.

let's here obamas speech about talking to jesus and jesus told him blah blah blah. imagine if bush had said that. we'd never hear the end of it.

ya'll are the most unhappy, hateful, cry baby bunch. til being on here i never knew how miserable ya'll act and twist the most minute thing around acting dumb clueless to the message.

by the way, do you athiest believe in satan? i had a boyfriend that believed in aliens but not god.

Interesting name, NeighboroftheBeast. Isn't "the beast" used to describe Satan in the book of revelations?

There are two quotes that I remember hearing in my life, and I think they best explain any/all religion and its place in the world. "Religious people scare me, but spiritual people inspire me." The other is "Religion is the justification for mankind to go to war over whose imaginary friend is better."

If Santorum were truly spiritual, he would know that there is no "better" religion, just like there is no "better" human. Faith is supposed to enlighten, teach, and inspire people to be kind to one another. If everyone followed the "treat others as you want to be treated" rule, there would be few problems in the world. No single religion can say it any better than that, because none are better than others; only the people who choose to be kind, or choose to hate and judge. Knock off the hate speeches Mr. Santorum. You're giving me flashback memories of those stories in the Book of Revelations, and I picture you as the main character.

did he imply there was a better religion? i would haver to differ that there are some better humans. and what hate speech would you be refering to? i'm pretty sure we do not agree on the meaning of hate. and it would be a "spirit" send if we would treat one another as we would want to be treated

Against Union Thievery

Wow...just...wow. I really hope your post was sarcastic, because it was hilarious! Do you really believe the President is a Marxist, Communist, Christian, Muslim, pro-Arab anti-American? You argue that Obama is trying to raise energy prices and also wants to blow people up and behead them. Do you realize that Santorum and the rest of the Republican candidates (Ron Paul is the exception) are in favor of attacking Iran if elected? Can you imagine how high energy prices would be if this happened, or the loss of life on both sides?

You also argue that Obama is destroying the middle class. You must not have been paying attention the past several years, because the Democrats consistently attempt passing legislation aimed at helping the poor and middle classes while calling on the upper class to pay their fair share. These bills meet opposition every single time, as the Republicans will only support tax cuts for the wealthy.

As for your Sharia Law comment...I'm not even going to waste my time (entirely contradicted by your previous argument that Obama hangs out with "radicals" in church, not exactly where you'd expect Sharia Law to come out of).

You also ask if anyone looks at the facts. Apparently, you fail to do so on every occasion. The Right can feel free to keep spewing lies and hateful rhetoric, the rest of the country can see right through it. You're making yourself look quite ignorant.

@Mitchell: My screenname is a play on my address, which includes the rather ominous numbers 667.

I feel that, while this country may not quite be squarely in Hell yet, we are rushing towards the precipice faster than ever before. To quote a bumper sticker I once saw, "Where are we going, and why are we in this handbasket?"

If you want to toss around more bumper sticker wisdom, here's one for you: "Anyone who claims that God is only on THEIR side is dangerous as Hell."

Maybe somebody should sit him down and explain to him that 'defending' a statement doesn't make the statement true.

"Santorum's war on Women's health continues, This dirtbag is a loser"

“I have never changed my views, ever," Santorum said. “See who will win and run as a conservative. I will ensure you that I will actually run as a conservative.”

In a December 1995 Philadelphia Magazine article — which the Huffington Post pulled from Temple University archives — Santorum conceded that he “was basically pro-choice all my life, until I ran for Congress… But it had never been something I thought about.” Asked why he changed his mind, he said that he “sat down and read the literature. Scientific literature,” only to correct himself and note that religion was a part of it too.

"Rick Satan-orum is Anti-Gun, this BB eyed clown is not Presidential material"

“I have never changed my views, ever," Santorum said.

Well, at least not since the Middle Ages.

Actually, Santorum is right. There is a great Satan attacking us and that Satan is the "Christian" dominionist movement

I think it's funny Santorum says he's never changed his views ever. First off, he keeps going around on his stance on whether he wants to make contraception illegal so he's obviously changed his views at least in how he plans to impose his views on the public. More disturbingly, and yet not surprisingly, it says a lot - and none of it good - that Santorum has never changed his views on anything ever. Most people, when provided with information that should make them reconsider their position, do change their opinion if the new information is critical and undermines the rationale behind their opinion. Of course, this must mean that there is absolutely no rationale behind any decision or opinion Rick Santorum has ever had

Well, SAICS, Santorum did say that the Crusades get a bad rap:

"The idea that the Crusades and the fight of Christendom against Islam is somehow an aggression on our part is absolutely anti-historical," former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) told a South Carolina audience yesterday. "And that is what the perception is by the American left who hates Christendom."

