John Kasich attacks Daniel Radcliffe, an atheist, while strolling in a bookstore. Last Wednesday, a very unusual scene took place in a bookstore in Exeter, New Hampshire.
The governor of Ohio, who was campaigning for New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate Chris Sununu, picked a copy of “Harry Potter” and went on an epic rant about British actor Daniel Radcliffe.
Radcliffe, who starred in the Harry Potter movie franchise, has spoken on numerous occasions about the fact that he is an atheist. The former child actor said he is proud to be a nonbeliever, but would never impose his views on others. A few years back, he said:
“I’m an atheist, but I’m very relaxed about it. I don’t preach my atheism, but I have a huge amount of respect for people like Richard Dawkins who do.”
Bill Gates, Brad Pitt, and Keira Knightley have made similar claims. Mr. Kasich and Mr. Radcliffe are on opposite ends when it comes to religion.
Kasich was raised a Catholic, but his love for God died out when he became an adult. However, he joined the Anglican faith after both his parents were killed in a car crash by a drunk driver in 1987 and never left.
A proud member of the St. Augustine church in Westerville, Ohio; Kasich had often spoken about his religious beliefs in interviews, at campaign rallies, and even during the debates when he was running for president against 16 other conservatives. During the 2016 primaries, he stated:
“The essence of America lies in the hearts and the souls of us. We all need to live a life bigger than ourselves. We have to reach out and help someone else.The Lord may have another purpose for me, as he has for everyone. As I suspend my campaign today, I have renewed faith, deeper faith the Lord will show me the way forward and fulfill the purpose of my life.”
In 2010, he published “Every Other Monday,” which “discusses the strength he has drawn from a Bible discussion group he has been part of for many years.” Kasich had the following to say about Radcliffe:
“You know that Daniel Radcliffe has declared himself an atheist?.I’m serious. What a weird thing. Why would a guy who has had all that success just, I mean, what the hell is wrong with him?”
Some commenters are having a hard time understanding what pushed the politician to react this way. Religious freedom also applies to atheism, they say.