Marco Rubio Answers an Atheist's Concerns about His Christian Faith

Marco Rubio

Pol Light Moment #139 took place on January 18, 2016, when Marco Rubio answered an atheist's concern about his Christian faith in a town hall meeting in Waverly, Iowa. Marco Rubio has served as a United States Senator for Florida since January, 2011. 
An atheist named Justin Scott attended a Marco Rubio town hall meeting on January 18, 2016, and asked Rubio the following question:

I’m an atheist voter. I represent millions of atheists and non-theists around the country. One of the fastest growing voter blocs. And you said earlier that you wanted to stand up for religious freedom and all of that. My question is: For atheist voters that are looking for somebody that will uphold their rights as Americans, and not pander to a certain religious group, I just noticed your recent ad. It mentioned nothing about policy, it mentioned nothing about ideas, and it simply talked about wanting us to follow faith, and find God, and go to Heaven, and things like that. Which is fine for those people that align with you. My question is: how do you plan on upholding our rights and focusing on non-theists… because there’s talks in our community about running as “pastor in chief” instead of commander in chief, so I’m curious your thoughts (Patheos, Asking Marco Rubio How He'd Protect the Rights of Atheists is not a Gotcha Question, Hemant Mehta, January 21, 2016). 

Here is a video that Justin Scott recorded and placed on YouTube of the answer Marco Rubio gave.

In part of his response to the atheist Justin Scott, Marco Rubio said:

We are also going to have a country where no one is forced to violate their conscience, which means that no one is going to force you to believe in God. But, no one is going to force me to stop talking about God. I am not going to force you to pray. I am not going to force you to go to church. I am not going to force you to espouse beliefs that you don't have. But, no one is going to take away my right and your right to live out the teachings of your faith — no one.

You shouldn't be worried about my faith influencing me. In fact, I think you should hope my faith influences me and here's why. You know what my faith teaches me? My faith teaches me that I have an obligation to care for the less fortunate. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation to love my neighbor. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation for those who are hungry to help try to feed them; for those that are naked, to help clothe them. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation that I need to minister to those in prison. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation that if I want to serve Jesus that I have to serve [others]. I think you should hope that influences me (Marco Rubio as quoted by The Christian Post, Rubio to Atheist, Samuel Smith, January 19, 2016).

For more information on this moment when Marco Rubio answered an atheist read these articles:

• Legal Insurrection.com, Marco Rubio Answers Atheist on Question of Faith, Kemberlee Kaye, January 19, 2016
• Time.com, Marco Rubio Finds God with Atheist Question in Iowa, Zeke J. Miller, January 19, 2016
• The Christian Post, Rubio to Atheist, Samuel Smith, January 19, 2016

Marco Rubio has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Marco Rubio posts search with the "Marco Rubio" label at Pol Light.   Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo in this Post: "Marco Rubio, Official Portrait, 112th Congress" by US Senate - Email from the Office of Senator Marco Rubio. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

Marco Rubio Stops Rally to Pray for Elderly Man Who Collapsed

Marco Rubio

Pol Light Moment #135 took place on February 19, 2016, when Marco Rubio stopped his speech to say a spontaneous prayer for an elderly man who had collapsed at his rally in South Carolina. Marco Rubio has served as a United States Senator for Florida since January, 2011. 
It was the eve of the South Carolina Presidential Primary on February 19, 2016, and Marco Rubio was speaking at a campaign rally at the Madren Center on the campus of Clemson University. During his speech to about 400 people an elderly man collapsed and needed medical attention. When the situation happened, Marco Rubio stopped his speech and offered a prayer for the man.
The following is a video of this moment when Marco Rubio prayed for the man who had collapsed at the rally. 

The words of the prayer that Marco Rubio uttered were:

Father Lord we thank you for bringing us here together tonight. We ask you to pray for our brother at this moment that you would put your hand upon him Lord. And that you will help him to deal with whatever circumstances he might be facing. God, all things are possible for you. Lord, you can do everything so Lord we ask for your blessing upon him now and we ask for your blessings upon those of us here today. If any of us has the ability to provide assistance Lord, that we may do that now. We thank you God for all your blessings and ask you God that your spirit would come upon this place and provide assistance to this gentleman at this key moment. That you Lord may do whatever needs to be done father that he may recover from what he is facing. In your son's name we pray Amen (Transcribed from YouTube video at CBN News by Alan Stokes).

