Religion is necessary in this country, according to Maury Litwick, the Republican son in the "Relatively Political" father-son debate Tuesday night hosted by the College Republicans.
"The only reason Americans feel a sense of right and wrong is because of religion," he said.
The College Republicans drew a crowd of about 30 people at their event, where the First Amendment and religion were debated.
Litwick - who debated his father, David, a Democrat - said Democrats can only function by continually passing laws. They can then rely on the government for their morals.
"The government can never ever judge right or wrong correctly," Maury said. "Liberals use the First Amendment as a weapon against what good people are trying to do to save the country."
He added that the government cannot be relied on because it doesn't function well and that Americans turn to religion because they want to believe in a higher power than themselves.
However, David said he doesn't think the Republicans have a monopoly on religion.
Part of the current problems with religion are new issues that weren't offensive 30 to 40 years ago but are considered offensive now, he said.
"If religion can interfere with the government, then the government should be able to interfere with religion," said Caryn Devins, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs.
She said she thinks Republicans' narrow sense of morality is offensive and said she is not a religious person but knows what is right and wrong.
Religious symbols have been topics of debate in the country, especially in terms of separating church and state.
David said Republicans feel the need to display their religious symbols wherever they can.
"It is obviously an obsession because they don't care that these religious symbols are diluted when they display them," he said. "Obsession knows no bounds."
However, now Democrats are trying to remove religious symbols just because they can, said Tom Borts, a freshman in the School of International Service. Democrats are suddenly trying to remove religion from places where it's been in the past, he added.
Peter Zuk, a sophomore in SPA, said most things in the government are a blend of liberal and conservative.
"I don't think everything should be so black and white," Zuk said. "Everything in government is a blend of both sides."
John Zevitas, president of College Republicans and a junior in SPA, said David and Maury are father and son, so nothing will come between them.
"It was amazing to see a father and son [who] diametrically oppose each other come together," he said. "Religion, I believe, is such a current topic; it needs to be talked about."
Father and son debate, but at the end of the day they are still family, Maury said.
"It's all about topics," Maury said. "There are no personal attacks."
Maury said they have been debating for six to eight months for an audience but first started debating when Maury was 16 at the dinner table.
"Students on college campuses deserve a good, raw debate - nothing soft," Maury said.
The father-son duo currently tours mainly on the East Coast but hope to expand to the Midwest, where they were both born.
David has been the national director of development for the National Jewish Democratic Council since 2003. With his work in multiple organizations and leadership roles, David has over 30 years of political experience.
Maury currently serves as the executive director of the Conservative Coalition for Israel. Maury graduated from the University of Maryland at 20, where he said he developed his interest in conservative politics.
Inside the 'Relative' relationship:
The Democratic father/Republican son duo who call themselves "Relatively Political" debated the issue of the First Amendment and religion Tuesday night. David Litwick, the Democratic father, and Maury Litwick, the Republican son, debate a variety of issues, generally on the East Coast, upon request. Here are some of the other issues they can debate:
>> Face Lift v. Faith Lift: Hollywood v. Evangelicals
>> Let us Pray or Prey: Separation of Church and State
>> Save a Tree ... Lynch a Liberal: Environment
>> Pleasantville v. Unpleasantville: Abortion
Source: www.relativelypolitical.com
