Huck on 'theology' degree

Posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 3:59 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum and Domenico Montanaro
After the news conference with Ed Rollins in Concord, NH, Huckabee and Rollins, his new national campaign manager, took some questions. The last question was about a Powerline blog, a conservative blog, story that he did not, in fact, have a theology degree, as he has claimed. Here is Huckabee's response:

"I have a bachelor of arts in religion and a minor in communications in my undergraduate work. And then I have 46 hours on a master's degree at Southwestern Theology Seminary. So, my degree as a theological degree is at the college level and then 46 hours toward a masters -- three years of study of New Testament Greek, and then the rest of it, all in Seminary was theological studies, but my degree was actually in religion."

Here's what Huckabee said in a Christian Broadcasting Network interview:
"I'm as strong on terror as anybody. In fact I think I'm stronger than most people because I truly understand the nature of the war that we are in with Islamofascism. These are people that want to kill us. It's a theocratic war. And I don't know if anybody fully understands that. I'm the only guy on that stage with a theology degree. I think I understand it really well."

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Comments

I suppose my obvious follow-up question would be: Do you have a theology degree in Islamofascism? And how does a theology degree translate to foreign policy?--He might have a good answer for that one.

--NSMSNBC (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 4:11 PM)

Ah but one could argue seeing how most suicide bombers are on some form of state welfare Rudy might be more qualified.

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 4:16 PM)

ouch... this keeps getting worse.

And Huck questioning Mitt's religion is (apparently) not the first time he questioned someone's religion. He also challenged some politician named Holt... when Holt challenged Huck on immigration.

Tim, CT (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 4:23 PM)

You'd think someone with a degree in religion would be capable of immediately recognizing "Islamofascism" as an oxymoron.

Mike, Hermosa Beach, CA (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 4:28 PM)

So, now you have to have a theology degree to truly understand the war on terror.

Ah, so that is why we still don't have political reconciliation. We just don't understand like Huck does.

CitizenJ (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 4:35 PM)

Now he's starting to scare me. Almost as much as this sort of unreasoned and baseless opinion:

"Ah but one could argue seeing how most suicide bombers are on some form of state welfare Rudy might be more qualified. "

All the Saudi bombers on 9/11 were well off - or did "state welfare" pay for those flying lessons?

? (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 4:36 PM)

So we need this Christian fascist to fight the Islamic fascists? How about no fascists allowed? The fact that we now have a department of "Homeland" security should be a clue what direction the neo-cons have taken us. Lets try something different, shall we? No religious nutjobs, no corporatist nutjobs, no one bought and paid for by K street. Someone more interested in Main Street America than Wall Street America.

Doug, San Diego (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 4:38 PM)

Why is this a story? So his undergrad degree is technically called "religion" and not "theology." Sounds like a distinction without a difference.

Perhaps, assuming he studied fundamentalist movements in religion, he does have some insights into the mindset of islamofascists. I love how people ignore the obvious and try to pile on the conservative candidate to try to make him look like a quack when the reality is that he relates to and has the values of most people who live between the coasts.

amanda, eastern Iowa (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:04 PM)

No one ever asks Democrats about religion or theology. None of them know much about it.

Casey Mears, St. Louis (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:07 PM)

Huckabee and Obama... same cloth

Barack Obama opens his speech at his South Carolina Oprah rally with "Giving all praise and honor to God. Look at the day that the Lord has made."

Tuck, realityville, KS (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:12 PM)

"No religious nutjobs, no corporatist nutjobs, no one bought and paid for by K street. Someone more interested in Main Street America than Wall Street America."

If only. If this attitude had any sort of traction at all we wouldn't be where we are, and Americans are only getting more stupid as time goes on.

Citizen of Rome (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:15 PM)

Huckabee represents all the problems that a faith-based candidate brings to the table. He doesn't believe in evolution, thinks AID's sufferers should be isolated, etc. On too many issues, rationality is ignored on religious/ideological grounds. We have seen to our national sorrow what happens with a faith-based president. Bush and his administration have failed to deal with America's challenges with even minimal competence. When reality meets religious ideology, reality wins every time. Do we really need another Bush in the oval office? I think not, but I despair of the lack of sophistication of the voters. If they vote for a Republican this time, since all Republican candidates espouse essentially the same rhetoric that Bush and the 1/3 of the nation and 2/3's of the Republican base supports, then probably our republic will not survive 2 such presidents in a row in its present form.

