NEW YORK – Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani says God is a very important part of his life.
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(Photo: AP Images / Stuart Ramson)Former New York Mayor and presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani speaks to the Associated Press, Tuesday, Sept., 25, 2007 in New York. Giuliani has focused on November 2008, and Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton in particular, from the outset of his White House bid with a strategy as uncertain as it is necessary.
"I believe in God. I pray to God, and I pray to Jesus for guidance, help,” Giuliani said in an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network. “I have very, very strong views on religion that come about from having wanted to be a priest when I was younger, having studied theology for four years in college.”
The former New York mayor said he feels God’s help when “in crisis and under pressure like Sept. 11, when I was dealing with prostate cancer, or I'm trying to explain death to people, which unfortunately I've had to do so often.”
In a series of video interviews posted Friday on the CBN website, Giuliani also discussed other topics with CBN news correspondent David Brody, including his view on religion, how he feels about the public’s take on his personal life, and why he took a cell phone call from his wife in the middle of his speech to the National Rifle Association.
When asked about his family, the presidential hopeful said, "I love my family very, very much. I think there are some people that are very judgmental."
Giuliani has been married three times and divorced twice. He was first married to his second cousin for 14 years. He later divorced her and sought an annulment from the Roman Catholic Church on grounds that they did not have the Church dispensation needed since she was his second cousin instead of his third cousin which he originally thought. During his second marriage, Giuliani was reportedly involved in adulterous relationships with at least two women, one of whom is his current wife. According to the New York Times, Giuliani was also estranged from his two children with his second wife.
"I'm guided very, very often about, `Don't judge others, lest you be judged,'" Giuliani said in the CBN interview. "I'm guided a lot by the story of the woman that was going to be stoned, and Jesus put the stones down and said, 'He that hasn't sinned, cast the first stone,' and everybody disappeared. It seems like nowadays in America, we have people that think they could've passed that test.
“And I don't think anybody could've passed that test but Jesus."
Giuliani said that he tries to put the emphasis on his public life in order to prevent his family from being exploited.
However, his personal life has often crept into his public life as evidenced by a much publicized incident at the National Rifle Association. In the middle of making a speech at the recent conference, Giuliani answered a call from his wife on his cell phone. He told her where he was and expressed his love for her.
“Quite honestly since Sept. 11 most of the time when we get on a plane we talk to each other and just reaffirm the fact that we love each other,” Giuliani explained. “Sometimes if I'm in the middle of a very, very sensitive meeting, I don't take the call right then. I wait. But I thought it would be kind of nice if I took it at that point, and I'd done that before in engagements, and I didn't realize it would create any kind of controversy.”
While the series of CBN interviews portray Giuliani in a somewhat redemptive light, with Brody calling his family response “heartfelt,” one critic was quick to point out the irony in Giuliani’s explanations.
“It’s interesting that Giuliani makes this reaffirmation with his third wife before air travel ‘since Sept. 11,’ given that on Sept. 11, Giuliani was married to someone else,” wrote Steve Benen on his blog The Carpet Bagger Report. Continue >>
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ST. LOUIS - Roman Catholic Archbishop Raymond Burke, who made headlines last presidential season by saying he'd refuse Holy Communion to John Kerry, has his eye on Rudy Giuliani this year. Giuliani's response: "Archbishops have a right to their opinion."
Burke, the archbishop of St. Louis, was asked if he would deny Communion to Giuliani or any other presidential candidate who supports abortion rights.
"If any politician approached me and he'd been admonished not to present himself, I'd not give it," Burke told The Associated Press Wednesday. "To me, you have to be certain a person realizes he is persisting in a serious public sin."
I love my church
Everyone,
If Giuliani is the candidate for President for our Party, then you BETTER VOTE for him. If you do not vote and we let Clinton or Obama in the White House... I do not want to hear one complaint in regards to ANYTHING that they are doing. The idea that 'you just won't vote' is no different then letting the enemy win. No one is perfect and if we have our say in this then he will not be the elect hopeful... but if he is and it is a choice between him and those two baboons running on the democratic ticket... Lord Help Us because I would rather have a freedom loving President then a Socialistic/Communist any day.
muskie84,
Ron Paul is not who the Christians need to vote for. His stances on the border and international affairs is beyond laughable. What about Huckabee? He is a Baptist Minister... yet not a word from the evangelicals.
I'm sure he prays for his girlfriend and former wives, his girlfriend (like Bill Clinton) on the side, about like Obama's wife prays about her stealing prescription drugs. Such a very sad state of affairs our nation is in.
Boy, if this isn't an obvious attempt to get the Christian vote!!!!
The lesser of two evils is still evil!
www.ronpaul2008.com
True coservatives need to support Ron Pual for president!
how in the world are you supposed to be a abortion and gay right supporter and a christian!? :|
Giuliani is the next biggest hypocrite I've ever seen. If he prayed to Jesus he'd be able to tell where he stand before God. He is not fooling anyone with his religious talk. Neither is Hill. I wouldn't vote for Giuliani if he was the ONLY Republican running for President. Between him and Hill, neither is acceptable. Both will cause the same amount of damage.
So...which "Jesus" does Rudy pray to? That IS the big question. The Jesus who allows him to kill babies with his support for abortion, and the Jesus who allows him to parade down the street as a cross-dresser and push for homosexual rights? Which "Jesus, " Rudy? Forget about your religious talk. There are a lot of people who believe in God, and there are even more who warn those who'd look at their behavior and tell them "Do not judge." Well the Scriptures tell us the "prove all things," and so far Rudy has proven that he is the WORST candidate ever for the Republican party. He is a NIGHTMARE, and a FASCIST, and he doesn't represent the mainline of Americans in this country. He's interested in one thing - POWER and plenty of it. Believers, if you vote for this guy, you better check your faith. The fact is, while this former New York Mayor may say he prays to Jesus, his walk certainly doesn't characterize a walk with Christ!!!
Frontrunner, phooey!!!! I implore all clear thinking Americans to make another choice for President of this country. This "Rudy" is not the guy. He IS NOT qualified for the highest office in the land, nor would he be qualified for dog catcher!!!!
I don't like Giuliani and think he will say anything to get elected. I would never vote for him, ever.