Mo. congressman apologizes for God comment

c. 2011 St. Louis Post-Dispatch

(RNS) A Missouri congressman has apologized for telling a national radio
audience that "at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God."

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, whose comments created a nationwide uproar
among liberals, apologized to anyone who thought he was questioning
their faith.

"People who know me and my family know that we take our faith and
beliefs very seriously," the Republican said on Tuesday (June 28).

"As Christians, we would never question the sincerity of anyone's
personal relationship with God. My statement during my radio interview
was directed at the political movement, liberalism, not at any specific
individual. If my statement gave a different impression, I offer my
apologies."

The apology fell flat with a group of St. Louis-area clergy
members, most of whom are liberal. 

Several St. Louis-area religious leaders visited Akin's office on
Wednesday to deliver a statement condemning the Republican for his
comments.

"Congressman Akin continues to insist that liberalism is
anti-religion. As a pastor and a constituent of Congressman Akin's, I
find this deeply offensive," said the Rev. Kevin Cameron of Parkway
United Church of Christ in west St. Louis County.

The saga started Friday when Akin appeared on the radio program of
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, where he was asked about
NBC's decision to omit the phrase "under God" from a taped clip of the
Pledge of Allegiance aired during recent coverage of the U.S. Open golf
tournament.

"Well, I think NBC has a long record of being very liberal, and at
the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God and a belief that
government should replace God," Akin said.