Santorum: Separation of Church and State “Antithetical” to Vision of America **UPDATED**

David Streeter — February 27, 2012 – 10:39 am | Election 2012 | GOP Presidential Candidates 2012 | Republicans | Separation of Church & State Comments (0) Add a comment

During his appearance on ABC’s This Week, Republican presidential candidate former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) declared that he does not believe in an absolute separation of church and state. Santorum said:

I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute. The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country.

Santorum also told host George Stephanopoulos that he stands by his remark that President John F. Kennedy’s speech on religion almost made him vomit.

In the past, Santorum has made other similar statements about faith and politics. Notably, Santorum asserted that “we always need a Jesus candidate.”

Click here to learn more about Santorum.  

**UPDATE**

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said in a statement that Santorum’s comments “are deeply disturbing and show a profound misunderstanding of the First Amendment.”

The ADL noted that they previously asked Santorum “to refrain from overt expressions of religious preferences and beliefs on the campaign trail,” explaining that “religious appeals”—like his “Jesus candidate” comment—“are simply unacceptable and un-American.”

Click here to read the ADL’s statement. 

 

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