Sophomore Ben Stroka and Senior James Mara posing with Senator Rick Santorum following the screening of “One Generation Away.”
BY RACHEL DEL GUIDICE
CATHOLIC VALUES COLUMNIST
Rick Santorum, attorney, former United States senator and 2012 Presidential candidate, visited Franciscan University of Steubenville, to screen his new movie, “One Generation Away.”
“One Generation Away” is a documentary produced by Santorum and his company, EchoLight Studios.
The documentary featured many stories illustrating how religious liberty is under vicious attack here in the “land of the free and home of the brave.”
Some of the stories covered included the supposed same-sex discrimination of Melissa Klein, the “anti-gay” baker, and her business Sweet Cakes by Melissa. Another story was that of the Mount Soledad Cross in the La Jolla neighborhood of the city of San Diego, California. This cross has faced harassment from the American Civil Liberties Union. While the cross is a religious image, it is also a prominent war memorial where many who have given their lives are prominently remembered.
Another attack on religious liberty discussed in the documentary was the Hobby Lobby case. The Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby, took a stand against the Obamacare mandate, saying that they could not in good conscience provide contraception and abortifacients to their employees. While Hobby Lobby did win this case, the movie sent the message that the fight for religious freedom is far from over.
“One spark of revival can change a nation,” said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. “Our pastors determine the success of the churches. Pastors should challenge congregations to live out their faith boldly,” said Perkins.
“We need to be more committed to God and his truth than the ever-changing politically correct climate,” Perkins added.
Following the showing of the movie, Santorum was greeted by a standing room only audience in the Gentile Gallery.
Santorum warmly thanked Franciscan students for coming and expressed his thanks for their interest in the issue of religious freedom.
Senator Rick Santorum speaking during the Q and A session following the screening of the film, “One Generation Away.”
“America is not aware of this issue,” Santorum said. “I was in a church recently with a congregation of 3,500 people, and, when I asked if they had heard of these various attacks on religious liberty, two people raised their hands.”
Santorum said that the liberal ideology that seeks to do away with religious freedom is particularly dangerous because, “[Liberals] intend to win by making people conform to what they believe…I came here because I know how on fire you are and I want you to spread this message.”
“I learned about the different kinds of attacks on religious freedom today,” said sophomore Claire Littell. “It is frightening but uplifting at the same time because as Christians we must be aware of what is going on around us, and be full of hope.”