Candidates Warn Iowans Faith Is Being 'Criminalized'

It is not unusual for socially conservative Republicans to argue that religion is under attack, but many 2016 presidential hopefuls at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition took it to a new level Saturday, using dire police state imagery to characterize the current climate.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., concluded comments on the need to respect privacy, constitutional rights and civil rights for everyone by stating, "When they send the police to your churches — When they send the police into your church and ask your minister for their sermons, that is the time for civil disobedience," he said, to cheers and applause.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said the the country was in the midst of an "unprecedented assault" on religious freedom rights. Reacting to a recent comment by Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton that "religious beliefs ... have to be changed" for those who oppose abortion, Jindal wondered aloud how she would do that if she had the chance.

"She didn't suggest whether we should go to re-education camps or how she intends to do that," Jindal said.

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