(CNN) - Speaking in Washington on Saturday at the Values Voter Summit, presidential hopeful Ron Paul threaded much of his speech with his familiar anti-war themes and rallying cries for liberty.
"One of the greatest threats to family is war," Paul said. "It undermines the family."
The Texas congressman has been a consistent critic of U.S. involvement in military activity overseas. To a crowd of mostly social conservatives, Paul linked the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the nation's mounting debt and sluggish economy.
And lacing his speech with biblical undertones for his largely-Christian audience, he suggested the U.S. shape its foreign policy around the "Golden Rule."
Paul also compared present-day America to the Israelites in the Old Testament when they allowed a king to govern their nation.
"We have too often relied on our own 'king' in Washington," Paul said, referring to the federal government. "And we have to change that."
Later, he added: "I prefer a different king - the original king - and the instructions that come from our creator, not from the government."
Paul was one of seven GOP presidential candidates who spoke this weekend at the social conservative conference, sponsored by the Family Research Council.
The former obstetrician, who has said in the past he's delivered more than 4,000 babies, also touched on abortion, arguing against the practice as an affront to liberty.
"You cannot be a great defender of liberty if you do not defend and understand what life is all about and where it comes from," he said.
Also see:
Don't settle for a moderate, Bachmann urges voters
Romney jabs controversial speaker at Values Voter Summit
Santorum takes aim at Cain, introduces '0-0-0 plan'
From CNN Politics
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I can agree with Ron 100% on these statements. It's the allowing Iran to pursue and get nuclear weapons and become isolationist that has me scratching my head.
I supported Paul and his anti war policies, but I disagree with him on "I prefer a different king – the original king – and the instructions that come from our creator, not from the government. You cannot be a great defender of liberty if you do not defend and understand what life is all about and where it comes from,"
A statement like that sounds like he would limit FREEMDOM of religion and no-religion.
Ron Paul makes more sense than all the other candidates in both parties. Go Ron Paul!
War leads to a huge debt, huh? Thank you, Captain Obvious. My hubby was listening to Paul in a debate an he thought he was the bee's knees. I told to keep listening and sure enough, the next question was that one about health insurance and letting the 30 yr old patient die. Ron Paul is the Grandpa Simpson of the GOP.
Ron Paul is so out of touch with the real world. He forgets that the golden rule means we treat others better than we treat ourselves. With his viewpoint we should allow genocide because it not here in our own country. he also is a hypocrite, he wants big government to stay out of our lives but when it comes to the personal choice he wants to stop all abortions.
I am glad he is retiring from congress so we will not have to have this person involved in our lives any more. Ron paul still has to learn that we are not a christian nation but a nation of laws and one of the basic of these laws is separation of church and state.
The Texas congressman has been a consistent critic of U.S. involvement in military activity overseas. To a crowd of mostly social conservatives, Paul linked the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the nation's mounting debt and sluggish economy.
Wow , a brain surgeon !
Luckily Ron Paul doesn't let his religious views control other people's decisions.
People will get the wrong idea from this, Ron Paul when speaking to very Christian audiences (majority of the Republican party) he needs to include some religious references to gain their support.
So much for our great libertarian candidate. Its seems, when facing a Republican Party nomination crowd, even the staunchest defender of civil liberties will cave and say that the government has the right to regulate the most personal part of our lives – our bodies. How sad....another potential true libertarian bites the cynical Washington dust.
With all due respect, Mr. Paul. your followers are people who think that people without insurance should be allowed to die. You have no more credibility as far as I am concerned. You are a Libertarian. What the heck is that anyway.? My thinking is that Libertarians are sleeper cells of some sort whose real intent will be revealed once in power and I'm thinking it won't be pretty. I will never vote for one of you.
That's where Paul's allegedly "Libertarian" ideology falls apart at the seams. You can't claim to be for an Individual's freedom
and against Tyranny....when at the same token you endorse a Police-State that monitors what families do in their own homes. The Government has no right to interfere with an individual's choice. Ron Paul is a hypocrite and is trying to have it both ways. Either stand-up for personal freedom to choose what they want to do in life or quit pretending the Government is bad unless you want the Government to act as Tyrant for only the issues that suit you.
That's actually the opposite of truth.
Liberty can only be protected, through being prepared to repel threats against it.
Abortion is a liberty, that is threatened by the GOP, who would enslave women to do their bidding, and bear children they do NOT want.
Poverty, more than any single factor, is a threat to liberty. Period. Why do you think that millions flee poverty around the world? Poverty is a prision. Nations and their governments should work to eliminate poverty.
The Feberal Government is the glue hold our country together other wise all the state would be fighting amonst each other. Bless.
He dared to criticize the wars that Bush and Cheney started. Guess Paul is unpatriotic and hates the troops now....just following the Repub mantra if anyone dares criticize their warmongering...like their sorry butts are ever the ones getting shot at and bombed.
War and abortion? War, yes. But, abortion? Paul is way off base on this. Another case of men attempting to control women. Women need to rise up and get in this guy's face.
Could they all just stop with all the christian talk? i am one and have no desire to live in a country that does not respect others beliefs...we are a great nation because of seperation of church and state! study ur history people. btw mr paul a womens body and what she does is Not your business...in fact i find this view of yours at odds with your no govt ideals you preach about. what is up with that?
Paul is showing himself to be unconsti-tutional. The government makes the law, not and imaginary creator.
The government makes the law, not an imaginary creator.
What about the "liberty" of a woman to make her own reproductive choices. Seems this old man doesn't give a damn about women making their own choices. He also doesn't seem to care much if people or children have healthcare. In other words, he's just another GOP nutcase.
I absolutely LOVE Ron Paul – but I still support the right to choose.