Romney talks ‘war on religion’ in Iowa

Mitt Romney discussed religion in the public square on Friday, advocating the right to public religious expression “particularly at this time of year.”

"I know there are some people who would like to make this nation a secular nation, who want to take God out of everything that exists in this country. They try to say it's unconstitutional,” Romney said. "I trust in God, and I know you do, and I believe it's appropriate for us to recognize in the public square that we do indeed have a creator and that we trust in our creator, particularly at this time of year.”

Romney was responding to a question about celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday, particularly in schools. The question offered Romney a chance to contrast with fellow Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry, who is running an ad on Iowa TV that accuses President Obama of waging a “war on religion.” American children cannot “openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school,” Perry says in the ad.

“How do you take God out of America when the declaration points out it’s God that gave us those rights in the first place?” Romney said. “I believe that we should be able to have religious ornamentation and celebration in the public square. Whether that’s a manger or a menorah, or representatives of other faiths, it is important for us as a society to recognize that we look to God for many of our blessings.”

Romney, who has mostly steered clear of religious discussion on the campaign trail, added that he does not “want to impose” religion on those who don’t believe in God.

“But one of the things I love about this country is that whether you are believing or non-believing you typically have something more important to you in your life than just yourself,” he said. “I’m not looking for teachers to have prayer every day in the classroom, but I do think at special ceremonies — graduation, football games and the like — that calling on our creator is a good idea."

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