True to its title, Mitt Romney's "Faith In America" speech said little about his personal religious faith, but much about his vision of America. Romney spoke thoughtfully about our nation's tradition of religious liberty and tolerance. His expression of admiration for diverse faiths is an example of the mutual respect upon which our pluralistic religious identity rests, and his reference to America's long history of religious diversity and interfaith cooperation is a reminder that we are at our best when we make common cause with people beyond our own pews. These are traditions of which we should be proud.
But Romney excluded a large and important group from his inclusive America - nonbelievers. He said "any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty has a friend and ally in me," but extended no similar gesture to agnostics, atheists or secularists, who make up almost 11 percent of the population. Such exclusiveness does not do justice to the religious values of hospitality, fellowship, and love of neighbor, and gives credence to those who view faith as a source of intolerance.
His assertion that "freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom" implies that nonreligious people are either unfree or unfit for freedom. Of course neither is true, and saying that freedom is conditional on faith denigrates both. Freedom thrives in the some of the most secular societies in the world, and faith finds ways to flourish in the most oppressive countries on earth. From the Roman empire to the present-day Myanmar, faith has never been dependent upon freedom. In fact, it is the decision to choose faith in the most difficult of circumstances that defines faith as such a powerful presence in the lives of so many believers.
Romney's assertion that "no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people" seems accurate, but to be successful, such movements must also speak to nonbelievers, and require cooperation between nonbelievers and people of faith. In recent history, religious and secular coalitions defeated segregation in the American South and communism in Eastern Europe by uniting religious and nonreligious people around issues of freedom and justice.
Coalitions of religious and nonreligious people are currently working together on America's and the world's most urgent problems. As executive director of Faith In Public Life, I work with religious groups addressing poverty, health care, human rights, climate change and immigration reform (among others). Each of these movements are thriving on partnerships that harness the energy and expertise of religious and secular alike.
Romney said the most important questions to ask a religious candidate are "does he share these American values: the equality of human kind, the obligation to serve one another, and a steadfast commitment to liberty?" At a time when religious people are mobilizing to address the nation and the planet's most pressing crises, the most important questions for religious candidates should also include, "how does their faith shape their positions on the issues?"
I commend Romney for speaking about faith in America. But because he is asking us to elect him president of all Americans, it is important that he seek unity with all Americans, including those who do not worship God, and to explain the relationship between his faith and his politics.
Rev. Jennifer Butler is Executive Director of Faith in Public Life and an on ordained Presbyterian minister.
