1st District Challenger Makes Religion An Issue [CT: Congregional Church/UCC]

Hartford Courant ^ | July 16, 2006 | DAN UHLINGER

[Koblenz]

The Republican primary fight for the right to challenge U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, in November has turned on religion with challenger Miriam Masullo attacking the religious denomination of the GOP's endorsed candidate, Scott MacLean.

In a recent letter to the district's Republican leaders, Masullo accused the leadership of the United Church of Christ of supporting terrorists and suicide bombings. And because MacLean is a retired minister in the church, Republicans should reject him in the Aug. 8 primary, Masullo said.

[Koblenz]

This is one of the safest Democrat seats in the country, so neither Republican is going to win. But should membership in a church such as PCUSA, ELCA or UCC disqualify a Republican?

[MineralMan]

If Republicans start fighting over denominations of Christianity between candidates in primaries, they'll lose elections in the general election.

Either we have freedom of religion in this country, or we do not. Surely there are other issues.

[tyrem1166]

It's not a religion. It's a Marxist front group. Read their website.

[StonyBurk]

I agree we do have a remnant of the freedom secured by the
Revolution. A man has all the freedom in the world to exercise his religion-However I could NOt in good conscious vote for an unbeliever. First Chief Justice John
Jay was asked if his religion allowed Christians to vote for infidel rulers.(Rev.Dr.Morse-response by Jay-1 Jan.1813) And Jays response was far different than the ignorant Judg eNot lest ye be judged--too often abused today-Jay was reminded of 2 Chronicles 19:2-and an appropriate repsonse it remains though neglected today.

[Koblenz]

CT ping!

[Clintonfatigued]

That's very true. However, in this district, it doesn't matter very much who wins the GOP primary.

[BW2221]

While is shouldn't disqualify a candidate, I think it definitely helps define a candidate.

In my district (Detroit suburbs) we have a liberal Republican running against a more conservative incumbent Republican. She's pro-choice, from one of the most liberal suburbs and a member of the United Church of Christ.

[MineralMan]

"That's very true. However, in this district, it doesn't matter very much who wins the GOP primary."

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That's what I understand. There was a post yesterday or the day before about another nutty race where a GOP candidate couldn't win. More wacky folks running as Republicans. It's not a good thing, IMO.

[Clintonfatigued]

Are you speaking of Joe Knollenberg and Patricia Godchaux?

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Thanks for the heads up on this article, Koblenz.

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[nutmeg]

Thanks for the ping! I pinged my CT list here...