GOP Rep. links shooting to "attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs"

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol March 21, 2012 in Washington, DC.

/ Win McNamee/Getty Images

(CBS News) In a radio interview Friday morning, Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas associated the Colorado mass shooting that's left at least 12 people dead to "attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs."

As the Huffington Post first reported, the conservative congressman was asked about the shooting during a radio interview on "Istook Live!", a show produced by the conservative group the Heritage Foundation.

Host Ernest Istook asked Gohmert, "What is your experience with the way that we have too many twisted minds in our society?"

Gohmert responded, "Some of us happen to believe that when our founders talked about guarding our virtue and freedom, that that was important. Whether it's John Adams saying our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people... Ben Franklin, only a virtuous people are capable of freedom, as nations become corrupt and vicious they have more need of masters... We have been at war with the very pillars, the very foundation of this country."

(In an interview with Bob Schieffer for "Face the Nation," NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg called Gohmert's comments "nonsensical.")

The congressman continued, "And what really gets me as a Christian is to see the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs and then some senseless crazy act of a derelict takes place."

Gohmert lamented that civic organizations like schools have discouraged religious discussions. "What are we doing with God? We told him we don't want him around," he said. "I kind of like his protective hand being present."

The conversation was spurred by the Aurora, Colorado shooting, which took place around 12:30 a.m. Friday morning. A gas mask-wearing gunman opened fire at the Century 16 theaters in Aurora, where the latest Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" was playing. The suspected gunman, identified as 24-year-old James Holmes, is in custody.

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Gohmert also wondered during the interview, "With all those people in the theater, was there nobody that was carrying a gun that could have stopped this guy more quickly?"

The congressman has in the past vigorously defended gun rights and his Christian beliefs. Last year, he said congressmen should be able to carry guns in the Capitol for self defense. Also last year, he questioned why the FBI is conducting extensive outreach to the Muslim community and not other religious groups.

While Gohmert wondered why there weren't more guns on the scene, others like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Friday said guns were part of the problem.

In an interview to air on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Bloomberg responded to Gohmert's remarks.

"To arm everybody and have the wild west all the time is one of the more nonsensical things you can say," Bloomberg told Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer. "This person - I don't know what his motives are, I don't know him and I'm not here to impugn him or anyone else. It just does not make any sense."

Bloomberg continued: "The bottom line is if we had fewer guns, we would have a lot fewer murders. And if you go and look, there is no other developed country in the world, Bob, that has as many guns as it has people. Do you really think you'd be safe if anybody in the audience could pull out a gun and start shooting? I don't think so."

[euge005]

This sort of insanity is the problem and the worship of guns in the wing nut side of the country. But what can you expect from the Tea party and texas. They do not even have remorse for destrolying the country under Bush. We have the same set of lunatics in Florida, the paid off fools like Mica and Webster. Take this country back from them and let it heal.

[rightone12]

The NRA and the Republicans should get a little of their own shooting medicine instead of innocent people all the time.

[wildemanne]

another right wing extremist spouting B.S. again, when are they going to realize gods not going to grant heaven to liars, abusers, and thieves, like romneys rethuglican mormon blood suckers! love and help
WILL EARN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, NOT RAPE, PILLAGE, PLUNDER, SLANDER, AND TERRORIZE, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE RETHUGLICAN WAY OF LIFE

[cocomann15]

GOMER AND HIS ILK HAVE TO GO... THEY ARE THE PROBLEM..

[reality_sanity]

Since Gohmert is a leader in selectively attacking the First Amendment protected right of all in this country to freely practice their religion of choice; is he accepting at least partial responsibility for inciting this hateful act according to his own statement / analysis.

[nancy_naive]

Wow! So if you question Christian beliefs, they kill you?

Yep, pretty much it.

[euge005]

Only in Kansas or Iran.

[chasburch]

So is there a relationship between Judeo-Christian values and gun violence?

Gun homicide rates per 100,000 people:

Mexico: 9.88
United States: 4.14
Japan: 0.02

Percentage of Judeo-Christians

Mexico: 82.8 - 95.15%
United States:78%
Japan: 0.8% (est. 64-85% do not believe in God)

[nancy_naive]

Aw, c'mon. Mexico was a poor choice, they're mired in a near civil war state from the US drug trade... pick, oh say, Italy or some other hig Christian content country.

But then, a better question would be the link between Christian nations and poverty...

[ladyang]

what a ****!

[creative012]

I'm not religious but I agree, generally religion teaches about goodness and love for people and families. Religion does have influence on family values. A person who loves his family and their life together, would almost never take someone's life, which certainly belongs to a family such as his own. This person would know and understand that this man, woman or child whose life he is about to take, have brothers, sisters, father and mother, just like his own.
These family values are slowly but surely disappearing due to the rapid lifestyle and corporate greed that robs them of time a family should spend together. Joint family breakfast, lunch or dinner no longer exist. All this have direct impact to such a heinous events.

[wayneonly]

Well folks, Louie Gohmert just gave you the GOP's motivation for wanting to capture the Presidency and control of Congress when he quoted Benjamin Franklin. "Only virtuous people are capable of freedom, as nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of MASTERS". The GOP and the 1%ers want to become our masters. Because it is evident that our nation (Congress, big banks and big business) have become so corrupt that they need masters. But is the GOP going to become the masters of the big banks and multinational corporations or are the big banks and multinational corporations going to become the GOP's MASTERS? Or are they all going to become our masters? Well, voters, it is our choice. Do we become the slaves of the GOP and big banks and multinational corporations, or do we become our own MASTERS?

For years we (the voter) have enabled Congress (both Republicans and Democrats)to set themselves up as the PERMANENT POLITICAL PARTY. Congress believes they are the "elite" class and are "entitled" to special privileges and are "above the law"(s) that govern the rest of us. What is unethical for the "masses" is ethical for them. They have only contempt for the voter because we are so easily influenced by the slick ads paid for by their "big money" campaign contributors and fail to monitor their voting records or their financial dealings while in office. And we are so easily lead by the "party line". It is time we (the voter) became more educated and more vigilant about what OUR Congress is doing and who they really are representing. It certainly isn't the middle class of America. We (the voter) need to regain control of our Congress.

The first step to regaining control of Congress is that EVERY voter needs to resolve that they will vote EVERY incumbent Congressperson out of office when they come up for reelection. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM regardless of what party they are affiliated with. They have ALL let the middle class down and DO NOT DESERVE THE OFFICE THEY HOLD. We have to show them that "big money" cannot buy OUR vote. We have to show them that they hold office AT OUR PLEASURE and that "big money" can no longer buy our vote. We must let them know that honesty and integrity must be restored in Washington and that it is not "business as usual" in Congress any more. We will only get the Congress that WE vote for and it is time for "we the people" to take over OUR Congress.

[creative012]

Amen, wayneonly, good theory. But how the hell are we going to do this? Hypothetically speaking, there are 3 candidates, people did not choose them because the system does not allow them to, each party chooses suitable candidates and they are not, good, bad and ugly, most likely they are bad, bad and bad. So, people will still vote for those who have the most money or the one who knows how to convince you to vote for him. It happens every time.