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“Hindu principles align with Judeo-Christianity,” Vivek Ramaswamy
Ramaswamy said that despite not practicing the same faith as the founding fathers, his presidency will be focused on ensuring Americans can freely practice their faith
Vivek Ramaswamy /
Indian American Republican presidential primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said the principles of Hinduism, a religion he practices, align with Judeo-Christianity, a religion in which the foundations of the United States are popularly believed to be rooted.
Ramaswamy made the comments during a CNN townhall in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 13. His response was to an audience member who sought a comment for those who believe Ramaswamy “cannot be our President” as his religion “is not what our founding fathers based our country on.”
Maintaining that he “respectfully disagrees” with the belief, Ramaswamy explained that certain beliefs of Hinduism and Christianity align. He also highlighted his connection to Christianity while studying at St. Xaviers– a Catholic high school in Cincinnati.
“I'll tell you about my faith. My faith teaches me that God puts each of us here for a purpose. That we have a moral duty to realize that purpose. That God works through us in different ways, but we're still equal, because God resides in each of us,” he said. “I think those are the same Judeo-Christian values that I learned at St. X.”
Ramaswamy said, as a practicing Hindu, he would not get into evangelism, after being elected. However, he will be fully committed to upholding the First Amendment freedom of religion which empowers Americans with the right to freely practice their religion.
“Would I be the best president to spread Christianity through this country? I would not. I'd be not the best choice for that. But I also don't think that that's the job of the US president. But will I stand for the Judeo-Christian values that this nation was founded on that I was raised in, even in the Hindu faith? Yes, I will. You're darn right, I will,” Ramaswamy said.
Speaking of his priorities, the Republican added, “I think it's my responsibility to make faith and patriotism and family and hard work, cool again in this country, I think they're pretty cool and I think that's my job as your next president.”
Ramaswamy had also spoken about his faith in November at the Family Leader’s Presidential Thanksgiving Forum in Des Moines. “My faith is what gives me my freedom. My faith is what led me to this Presidential campaign,” he said at the time.
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