Referring to the "American left," Santorum observed: "They hate Western civilization at the core. That's the problem." Sanoturm also suggested that American involvement in the Middle East is part of our "core American values."

Just think, we could have some Crusades right here in America! Now, doesn't that just make your neck tingle?

"Throw all the Koch paid Bums Out"

SAICS,I like your post,RICK likes to talk about his values and how he longs for the AMERICA of his grand father and of {ricks} YOUTH but the" TIMES ARE A CHANGING ", .If a person or culture will not embrace change,they are DOOMED,just look at AFGHANISTAN and the nations that refuse progress on civil and social issues.The economies are non existent or very weak and can not support the BASIC needs of the people.The populace are mostly Illiterate with few choices for an improvement in quality of LIFE.So be careful of AYATOLLAH sanatorium because he don't like change and has not given up on his DREAM AMERICA !!

Rick Santorum told a crowd of supporters here Tuesday tonight that "I will defend everything I say," a comment that took on another layer of significance as reports surfaced of 2008 remarks in which he said Satan is threatening America.

Please do! Keep talking, Insanitorium. Make sure everyone knows what you really think. Consider it your responsibility to the country, in fact. Encore!

Could you consider maybe speaking in tongues, too? It would be so helpful.

Rick Sanatorium is a BB eyed Religious Extremists with Chlordane in that organ, in his head.

Patriotic American U.S.A. - How are you allowed to keep posting on newsvine? You must get suspended from newsvine quite often. I get that you don't care for Santorum, but you cross the line of having any dignity with your obnoxious rants. I wonder how long someone could make posts like yours if they were directed at Obama? Do not be confused, I am in any way backing Santorum, I just don't get how people like you are allowed to spew such vile comments on newsvine that contribute nothing of value while others get censored for using the word moron.

PC, Forgive me, but there are so many unkind comments made about the President. I agree that the name calling has to stop, but who will stop first? There is always a standoff as far as who will be civil first. We should all be able, as adults to use words that are powerful and not demeaning. It has been said that people that have to use name calling and epithets have no real knowledge of the English language. I did however notice that not one person has said anything about Mrs. Santorum or their children (except the remark about likeness) and I wish the more conservative element here would extend the same courtesy to the President and his family.

PC, look at your Party and followers showing no respect for our President, enough said - end of story. PS maybe some day we can all be one. See you, name is SKIP !

I find myself asking why everyone is so afraid of religion? Why everyone assumes that religion is the root of all problems? Could it be that we have all become little children, wanting it all our own way and right this very minute? Religion imposes a moral yardstick-there actually is a right and wrong. We don't have to respect human life, in any form-from embryo to elderly if we throw away the guidelines imposed by religion. But be very careful, because without a moral compass, expecting humanity to do "what is right and fair" is pretty far fetched. It would seem to be the striving for excellence that causes human beings to rise above the natural state of survival and "me first" thinking. If we take a totally secular view of everything, then absolutely any behavior can be justified and rationalized away.....there are not real consequences or penalties. Or perhaps, we only want religion when we can twist it to our agenda...like convincing people that they have to give up everything that they worked for out of "charity" for those who do not work, or out of "love and concern" for those who are not legally here....and of course, when we don't immediately fall in with that notion, then religion is used to chastise us because we aren't being "Christian." I submit that for all those who like to point out the human failings of a Christian, do not actually understand what Christianity is about. The Bible does not, in any single passage, condone people not working to support their own families. In fact the Bible continually points to those who do not do their fair share in life, deserve none of the rewards either.

Sorry Charlie, you are soooooooooooo wrong. The man in office today is not fit to be dog catcher and needs to be gone from office in November or America will be lost.

Mike: America was lost under 8 years of the Bush debacle--the worst Presidency is modern history--and is finally now coming back. We're not ABOUT to join you in turning back to this right wing lunacy.

So right, Charlie. And after running one of these guys against him, Republicans should see that they need a grown-up, intelligent candidate for a change. Eight years of an error was apparently not enough for them to see that President Obama is a breath of fresh air after a corrupt imperial presidency full of secrets and lies. And Mr. Obama's still the only adult in the room.