Thankfully the man regained consciousness and was laughing and smiling with emergency medical personnel when they arrived (Greenville Online, Rubio Leads Campaign Rally in Prayer after Man Collapses, Amanda Coyne, February 19, 2016).

For more information on this moment read, the article Marco Rubio Stops to Pray for Elderly Man Who Collapses at Campaign Rally, published in the Christian Post on February 21, 2016.

Marco Rubio has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Marco Rubio posts search with the "Marco Rubio" label at Pol Light.   Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo in this Post: "Marco Rubio, Official Portrait, 112th Congress" by US Senate - Email from the Office of Senator Marco Rubio. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

Joseph Lieberman Shares About His Jewish Faith

Joseph Lieberman

Pol Light Moment #133 occurred on December 9, 2012, when Joseph Lieberman shared about his religious journey in the Jewish faith, when he received the Orthodox Jewish All-Star Award in 2012. Joseph Lieberman served as a United States Senator from Connecticut from 1989-2013.

The following is a video of Joe Lieberman sharing his Jewish faith. The video was released on February 4, 2014, but it was recorded on December 9, 2012, as part of a presentation for when Joseph Lieberman received the Orthodox Jewish All-Star Award in 2012.

For more information on Joseph Lieberman's faith read Jew in the City, Exclusive on Joe Lieberman: The Story of His Religious Journey, Allison Josephs, February 5, 2014.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Joseph Lieberman is in the Public Domain.

John Adams Prays Blessing for White House

John Adams

Pol Light Moment #113 happened on November 2, 1800, when John Adams prayed a blessing for the White House. John Adams was the 2nd President of the United States. He has served as President of the United States from 1797-1801.

John Adams was the first President of the United States to reside in the White House, which was originally called the President's House (History.com, November 1, 1800). He moved in on November 1, 1800, when parts of the interior rooms were still unfinished. At the time one had to get to the White House by traveling through a forest of undeveloped land in what is modern day Washington D.C.

On November 2, 1800, during his second day in the White House, John Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife Abigail offering this prayer of blessing on the house.

"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."

(Source: Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1800 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/)

Franklin Roosevelt appreciated this prayer so much that he had Adams' blessing carved into the mantel in the State Dining Room of the White House (World History Project, November 1, 1800).

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Image: The painting of John Adams is in the Public Domain.

Terry Branstad Issues Proclamation for Day of Prayer

Terry Branstad

Pol Light Moment #100 happened on April 8, 2014, when Terry Branstad issued a proclamation designating July 14, 2014 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting and Repentence in Iowa. Terry Branstad is the Governor of Iowa. He is the longest serving Governor in Iowa history having been in office from 1983-1999 and 2011 to the present.

The Family Leader writes, "The proclamation was signed at the request of a group who’s focus is bringing spiritual revival back to our nation. You can learn more about them at www.prayer7-14-14.com. They hosted an event at the Iowa Capitol on July 14, 2014 symbolizing our response to 2 Chronicles 7:14 (The Family Leader)."

The following is a YouTube video of Terry Branstad signing his proclamation on of a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Repentence on July 14, 2014.

The following is the text of Terry Branstad's proclamation on a Day of Prayer.

The Proclamation reads:

WHEREAS,

President George Washington stated in his Proclamation of October 17, 1789, “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor”; and

WHEREAS,

President Abraham Lincoln stated in his Proclamation of April 24, 1863, a day of national humble repentance, fasting and prayer, “It is the duty of all Nations as well to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history that those nations are blessed whose God is The Lord (Psalm 33:12)…But we have forgotten God.  We have forgotten the gracious hand, which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.  Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace-to-proud to pray to the God that made us…”; and

WHEREAS,

President John Hancock stated in his Proclamation on April 15, 1775, a day of fasting, humble repentance and prayer, with a total abstinence from labor and recreation, “In circumstances as dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect what whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments, …at the same time all confidence must be withheld from the means we use; and reposed only on that God rules in the armies of Heaven, and without His whole blessing, the best human counsels are but foolishness…”; and

