Not The Best President To Spread Christianity, But Will Stand Up For Judeo-Christian Values This Country Was Founded On: Vivek Ramaswamy

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has said that some core values of his Hindu faith aligns with Judeo-Christian values.

However, he acknowledged that he would not be “the best president to spread Christianity"

In a CNN Townhall in Iowa, the Indian-origin Republic Presidential candidate laid out why he believes his upbringing in Hinduism aligns with the core tenants of "Judeo-Christian values” shared by many Iowa voters.

Ramaswamy, while acknowledging his religious background, emphasised his commitment to the foundational principles of the United States.

Ramaswamy faced a direct question from an audience member about his eligibility to be president due to his Hindu faith.

He responded firmly, stating, "I respectfully disagree".

He elaborated on how his upbringing in Hinduism resonates with the core tenets of Christianity, drawing connections from his education at Saint Xavier, a Catholic high school in Cincinnati.

"I'll tell you about my faith. My faith teaches me that God puts each of us here for a purpose. That we have a moral duty to realize that purpose. That God works through us in different ways, but we're still equal, because God resides in each of us,” Ramaswamy shared.

He added, “I think those are the same Judeo-Christian values that I learned at St. X.”

Ramaswamy acknowledged that as a practicing Hindu, he might not be the ideal candidate to propagate Christianity. However, he stressed the importance of upholding the First Amendment and the freedom of religion.

“Would I be the best president to spread Christianity through this country? I would not. But will I stand for the Judeo-Christian values that this nation was founded on that I was raised in, even in the Hindu faith? Yes, I will. You're darn right, I will,” he asserted.

The presidential hopeful expressed his desire to reinvigorate faith, patriotism, family, and hard work in America.

“I think it's my responsibility to make faith and patriotism and family and hard work, cool again in this country,” Ramaswamy remarked.

In Iowa, where Evangelical Christians form a significant part of the Republican base, Ramaswamy has been proactive in addressing potential concerns about his faith.

He often references the Bible in his speeches, as he did during the town hall on Wednesday, citing the Book of Isaiah and the story of Cyrus, a gentile chosen by God.

Ramaswamy concluded, “And so yes, I believe God put us here for a purpose. My faith is what leads me on this journey to run for president".