THE QUESTION

McCain on Religion

GOP presidential candidate John McCain said recently that he "admired" Islam but would prefer a president with "a solid grounding" in the Christian faith. Would you consider a candidate's religious background in deciding for whom to vote? If so, under what circumstances?

Posted by Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on October 2, 2007 11:36 AM
FROM THE PANEL

What Religion Becomes a Political Hopeful Most?

I would never vote for hypocrites who try to sound more religious than they really are in order to pander to the religiously conservative.

Posted by Susan Jacoby, on October 9, 2007 10:32 AM

Religion, Not Religiosity

Let McCain specify exactly what in what part of the Christian tradition moves him and would affect the way he carries out his duties, and we could vote him or it up or down.

Posted by Martin Marty, on October 9, 2007 9:55 AM

Character Matters More than Religiosity

I do hope that religion, and the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, inform his words and actions.

Posted by Thomas G. Bohlin, on October 9, 2007 7:03 AM

Any Faith or None, but Spare Us the Idealists

I don't want anyone becoming president for whom religion or irreligion is the only thing that matters.

Posted by Gustav Niebuhr, on October 8, 2007 9:55 AM

No Separation of Religion and Values

It is impossible to separate people's religious faith from their worldview, their values, and their character.

Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on October 8, 2007 9:05 AM

Religious Background Should Stay There

Our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, makes much of being a 'son of the manse'- and his attitudes have been strongly shaped by his Scottish Christian upbringing.

Posted by Julia Neuberger, on October 8, 2007 7:42 AM

Faith is Not the Issue

Political blueprints should not be based on a decree from heaven.

Posted by Rajan Zed, on October 8, 2007 7:41 AM

God Isn't a Political Hack

Given that McCain, no doubt, is a decent and moral person his uneasiness about his fellow citizens because they are Muslim is frightening.

Posted by Irwin Kula, on October 5, 2007 5:45 PM

The Holy Presidency

It may have been a politically incorrect statement; however, I do believe it reflects the sentiment of the majority of our citizens.

Posted by Samuel Rodriguez, on October 5, 2007 4:41 PM

Atheist's or Believer's Delight?

At issue is not the religious preference of the voter, but the religious practice of the candidate.

Posted by Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, on October 5, 2007 3:06 PM

Important vs. All-important

The U.S. may be a Christian nation sociologically, but not constitutionally.

Posted by J. Brent Walker, on October 5, 2007 1:11 PM

Why Jesus Can't Be President

Must we go through this every time this country becomes more religiously pluralistic?

Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on October 4, 2007 1:26 PM

Vote American!

Observation 1.....“Only in America,” as “Carolina Israelite” Harry Golden used to say. In our country more than anywhere else on earth or in human history, one’s background may not be one’s foreground. We're tolerant of jumping one ship for...

Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on October 4, 2007 12:13 PM

Neither Minister nor Saint

I don’t care what religion they profess but I do care about what public policies and programs they support.

Posted by Thomas J. Reese, S.J., on October 4, 2007 10:05 AM

Ask What They Believe AND How They Would Apply It

Mr. Bush, Jesus, your favorite philosopher, expressed concern for the tiniest sparrow. How will that sentiment shape your environmental policies?

Posted by Randall Balmer, on October 3, 2007 2:44 PM

McCain is Wrong

Senator McCain’s comments on his litmus test of religion as a qualification to be president of the United States are simply outrageous.

Posted by Welton Gaddy, on October 3, 2007 7:10 AM

Put Competence First

We ought to vote for the most competent person rather than one who might use religious language, but not mean it.

Posted by Cal Thomas, on January 2, 2007 11:37 AM

FEATURED COMMENTS

Michael: I am sick and tired of how much of a role religion should play into politics. It should play none! Despite what religious apologist say, our...

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