Presidential Candidate Ron Paul

By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide

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Ron Paul

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Faith Snapshot:

_{Last Updated: 01/26/2012}

Issues of faith and religion come to the forefront quite often during elections and presidential campaigns. In preparation for the 2012 elections, I'm providing a "faith snapshot" of each of the presidential candidates. This project will be updated as I find additional faith-related statements from the candidates. Please check back often!

Ron Paul's Political Profile:

Party: Republican
Age: 76
Education:
Gettysburg College, B.A.
Duke University School of Medicine, M.D.
Current Position: U.S. Representative, Texas
Experience: Surgeon, Obstetrician, Gynecologist, U.S. Representative, Texas
Declared Candidacy: May 13, 2011
Website: www.ronpaul2012.com

Ron Paul's Faith Snapshot:

Religion/Church: Baptist

Ron Paul was raised by Lutheran parents and attended the Lutheran Church regularly during his childhood. Before deciding to pursue a medical career, for a short time Paul considered becoming a Lutheran minister. Two of Ron's brothers, David and Jerrold, are Lutheran ministers. While in college Ron Paul was married to Carol Wells an Episcopalian, and together they baptized their five children in this denomination.

Eventually the couple stopped attending the Episcopal Church and began frequenting a Baptist church in Texas. Although Paul says he is uncomfortable discussing his faith as part of his political efforts, for those who ask, he has published a statement of faith on his campaign site. According to The Washington Post, Paul and his wife currently attend First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, Texas.

Ron Paul's Expressions of Faith:

In his statement of faith, Ron Paul writes, "My faith is a deeply private issue to me, and I don’t speak on it in great detail during my speeches because I want to avoid any appearance of exploiting it for political gain. Let me be very clear here: I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate."

Speaking about the First Amendment, Ron Paul says, "Similarly, the mythical separation of church and state doctrine has no historical or constitutional basis. Neither the language of the Constitution itself nor the legislative history reveals any mention of such separation. In fact, the authors of the First amendment ... routinely referred to "Almighty God" in their writings, including the Declaration of Independence. It is only in the last 50 years that federal courts have perverted the meaning of the amendment and sought to unlawfully restrict religious expression."

More About Ron Paul's Religion:

• Pew Forum - Religious Biography of Ron Paul
• Ron Paul the religious
• Ten Reasons for Christian to Vote for Ron Paul for President

More Faith Snapshots:

Complete List of 2008 Presidential Candidates