Speaking at a restaurant town hall in Manchester, NH Tuesday, Gov. Chris Christie took a question from a person who argued that the Bible was against war and fracking, but also endorsed turning the other cheek instead of fighting.
Christie took the question, pointing out that it was possible for everyone to interpret to the Bible in different ways.
“You can take any portion of the Bible, read any portion of it, and interpret it the way you want to interpret it,” he said, pointing out that different people had different ways of practicing their faith.
Christie also pointed out that radical Islam was another example how politics corrupted religion.
“I don’t believe that there’s anything inherently violent about Islam, yet, we have people who in the name of God through Islam have committed horrific acts in the name of the religion,” he said.
Christie, who is a Catholic, explained why people of different faiths should respect each other’s faith and be free to practice whatever religion they chose.
He pointed out that all Americans needed to have respect for everyone’s faith, reminding the audience that the United States didn’t have a national religion enshrined in the Constitution.
“That’s one of the reasons why religion shouldn’t be in politics in my view,” he said. “Does not mean that we do not believe in God, I absolutely believe in God, and yes I’m a Catholic and I believe in my Church,” he said.
He explained that although he was a Catholic, he personally decided to use birth control at one point in his life, although it was contrary to the teaching of his Church.
“For instance I’m a Catholic but I’ve used birth control – and not just the rhythm method, OK – so you know, my church has a teaching against birth control, does that make me an awful Catholic because I believe and practiced that function during part of my life?” he asked. “I don’t think so, but you know what, I’m only going to find out when it’s my time to be judged.”
Christie also took on the question about wars, pointing out that the teachings of the Bible always believed in self-defense. He admitted that although he hated war, the imperfect nature of human beings made it unavoidable at times.
“I’m glad our country stood up against Hitler and the Japanese in World War II,or this world would be a much different place if we hadn’t,” he said.