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.

Jeb Bush Speaks Spanish in Video for Hispanic Heritage Month

Jeb Bush

Pol Light Moment #120 occurred on September 14, 2015, when Jeb Bush spoke Spanish in a video for Hispanic Heritage Month in America. Jeb Bush served as the Governor of Florida from 1999-2007. Jeb Bush speaks fluent Spanish, his wife Columba Bush is from Mexico, and his children and grandchildren are Hispanic.

Below is the video narrated by Jeb Bush speaking in Spanish.

Jeb Bush says in the video, "Hispanics contribute more every day to our culture; they are an integral part of the American dream (CNN.com, Jeb Bush Speaks Spanish in Video Celebrating Hispanics, September 14, 2015)."

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: "Gov Jeb Bush" by State of Florida - official Florida website - myflorida.com. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

Marco Rubio Catches Nancy Reagan as She Falls

Marco Rubio

Pol Light Moment #58 took place on August 23, 2011, when Marco Rubio caught former First Lady Nancy Reagan when she fell at an event. Marco Rubio has served as a United States Senator for Florida since January, 2011. 
Sen. Marco Rubio was escorting Nancy Reagan at an event at the Reagan Presidential Library in California on August 23, 2011 (CNN.com, Nancy Reagan Falls During California Event, August 24, 2011).  Marco Rubio was the keynote speaker at the event. As Nancy Reagan fell, Marco Rubio was able to catch her before she touched the ground.  The following is a news story on the event. 

• Nancy Reagan has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Nancy Reagan posts search with the "Nancy Reagan" label at Pol Light. 
• 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.