Rabbi David Saperstein, the director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, wants some answers from Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum.
In a video (above) and in an open letter to the candidate, Saperstein posed pointed questions to Santorum regarding a pastor’s fiery speech that the candidate sat through a week and a half ago.
In the Mar. 18 speech, the Rev. Dennis Terry of Louisiana asserted that America was “founded as a Christian nation,” complained that Christians were being told they couldn’t “voice their beliefs” or “pray in public,” and said that people who don’t like the way Americans do things should “get out.”
“We don’t worship Buddha, we don’t worship Mohammed, we don’t worship Allah. We worship God. We worship God’s son Jesus Christ,” Terry said at his church by way of introducing Santorum, who was reportedly seen applauding during the speech.
After Santorum was queried by reporters about the speech, the candidate distanced himself from the pastor’s remarks, saying that he did not agree with — or applaud, or necessarily even pay much attention to — the portions of the speech that seemed to malign other religions. (Terry, for his part, said the videos depicting his speech offered a distorted picture of what he said, and he clarified that he’s not against other religions and supports others’ rights to worship as they please.)
Santorum’s response though apparently didn’t satisfy Saperstein, who still has some questions about the candidate’s attitude toward Terry’s remarks:
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* Should we take your applause as affirmation of the sentiments of the speech? Are there parts of Rev. Terry’s message with which you disagree? If so, what are they?
* Rev. Terry said "There’s only one God, and his name is Jesus…If you don’t love America, if you don’t like the way we do things, I have one thing to say — get out! I said we don’t worship Buddha, we don’t worship Muhammad, we don’t worship Allah, we worship God, we worship God’s son Jesus Christ." He likened certain religious beliefs with not loving America, asserting those people have no place in America. You subsequently affirmed, "I believe in the freedom of religion and all religions are welcome." Was this intended as a specific repudiation of Rev. Terry’s statement?
* What responsibility do you believe elected officials or candidates have to address hateful or bigoted speech when it takes place in their presence? Is the responsibility greater if it is said by one of the candidate’s supporters? Are there are circumstances in which you would refuse to stand by someone espousing hate speech? What are they and why not here?
* After Rev. Terry’s speech, you came on stage and were blessed by him. Accepting the blessing came across to many as embracing the religious/political sentiments he had just conveyed. Is that what you intended? Are there clergy from whom you would not accept a blessing? What statements or actions would cause you to draw such a line?
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