Past Questions for Religion and Politics

November 27, 2006

Pope Benedict XVI is in Turkey this week. What did you think of his remarks about Islam at Regensburg, and do you think he, and the Christian church in general, can help Muslims take on their more violent and extreme elements?

December 13, 2006

Some politically conservative Christians say that America is "a Christian nation," and at this time of year, with the country saturated with Christmas imagery, it can seem that they are right. Are they? Is America a "Christian nation"? Should it be?

February 20, 2007

February 21, 2007

Can you be critical of Israel and not be anti-Semitic? Can you be critical of Israel and be a faithful Jew?

March 7, 2007

Should teaching about religion be mandatory in public schools? In colleges and universities?

March 14, 2007

Does discrimination against Catholics still exist in this country today? If so, why? How have you experienced discrimination because of your religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs?

April 19, 2007

Do you think Islam is a violent religion?

May 9, 2007

Was Jesus a social revolutionary? Why or why not? Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Brazil revives worldwide interest in this question.

May 15, 2007

Rev. Jerry Falwell, a founder of the Moral Majority and the Religious Right, died May 15. How will he be remembered?

October 2, 2007

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?

December 6, 2007

What did you think of Mitt Romney's speech Thursday about religion? What would you have told him to say?

December 17, 2007

Britain's equality chief says "It's time to stop being daft about Christmas. It's fine to celebrate and it's fine for Christ to be the star of the show" in all public celebrations. Are we being too politically correct about Christmas?

December 24, 2007

Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives approved HR 847 recognizing the importance of Christianity and Christmas. Would you have voted for this resolution? How would you amend it?

December 31, 2007

The presidential primary season is about to begin. What should we be looking for in a presidential candidate? What do we need to know about the moral values and religious beliefs of a candidate?

January 23, 2008

Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says "we need . . . to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view." What do you think?

February 7, 2008

In his new book "Thumpin' It," Jacques Berlinerblau laments that secularism has become a taboo subject for Republicans and Democrats. Has this year's presidential campaign become too religious? Are secular ideas getting short shrift?

» BERLINERBLAU RESPONDS

February 20, 2008

Barack Obama has been seen as embracing religious values since his June, 2006 "Call to Renewal" speech, but how is his or any presidential candidate's faith reflected in policy positions and campaign tactics?

February 23, 2008

Do you believe that Barack Obama elicits religious fervor among his followers as some have suggested? Is this good or bad, and why do you think so?

March 4, 2008

If the historical Jesus were running for president, what kind of candidate would he be? Republican or Democrat? For or against the death penalty, the Iraq war, abortion, etc.?

April 6, 2008

John McCain's spiritual guide, televangelist Rod Parsley, calls Islam a "false religion" that should be "destroyed." Should McCain renounce Parsley? Will Islam be an issue in this year's U.S. presidential election?

April 28, 2008

Jeremiah Wright's sermons continue to be an issue in the presidential campaign. Why? What do you think of his preaching style? What do you wish you understood better about it?

May 6, 2008

The percentage of voters who find Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama "honest and trustworthy" is declining as the campaign wears on. Why? From a moral standpoint, how important is this quality in a president?

MORE PAST QUESTIONS

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