IS NEWT GINGRICH LEADING THE GOP TO BECOME THE "PERMANENT MINORITY PARTY"?

...Former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich

With so few "moderate Republicans" left in the party, it seems that only those from the far-right still call themselves "Republicans".

In a recent comment from the former Republican House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, he commented that Thomas Jefferson had stated that the Unites States was a "secular nation". Mr. Gingrich then asked a rhetorical question saying; "Mr. Jefferson, based on your Declaration of Independence, that says that our country´s truths of equality are "endowed by their creator", how can we then pretend that we are a secular nation?"

I am always surprised by many of Mr. Gingrich´s comments as he continues to make the mainstream news with his goal of securing the GOP´s presidential nomination for 2012. I´m particularly astounded by this comment, as Newt usually appears to fancy himself as an amateur American "scholar & historian".

Based on his background knowledge, Mr. Gingrich should be aware of the letter that was written by the then President Thomas Jefferson in January of 1802, to Messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist Association in the state of Connecticut. This now famous letter pretty much explains the answer to Newt´s question.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.

Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Signed,

Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America

If Mr. Gingrich can´t understand these clear words stating that ; "….the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.", then Mr. Gingrich has no idea as to how the concept of this country was developed by its founders.

Yes, it true that the basis of the country was for the "freedom of religion" for all its citizens. And it´s true that most of the attendees that were assembled to establish the foundation of the US Constitution, had very strong religious backgrounds. But they also were very clear that even though there would be religious freedom, religion would not be a part of the foundation of the new government. Religion was and is a personal issue for each individual citizen. The structuring of the nation´s new government however, was a totally separate issue. And it must instead, support the secular needs of all of its citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation. .

Unfortunately, it continues to appear that in many ways, Mr. Gingrich and other strong conservatives would prefer an American government that was closer to that of "theocratic Muslim countries".

Based on Newt´s comments, just as Muslim countries require that their government´s decisions should be based on the divine guidance as is stated in the Muslim´s holy book of religion, the Koran. Does Newt instead want the American government to abandon the concept of the division of church and state and to follow the "divine Christian guidance" of the New Testament? His comments and attitude seem to point in that direction.

The reality is that Newt knows that in order to get the GOP nomination in 2012, he must now appeal to the very conservative, religious right wing Republicans. Unfortunately, there are so few moderate Republicans remaining in the GOP, Newt must now lean even further to the right in order to appease the only conservatives that still refer to themselves as "Republicans". And unfortunately for Newt, his current actions may be leading himself and this "religious-right" group of Republicans, (which now make up a good portion of those running the GOP), in becoming the "permanent minority party" for years to come.

I guess only time will tell the final outcome.

Copyright G.Ater 2009

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