Politics and Relgion: 2008
"I do not speak for my Church, and my Church does not speak for me."
Sen. John F Kennedy, 1960
"I'm twice as Catholic as Jack (Kennedy)!"
Sen. Eugene J McCarthy, 1960
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney faces difficulty among some Christian voters because he is a Mormon. Others say that a candidate's religious beliefs should not be an issue in a presidential campaign. For instance, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said it was inappropriate for a reporter to ask Republican candidates at a forum whether they believed in Evolution, since the answer has no bearing on the duties of the President. Comedian Bill Maher replied that the answer says a great deal about the candidate's attitude toward science, so it is relevant.
In an age when many candidates emphasize that their views on some moral and social issues (abortion and same-sex marriage, for example) are grounded in their faith, is it not legitimate to consider a candidate's religious affiliation and belief (or lack of belief) in evaluating his (or her) suitability for President of the United States?
The important question is not simply "What religion are you?" but rather, "Will your religious (or other) beliefs affect your actions as President, and if so, how?" For example, Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon were both raised in pacifist religions ( Mennonite and Quaker, respectively), but both served in the US military and used military force as President.
Here are the public policy implications of three religions practiced by serious candidates for the presidency in our time:
Catholicism: The most serious problem is not the abortion controversy, but rather the Catholic doctrine that "There is no salvation outside the (Catholic) Church" and the power of the Pope to ex-communicate anyone who violates Church principles. In other words, the Pope can keep your soul out of Heaven!
When the Democratic Party nominated New York Governor Al Smith for President in 1928, many Protestant Democrats voted against him because they feared Vatican control of this country.
John F Kennedy tried to dispel fears of papal power over the President with the quotation above. The reality was that Kennedy, though raised Catholic, was never very devout in his personal or political life. As President, he did not establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican or urge government support for Catholic schools.
Since his time other Catholics, such as Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and Edmund Muskie have sought the Presidency without their religion playing a major role. Rudolph Giuliani is Catholic, but his personal and public record do not indicate much fealty to the Church.
Judaism: Would a Jewish President put the interests of Israel over those of the United States? Although few commentators (except maybe Pat Buchanan) would dare to ask this question publicly, it would cross the minds of many voters.
Joseph Lieberman, as a candidate for Vice President, was a net asset to the 2000 Democratic ticket, even though the spectre of dual-loyalty may have driven some voters away. His attempt to secure the 2004 nomination failed for reasons other than his religion. (1)
Nowadays most serious presidential candidates are so pro-Israel that a Jewish candidate would not even stand out of the pack on this issue.
Mormonism: Like Muhammad, Joseph Smith claimed that an angel had given him a prophecy (The Book of Mormon) which surpassed and superseded all previous revelations.
Mormons believe that God has a body of "flesh and bone" and that Jesus created the world under his direction. They espouse a weird version of world history, in which American Indians are descended from the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. Until 1890, the Mormon Church permitted polygamy, and some Mormons continue the practice in our time.
These beliefs and practices brought early Mormons into mortal conflict with their neighbors; Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in Illinois in 1844. His successor, Brigham Young, led the Mormons to a land which is now Utah, where they predominate to this day. so they sought isolation in the West. (2)
When Mitt Romney's father, George, sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1968, his Mormon faith was not an issue; he withdrew after claiming he was "brainwashed" by the military in Vietnam. Religion plays a greater role in American politics today, so Mitt will have to face questions about his religious beliefs.
Someday, perhaps in the lifetime of some younger readers of the Glazerbeam, a Muslim will be a serious candidate for President of the United States. (3) He will face some really tough questions!
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(1) Lieberman's unswerving support for the Iraq War antagonized many Democrats. Yet, unlike John Kerry, he was not a veteran. His wizened visage and stiff speaking style were also negative factors.
(2) 1977 World Book, Volume 13, page 662.
(3)Barrack Hussein Obama had a Muslim father and some Muslim education. He has been a Protestant for over 25 years.
Sen. John F Kennedy, 1960
"I'm twice as Catholic as Jack (Kennedy)!"
Sen. Eugene J McCarthy, 1960
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney faces difficulty among some Christian voters because he is a Mormon. Others say that a candidate's religious beliefs should not be an issue in a presidential campaign. For instance, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said it was inappropriate for a reporter to ask Republican candidates at a forum whether they believed in Evolution, since the answer has no bearing on the duties of the President. Comedian Bill Maher replied that the answer says a great deal about the candidate's attitude toward science, so it is relevant.
In an age when many candidates emphasize that their views on some moral and social issues (abortion and same-sex marriage, for example) are grounded in their faith, is it not legitimate to consider a candidate's religious affiliation and belief (or lack of belief) in evaluating his (or her) suitability for President of the United States?
The important question is not simply "What religion are you?" but rather, "Will your religious (or other) beliefs affect your actions as President, and if so, how?" For example, Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon were both raised in pacifist religions ( Mennonite and Quaker, respectively), but both served in the US military and used military force as President.
