USA (Commonwealth Union)_ The articulate response given by 38-year-old Indian Americanbiotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to an audience member’s question on the potential leadership of a Hindu President in the United States has garnered global attention. The exchange took place at a CNN Town Hall event in Des Moines, Iowa, where Ramaswamy emphasized the commonalities between his Hindu faith and Judeo-Christian values rather than focusing on differences.
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Responding to the query about being considered ineligible for the presidency due to his religious beliefs, Ramaswamy respectfully disagreed. He conveyed that his faith instills the belief that individuals are placed on Earth with a purpose, emphasizing the moral duty to realize that purpose. According to Ramaswamy, God works through people in diverse ways, underscoring the fundamental equality as God resides within each individual. Reflecting on his formative years spent at St. Xavier, a Catholic high school in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ramaswamy acknowledged learning crucial lessons about faith.
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Despite acknowledging that he may not be the ideal candidate for promoting Christianity, he asserted his commitment to standing for the Judeo-Christian values that form the foundation of the nation. When the audience member asked, “(What is your response to those who believe you) cannot be our president (because your religion) is not what our founding fathers based our country on?”. Ramaswamy replied, “I respectfully disagree. My faith teaches me that God puts each of us here for a purpose. That we have a moral duty to realise that purpose. That God works through us in different ways, but we are still equal, because God resides in each of us”.
While recognizing that he may not be the best choice for spreading Christianity as president, Ramaswamy asserted his dedication to upholding the Judeo-Christian values integral to the nation’s founding principles. He expressed his responsibility to make faith, patriotism, family, and hard work appealing to the country, citing these values as fundamental aspects of his faith and guiding principles for his presidential run. He said, “Would I be the best president to spread Christianity through this country? I would not. I would not be the best choice for that. But I also don’t think that’s the job of the US president”.
Ramaswamy added, “But will I stand for the Judeo-Christian values that this nation was founded on and that I was raised in, even in the Hindu faith? Yes, I will. You are darn right; I will. I think those are the same Judeo-Christian values that I learned at St. X”. Since declaring his candidacy in February, Ramaswamy has concentrated on challenging “woke” ideology, exposing government corruption, and encouraging younger generations to align with the Republican Party. However, his campaign has encountered challenges in gaining traction, with former President Donald Trump currently dominating the race for the Republican nomination.