Bill, Floyd, Virginia (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:17 PM)

I always find it amazing how people can claim to be educated in religion or theology when the only religion they have studied is Christianity. Then they think they know-it-all.

Harmony (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:21 PM)

The point is that Huckabee said that he was the only one on stage with a degree in Theology. He basically lied on his resume. Hucks 5 mins. of fame are up.

John, Royal Palm Beach, Fl. (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:23 PM)

I'm glad to know that Doug from San Diego sees just what America needs - a president, administration, congress, and senate that are complete opposites of the REPUBLIFASCISTS! Now we just have to make it happen.

Brian, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:24 PM)

I don't know if this guy's degree qualifies him more than anyone else, but he said one thing right: this is a theocratic war. Just look at what Al-Zawahri said on the news today about spreading terrorism because of "God's rules." Do you that around Baltimore, Maryland, there are "communities" that are allowed to operate under Sharia law? That means they do not have to comply with the Constitution of the United States of America, and they are exempt from governing law. Pretty freakin' scary, huh? and our governor is allowing it.

Junebug (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:28 PM)

Juni,Columbia,MD (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:29 PM)

Religion has killed more people than any other word in history. That's the problem with this guy and those like him-- they read one book instead of many books. 3 years on the New Testament? This is a learning disability.

Paul Alexander Moeller Los Angeles CA. (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:31 PM)

HUCKACIDE - (thanks Rich Lowery)

Ooops - Reminds me of Bill Clinton - Depends on what you mean by degree!! This guy was widely reported as having a masters in religion. He attended 2 plus years as an undergraduate, and now we learn he never got a masters degree?? Maybe he is a liar? Cuba, Commutations, taxes, women, gays, mormoms (bigot), scholarships for illegals, $70,000 worth of furniture and $55,000 in clothing - what exactly did they teach him at this backwater Arkansas school.

Rob (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:47 PM)

It is always interesting to hear someone who has no combat experience, claim they are some form of expert on Warfare. Does Huck believe that an Islamic enemy is different than a Viet Cong? Well, they're not. Does he think they are different than a Nazi? Well, they're not. The enemy has a reason to kill, and it's always the same reason. It's the same reason our GI's are given. The target wants to deprive me and mine of what we believe is our birthright, and I'll do what it takes to prevent that from happening. Call it what you want. But McCain knows more about it than Huck does. For Huck to claim otherwise, is specious.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 5:57 PM)

Huck seems like a nice guy. I'm sure he would do great behind the pulpit of a church full of neocon hate mongering bigoted "christians". But he sure doesn't belong in the white house, any more than the moron in there now.

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 6:09 PM)

Laughing my head off. All of these Republican crazies gets destroyed in the General. I'm tempted to take out my usual exclusion of Gravel and Kucinich.

YOU WINGNUTS HAVE SOME REAL QUACKS RUNNING.

Desperate, Overland Park KS (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 6:29 PM)

2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll

http://www.votenic.com

The Only Poll That Matters.
Results Posted Every Tuesday Evening.

votenic (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 6:32 PM)

I was pleased to see that someone was able to cut into Hilary's numbers. Obama only came close, and would gradually go down. Now it is 2 against one.

pat cala, palo alto, ca (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 7:38 PM)

Why don't these nut job Republicans who praise religion so much live good lives. I guess that preaching good is better than actually doing good. I have not heard one thing of substance in the Republican debate. Same old, same old...I pray, I'm against terror, I'm against illegal immigration, blah blah, blah. Pl-e-e-a-s-e! No more nut job Republicans who wear their religion on their sleeves. Leave religion and spirituality up to each individual. I know many non-religious very good people and religious people with illogical value systems who support war, torture, inequality, homophobia. Get over it with the Religions fanatacism and get on with good, common sense legislation for the good of all citizens.

