Should Faith Matter When Electing Politicians?

Americans do vote their values – whether religiously based or not – which is precisely why both candidates for President are constantly modifying or expanding what they believe in order to appeal to the widest variety of values they can.   But none of this necessarily reflects their genuine beliefs, which should scare every voter looking for the truth.

It’s particularly troubling that Obama recently resigned from his long time home church.   He was part of this congregation for decades…considered it his religious community and its pastor his spiritual guide.   Walking away because it’s now causing him political damage doesn’t make me think he no longer supports Rev. Wright or agrees with   many of his views, it just convinces me that today a candidate for president will do almost anything to get elected…including misrepresenting their religious beliefs.

Which is not only why we need to continue to ask, but ask more and in more detail, and then allow our common sense, based on the candidates past and present actions and beliefs, guide us rather than the detailed substance of the politically framed answers they give.     If you want to know what a candidate is really going to do, look beyond their scripted and often shifting answers about religion, and look closely at their religious beliefs, values, and practices over the course of their entire lives.  

The candidates can say whatever they want, but just as most people vote their values, the candidates ultimately will act and make policy decisions based on their own values, and for better or worse, their genuine religious beliefs…whatever they are.