Video
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
THE QUESTION
Religion in the Political Campaign
As the presidential campaign begins to take shape, do you think it is appropriate and or important for the candidates to express their personal religious views and to use religious rhetoric? Why?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on January 24, 2007 7:34 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Religion Should Not Crowd Out Other Formative Influences
A candidate's religion should not be accorded a status apart from the other influences in his or her life.
Posted by Gustav Niebuhr, on January 30, 2007 1:21 PM
'God' or 'Allah'?
I for one would be amused to hear some of our more sanctimonious politicians trying not to choke as they thanked Allah for all the blessings He has bestowed on the United States.
Posted by Daniel C. Dennett, on January 30, 2007 11:23 AM
The Great Pumpkin Goes to Washington
Candidates can worship the Great Pumpkin, for all I care, as long as they don’t say the Great Pumpkin told them to do things such as invade Iraq.
Posted by Wendy Doniger, on January 30, 2007 10:25 AM
On Bilingual Candidates
A bilingual candidate can sincerely translate "WWJD?” in two ways, first as ”What Would Jesus Do?” and then as “What Would Justice Demand?"
Posted by John Dominic Crossan, on January 30, 2007 9:10 AM
Candidates Should Not Question Patriotism of Those Who Differ in Religious Belief
American Muslims would worry about a candidate whose are such that Muslims would suffer from his or her religious bigotry.
Posted by Sulayman Nyang, on January 29, 2007 5:00 PM
We Are Not Compartmentalized Selves
John F. Kennedy set an unfortunate example in 1960 when he said that his Catholicism would have virtually nothing to do with his presidential decision-making. How could that be?
Posted by R. Albert Mohler Jr., on January 29, 2007 9:07 AM
Democracy Must Discipline Religion
Religious convictions must be translated into moral arguments, which must win the political debate if they are to be implemented.
Posted by Jim Wallis, on January 29, 2007 7:31 AM
Campaigns Need Values, Not Media Images
If I were making the rules, anyone who ran for public office would have to spend a week living on the streets with the homeless and a month living on a welfare budget.
Posted by Starhawk, on January 26, 2007 4:20 PM
Faith in the Political Arena: Walking A Fine Line
Politicians face a difficult dilemma: How do you make a full disclosure of one’s deepest convictions without “using” your religion to win support?
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on January 26, 2007 9:18 AM
Brandishing Religion is Not a Political Strategy
When politicians cloak themselves in inappropriate religious language, differences of opinion are rejected as expressions of evil.
Posted by Welton Gaddy, on January 26, 2007 8:45 AM
Guidelines for Candidates to Avoid Abusing Religion
Something that must be taken by faith alone does not allow itself to be tested in the free marketplace of ideas, a quality essential for democracy to work.
Posted by David Saperstein, on January 26, 2007 7:18 AM
Full Religious Disclosure on Political Issues
Politicians should tell electorate where they stand religiously, especially on issues of conscience where they might vote according to their faith.
Posted by Julia Neuberger, on January 25, 2007 4:06 PM
National Leader Must Respect All Faith Traditions
President Bush's decline in popularity began when he tried to make a political cause of conservative Christian end-of-life issues in the Terri Schiavo case.
Posted by John Shelby Spong, on January 25, 2007 2:58 PM
Recipe for Politicians: Sincerity Yes, Advocacy No
The American public is uncomfortable when politicians talk about their personal religious beliefs in a way that sounds like advocacy.
Posted by Michael Otterson, on January 25, 2007 7:50 AM
Politicians' Fidelity To Denominational Teachings Is Test of Sincerity
It might be helpful in the forthcoming presidential campaign to frame questions about key issues by reference to each candidate’s denominational loyalty.
Posted by Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, on January 25, 2007 7:08 AM
Mid-Term Elections Showed Electorate Anger at Misuse of Religion
Americans are sensitive these days, given the misuse of religion and religious rhetoric by some in the current Administration and in Congress.
Posted by John Bryson Chane, on January 25, 2007 6:30 AM
Keep Religion Out of Government
Any Democratic candidate today must challenge the right-wing assertion that respect for secular government means disrespect for religion.
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on January 24, 2007 9:19 AM
Sincerity is Key
Expressing one's personal religious faith should not be done just to garner votes.
Posted by Gardner Calvin Taylor, on January 24, 2007 9:09 AM
"Everybody Talkin' About Heaven Ain't Going There"
Let’s not tempt people to hypocritical statements of faith just to satisfy a superficial test of “character.”
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on January 24, 2007 8:45 AM
Politicians' Personal Faith Only Relevant As It Affects Their Public Policies
Political and spiritual kingdoms require different kinds of leadership.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on January 24, 2007 8:01 AM
Save & Share:
A Hermit: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated
In the interest of equal time we await your condemnation of the Campus Crusade for Christ considerin...
Mike Campbell: I find it impossible not to be curious as to what politician’s beliefs are with respect to the ultimate question there is to life: what is t...
Bob: I do not think there is any room in the public sector for religious belief and other irrational thought.
However, given the present state o...
