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We Need More Tell, Less Show
As the presidential primary season begins, Americans increasingly want to know about the religious affiliation and beliefs of the candidates. It's a system very different from ours in the UK.
Just before Christmas, the first item on the BBC and other broadcasters' national news was that former Prime Minister Tony Blair had converted to Roman Catholicism and been received into the Church.
In the UK, the Queen is Defender of the Faith- the Church of England. Her heir, the Prince of Wales, has stated he wishes to be defender of faith, rather than The faith, including other people of faith in his status.
And, when asked, at the end of the week before Christmas, the new leader of the Liberal Democrats in the UK, Nick Clegg, admitted openly that he was not a believer.
The custom used to be to say that faith was a personal matter. "None of your business," was the standard reply to journalists who asked. But that will no longer do. Faith- of all varieties- plays a much larger role in the largely irreligious UK, and it clearly plays a far greater role in the deeply evangelized United States.
As religion plays a greater and greater role- politically, even if sometimes as a proxy for something else, and personally, in how people define themselves, I have no problem with us asking our would-be political leaders what their religious affiliations are, and, indeed, what their beliefs are.
In some key areas, human fertilization, assisted conception, contraception, abortion, and attitudes to war and peace, those religious views can affect a person's natural political stance considerably. Or on matters such as alleviation of poverty, or attitudes towards the death penalty, religious convictions can shape the response completely.
So I believe it is right that we should know, right that we should ask, and right that we should be suspicious of too much public demonstration of religious observance- in case it masks something else. Fewer prayer breakfasts and more public discussion of moral issues with a faith dimension would suit my taste better- and give me less cause for concern that it is all for show.
By
Julia Neuberger
|
January 1, 2008; 5:38 AM ET
| Category:
Religion & Politics
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Posted by: Josef Sefton | January 15, 2008 11:35 PM
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Amen. Jesus never attended a prayer breakfast, and I intend as much as humanly possible to follow Jesus' example. He also said that if you want to pray, don't make a big public display out of it. Go to your room, shut the door, and pray to God in splendid solitude. Show me people who make a big deal of praying in public, Jesus said, and I will show you world class hypocrites.
Posted by: GeorgiaSon | January 4, 2008 6:08 AM
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Baroness Julia Neuberger,
Welcome back and Happy New Year.
As you stated "...and right that we should be suspicious of too much public demonstration of religious observance-".
I do share too on your observation how a person's personal religiousity can and do affect his or her political stance on issues you stated.
Thank you and best regards
"J"
Posted by: Jihadist | January 3, 2008 5:25 PM
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I offer a comment based on the essay written by Rabbi Neuberger.
it is true that "religious views can affect a person's natural political stance considerably" but when I cast my vote for a candidate I am not voting for the candidate's personal religious views. when I witness a candidate take the oath of office, I expect that person to uphold this country's Constitution and act for the benefit of all of the electorate.
I accept the truth of Edmond Burke's statement, upon being reelected to the Parliment, when he said "Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion." however, when an elected official uses his personal religious beliefs to draft policy that forces said religious belief on the population as a whole, that is a betrayal.
we do need to know where a particular candidate stands. I would absolutely feel betrayed by an offical who pretends to be non-sectarian and interested in working for the public interest only to find out that the interest is really focused on protecting people from their own misguided beliefs. however, in the USA these days it seems that having strong faith is becoming a test for worth of a candidate.
I am and have always been a religious minority. I was rasied in an observant Jewish household and now define myself as a Pagan (drawing heavily from the faith tradition of my upbringing). I have always been aware that there are people, even politicians, who would prefer I be silent. they may even take steps to silence me if I don't cooperate with their wishes. but that is not what Democracy is supposed to be about. certainly not what the Constitution is intended to provide. the US Constitution is a document which has always been about ever increasing freedom and inclusion.
that is unless the current administration and the latest crop of candidates succeed in ammending the document to specifically exclude gay and lesbian people from accessing their rights as full citizens.
abortion, stem cell research, LGBT rights, marriage, death penalty, the right to die with choice and dignity, these and more all have religious implications. but elected officials need to work to find balance between competing interests. inclusion usually allows for increased freedom - if abortion remains legal it is by no means manditory. choice always includes the option for people to abstain for religious or other reasons. lack of choice means imposing the religious will of the few onto the many.
Posted by: WindReader | January 3, 2008 2:53 PM
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Posted by: Anonymous | January 3, 2008 1:32 PM
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Prayer for 2008 to be a year of thorough washing by Jesus Christ; so that our heart doesn't scream out for unholiness!
Searchers for God's best, Jesus Christ. whether you are a Rabbi, the Queen or a Prince who understands very little you will need to wash yourself in God's wisdom, if you are desirous to honour God.
The Holy Bible is God's gift of wisdom to us. Bathe your tired toes in these holy books and you'll soon find that you can twinkle them.
The truth is that the Prince of Wales needs a good wash in God's wisdom, Tony Blair needs a good wash in God's wisdom and I need an extra good wash under the tap and in God's wisdom.
Lovers of ultimate truth, I'll report back to you when I have got things right.
One final observation You need to bathe yourself in God's love letter as much as I do!