NEW DELHI: Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy discussed his commitment to his Hindu faith, highlighting its role in granting him personal freedom and propelling him into the presidential race as a moral duty.
Addressing ‘The Family Leader’ forum organized by The Daily Signal on Saturday, the Indian-American entrepreneur drew parallels between Hinduism and Christianity, expressing his aim to advocate for shared values that benefit the upcoming generation.
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Ramaswamy said, “My faith is what gives me my freedom. My faith is what led me to this presidential campaign…I am a Hindu. I believe there is one true God. I believe God put each of us here for a purpose. My faith teaches us that we have a duty, a moral duty to realise that purpose. Those are God’s instruments that work through us in different ways, but we are still equal because God resides in each of us. That’s the core of my faith.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, Ramaswamy shared the traditional values instilled in him by his parents, emphasizing the significance of family, marriage, and respect for parents. Born to Indian parents who moved to the US from Kerala, Ramaswamy also spoke of the traditional values instilled in him by them.
“I grew up in a traditional household. My parents taught me family is the foundation. Respect your parents. Marriage is sacred. Abstinence before marriage is the way to go. Adultery is wrong. Marriage is between a man and a woman. Divorce is not just some preference you opt for…you get married before God and you make an oath to God and your family,” the Republican presidential-hopeful said.
Drawing connections between Hindu and Christian faiths, Ramaswamy asserted that these shared values belong to God rather than being exclusive to a particular religion. Having attended a Christian high school, he found familiarity in the teachings of the Ten Commandments and biblical principles.
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While acknowledging the influence of Judeo-Christian values in the foundation of the United States, Ramaswamy clarified that he doesn’t intend to impose Christianity but aims to stand for and promote shared values. He asserted his commitment to making faith, family, hard work, and patriotism “cool” again in the United States, emphasizing that these values are integral to the country’s fabric.
“Can I be a President who can promote Christianity across the country? I can’t…I don’t think that’s what we should want a US President to do either…but will I stand for those shared values? Will I promote them in the examples that we set for the next generations? You are damn right, I will! Because that’s my duty,” Ramaswamy said.
As he rises in GOP primary polls, Ramaswamy expressed his responsibility as a potential president to rejuvenate the significance of faith, family, hard work, and patriotism for the next generation. Despite trailing behind figures like Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis, Ramaswamy’s campaign has garnered attention, and he remains focused on his duty to the nation.
In July this year, the Ohio-based biotech entrepreneur was targeted for his Hindu faith by a televangelist who asked citizens not to vote for him.
In August, Conservative pundit and author Ann Coulter made racist comments against Ramaswamy and fellow Indian-American presidential candidate Nikki Haley, calling their clash during the Republican primary debate a “Hindu business”.
Ramaswamy is the nation’s second Hindu presidential candidate after former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard who ran as a Democrat in 2020.
In his address to prospective voters, Ramaswamy often rues that faith, patriotism, hard work and family “have disappeared, only to be replaced by new secular religions in this country”.
Notably, at 38 years old, Ramaswamy, a native of southwest Ohio, comes from a family with roots in Kerala, India, and his parents migrated to the US. His campaign gains momentum as the 2024 US presidential election approaches on November 5.
