News > Politics > Katherine Harris is the Chosen One

commentary
SUNDAY AUGUST 27 2006 5:30 PM

Katherine Harris is the Chosen One

Submitted by legionnaire

Edited by legionnaire

Tags: Katherine Harris, religion, church, state

Katherine Harris is a political columnist's wet dream (though certainly not in any literal interpretation of the phrase.) She's like the Tara Reid of the modern political world, with questionable fashion choices and little to no sense of propriety, or any sign of overt intelligence. Her utterly partisan and despicable performance during the 2000 election debacle in Florida elevated her to a prime target for progressives, and her disastrous Senate campaign have kept her in the headlines long after her fifteen minutes should have expired.

Now she's back in the headlines after having stuck her foot her in her mouth yet again with some truly inspired words about our government.

Separation of church and state is "a lie we have been told," Harris said in the interview, published Thursday, saying separating religion and politics is "wrong because God is the one who chooses our rulers."

"If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," Harris said.

Forget the patently offensive nature of these remarks - they're also entirely illogical. If, as she claims, God chooses who wins our elections, then what exactly is the purpose of asking the voters who they're going to pick? How can one reconcile the notions of predestination (to the Senate) and elected, representative democracy? It seems contradictory to think that the people are making the choices (which is, you know, the foundation of democratic philosophy) when they've already been made for them.

Harris was absolutely shocked that people could have interpreted her comments as being anything but a statement of her commitment to values though, as her campaign explained.

Harris' campaign released a statement Saturday saying she had been "speaking to a Christian audience, addressing a common misperception that people of faith should not be actively involved in government."

The comments reflected "her deep grounding in Judeo-Christian values," the statement said, adding that Harris had previously supported pro-Israel legislation and legislation recognizing the Holocaust.

Nice straw man, Harris. I'd love to see which political figures have claimed that "people of faith should not be actively involved in government." Because I can't think of any, and it's not a plank in the platforms of any national political party fielding candidates this year that I'm aware of. Opposition to a theocracy, which incidentally is what she's advocating, isn't quite the same thing as preventing religious people from partcipating in government. Acknowledgement of the existence of God is virtually a prerequisite for running for any political office of consequence in the US, so it's not exactly like people with professed religious faith are not getting elected. Harris, however, will almost certainly not be one of them.

PAGE:

1 | 2

Comments

Gringo

Spokane, WA

May 2006

AUG 27, 2006 05:57 PM

I know Republican and religious fanatics will chime in with their thoughts on this statement but....

I'm sorry. Once any politician or leader says they follow the bible and believe the retarded folklore in it, I can no longer view that person as sensible, logical, or practical. I understand that people have a right to believe whatever hogwash they want in this country - but do not use it to make decisions or influence on people who choose not to buy into the bullshit. There is separation of church and state for a reason.

Note: to any Christian who is going to flame me for my thoughts/opinions - remember that Jesus doesn't want you to judge others and he would want you to use love instead of violence. Speaking of which, how's Iraq?

Markus001

United Kingdom

November 2004

AUG 27, 2006 06:16 PM

I'm Christian - and I'm shaking my head in disbelief at this woman. This woman should stop embarassing those of us who are Christians but are not raving nutbars.

Holden_Caulfield

Ann Arbor, MI

April 2004

AUG 27, 2006 06:18 PM

She just pandering to the Evangelical Christian vote. She's doing miserably in the polls and will pretty much say anything to attract more votes.

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA

July 2004

AUG 27, 2006 06:28 PM

God must not like Katharine Harris very much, judging by her performance.

Man, I can't wait to see those election results.

FreakPirate

Canada

November 2002

AUG 27, 2006 06:31 PM

I sure hope God picks someone who isn't such a cement brained twat.

MrStitches

Brooklyn, NY

November 2003

AUG 27, 2006 06:32 PM

Ryoukansan

Picton, ON

September 2005

AUG 27, 2006 07:03 PM

This really makes me sick.. I've got a guy like this at work, and we argue all the time about church and politics.. he is the same way... You just cant mix the two.. you cant or you get crazy nuts like George bush running the show... God Bless Us All