COMMENTARY | The Drudge Report has found a speech GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum gave to Ave Maria University in Florida in 2008. In it, Santorum told the gathered crowd that Satan was destroying America.
“Satan is attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity, and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that has so deeply rooted in the American tradition,” the Drudge Report claims Santorum said.
In rebuttal, USA Today reports Santorum called the article a “joke.” CBS News states Santorum claimed the speech he made four years is “not relevant to what is being discussed in America today.”
Ave Maria University was created by the founder of Domino’s Pizza and is a Catholic institution. Santorum is also a staunch Catholic and is known for socially conservative views on things such as abortion and gay marriage.
ABC News reports Santorum’s comments haven’t had any dimming effect so far. Franklin Graham, son of televangelist Billy Graham, stated Santorum is “clear on moral issues.” The Christian Science Monitor states Sarah Palin claimed the media is “taking things out of context.”
Contrarily, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that Santorum’s comments about Satan should be relevant because “people want to make an evaluation … of anyone who asks to sit in the Oval Office.” The ABC News article also states Christie is an ardent supporter of Mitt Romney, Santorum’s chief political rival in the 2012 GOP nominating race.
Here are some things to consider revolving around the fuss about Santorum’s comments.
Satan is defined by Merriam-Webster as “the angel who in Jewish belief is commanded by God to tempt humans to sin, to accuse the sinners, and to carry out God’s punishment.” Also, a “rebellious angel who in Christian belief is the adversary of God and the lord of evil.”
More importantly, Satan is mentioned in religious texts that some may regard as a work of fiction. The Bible, while holy in many respects, is a collection of stories recorded from thousands of years ago. Satan is mentioned in ancient texts, but is he a real person alive today?
Even if Satan were a real character, he would be very busy if he is indeed attacking American institutions all over our exceptional country. If Satan is a fictional character made up in an ancient story, how can he be attacking America? Perhaps we should get Harry Potter or Santa Claus to defend us from the evil Satan.
I understand that Santorum was making a comment regarding his opinion on the moral underpinnings of America. But voters have got to wonder if that kind of story is going to be part of Santorum’s governing style if he is elected president of the United States.