Ugh!

BM

Bill Mastreano, Los Angeles, Ca (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 7:45 PM)

There goes Huckabee doing the dance -- again! Having enough credits does not make valid your claim on <b>having</b> the degree in Theology.

SGS, Boise, ID (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 7:53 PM)

What is scarier is that Huckabee is actually still better qualified to be pres than the current guy. Not being an Am one has to wonder just what has one wrong in Am society that you end up with such a bunch of nutjobs that close to the presidency...

Kevin Alexander, Ottawa, Canada (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 8:25 PM)

Huckabee never finished the seminary, so I can KINDA believe him when he said he didn't know about Romney's religion. Of course, comparative religion is a sort of low level class, but give him the credit for not being studious and drop it. He DOES believe in creationism, so at least he was awake PART of the time. I wonder how he does on other religions stuff. I know he got his Baptist girl friend Diane O'Connell a government job even though she had no experience. Cost Arkansas 1.6 million, so I guess he fails at not lying. Let's see, he stole $60,000 out of the taxpayer fund so I guess he missed that class about not stealing. He tried to pay himself as a consultant in his own Senatorial election, so he missed that class on not cheating too. He opened a wedding registry at Target and Dillard's while he was governor so his grateful subjects could buy him presents when he and his wife renewed their vows. Hm - guess he missed that class about not coveting his neighbor's possessions too. Wait - maybe there's a simpler explanation. Maybe the Huckster thinks YOU'RE stupid. After all, he DOES support the FairTax, which doesn't tax corporations AT ALL, and millionaires and up at the same rate as someone who is near poverty level - i.e. less than 5%. Here's the thing - religious people really ARE religious. Who among them wants any truck with THIS devil?

Louis Nardozi, Chesapeake VA (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 8:26 PM)

Ever hear of separation of church and state? Elect this very nice man, and the two will be intermingled in a way that will make Georgie Bushie seem like an atheist

Kaye Miller, WA (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 8:30 PM)

Since I am two or three decades older than Huckabee if I should make it to Heaven and he shows up I would ask for a transfer.

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 8:36 PM)

Ask Huck how old the world is.Why it's 6,000 years old, don't you know anything?He dont believe in cavemen,dinosaurs,women in charge of anything(especially preaching).What do you believe in huck?

Mike from AR (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 9:17 PM)

Just checked Webster's and Roget's and SHAZAM! religion and theology are interchangeable terms.

If there is some esoteric demarcation between a religion degree and a theology degree, do you really expect a politician to have to detail his undergraduate and graduate studies when giving his credentials?

And, yes, it is conceivable that a person with intense study of the Bible under their belt could have a leg up on understanding Semitic culture and a more clear perspective into the fervency and staying power of Islamic radicals.

I continue to be amused by the stream of blogs that are lame attempts to paint Mike as an Elmer Gantry. They display a dearth of fluency in matters Biblical and evangelical. I would think one would have to be more knowledgeable and well-rounded to blog for such a high-profile publication.

Luke, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 9:23 PM)

Rufus, you are my hero.

Amy B Portland, Me (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 10:30 PM)

i have spent 35 years of my life fixing in my head ways of fixing the econamy when they stuffed it i would work out away of fixing it i am an australian interstate truck driver and when you spend 16t017 hours aday behind the wheel you look at the efects of the pen pushers econamy good isnt it i see it has worked the same world wide anyway to cut along story short i was told by my doctors i was dying so i thought it was time to releace my idea to fix the worlds econamy so i put my idea to work step one introduce my finance and investment package iadvitized it for sale through msn //moneycentral and it worked they stole billions of dollars from me money that was going to be invested in your country to fix the problems you poor people are facing they were kind enough to tell me not now they think they are going to use it to start i dont think so that money was to fix the world not to destroy it more there is a better way because of there antics take the small person out my family wonthave chritmas this year now my story is for sale to the highest bidder my investments were worth billions of dollars and they live in a white house.

