Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio has stated that even though he himself is a Christian, he respects freedom of conscience for everyone.
According to Christian Today, Rubio was speaking at a campaign rally in Iowa when he received a question from a member of the audience confronting him about his faith and asking him how it will influence him if he was president.
Atheists and non-theists are "looking for somebody that will uphold their rights as Americans, and not pander to a certain religious group,” said atheist Justin Scott, who also mentioned that Rubio’s recent campaign ad talked about his faith but not policy.
"You have a right to believe whatever you want, and I congratulate you on believing whatever you want,” Rubio responded, adding that since he was asked about his faith, he felt compelled to share about it.
He proceeded to outline the Gospel to the audience, telling them of Jesus coming to earth and living like a man and dying so sin could be forgiven.
"I can't force you to be a Christian. Christianity is a free gift. We believe that salvation is a free gift that has to be wilfully accepted,” said Rubio.
In addition, Rubio told Scott that Scott should be glad that his faith would influence him as president because his faith teaches him to care for those in need, minister to those in prison, and be concerned about his fellow man.
Just 12 days from the Iowa caucus, Rubio is polling third place in the state with 13 percent of the vote. Ted Cruz has 51 percent of the vote while Donald Trump has 29 percent.
Publication date: January 20, 2016
