John Kennedy was wrong
The famous speech that John Kennedy gave in West Virgina has been received by the popular culture as an excellent example of how a deeply religious person could reconcile belief in God, in particular Christianity and more in particular the Catholic faith.
Kennedy said that "my Church does not speak for me"
Kerry twisted that into "my Church does not speak -to- me."
Both politicians wanted to show their identification with this "tribe", but were willing to ignore its teachings, and yet unwilling to break their association with it.
For Kennedy the issue in 1960 was direct state support for Catholic schools. (He was opposed to it.) This issue reappeared in the 1980's as the movement for school choice.
Kennedy was politically correct in his speech and it helped get him elected. What has been the consequence to his soul is a matter for God, what has been the consequence to Catholic schools is another matter for parents and students today.
Romney, I suspect will echo Kennedy and not Kerry.
text of John Kennedy's speech 'I Believe in an America Where the Separation of Church and State is Absolute'
September 12, 1960, address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association
extreme catholic 2004
Labels: church-state, jfk, politics
posted by
Patrick Sweeney at 8:11 AM
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