Rand Paul at the 2012 Value Voter Summit

"I'm not a pacifist, but I do think it's unacceptable not to hate war. I'm dismissive of those who champion war as sport, and show no reluctance to engage in war. Any leader who shows eagerness for war should not be leading any nation. Truly great leaders are reluctant to go to war and try mightily not to go to war. Though I detest violence, I could kill someone who injured or threatened my family. Though I hate war, I could commit a nation to war. But I could only do so reluctantly, and constitutionally, and after great deliberation. I believe that, although some find this a contradiction of terms, there is such a thing as a Christian or a just theory of war. A just war is a war of self-defense. At the same time, I am conflicted because I don't believe Jesus would have killed anyone or condoned killing even in self-defense. I'm conflicted. The coarsening of our culture toward violent death has more consequences than even violent war. Tragically, this same culture has led to the death of 50 million unborn children in the last 40 years. I don't think a civilization cannot endure that does have respect for all human life, born and unborn.

We have many problems in this country to solve, but I believe there will come a time when we are all judged on whether or not we took a stand to defend all life, from the moment of conception until our last natural breath.... I will always take a stand for life. Though I believe in limited powers for the federal government, primary among these powers is the protection of life. The government cannot protect liberty if it does not first protect life.... The First Amendment is here to keep government out of religion, not to keep religious people out of government.... There's a crisis in our country and it's not just a fiscal crisis. I think it's a moral crisis. I think it's a spiritual crisis. I don't think the answer is in any politician. I don't think the answer is in any particular law. I think the answer is that we need to somehow find our way back to God, and I think we find that way by taking the time to reflect on what the important things in life really are. I hope we will find that, I hope we will reflect, and I hope we will find spiritual renewal as a country."

--Senator Rand Paul