Christie Goes Nuclear — Against Christians

Written by Gary Bauer

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been languishing around three percent in the presidential polls. After his surrender on religious liberty during a Fox News Sunday interview, it is my sincere hope that his support falls to zero.

When asked if Christians could be exempted from participating in same-sex weddings, Christie offered a cramped definition of religious liberty that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could applaud.

“Religious institutions should be able to decide how they conduct their religious activity,” Christie said. “The rest of the folks in the United States need to follow the law.”

So in Christie’s view, you can go to your church and worship freely. But once you step outside the church door, you have virtually no right to follow your faith. Sorry, Little Sisters of the Poor. You should expect no help from a President Christie in your fight against Obamacare’s contraception mandate.

Christie added, “I’m someone . . . who believes in law and order. I’m a former prosecutor. . . We need to enforce the laws of this country in every respect.” But we are arguing about what the law should be and the law is in flux.

The great wonder of America is that our commitment to religious freedom is so strong that we have routinely provided accommodations for religious liberty in our laws.

For example, conscientious objectors, based on their religious teachings, have been exempted from military service. The Amish have been given exemptions in a number of areas, including having to pay Social Security taxes.

In the case of same-sex marriage, most major faiths for thousands of years have taught that marriage was created by God and is the union of one man and one woman. This isn’t some sliver of opinion or a bizarre view. At least half the country still believes that.

Somebody should ask Christie whether he believes a New Jersey pizzeria owned by a faithful Catholic family should be required to cater a party hosted by radical feminists celebrating their abortions. In a truly tolerant society there would be room for that owner to say, “There are plenty of people who will serve you pizzas. But we are not going to celebrate abortion.”

Christie also said this week that we should watch out — he may “go nuclear” in the next debate. I think Christie already blew himself up.

This article was originally posted by the Campaign for Working Families.