WHEREAS,

Governors throughout history, have called for days of fasting and prayer over the condition of their state and nation, including Samuel Adams, a signer of the Constitution and serving as Governor of Massachusetts, “I do hereby appoint Thursday the Second Day of April next, to be observed as a Day of Public Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer throughout this Commonwealth: Calling upon the Ministers of the Gospel, of every Denomination, with their respective Congregations, to assemble on that Day, and devoutly implore the Divine forgiveness of our Sins…”:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry E Branstad, as Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby invite all Iowans who choose to join in the thoughtful prayer and humble repentance according to II Chronicles 7:14 in favor of our state and nation to come together on July 14, 2014.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO  SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED.  DONE AT DES MOINES THIS 8TH DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN. :

TERRY E. BRANSTAD

GOVERNOR OF IOWA

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The top photo of Terry Branstad is attributed to Gage Skidmore and is in Wikipedia Commons.

Rick Perry Organizes Prayer Event for America

Rick Perry

Pol Light Moment #91 took place on August 6, 2011, when Rick Perry organized an event to pray for America called The Repsonse: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis.  Rick Perry has served as the Governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. He has been nominated to serve as the Secretary of Energy.

The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis was held in Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on August 6, 2011 and had an estimated attendance of about 30,000 (Wall Street Journal, Rick Perry's Positive 'Response').  Rick Perry helped create the Christian focused event. In addition to saying a prayer he gave a 13 minute speech at the event.

The following is a video of Rick Perry's Prayer at The Response Rally.

 
Part of the prayer that Rick Perry said was for Barack Obama. Rick Perry prayed, "Father we pray for our president, that you impart your wisdom upon him, that you would guard his family (New York Times, Perry Leads Prayer Rally for 'Nation in Crisis').

Rick Perry sent out the following message promoting the event in advance of it.

My Fellow Americans, 

Right now, America is in crisis: we have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters. As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles, and thank Him for the blessings of freedom we so richly enjoy. 

Some problems are beyond our power to solve, and according to the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, this historic hour demands a historic response. Therefore, on August 6, thousands will gather to pray for a historic breakthrough for our country and a renewed sense of moral purpose. 

I sincerely hope you’ll join me in Houston on August 6th and take your place in Reliant Stadium with praying people asking God’s forgiveness, wisdom and provision for our state and nation. There is hope for America. It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees. 

Sincerely, 

Rick Perry(Source: rickperry.org)

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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Photo: The photo in this post of Rick Perry was taken by Gage Skidmore.

Harry Truman Shares His Life's Prayer

Pol Light Moment #85 is when Harry Truman shared his life's prayer on August 15, 1950. Harry Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945-1953.

According to President Truman: "The prayer on this page has been said by me--by Harry S. Truman--from high school days, as a window washer, bottle duster, floor scrubber in an Independence, Mo., drugstore, as a timekeeper on a railroad contract gang, as an employee of a newspaper, as a bank clerk, as a farmer riding a gang plow behind four horses and mules, as a fraternity official learning to say nothing at all if good could not be said of a man, as public official judging the weaknesses and shortcomings of constituents, and as President of the United States of America." (8/15/50)

Oh! Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven, Earth and the Universe :-

Help me to be, to think, to act what is right, because it is right; make me truthful, honest and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me. Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving and patient with my fellowmen - help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings -- even as Thou understandest mine! Amen, Amen, Amen

(Source: Truman Library Website).

Harry Truman has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Harry Truman posts search with Harry Truman label at Pol Light. Also, Harry Truman's grand son was featured in the Pol Light post Clifton Truman Daniel Visits Japan.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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Photo: The photo of Harry Truman is in the Public Domain.

Jimmy Carter Teaches Sunday School

Jimmy Carter

Pol Light Moment #80 is Jimmy Carter teaching Sunday School. After leaving office in 1981, Jimmy Carter began regularly teaching Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.  Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977-1981. Prior to that he served as the Governor of Georgia from 1971-1975.

The following is a news story about Jimmy Carter teaching Sunday School in Plains, Georgia.

Jimmy Carter has been teaching Sunday School for decades and he most recently taught at Maranatha Baptist Church on September 28, 2014. He is not scheduled to teach Sunday School in October, but is scheduled at this point for each Sunday in November, 2014. The following video has some excerpts of Jimmy Carter teaching Sunday School.

Jimmy Carter has been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the Jimmy Carter Label.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo in this post is in the Public Domain as an official photo of the United States government.