PREZ RACE: Mike Hucakabee's promise to amend the Constitution

Am coming to this late, and after today's Republican primary in Florida, Mike Huckabee may not stay in the race for too long, but it's important to take note of something he said on January 15, 2008, in Michigan (see video below). From Adam Aigner-Treworgy of MSNBC's report on Huckabee's speech:

"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Huckabee often refers to the need to amend the constitution on these grounds, but he has never so specifically called for the Constitution to be brought within "God's standards," which are themselves debated amongst religious scholars. As a closing statement he asked the room of nearly 500 supporters to "pray and then work hard, and in that order," to help him secure a victory in Tuesday's GOP primary.

In the face of some criticism about his remarks, he told New York Jewish Week a couple of days later:

"Earlier this week, I was speaking about the human life amendment which I support and has been a part of the Republican platform since 1980 -- and traditional marriage," Huckabee said. "I am not suggesting that we rewrite the Constitution."

Today, the Hindu American Foundation, which already issued a statement about Arun Gandhi's resignation at Rochester, issued its second release for the day, expressing "deep concern" about Huckabee's call:

The Hindu American Foundation, which has consistently fought  to uphold the separation of church and state, expressed deep concern and worry about Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's call to amend the U.S. Constitution according to "God's standards".  "The American Constitution, amended 27 times in the past 220 years, is a document of profound significance and immense worth that guarantees every American citizen inalienable rights that secure freedom of religion and worship among other fundamental rights.  To call for an amendment of the Constitution so that it will hew to an individual's or group's version of 'God's standards,' is a recipe for fundamentalism and extremism to creep into the founding document of the United States," said Ramesh Rao, Senior Fellow at HAF.  "It is the wrong call to make in an election season, as it is an appeal in 'code words' to people of a particular faith and of a particular religious inclination. Our founding fathers understood the importance of freedom of religion, and it is important to bear in mind their vision of a multicultural and multifaith society, and how various cultures and religions have contributed to weaving the tapestry of this great nation."

Full HAF release below. Post your comments please.

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION

HAF Worried About Huckabee's Call to Amend the Constitution

For Media Inquiries contact:
Ishani Chowdhury
Hindu American Foundation
Office: 301.770.7835

WASHINGTON, DC (January 25, 2008) - The Hindu American Foundation, which has consistently fought  to uphold the separation of church and state, expressed deep concern and worry about Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's call to amend the U.S. Constitution according to "God's standards".  "The American Constitution, amended 27 times in the past 220 years, is a document of profound significance and immense worth that guarantees every American citizen inalienable rights that secure freedom of religion and worship among other fundamental rights.  To call for an amendment of the Constitution so that it will hew to an individual's or group's version of 'God's standards,' is a recipe for fundamentalism and extremism to creep into the founding document of the United States," said Ramesh Rao, Senior Fellow at HAF.  "It is the wrong call to make in an election season, as it is an appeal in 'code words' to people of a particular faith and of a particular religious inclination. Our founding fathers understood the importance of freedom of religion, and it is important to bear in mind their vision of a multicultural and multifaith society, and how various cultures and religions have contributed to weaving the tapestry of this great nation."

The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism. Contact HAF at 1-301-770-7835 or on the web at www.HAFsite.org.