My relfections on JFK's election as a 10 year old Catholic school girl

[HockeyMom]

This was the beginning of my political awareness. My parents, the preists, nuns, and everyone I knew were all excited about this man running for President. Who was this guy? A Catholic man? My first thought was Oh, NO. It scared me. Was the POPE going to be ruling America? Father Patrick? No, no, no. Sister Maria Corona? EWWWWWW! Athough I was only 10 years old I knew this would be HORRIBLE.

So, instead of American Bandstand or Dobie Gillis, I put on the Nixon/Kennedy debates. My parents thought I had lost my mind. I fought with my Dad to watch Presidential debates over the Honeymooners. My parents were DEMOCRATS too, but this Catholic Kennedy guy worried me. I did not want the POPE or Catholic Church running America.

I read and watched everything I could. Then I watched a clip of John Kennedy's speech on his religion and how he would not let his religious views, or the Pope's, rule America:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16920600

Yes, Yes, YES!!!!!! This man was COOL. He WASN'T like any of the clergy I knew at school. Although I was too young then to understand economic or world issues, I KNEW about RELIGION. JFK's speech on religion statisfied THIS 10 year old. He had MY support. I went out and got campagin buttons. The night of the election I stayed up watching returns and counting electorial votes. How many 10 year olds ever heard of that, or CARED?????

My point in relating my childhood experiences is how far we have STRAYED in America. Now, I find myself as a 63 year old woman listening to SAINT RICK and how he will "lecture" the American people on the evils of society according to the CAtholic religion; which as a TEN YEAR OLD I didn't want to see happen to America.

What the hell has happened in this country? How the hell did we ever get to this point 50 years from what JFK said about his Catholic religion? I never could have dreamed that my 10 year old child worry would one day as an old woman be PRAISED as what should happen in this country.

America, PLEASE wake up. If a 10 year old child could worry about a theocracy, what is wrong with the ADULTS in this country?

[NEOhiodemocrat]

1. I was a 10 year old Catholic School girl at that time also

I remember Sister Vincent leading us in prayer so that John F. Kennedy would win the election. I can not believe the use of religion now in elections either. I am starting to cringe everytime I hear "God Bless America", how about "God Bless the world"? I always believed the seperation of church and state was a very good thing, and now it seems to be gone...where are the citizens of this county? What are they thinking?

[southernyankeebelle]

4. Oh I remember JFK. I remember my Italian Grandmother who never lived here in the US

but we visited her during the time JFK went to Germany and did his famous speech I am a Berliner. He then came to Italy and the streets were lined up with Italians on the side of the roads waiting for him and his car to go by. My dad screaming to the top of his lungs President Kennedy and he turned around and waved at us. My grandmother had a picture of him hanging on her wall and along side with a picture of the pope. Those are the days I remember when a president went to europe and the people looked up to our president. The same feeling when I saw Obama's trip. My mother was pregnant when JFK was murdered and she was so moved she name my youngest brother after him. Yes I remember and I can see why young people (and young at heart) really was inspired by President Obama. Let's home he doesn't meet the same fate.

[RB TexLa]

2. I love how every time a Catholic politician's religon is part of a concern

people ask me who I have greater loyality to the US or the Catholic church. I answer the Catholic church without even thinking. The way I was raised I have more loyality to Ireland than the US. We just live here, we're not Americans.

[jberryhill]

3. How did he get elected to be a 10 year old Catholic school girl?

[southernyankeebelle]

6. What?

[jberryhill]

8. The title of the OP....

...indicates that JFK was elected as a 10 year old Catholic school girl.

I know that he was elected as president, but I had never heard of the election which the title of the OP suggests.

[southernyankeebelle]

9. LOL, oh I was wondering what you meant. I understand

[RebelOne]

5. I voted for JFK. It was the first time I had ever voted.

I did not care about his religion. I just liked him. The Republicans running now are injectimg too much religion into their campaigns, so I do not like any of them. I don't care if Obama is or isn't Muslim. I just like him and will be voting for him again. And by the way, I am an atheist.

[southernyankeebelle]

7. I don't care what religion you are as long as you can separate church and state. You can

be moral and not be religious. I have seen many religious leaders who aren't moral.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

10. I agree completely

I believe the seperation of church and state is very important if we want this country to live up to its potential. And some religious leaders have a very checkered past, makes me think they are often hiding behind religion to look moral. Seems like those who wrap theirselves in the flag and carry a large cross are often disguising something about themself they don't want others to notice.

[southernyankeebelle]

11. That is so true. I think they are the most sinful. I wonder what holy Rick is hiding? There

is something about him that is evil. I would hate to be his daughter. He is so full of supression that I don't think his daughters can breath without his blessings.

[mdmc]

12. ..