Sen. Paul: I didn't think Obama's 'views on marriage could get any gayer'
(CNN) – Sen. Rand Paul on Friday brushed off Barack Obama's recent reversal on same-sex marriage by saying he didn't think the president's views "could get any gayer."
The remarks from the Republican senator from Kentucky scored laughs among those attending an event held by Iowa's Faith and Freedom Coalition, a video uploaded on Saturday to the conservative website "The Iowa Republican" shows.
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"The president, you know, recently weighed in on marriage. And, you know, he said his views were evolving on marriage," the first-term senator said Friday evening. "Call me cynical, but I wasn't sure that his views on marriage could get any gayer."
Paul, who is the son of GOP presidential longshot and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, made the comments two days after Obama announced that he supported same-sex marriage, which he had previously opposed, while adding he thought the issue should be left up to the states to decide.
Rand Paul had been advertised as the coalition's "special guest" for its 12th annual spring event. The organization's website also promoted the presence of Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ralph Reed, who is the chairman of the national Faith and Freedom Coalition.
In the remarks captured on video, Paul spoke against abortion as well as same-sex marriage.
"I think we're in a spiritual crisis as a country," Paul said, "and I think you're going to need leaders beyond your political leaders."
The senator criticized Obama's explanation that the Golden Rule - to treat others how one wants to be treated - and his faith led to his evolved understanding of marriage. The Golden Rule has its roots in biblical verses.
"It did bother me though that he used the justification for it in a biblical reference," Paul said. "He said the biblical Golden Rule caused him to be for gay marriage. And I'm like, what version of the Bible is he reading?
"It's not the King James version, it's not the New American Standard, it's not the New Revised version," he added.
But Paul said his beliefs and those of other social conservatives and Christians do not "mean we have to be harsh and mean and hate people."
"We understand sin and if we believe it's a sin, we still are (sinners) and people sin," he said. "We're not out there preaching some sort of hateful dogma against people. But that doesn't mean that we have to go ahead and give up our traditions."
"Six thousand years of tradition" combined with "anthropological" evidence shows "there's stability in the family unit," he said.
Calls placed Saturday to the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, as well as to Paul's offices and spokeswoman, were not immediately returned.
Looks like Rand will never be like his father. And that's sad. We need a torchbearer.
"What version of the Bible is he reading?"
Perhaps he is looking at Jewish tradition. The first formulation of the Golden Rule was stated by Rabbi Hillel, who pre-dates Jesus by about a century. The formulation is slightly, but meaningfully, different. He is cited in the Talmud as saying, "Do NOT do unto others what you would NOT do unto yourself." (emphasis added). This means if you would not believe your marriage and love should be denounced and made illegal, you should not do the same to others.
Come to think of it, that's a pretty Libertarian sentiment that Mr. Paul opposes.....
He's new kind of Libertarian; one that wants Big Government to control every aspect of your personal life. What a "flaming' hypocrite!
This holier than thou nut-job has nothing positive to say every time he rears his ugly head. Negative, hateful bigotry learned from his father and the bible. Yes, LEARNED. Talk about consuming the Kool Aid...
An enlightened libertarian, while welcoming, encouraging, and defending freedom, is guided by reason to the extent a human can possess. A human is flawed, and by extension, reason can be flawed also. Right reason, or perhaps, wisdom, comes from an unflawed source (Deity). The Deity can impart the truth, but the human can only understand, accept, dispute, decry, or ignore to the extent of his will and/or capacity.
I agree with Rand Paul. Hatred of any individual serves no purpose. And force legislating an anthropological anomaly in the name of freedom is as much a lie as saying a legislated monopoly exists to create better customer service.
Aberrant behavior will always exist. Toleration of aberrant behavior SHOULD always exist. Legislation to force the equating of aberrant with normative is misguided, less than reasonable, and unwise.
That is my opinion.
"spiritual crisis" is just another term for not Christian. Rand Paul is showing himself to be not the champion of individual liberty that his father is known for. Or is Ron just better at hiding his hate?
