Posted on 04/12/2007 8:22:49 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
1994 Rudy: "I will work as hard to protect someone's right to believe in God as he or she sees fit -- or not to believe in God."
The Brody File has dug up a Rudy quote from the past that makes for an interesting discussion. In a 1994 New York Times article, Rudy said this:
"As the Mayor of New York City, I will work as hard to protect someone's right to believe in God as he or she sees fit -- or not to believe in God -- because I realize that my right to practice my religion depends completely on my commitment to defend someone else's right to practice theirs, or to practice no religion at all."
The article goes on to mention his views on Catholicism.
"Mr. Giuliani, who as a young man once considered joining the priesthood, noted that many Catholics today "feel that in some intellectual or quasi-intellectual circles, they are demeaned." He said he had also heard Catholics say that "Catholic-bashing has become part of the dogma of what they regard as the politically correct." And he said: "Indeed, I do detect among some who accept the most recent intellectual fads a disdain for those who share in the more orthodox faiths, whether Christian or Jewish or Muslim. In my humble opinion -- and this is meant as an observation, not a challenge -- that disdain emerges from an almost subconscious conclusion that to believe in God too fervently betrays a certain intellectual infirmity." He compared such a view with the "difficult time that some believers have in drawing the line between belief in dogma and respect for those who disagree." He called for believers and unbelievers alike to avoid "the arrogance of having no doubts."
Read the rest of the article here. It's interesting to hear Rudy talk about his faith. Clearly, there is a deeper story there. It makes me wonder what his upbringing was like and how his Catholic faith helped shaped who he is today. It's something worth exploring. I interview Giuliani next week. Maybe I'll pursue this with him. Got questions for him? Email them to me.
(((RUDY PING)))
OMG!!!! That SOB supports people’s right to NOT believe in God?
That’s it. I can’t in good conscience vote for a man like that.
Are you serious?
Thanks for all your great posts! :-)
In other words, the First Amendment right to worship as one chooses.
Too bad Rudy didn't feel as compelled to defend the 2nd Amendment. Or other parts of the First Amendment, such as those impacted by CFR. Or the right to peaceably assemble.
Go to the rest of the story.
Ahhh yes, Guns, Gays and abortion. Amazing how much you guys can blame one candidate for. Oh wait... I forgot one... Terri Shiavo...
It’s fun finding out so much about a good candidate.
You can't blame the Catholic Church for Rudy Giuliani being as liberal as he is. There are a LOT of good, devoted Catholics out there.
No, not really. ;)
Its a shame this post will be corrupted soon. Oh wait... it already has been... ;-)
LOL! Thanks.
It's all Rudy's own doing. No one forced him to address NARAL and Brady Center rallies or march in gay rights parades.
And it goes well beyond guns, gays, and abortion. CFR. Global warming. Sanctuary city policies. Amnesty. Abuse of power. Disregarding the law when it suits him.
Shall I go on?
I heard that Guiliani went to vist Schiavo in the hospital, and was putting kinks in her feeding tube, and laughing maniacally.
Mr. Giuliani, I believe I can honestly say I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever. Does that mean I'm arrogant?
Were the Apostles and other martyrs arrogant?
I can do that on my own Rudy.
I thought the Constitution protected us on this one.
Next?
The right to believe is not threatened. The right to express and act on that belief is.
Some people choose to be agnostic.
That would explain why he can so easily hold positions on moral issues that are antithetical to Catholic teaching.
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