Rand Paul: 'Christianity haters' have allies in Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a surgeon, diagnosed America's condition as a "full blown crisis" in an address to the Values Voters Summit in Washington Friday.

But he also prescribed a remedy: spiritual revival.

The senator didn't shy away from mixing politics and his Christian faith, stating the First Amendment wasn't designed to keep religious people out of government but to keep government out of religion.

Paul described how his spiritual values and beliefs influence his politics, especially his foreign-policy philosophy.

He noted how President Ronald Reagan preached not only military strength but the virtues of peace.

The senator said that too often, recently, the U.S. had gone to war and suffered unintended consequences, especially with the toppling of secular dictators who have been replaced by jihadists.

Paul insisted the U.S. must stop funding groups that will not recognize Israel, whether Hamas or the rebels in Syria President Obama plans to arm and train to fight ISIS.

The senator drew loud applause when he criticized Congress for continuing to send money to "these haters of Christianity."

"I say, not one penny more."

Taking aim at the president's strategy in Syria as well as his policy toward Israel and the Palestinians, Paul called for halting economic aid to all Islamic radicals.

In especially pointed criticism of Obama's Syria policy, the senator quipped that sound U.S. foreign policy "certainly does not mean arming both sides in every conflict."

Paul concluded by tying together his libertarian values, politics and faith by first quoting the Bible passage, "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

He then closed with, "I hope Christians remember, also, where there is liberty there is space for God."