In a nation founded on the principles of freedom of belief, separation of religion and government, and no religious test for public office, the 2008 presidential campaign has been deeply infused with references to religion. The Interfaith Alliance has assembled, for your amusement and outrage a video compilation of the top ten moments—so far—in the campaign for “pastor in chief.”
Candidates from both parties seem to be locked in a competition to be “holier than thou.” Both Republican and Democratic candidates have made inappropriate statements, often in response to even more inappropriate questions from members of the news media. And it’s all been driven by religious litmus tests thrust on them by misguided religious leaders and misled religious voters.
Candidates have been asked about their favorite Bible verse, their “greatest sin,” whether they would have to answer to their maker for supporting reproductive rights, and if they believe in every word of the Bible. Candidates have also used religious outreach coordinators, “faith clubs,” TV ads extolling their “Christian leadership,” and brochures titled “Committed Christian.” Gov. Mike Huckabee issued calls to rewrite the Constitution according to “God's standards.” Sen. Barack Obama has called for help to "become an instrument of God." Sen. John McCain had declared America to be a “Christian Nation.” And Sen. Hillary Clinton has talked about “injecting faith in to policy.”
Pundits, pollsters, reporters, and opposition researchers unfairly targeted and maligned Gov. Mitt Romney’s Mormonism and questioned whether or not Sen. Barack Obama’s church is truly Christian.
Unfortunately, the list could easily be longer, and will surely expand as the general election gets under way. The Interfaith Alliance will capture those moments with future videos.
Go here to view video clips of the Top Ten Moments in the Race for "Pastor-in-Chief."
Here is the text version:
10. Mitt Romney is asked if he believes "every word" of the Bible
(CNN/You Tube debate (11-28-07).
9. CNN's Soledad O'Brien asks John Edwards to "name his greatest
sin"
(CNN/Sojourners town hall 6-26-07).
8. James Dobson tells a reporter he does not think that Fred
Thompson is a Christian
(3-27-07).
7. Barack Obama distributes a campaign flier describing himself as
a "Committed Christian" (1-21-08).
6. Hillary Clinton said we need to "inject faith into policy"
(CNN/Sojourners town hall 6-26-07).
5. Mike Huckabee explains his rise in the polls by invoking the
Biblical story of two fish and five loaves feeding a crowd of 5,000
people (11-28-07).
4. Tim Russert asks all the Democratic candidates to "name their
favorite Bible verse" (MSNBC 9-26-07).
3. John McCain says the Constitution established the United States
as a Christian nation and that he would prefer a Christian president
(9-27-07).
2. Barack Obama asked a congregation to help him "become an
instrument of God" and join him in creating "a Kingdom right here on
Earth" (10-17-07).
1. Mike Huckabee tells a crowd: "What we need to do is to amend the
Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's
standards" (1-14-08).
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