Here's a quote from Barry Goldwater:

"However, on religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is
no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs.
There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ,
or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any
powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used
sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are
not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force
government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you
disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they
complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. I'm
frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country
telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe
in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are? And from where
do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And
I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every
religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote
on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them
every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all
Americans in the name of 'conservatism.' "


Now there was a man with principles and spine! What he said then is so
applicable today. In your heart, you know he's right!


Gilligan