New Romney ad says Obama is waging a "war on religion"

Updated 10:30 a.m. ET

(CBS News) A new TV ad from Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee asks voters whose values they share, then goes on to charge a component of President Obama's health care law as a "war on religion." (Watch the ad at left.)

The ad, released Thursday morning, starts with a narrator asking, "Who shares your values?" It goes on to say the president's health care law is a "plan to declare war on religion, forcing religious institutions to go against their faith."

The ad is referring to a presidential directive that went into effect last week mandating that employers provide free contraception coverage in employees' health care plans. Religious institutions are exempt from the mandate.

"President Obama believes that, in 2012, women should have access to free contraception as part of their health insurance, and he has done so in a way that respects religious liberty," Lis Smith, Obama campaign spokeswoman responded to the ad. "[Romney] has pledged to 'get rid of' of federal funding for Planned Parenthood and would take women's health back to the 1950's. Women can't afford his extreme policies."

The ad features a clip from Romney's recent overseas trip where he quotes the late Pope John Paul II saying, "Be not afraid."

It also shows video of former Polish president lech Walesa meeting with the Pope as a young man and meeting with Romney just last month.

"When religious freedom is threatened, who do you want to stand with?" the ad asks.

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[TimeToEvolve]

And so what would the fake religious Robmee know about religion? A greedy, clueless parasite with no feelings or morals. Is this idiot kidding?

[JV1970]

He probably knows as much about religion as the idiot who's in the presidency now! You know, the one who was raised by an atheist mother and a Muslim stepfather and supposedly is now a Muslim turned Baptist.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

Time and JV: Do not go after either Romney or Obama on the issue of religion. You are part of our problem with hateful rhetoric in campaigns. Do you love your country enough to stop this kind of talk?

[churchstate]

What happened to the separation of Church and State? GOP Presidential hopeful Romney seems a person who lacks boundaries when it comes to proselytizing the teachings of his Latter Day Saints (LDS) faith. I was troubled by Romney's speech (reciting passes from the Book of Mormon, and the King James Bible), to the victims of the Colorado Shooting. Is this what the American public is to expect from Romney in the future as the President of the United States and the leader of the country who will frequently address the public? Romney's behavior during this situation reassures me he is not the man to lead this country. If he is one who cannot restrain himself from spewing the teachings of his faith, perhaps he is best suited to remain in a religious leadership position for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - The Mormons.

[JV1970]

I guess you've forgotten that Obama has quoted from the Bible a couple of times too in the past. What did you say then?

[sjj1222]

Romney's new ad prominently pictures the last Catholic
Pope, Pope John Paul II, and quotes the Pope as saying
"Be not Afraid".
Perhaps you're trying to rally the troops Mitt.
(and garner some posthumous endorsements?)
.....BUT you probably don't realize that.
the Pope was merely quoting Jesus Christ.
Dear Mitt, it was ALSO Jesus Christ who said:
"I tell you the truth,it is hard for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you,
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God".
Hey Mitt, aren't you kinda glad you're NOT a Christian?
NOT EVEN CLOSE.

[Mathion]

On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States declared war on them.

In the late 20th century, the religious right began pushing legislation to impose their concepts of morality onto those who were not Christians. Ever since then, those who are not Christians have been fighting back.

And the religious right has been whining about there being a "war on religion" ever since.

Look, people, I realize your ability to think logically and rationally is handicapped by your faith. After all, faith relies on surrendering rational thought. And I realize that the hypocrisy of trying to force your concepts of morality on others in a country where people have the right to choose NOT to follow any faith - let alone yours - is utterly lost on you. And I know the Bible admonishes you to live and let live, turn the other cheek, live by example and not by arms, to not put your faith in princes (which in this society is politicians and the wealthy) and to render unto Caesar that which is his (which is to say, stay out of politics) but you seem to not understand any of that (probably that lack of rational thought thing), but here's the deal...

You started it.

If you had kept it to yourself (or just followed what your own prophets told you to do in the first place), none of this would have happened. No one is telling you that you can't practice your faith (though if I had my way, it would be outlawed because it's too easy to pervert for secular gain). No one is telling you what to believe, either (except the princes - the politicians - who tell you what to think and how to vote because you erroneously think they give a rat's ass about you). All we want you to do is to stop trying to force your garbage on people who don't want to be covered by the stink. It is, after all, the law of the land. And to do that, you simply need to do what your prophet told you: Live your lives in a Christian way and, if asked, then spread his word.

Until then **** and leave the rest of us out of it. If you do that, the "war on religion" will disappear overnight.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

I am a Catholic, weekly church goer, and "tithe" to my church and I do not see a war on religion. As I get older and have had more health problems, I see contraception, allowing women to deal with pregnancy as a medical issue, as a definite part of her health care. Yes, I know some of you just see it as an excuse to have a "good time" on someone else's dollar but you need to grow up and stop acting like some hormonal crazed teenager. Some more education on women's sexual health issues would help, too. Stop living in the 19th century. Women who object to contraception for religious reasons DO NOT need to use it.

[Molly-Pchr]

I think the objection of some is paying for it indirectly through taxes, and for others, making churches offer it to employees something mandatory.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

Molly: I am truly trying to understand it all. I object to a lot of things I pay for through my taxes. Such is life in a democracy. The churches "offer" it or allow women to know of options available to them. Some forget pregnancy and childbirth have cost some women their lives. (I don't think sexual relations have such severe repercussions for men.) Nobody makes anyone use artificial birth control and that idea is horrendous to me, too.

[JoeBGud13]

When are the two candidates for President, of the most powerful nation in the world, going to quit acting like a couple of sixth graders, who are trying to Bully their way, on the Playground?

They represent the two best Candidates, from each respected party. Why can they not show a minimum amout of education and knowledge?

If these two, would only grow up, act like a couple of Adults, present clear, firm and concise Plans to improve the lives of the Citizens of the United States, To Control the National Budget and eliminate the deficit, not by some work of smoke and mirrors. And foremost Protect the United States from all enemys both foreign and local!

Let's call for them to at least act Presidental during the campaign!

[cpmondello]

said perfectly

[Molly-Pchr]

And they keep touting a college education. Doesn't seem to have helped these two much.

[jiojovi]

What religion values is Romney talking about?, this guy have no religion values at all, he only dreams dollar signs, he only worries about his wealth and to help the rich, if he wants to defends religion values then he needs to learn a little more about the riches and the scriptures, here is one for example
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
What about this one: "He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty."
One more: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief's."
Romney is as false as a million dollar bill and as receiving presents from Santa Claus every Christmas.

[ohitsubob]

The reason Romney won't get my vote is he is part of the 1% and out of touch with the middle class. The reason Obama won't get my vote is Eric Holder and Timothy Geithner are criminals. Either way this country is screwed come election day, because neither of these candidates can fix the greed that got this country and the world in this financial mess.

[robert1129]

I am 74 years old and this is the most filthy presidential campaign I have ever seen and in our nation's history. Both men need to be ashamed of themselves. I really wish we had a viable alternative candidate. He/she would win in a landslide.

[MurdochSucks]

Have you ever seen a campaign where private corporations were able to spend at will on the election of either candidate?

[Lindag20]

I agree with you, but we can thank the Supreme Court for unleashing this monster by allowing the PAC's to run wild with HUGE amounts of money.

[andacar]

This was predictable. Any ad saying your opponent is attacking God is guaranteed of riling up the yobs. Whether it has any basis in reality is of course beside the point.