It’s crazy to think faith doesn’t affect the actions and policy choices of politicians. And why wouldn’t it? You don’t drop your religious beliefs at the White House door, nor should you. You wouldn’t be much of a believer if you did. Just as you or I – whether Christian, Jew, Muslim or Atheist – let our beliefs shape how we see the world, and guide and influence our behavior.
Politicians are no different…True, many have mastered the ability to lie about the influence of their faith on their decisions, particularly if it’s not in their best political interest to do otherwise. Or they may under or overplay their faith in order to appeal to a wider range of voters. After all, it’s all about getting elected. But that shouldn’t stop any of us from seeing through the guise and voting based on the assumption that one’s religious beliefs will affect their positions and actions on a wide range of policies, from heath care to war and international relations.
Certainly George Bush’s presidency is a great example of letting faith guide public actions. From his establishment of Faith Based Initiatives (which Obama is now also advocating), to his religiously based opposition to stem cell research and abortion, to his beliefs about war in the Middle East. Bush has made no secret of his faith, and that he “listens to God” when making tough decisions. Many people I know do the same. But they’re not President of the US, and their choices don’t affect several hundred million people. Jimmy Carter’s faith also appeared to have a strong role in some of his policy decisions…particularly in the area of international relations. As a citizen, I have every right to know this before electing someone to office.
In the current presidential election, the issue of candidates’ faith has been more extensively addressed than in any modern election. And for good reason. Do you really believe Obama’s views aren’t influenced, if not in accord with, a pastor whose parish he has been attending for 20 years? If certain core tenets and viewpoints were so offensive, one hopes he would have walked away and disassociated himself. And if not, then that says something about the kind of person he is also. The point is, one’s religious and faith based affiliations and views say much about a candidate – and voters should not only know but consider them carefully. Trust me, if former KKK leader David Duke ran for President, his religious (remember the KKK was faith based) affiliations would matter to Barack Obama and Reverend Wright, and to the black, Jewish and Latino communities (every minority for that matter) as well as to most white Americans, whatever their religion.
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