While right-wing politicians and their media allies accuse the President of waging "war on religion," they’re directly undermining the values and priorities of religious groups by attacking the most vulnerable.

Every day, religious groups like Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, and the Salvation Army live out their faith by serving the most vulnerable families among us. Republican politicians talk about faith, but then say they’re "not concerned about the very poor" and sit idly by when mobs yell "let him die."

That’s what a real war on religion looks like: politicians pandering to the faithful while directly undermining their values and priorities. They’re lavishing corporations and millionaires with tax giveaways while taking from "the least of these": hungry children, sick young mothers, and homeless veterans. The real "war on religion" is a war on the most vulnerable and the values of the people who serve them.

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QUOTE TO REMEMBER

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you did for me."
— Matthew 25

For additional relevant passages from scripture (there are many), click here.

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False Attack:

"President Obama is waging a war on religion."

Truth

· The real "war on religion" is the one waged against the most vulnerable and the values of the people who serve them.

· Here’s what a real "war on religion" looks like: politicians and pundits pandering to the faithful while directly undermining their values and priorities.

· As President, Obama has lifted up and defended the important role of faith in American public life, provided billions for faith-based organizations to serve those in need, and defended the National Day of Prayer in court.

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Smear:

"Obama is not a Christian — he’s really Muslim."

Truth:

· President Obama confesses Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

· We can disagree about the role of faith in politics, but Christians shouldn’t bear false witness against other Christians, especially about their faith.

· We should be coming together as Americans, not letting politicians and pundits use religion to drive a wedge between us — that’s an abuse of religion and threatens what makes our country great.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

· Washington Republicans perennially try to cut and dismantle the programs and policies that are working to serve and lift up the most vulnerable families among us, including Medicaid, school lunches for children, the minimum wage, food stamps, and student aid.

· The policy goals advocated by faith leaders that are especially under attack by Republican politicians who pander to people of faith include —

· Making sure medicine and live-saving treatments are affordable.

· Strengthening the regulation of mercury pollution, which is especially harmful to pregnant mothers and infants.

· Extending unemployment insurance for Americans looking for work.

· Passing comprehensive reform to fix our broken immigration system.

· Providing adequate funding for faith-based organizations to serve the most vulnerable families.

· Republican politicians have already made the tax code skewed to help the richest few the most, but all the GOP hopefuls for president want to give the richest 1% even bigger tax giveaways.

· Mitt Romney, who said he’s "not concerned about the very poor," would raise taxes on parents struggling to make ends meet and make seniors, children and vulnerable families bear even more of the burden — so he can cut his own taxes in half.

· In just the last generation, the most vulnerable Americans have increasingly struggled and faced the harshest risks of our economy — while the richest 1% have almost quadrupled their incomes.

· In 2010, half of Americans earned a wage less than $26,000 while CEOs at top 500 companies raked in an average of $11 million.

· There are at least 109 things on which President Obama has supposedly waged a "war" — including "fun," "sloth," "you," "the world," and even Cheerios and Christmas trees.

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WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: "Tea Party Jesus"