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Editor's note:Carrie Sheffield is a senior policy analyst at the firmIndependent female voicemiTony Blankley Scholar in Public Policy and American Exceptionalism at the Steamboat Institute.The opinions expressed here are solely her own. See moreopinionarticles on CNN.
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It's disheartening to see some of my fellow conservatives attack the rising Republican presidential candidate.Vivek RamaswamyDoyour Hindu faith. It's wrong and un-American. It violates the spirit, if not the law, of the Constitution. And that can backfire on Christians as oursthe share of the US population is declining.
Carrie Sheffield
It is also completely counterproductive for those who claim to support traditional values and religious freedom. Ramaswamy is constantly evolvingSupport of Republican voters in the primaries, coming close to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in some polls and going head to head with him in the betting markets. He is also one of the candidates in the best position to push through the main points of the program of conservative Christianity.
Conservatives claim to be in favor of original jurisprudence, consistent with the letter of the Constitution and the intention of the Founders. However, those who criticize Ramaswamy on account of his religion are undermining this central US document whichexplicitly states:"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to run for any office or office of public trust in the United States."
It is clear, however, that Ramaswamy faces adversity because of his faith.
Stated prominent pro-life activist Abby Johnsonearlier this month on Flashpoint, a conservative TV show, that "Our God will not be mocked" if it persuades Christians to support what it described as a candidate who believes in "many gods." And while Ramaswamy is charismatic and says "the right things," she said, he is not the "right guy" for the White House because he is Indian.
Meanwhile, Hank Kunneman, pastor of the non-denominational Lord of Hosts Church in Omaha, Nebraska,attacked Ramaswamyin in a recent sermonsaying that as president, he would be "a guy who got his hands on something other than the Bible" who would "put all his weird gods in the White House."
Prominent conservative commentatorGlenn Beck robi The BlazeI recently asked a candidate about GOP voters who fear their Hinduism, and I personally spoke to several Christians who said it might put them off voting. They also told me that they were afraid that Hinduism might gain popularity and new converts at the expense of Christianity, a fear that is probably unfounded.
Ironically, some conservatives who distrust Ramaswamy's Hindu faith have ignored former President Donald Trump's ecumenical rule. For example, the 2020 White House prayer serviceThe interfaith event was attended by a Hindu priestoffering a prayer for peace along with some Christian prayers from Catholic and Protestant leaders. Trump himselfadopt a friendly attitudetowards Ramaswamy without criticizing Hinduism.
As a Christian, I do not share Ramaswamy's theology; However,I'm not running for pastor.-they-boss.” As commander-in-chief, he would provide strong leadership for economic and cultural renewal.
To begin with, Ramaswamy offers a convincing answer to the liberal critics who slander us"Christian nationalistsfor supporting traditional values. "I am a staunch supporter of religious freedom" - Ramaswamypowiedz Associated Press. "I will be an even more fierce and uncompromising champion of this precisely because no one will accuse me of being a Christian nationalist."
And Ramaswamy not only recognizes but honors America's biblical foundations. "We are a nation built on Judeo-Christian values"Ramaswamy said on Monday eveningat a town hall hosted by NewsNation. “Here's what I can say with certainty: I share the same values. I believe I live by these values more than many self-proclaimed Christian politicians."
He is right. Knowledge of the founding context of the United States becomes meaningless when a candidate refuses to carry on that legacy. Ramaswamy, however, values the Judeo-Christian value system. This cannot be said of all competitors.
President Joe Biden often talks about his Catholicism, for example, although his support for allowing women to choose abortion is largelydirect opposition to the theology of his church.Ramaswamy said he rejects Biden's approach, and he does"Opening for Life"supportingexpanded adoption and greater parental responsibility for men.Like the biblical Good Samaritan, who was theologically despised but honored God by his actions, Ramaswamy truly believes in Judeo-Christian values.
According to PewResearch Center, 53% of conservative Republicans say being a Christian is an important part of being a true American. ANDSupported by 61% of Republicansdeclare the United States a Christian nation. I disagree, though I would love to see more American Christianity grow.partly because of bloody religious persecutionin Europe, and our Founders wanted a break from state-imposed religions. Not to mention itJesus commanded us“Give then to Caesar what belongs to Caesar; and to God what is God', making a clear division between church and state.
This does not mean that faith and religion cannot be reconciled with politics. In fact, they are the perfect complement. "Of all inclinations and habits conducive to political prosperity"George Washington wrote in his farewell address:"religion and morality are necessary supports."
America is now a Christian majority country of 63%, but as more and more people are leaving Christianity,secularism is on the rise,The Golden Rule of Jesus tells Christians that they should not discriminate against non-Christians if they do not want the same. As our numbers dwindle, we need allies more than ever.
To my fellow Christians: Is your faith and salvation so weak that you think it could be weakened by supporting a non-Christian seeking secular office?The Great Commission of JesusHis final instructions before ascending to heaven did not include the overthrow of a Hindu political candidate. Instead, they proposed a much higher calling: preaching the Gospel to all nations.
Instead of attacking a Hindu politician who will protect Judeo-Christian values, Christian conservatives should spend their time helping the faith grow. At the moment, they are simply overseeing its further decline among the American people.