Here are the public policy implications of three religions practiced by serious candidates for the presidency in our time:
Catholicism: The most serious problem is not the abortion controversy, but rather the Catholic doctrine that "There is no salvation outside the (Catholic) Church" and the power of the Pope to ex-communicate anyone who violates Church principles. In other words, the Pope can keep your soul out of Heaven!
When the Democratic Party nominated New York Governor Al Smith for President in 1928, many Protestant Democrats voted against him because they feared Vatican control of this country.
John F Kennedy tried to dispel fears of papal power over the President with the quotation above. The reality was that Kennedy, though raised Catholic, was never very devout in his personal or political life. As President, he did not establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican or urge government support for Catholic schools.
Since his time other Catholics, such as Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and Edmund Muskie have sought the Presidency without their religion playing a major role. Rudolph Giuliani is Catholic, but his personal and public record do not indicate much fealty to the Church.
Judaism: Would a Jewish President put the interests of Israel over those of the United States? Although few commentators (except maybe Pat Buchanan) would dare to ask this question publicly, it would cross the minds of many voters.
Joseph Lieberman, as a candidate for Vice President, was a net asset to the 2000 Democratic ticket, even though the spectre of dual-loyalty may have driven some voters away. His attempt to secure the 2004 nomination failed for reasons other than his religion. (1)
Nowadays most serious presidential candidates are so pro-Israel that a Jewish candidate would not even stand out of the pack on this issue.
Mormonism: Like Muhammad, Joseph Smith claimed that an angel had given him a prophecy (The Book of Mormon) which surpassed and superseded all previous revelations.
Mormons believe that God has a body of "flesh and bone" and that Jesus created the world under his direction. They espouse a weird version of world history, in which American Indians are descended from the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. Until 1890, the Mormon Church permitted polygamy, and some Mormons continue the practice in our time.
These beliefs and practices brought early Mormons into mortal conflict with their neighbors; Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in Illinois in 1844. His successor, Brigham Young, led the Mormons to a land which is now Utah, where they predominate to this day. so they sought isolation in the West. (2)
When Mitt Romney's father, George, sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1968, his Mormon faith was not an issue; he withdrew after claiming he was "brainwashed" by the military in Vietnam. Religion plays a greater role in American politics today, so Mitt will have to face questions about his religious beliefs.
Someday, perhaps in the lifetime of some younger readers of the Glazerbeam, a Muslim will be a serious candidate for President of the United States. (3) He will face some really tough questions!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Lieberman's unswerving support for the Iraq War antagonized many Democrats. Yet, unlike John Kerry, he was not a veteran. His wizened visage and stiff speaking style were also negative factors.
(2) 1977 World Book, Volume 13, page 662.
(3)Barrack Hussein Obama had a Muslim father and some Muslim education. He has been a Protestant for over 25 years.
posted by Gerald S Glazer at 10:24 AM
3 Comments:
You forgot the other major religion: atheism. Atheist also have problems of faith that could interfere with policies.
There are end of life issues or euthanisia. Atheists have no concern for issues regarding the afterlife so many have a lax attitude toward the end of life. This attitude also affects the beginning of life and issues regarding abortion. Abortion is not just abhorent to Catholics, but also to most people who believe in G-d.
There are also problems regarding systems of government as historically atheism and communism have been allies. An atheist would have to divorce himself from the tenets of the communist party.
What about other personal beliefs like atrology or extraterestial intelligence or ghosts or etc. These beliefs also have the potential of altering the policies a President favors and these policies may be far more detrimental than policies that are derived from religion.
The point here is that we all have personal beliefs that potentially conflict with the Consttitution of the USA and with governance. This was true not only of John Kennedy, amd potentially Mitt Romney or Huckaby; but also of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and could be for an atsrologer. If the Founding Fathers were able to put their personal beliefs, i.e. religion, aside to govern the USA devoid of theocratic principles, then surely we can easily do this in the 21st century.
I personally am much more worrried about a President who believes in astrology or aliens than one who believes in Jesus even though I am Jewish.
The issue is not what one believes, but how one will govern. And the belief in religion is not anymore of a concern, actually in many ways less of a concern, than any other belief.
I agree with your piece and I also agree with Ivan's point. Religion is only one type of faith system. Secular beliefs are no less of a faith system. For example, pacifists believe that non-violent means are the best strategy for dealing with conflict. This is nothing more than a principle of faith because, if anything, there is much evidence to the contrary. To single out religious faiths as the only faiths that could influence a politician indicates an anti-religious bias. Personally, I'm more concerned about liberals' blind faith in the power of government to solve society's problems.
On a similar note, Michael Medved has written a scholarly piece in response to the controversy over John McCain's comment about America as a Christian nation. Perhaps you will comment on it in a future Glazerbeam. The link is:
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/10/03/the_founders_intended_a_christian%2C_not_secular%2C_society
Steve
Here is the entire link:
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/10/03/the_founders_intended_a_christian%2C_not_secular%2C_society
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