MIAMI -- U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Fla, is under fire once again for controversial comments about the separation of church and state.

She told a periodical that such a separation is a "lie" because, as she put it, "God is the one who chooses our rulers."

Harris said God and the nation's founding fathers did not intend the country be "a nation of secular laws."

The Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate also said that, if Christians are not elected to political office, politicians will "legislate sin." She cited abortion and gay marriage as two examples.

The comments have drawn criticism in recent days from Democrats and Republicans.

The comments were in the Florida Baptist Witness, the weekly journal of the Florida Baptist State Convention. The publication interviewed political candidates, asking them questions about religion and their positions on issues.

The interview also included Harris' reasons for running and response to issues like stem cell research, the Terri Schiavo case and other topics.

Harris has been trailing in recent polls and has also faced the resignations of campaign staff members.