Should Faith Matter When Electing Politicians?

Should Faith Matter When Electing Politicians?

John F. Kennedy once said, “I do not speak for my Church on public matters — and the Church does not speak for me.” That may have been true for JFK in 1960, but in recent years religion has played an increasingly larger role in American politics. With the line between private and public faith becoming increasingly blurred, how much should religion matter when electing those politicians who so directly affect our lives?

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  • “Yes”
  • “Objection”
Interfaith Alliance

A Slightly Different Set of Questions

Interfaith Alliance

The Interfaith Alliance has developed a set of Five Questions that we hope voters will ask when evaluating candidates for public office:

  1. What role should and does your religious faith and values play in creating public policy?
  2. What are your views on the Constitutional guarantee of the separation of church and state?
  3. What active steps have you taken and will you continue to take to show respect for the variety of religious beliefs among your constituents?
  4. Should a political leader’s use of religious language reflect the language of his/her religious tradition, or be more broadly inclusive?
  5. How do you balance the principles of your faith and your pledge to defend the Constitution, particularly when the two come into conflict?

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