Readers Respond to Newt Gingrich's Family Values Conversion
Dan Gilgoff, God & Country
Lots of readers reacted to my interview with Newt Gingrich about his recent Roman Catholic conversion by calling him out on his extramarital affairs and multiple marriages, branding him a hypocrite for flaunting his faith and values side. "Newt seems to me to be milking his conversion for political gain from what I've seen so far," one prominent Catholic blogger told me via E-mail. "I hope I'm wrong."
It's important to note that in the course of a couple of hours I spent with him this week, Gingrich hardly flaunted his Catholicism. He didn't mention his conversion until I asked about it. I'd say it's a stretch to characterize him as loudly advertising his new religious affiliation.
But many readers branded Gingrich a hypocrite or a con man.
Terry Campolieti of California writes:
Now I've heard it ALL!!! Which wife is Callista? One, two, or three or who knows? It can't be the one he left on her death bed dying of cancer? Or is it the Page working in Congress when old Newt was in the bigtime!?
Now, as a Catholic, I am completely embarrassed to be a Catholic!
From Tony of Ohio:
I think Newt got religion just like Bush. You know vote for me because I had a religious conversion and now I'm a Christian. Give me a break. Bush "became" Christian when he needed votes. He even had to have a former Christian minister coach him in how to act. I suppose Newt will do the same. Both of these idiots and those that support them have given Christians a bad name.
As Gingrich mulls his political future and a run for the White House, it's worth noting that Southern Baptist Convention public policy chief Richard Land recently told me he couldn't support Gingrich because of his past personal conduct, comparing it to Barack Obama's:
Not enough religious conservatives are saying this: It's terribly important that [Obama] gives every indication of being a moral man who is demonstrably fond of his wife and children. I think that's important in a president, be it a Democrat or a Republican. That's why I said I couldn't vote for Giuliani or Gingrich. I think [Obama's] making a real difference in this country in his example as a model father and husband.
At the same time, many readers defended Gingrich, saying those who would damn him are the hypocrites. Jim B of Idaho writes:
Regarding Gingrich's "sins": Christ said he came to heal sinners, not the righteous. The church is made up of sinners who have turned to Christ.
What do you think? Is the former speaker's past personal conduct a deal breaker for voters?
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Tags: religion | Catholicism | Newt Gingrich
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Reader Comments
Newt and forgivness
Newt is a very knowledgeable,experienced and politically savey man. He has broken his trust with his wife, his political constituents,his party, his contrac with Americca and his God.He does"t want forgivnes, I can give him that,He wants restitution. He wants to be put back where he was.There are more dependable men who deserve the position he craves.The next president will have an enormus job to undo the shift from free interprise to socialism that is incuring now.
I like Newt and I pray for him,but he has burned too many bridges.
If Newt is sincere he will help find the right man and get out of his way! That is the most important thing he can do for his country.
To Steven Barrett
Mr. Barrett - go back and read your response!
"matrimony is both a Sacrament and Vocation . . . marriage is for LIFE because it is the making of an estate . . ."
REALLY?!?
So if it is SO sacred, why did Newt and his present wife (a Catholic) treat it with the vocation of a couple of heathens on a weekend fling???
Oh, that's right, he was converted - or at least he was once he took her to bed (while his last wife was likely attending Baptist services).
And when did his present wife's conversion take place? Oh, that's right, she was already a practicing Catholic . . Boink Newt Saturday night, then eat some bread, drink some wine, and all is forgiven Sunday morning.
Now that is the epitome of HIPOCRACY!!!
Mr. Barrett - you can have your religion. My fiancee and I have both left the Catholic Church . . . and left it to the hipocrites we saw in Mass on Sundays doing the same thing Newt and Wifey (II or III??) did.
I have always joked that I want to be buried with a fan and a bottle of Scotch. One of my sister's asked, "How do you know I knew there is electricity in Hell?" I said, "How do you know there's not . . . and if I'm right, me and my buddies will be sitting with the Devil drinking in front of my fan."
I am comfortable with my choices in life - as imperfect as I am. If there is a God, and I have serious doubts as to that issue, he knows what's in my heart.
Sinning and asking for forgiveness is one thing . . . repeating the same sin over and over again is hipocracy. Practicing religion under the guise of "having seen the light"only makes a hipocracy of the whole concept of God.
Redemption
We are not talking about a young man who erred, we are talking about someone who at the same time was lamblasting Clinton was having his own fun at a very ripe old age of someone who should know better.
I am sure we can look at other politicians to lead the Republican party who do not have quite the track record of Newt. The hypocrisy of the man is astounding. The only redemable quality of the man is his stance on climate change.
Always love a redemption story. Its sickening, especially when someone is looking for a further political future.
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