OBAMA 2012

Oh but he's the anti-christ. Muslim. Satan. Stupid. Kenyan. And BLACK too.

Why else would these faithful theologian nut jobs load up their guns and want to take their country BACK?

They know 2012 is a lost cause so what better than invoke "God" like God has nothing else to do but watch over these inquisitional cows.

Go Saint O RAM!!!!!

@Charlie-486680,

You're so right that the other side see stupid.

Seriously America you will get back power to the same people who got us in this mess in the first place.

I don't want to believe that, but look as all the GOP/nut job governors you elected. What a disaster

They want to make discrimination a law against black & women

Obama wouldn't have a chance if the GOP would run a rational, intelligent candidate that doesn't scare half of the electorate. Lucky for the president, that's not going to happen. Rationality and intelligence is grounds for a witch-burning in today's tea-taliban dominated Republican party.

The GOP has been a split of neocons and social conservatives ever since Ronald Reagan.

Maybe they've all just been drinking the kook-aid and believing (despite all evidence to the contrary) that the GOP is really this other mythical "compassionate conservative" BS party, but that party never actually existed. It was mostly a product of smart, targeted advertising, not anything the leadership ever believed in anyway.

Now the split is obvious, and they're having trouble coming down off the kook-aid high. The religious conservatives see that they're just being herded along with the neocons for extra votes, and the neocons are realizing that the religious conservatives won't vote for their Mormon free-market capitalist.

Maybe it's time for rehab?

"I think Rick Santorum had a orgasm in his head" ?

While that sentiment may be true, you're also assuming there are enough voters armed with the capacity for critical analysis to drown out the braying, bleating horde of sychophants affixed to the Republican candidates.

I fear that is not the case.

What you have described is 1) Not freedom of religion, there is a second clause in the first amendment that says we are free to exercise our religion 2) censorship which is also protected by the first amendment.

Further, there is no freedom in the U.S. constitution from being exposed to things you don't like to hear.

Finally, the goddess really? You slam someone for expressing their beliefs and throw that out there? And don't even profess to speak for all women. Talk about an arrogant statement.

rzabel: There is a freedom to withhold your vote from lunatics though and to protest religious extremism when you hear it. (Good luck with trying to get women to rally around that 'women are too stupid to make their own decisions thing'. You never know though...perhaps Santorum can collect the masochistic women's vote, combine that with the American Taliban movement and make a living off the speaking circuit.)

AP - You are correct, we can vote for whomever we choose, but we have no right to silence what we don't like.

I am not a supporter of Santorum, but am baffled by the controversy on this particular issue of a Chrisitan talking about Satan.

I also believe the American Taliban type talk is more than a little overblown.

No ... the right wing evangelicals ARE trying to create an American Taliban here. It's pretty obvious and not at all overblown.

rzabel: and just who is being silenced???? Santorum is free to spout on about devils (women and other kinds) as he sees fit...Any one who has the most basic understanding of the founding of this country against religious tyranny shouldn't be "baffled" by those who call out a leading American politician for attacking those he disagrees with politically as "evil" and "devils"--and questioning their morals as well as their religion. Who the heck is stopping Santorum from this self-destruction? He's far from being silenced. He's making these biblical pronouncements all over the country at every stop. What you cannot stop is the ridicule of a politican in this day and age making a campaign about women's needs to return to another century. Mandating decisions on a full range of personal issues under the guise of "women's best interests" based on one's reading of religious teaching is exactly what the Taliban is all about. You might read a bit about the Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan and what is at stake for women there before so easily dismissing the danger of the influence of the extremist religious right in this country. (You might also come up to speed about the recent legislation in Virginia MANDATING vaginal ultrasounds and probes for those women seeking a legal abortion--legilsation so extreme even the Republican Governor is backtracking on signing it...Or the movement supported by Santorum and others for "personhood" amendments that would make certain types of birth control illegal.)

There is also that pesky clause stating that government shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. So yes, its rather difficult to make blatant laws based on one religious philosophy.

Nanj has it exactly right. Religious freedom is everyone's right - there shouldn't be preferential treatment for any one religion in particular. It really is so simple - let people believe what they want and stop this nonsense of one religion shoving its beliefs on others. This has NO place in America!!!

Ryndubya:

In some corners of this country, they don't see a problem with basing laws on religion.