Once more we see a conservative leader and self-promoting "Christian" using the Bible to justify hate and mindless prejudice. You have to hand it to Kentucky, they sure can pick 'em.
rand paul has none of the personal appeal of his father and all of the bigotry and intolerance of his father's followers
Libertarian hypocrite. I don't even think libertarianism is a real political ideology. Just another shadow puppet for the GOP machine hoping to divide America, which has once succeed, now failed.
"Russ
To answer one of the above comments, YES, even having children in a divorced single parent home is 100 times better than placing them in a gay household. They borders on child abuse for political correctness."
That has to be one of the most stupid comments i have ever seen. You'd rather place them in a broken home then to be with 2 possibly gay loving parents? shame you on you
Goodbye, Bigot! I will be looking for your politicized explanation of this in 2016 before you drop out of the race.
@Sharrr: You named three men in your post; about Larry Sinclair, I found the following:
According to Politico (the furthest thing from a President Obama supporter), their reporter Ben Smith has detailed Sinclair's "27-year criminal record, with a specialty in crimes involving deceit." This was reported back in June 2008, so I guess the updated version would read "31-year criminal record."
I'm guessing the other two names you mentioned regard other whack-a-doodles making outlandish accusations about President Obama.
My advice to you, Sharrr: Get back on your meds.
@Tony: "I don't even think libertarianism is a real political ideology."
It is a real political ideology, promoted by self-centered, ungrateful, infantile people who think the would should revolve around their pathetic, selfish desires, regardless of the consequences to others. They want all the benefits of civil society without any of the responsibility.
Personally, I would like nothing better for all of them to go live in the underclass of any third-world nation for a year so they can get a REAL taste of the dog-eat-dog world they advocate.
@Russ Yes, and the Earth is flat too. Any more ignorant, uneducated comments you'd like to make?
A bigoted low-life with the hypocritical values of the south of the 40's and 50's has no right to any media coverage of his stupid remarks. He sounds like a 7th grader from the deep south in days gone by. Ugh.
@Bobby: "CNN: "The Golden Rule has its roots in biblical verses." – WRONG."
I beg to differ:
The "Golden Rule" has been attributed to Jesus of Nazareth: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matthew 7:12, see also Luke 6:31). The common English phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
A similar form appeared in a Catholic catechism around 1567 (specifically in the reprint of 1583). The Golden Rule also has roots in the two old testament edicts: Leviticus 19:18 ("Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself") and Leviticus 19:34 ("But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God")."
So, Bobby, YOU are WRONG! 🙂
Politians who support a people of one mind, one race, one idiology, and military solutions as a first resort. What type of leadership does that make you think of? Conservitive? Actually I was describing something from the early 20th century Germany.
The slogan "Take back America" is pretty scary isn't it?
Rand Paul is just trying to make a name for himself so he can run for president in 2016 (that's also the main reason his dad is still in the race today).
Rand Paul is a fake, through and through, everything from his so-called "freedom-loving" ways (except religious freedom, a woman's right to choose and the right for all people regardless of race, physical ability and anything else he doesn't like to have free access to businesses) to his phony "board certification" as an ophthalmologist (he incorporated the "National Board of Ophthalmology," with his wife and a PO box in 1999 and that he heads, a group that American Board of Medical Specialties doesn't recognize and isn't approved by the American Medical Association).
Pathetic!
My congregation at the Edifice of the Holiest Cosmic Muffin On-Line Cyber Church has published a white paper condemning the vile, repugnant sin of wearing the hide of a weasel upon ones pate as does the eternally condemned, Senator Paul. May Cosmic Muffin disregard 5 billion years of human history and see fit to forgive his most heinous rug.
Actually, if you have another million dollars, he'll "evolve" again.
"he didn't think the president's views 'could get any gayer." How old is he? 13? I suggest Sen Paul join the rest of the adult world and stop speaking like he is in junior high.
I guess Sen. Paul missed the Sunday morning shows. This is not the first time, he's been absolutely wrong!
And I didn't think the GOP could become more openly bigoted, but there you have it.
Vote this party into extinction once and for all please!
And these are the same dirtbags who have created the culture of bullying in our schools. Isn't that such lovely Christian conduct?
Only Kentucky could best Texas for stupid awards. They one the prize with Rand.