Raymond Hibbert .[VICTORIA./AUSTRALIA (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 10:55 PM)

the fool says in his heart there is no God ... folks, there is a God we have to deal with ... getting rid of 'christians' or 'muslims' for that matter, is not the answer ... it is to look for someone who 'gets it right'. Whatever you think of these guys, they are better than those of you who want to get rid of religion even in politics. Good thing is we've all lucked out ... because God is love!

mdude.

mdude, palo alto, ca (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 11:15 PM)

Sorry, "religion" has not killed more people than any other word in history. "communism" has killed more (over 100 million and counting), "socialism" has killed more (over 60 million in WWII as we fought the socialist party of Germany aka the Nazis). Interesting that both socialism and communism demean and attempt to deminish religion.

As to Huckabee -- what a liar. There is a significant difference between a degree in "theology" and "religion". Theology degrees are centered on *RESEARCH* and *RATIONAL THOUGHT* while religion degrees are centered on beliefs and the absence of reational thought. Given Huckabee is a former pastor -- NO WAY HE MADE A SIMPLE MISTAKE REPLACING ONE WITH THE OTHER. HE LIED! NOW, HE SHOULD REMOVE HIMSELF FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

Kevin Davis (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 11:37 PM)

Gary, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 11:43 PM)

Why does the liberal media tout the fact that Huckabee is a preacher? Mitt Romney is a High Priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood and no one ever gives him respect for it. Sure seems like bias to me.

Pat, Prescott, AZ (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 11:49 PM)

"Theology" means "study of God". A theology degree is a "study of God" degree. Not math, not science, not literature, not English, but an undergraduate bachelor of arts degree in religion (the study of God). A master's degree is next...and Huckabee went to seminary for 46 hours. What's so difficult to understand? Many of my friends have theology degrees (undergraduate), but no post-graduate degrees.

Tamara, Berthoud, CO (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 12:35 AM)

I'm not sure which was more entertaining...the article or the comments. My guess is that most of the folks commenting on this issue have no degree (or even basic study) remotely related to religion, theology, divinity, or any other term that may have a specific distinction. However, any rational person can see that they are related and often overlap. I do have an MDiv (Masters of Divinity. I studied theology, comparative religions, languages, cultural anthropolgy, and a host of others topics. Didn't make me an expert on any of them; only conversant,hopefully well-rounded. Please folks...some common sense. However, that may not be possible among the ones writing these comments. While the attacks relate to Huckabee since he is in the news, it seems that the scope of the comments reveal more of a distaste, disregard and loathing of anything that even remotely speaks of faith. Seems to me that make most of you far more intolerant that Huckabee will ever be in reality. That is not my observations as a theology, religion, divinity teacher and leader. That is just the observations of an everyday guy of the human heart and nature.

Michael W. (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:00 AM)

"We have seen to our national sorrow what happens with a faith-based president."

Hmmm..like George Washington...Abe Lincoln or even John Kennedy...

I guess I'm not feeling your anti-religion, humanistic based approach to the office of the President. How very sad when we get to a point where we belive that our highest level of capability is to have self dependence instead of being willing to acknowledge our need for God.
Our national sorrow comes from this kind of arrogance and independence. It doesn't come from a President who is willing to humble himself before the God of the Universe.
I feel sorry for you little man.
Gary, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 11:43 PM)

Gary, the little man will be you in God's eyes because you presumed Christianity is the only way to God.

Kennedy said he is a President who happens to be Catholic. That is great and should be respected.

Bush said he is a Christian, who goes to church so he is a good man. That is pathetic.

God doesnt like A religion. God loves all religions, all humans, all his creation.

See the hypocrisy in your thoughts? Dont judge people based on your blind prejudices.

Simon, IA (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:17 AM)

The fact is there isn't a Southern Baptist theology school out there that teaches anything about Mormonism unless it's tied to the occult. Chances are if it's anti-Mormon literature , it was probably published by a Southern Baptist. You've heard about the wolves in Sheeps clothing. The more we learn about Huckabee the more he seems to be living down to that analogy.

