Paul: U.S. has rejected 'Just War' theory of Christianity
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Texas Rep. Ron Paul said at Tuesday's GOP presidential debate that America's most pressing moral issue is its adoption of a preemptive military policy, declaring it a rejection of the "Just War theory of Christianity."
"We in the past have always declared war in the defense of our liberties or go to aid of somebody," he said. "But now we have accepted the principle of preemptive war - we have rejected the Just War theory of Christianity.
"We have to come to our senses about this issue of war and preemption and go back to traditions and our constitution and defend our liberties and defend our rights," he added.
Paul is the only GOP member of Congress running for president who voted against authorizing the use of force in Iraq.
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
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Right on, Dr. Paul is the only one who speaks the truth straigh to me. He of course is right here.
Ron Paul is an inspiration to me, as a Christan and as an American Patriot.
He is such a powerful speaker with an actual message. This guy is great.
Dr. Paul and his principled position on the war make him the only Republican who has any chance in 2008. If he is not the nominee it is 2006 all over again and Hillary is President. Will the Republicans wake up and smell the coffee? 70% of this country opposes the war.
Peace. Ron Paul stands for peace. Why do we have all this hatred and bloodshed? We are propagandized to believe in "pre-emptive" war. It's absurd.
Ron Paul hit the nail on the head. We need a NON-INTERVENTIONIST foreign policy. We have plenty of problems right here at home we should take care of!
Notice there is no poll on CNN. This will insure Paul gets no coverage. What a joke
Ron Paul is amazing! His message and words shine bright and true through the dark cloud of neoconservative and warmonger banter! Vote for Ron Paul, Vote for America, Liberty, Freedom!
Ron Paul has the mass media and big government running scared because he speaks with integrity and WE THE PEOPLE agree with him. CNN is afraid to pose a poll on who won tonights debate because they are terrified of the results. We are not spammers, we are individual American voters who want the changes his honesty will bring. Long live the CONSTITUTION, long live LIBERTY!!!
With 70 % of Americans opposed to the Iraq conflict this man was the only one with the message that has any chance against Democrats in a general election. These other guys must be planning on working for Haliburton after the campaign.
Ron Paul is the only candidate to even consider.
I could not agree more. This was the most credible statement of the evening. One who dares question where we as a nation have gone. Let us not defile all of the principles that we once stood for.War should be used as a last resort for protection of our country, against a country that has committed an agression against us.
As a person who is starting to identify more with Republicans (at least the old Republican philosophy), I hope the Republicans don't win any elections on the policy of more war. Ron Paul is absolutely right. He's the only palatable Presidential candidate.
This is probably the most important point of the entire debate. Doctor Paul's comments are focused on the essential issue of government power, and the potentially the ending of the world or at least the American world. God Bless Dr. Ron Paul!
Ron Paul has presented himself as the candidate for protecting the liberty of Americans citizens. His intelligence and honesty struck a chord tonight where no other candidate up on that stage did. He is not afraid to be something different, and best represents where the public mind is. All republicans would do well to realize the reason that we lost in 2006, and get behind an honest and truly conservative attitude as Ron Paul has done.
I find it funny that Communist News Network deleted the public's response to who won the debate when it was clear Ron Paul was the favorite.
GO RON PAUL!!! You are my choice for President, I am behind you 100% We need to hear more about RON PAUL!! STOP THE MEDIA BLACKOUT
As a former hard core conservative Republican, Paul sounds to me so far as the only true conservative of this bunch. The Republican party has turned liberal, and I will not vote for Guliani or Mccain if they get the nomination. They are no better than the Democrats with their liberalism.
I like Paul's message of freedom and self-responsibility. I hope he gets some press coverage, because he clearly resonates with people when given the chance.
Ron, you bring me hope that I should once again vote republican. Obama gets my vote if you don't make it!!
Love YOU!!
Finally a voice for the people, standing for truth, justice and the American way. The biggest lie of the war is that if we don't fight them there, then we'll have to fight them here or if we leave Iraq, they will follow us home. If that is true, why even bother fighting our fully armed combat forces there when they could simply come here and shoot unarmed citizens. The truth is they can't. They are no threat now and never will be.
AMEN!!
Ron Paul stood out as clearly the best leader. I am proud to support Dr. Paul, especially his positions against preemptive strikes and militiarism.
Ron Paul is conservative, honest, and consistent. When you talk about life and the right to live, Paul’s policy is the most consistent. He wants policy before war…he vaules life at all ages. NO PRE-EMPTIVE WAR.
Ron Paul has the wisdom to understand the most important issues facing America…he can see how our trade policies are hurting us, our foriegn policy is hurting us, and big government is hurting us. He is strong enough to say we have to fix this…he is a true Republican.
Where are the polls on here?
Ron Paul would be winning hands down!
Go Ron Paul! He loves the Constitution, understands what the role of Government is and is the antithesis of the Republican warmongers. I'm glad he had the courage to speak out against the immorality of our foreign policy. I was frustrated with CNN because they let Guliani and McCain and Romney ramble on and on about nothing.
I think its just a disgrace that CNN and the other networks who host these debates so flagrantly ignore equal representation and time to speak for each Candidate. They kiss ass to whoever has the most money to pay for airtime. If I was in that Audience I would have Spoken out in Outrage! Taking turns is a very simple process kids learn how to do it, why can't adults? On a gameshow and only a few got a chance to answer the questions, then it would be a rigged Show! Its Sickening, and I just wish I was there to say something about it.