AP - Read the original post to which I replied "religious rants by political candidates need to be banned on all broadcast stations other than the religious ones."

I state very clearly the discussion of this issue is a right everyone has.

I think there are mistakes being made on both extremes at this point, but the equating of American Christians to the Taliban is a strawman argument at best.

What baffels me is the seizing upon Santorum's comments four years ago, that indicate 1) Given that he is a conservative Christian, he believes in a supernatural being,Satan, which is depicted throughout the Bible (and no Satan does not have a red suit, horns and a pitch-fork in those depictions). and 2) that given his beliefs, he thinks that moral/religious forces have an impact on society.

As a side note, you might revisit American History to see that most groups founding the U.S. were far from being religiously tolerant.

let him spout and pontificate folks - PLEASE let him be the nominee - then we can push into political obscurity with some other notables like Quail <- sic I meant the word as written

The man gives a new meaning to the term NITWIT. He is so lacking in with as to be a "1/100th wit" - way below HALFWIT

If we are to take tax exempt status from all religious institutions, then it must be removed from things like the Komen Foundation, the Heart Association, and every other charitable institution, organization, out there....that is the only way to truly be fair and free.

Nobody, absolutely nobody, has stated, indicated, professed...that they are taking away any woman's right to choose. Roe Vs Wade stands, but that doesn't mean that people, including political candidates, can't express their disagreement with it. That is freedom of speech. That is freedom of religion. What is really at issue here is who is going to pay for the woman's right to choose. And quite frankly, it seems that most liberals don't care as long as it isn't them. When you suddenly create a situation where you are compelling people to financially support behaviors and beliefs that are contrary to their religion, that is where the state crosses the line between the division. And if the state is allowed to do it, in this case and compell financial support, how far removed are we from the state commanding abortion, commanding birth control. There are plenty of sources out there for abortion and birth control without having to impose it on religious based institutions or compel medical professionals to participate in something that is contrary to their belief.

He's not MY Vatican candidate - and I'm sitting here with ashes on my forehead.

I'm a practicing Catholic, and am ashamed that Santorum is dragging my religion into this. Catholic or not, his religious views have no place in political debate. Freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution, but so is separation of church and state.

Stepford?

Hey! That's my wife you're talking about!

1850's

Nonsense. Any politician that doesn't understand in this day and age that his words will be replayed and commented on gets what they deserve. Reporters aren't stenographers. Replaying his own words is "unfair"?? If you're that delicate and easily upset...what are you doing in politics?

Robert - you are totally correct. The problem is not only quotes taken out of context, but the public's failure to do a bit of research on their own to make sure what is being said is the truth. And just because a candidate knows his words can be taken out of context doesn't mean they should be or should expect it. I don't think the candidates are delicate - it just goes back to the problem of people believing what they read without doing their own fact checking. This has to do with the voters getting good, correct information instead of sensationalism.

That's funny Robert, I saw - one of your post last week supporting Santorum. What a joke ! "Hilarious"

@R Bell,

I'm sure that Spooky Ricky sees no difference between Obama and Satan.

He smokes the REALLY good stuff, I guess, and passes it around to his constituents. That's theonly way I can understand how anyone can take this guy serious as a presidential candidate.

Has he said one single word about the economy, jobs, foreign policy, or any other issue that the country's chief executive should be prepared to address? Where's his plan to govern? Everything he says is about culture-war nonsense---and if he were truly a Christian, at some point he'd realize that he's just a sinner saved by Grace.

I can't slap my forehead at this guy's lunacy any more. My face is starting to slide...

Judge not, lest thou be judged...

I think it's that mold from the Mideast where all the evil religions come from. Ergot or something like that The hallucinatory mold that gets in grain. Explains so much.

I hope we are seeing the last convulsions of a dying monster.

I agree, greed far more than "pride, vanity, and sensuality" is bringing America down, but Republicans see greed as good.

Theo,

Republican's see "greed" as "capitalism"...

PLEASE let ricky be the GOTP nominee...PLEASE!! He shoots himself in the "right" foot every time he opens his mouth (and because he's so far right, he doesn't even HAVE a "left foot")

"More like a Loose Nut" I think the Devil is in Rick !

red meats bad for you when that all you eat...

Debstar

Many of these right-wing Troglodytes sincerely believe he's the anti-Christ. It's scary. They live among us.