Mike, Portland Oregon (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:41 AM)

"I guess I'm not feeling your anti-religion, humanistic based approach to the office of the President. How very sad when we get to a point where we belive that our highest level of capability is to have self dependence instead of being willing to acknowledge our need for God.
Our national sorrow comes from this kind of arrogance and independence. It doesn't come from a President who is willing to humble himself before the God of the Universe.
I feel sorry for you little man."

What pathetic dribble, must be a bushie.

L. Mallia (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:12 AM)

Go Huckabee! Only HE will stop the gay agenda and start amending the Constitution against gays and abortionists. He is the kind of guy who will pull the hard line on making sure neither of them ever have a chance and will help us baptists begin the theocratic rule of law we've been hoping to get for years.

This is a Christian nation and like Huckabee says we must take it back for Christ and show the others that their ways are absolutely wrong in God's eyes.

Jonathan, Westboro KS (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:28 AM)

LISTENING TO YOU AL BABBLE IS SO ANTI HELP OR SINCE RELIGION IS OR SHOULD NOT HAVE ANT THING TO DO WITH THE MANS OR WOMANS REASON TO LEAD . I WAS BEYOND APPAULED BY THE HATE FROM THE SPEAKER ON MORMONS . I AM AN ATHEITISS AND I WAS OFFENDED AT HIS WORDS . WHO IS HE TO TELL ANY ONE HOW TO THINK OR BELEVE HATE BECATS HATE AND WE AS A PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ONY THAT GOAL

SUSAN TERKLESON (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:49 AM)

If people used their heads (which the fundamentalist crowd seems reluctant to do) they'd be asking some very basic questions about Huckabee. For example, what kind of science and educational policy can we expect from someone who believes that the earth is 6,000 years old, was created in six 24-hour days, and had all its creatures planted here simultaneously -- like a bunch of tomatos? Oh, and cavemen shared the planet with dinosaurs; don't forget that one.

Dennis, Belvidere, NJ (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 6:00 AM)

Islamofascism is nothing more than a pathetic attempt from Rethuglicans to creat the year's new buzz word. We've had socialized medicine, wmds, and now, of course, Islamofascism.

Do the Neo Cons seriously think that simply by stating someone or something is evil that everyone will fall for it again?

Also, McConnell - prepare your walking papers. You've been the staunchest supporter of Bush from the get-go and when we get rid of these thugs cluttering up Washington D.C. one of them walking home will be the useless wonder M.M

Travis, Louisville, Ky (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:07 AM)

We have seen to our national sorrow what happens with a faith-based president."

Hmmm..like George Washington...Abe Lincoln or even John Kennedy...

I guess I'm not feeling your anti-religion, humanistic based approach to the office of the President. How very sad when we get to a point where we belive that our highest level of capability is to have self dependence instead of being willing to acknowledge our need for God.
Our national sorrow comes from this kind of arrogance and independence. It doesn't come from a President who is willing to humble himself before the God of the Universe.
I feel sorry for you little man.

I feel sorry that you're sad enough to willingly submit to something that bluntly contradicts everything science has ever proven to be correct. Sorry, but I like to go by charts, graphs, and the natural world than sit there and think some chick didn't have sex and popped out God... yeah, now who's really the one needing their head checked?

You bible thumping, America wrecking neo cons with your elementary school mentality are going to lose these upcoming elections. The best part, I'm not going to be feeling sorry for you, because I'm not being governed by the same religion that turns hundreds of thousands of people into instant hypocrites.

I'm sorry, but free thought and self-reliance are absolutely wonderful attributes to have, and just because we go out and get things done and do things and govern our own selves into what is right and wrong, doesn't mean we are the boon of America.

People who think like you do are.

Travis, Louisville, Ky (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:12 AM)

I understand now why this war of convenience goes on and on. Since Bush does not have a degree in religion God has hardened the hearts of our enemies may with Huck's direct line to the creator He will soften the hearts of our enemy.

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:34 AM)

huckabee, coming from hope, ark., is just another bill clinton dressed in republican clothes. his one=lines make me cringe with memories of bill clinton. his record in arkansas was terrible as governor - and that is what people should be considering - not his religiin.

sara, fl (Sent Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:45 AM)

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